Lost in translation: the famous landmarks that Brits struggle to identify

Berlin’s TV Tower is the landmark that Brits struggle to identify the most, with 88.5% providing wrong answers. In fact, 15.8% of Brits mistook the structure for Seattle’s Space Needle, a landmark on the other side of the Atlantic Ocean, but more on that later. With so many towers built to out-size each other, getting them muddled can be easily done. At 368 metres tall, Berlin's Fernsehturm is Europe's tallest accessible building and provides visitors with a 360° panoramic view of the historic city. 

The vibrant city of Bangkok offers a variety of magnificent shrines, including Wat Arun. The Buddhist temple, also known as the Temple of Dawn, was misidentified by 87.6% of the British public. Only 12.4% of Brits correctly identified Wat Arun’s prominent missile shape and porcelain adorned þrahng. 

Thailand is home to many breathtaking temples, so why not visit Wat Traimit to see the Golden Buddha or even Wat Phra Kaew for the Emerald Buddha? Once the sun sets, make the most of Bangkok’s exciting nightlife and discover the buoyant atmosphere of the Patpong and Khaosan Road scenes. A Bangkok holiday offers something for everyone – whether you’re looking for spiritual enlightenment or want to explore the city’s vibrant nightlife.

A Japanese landmark ranks third, with 85.8% of Brits wrongly naming the Tokyo Tower. In fact, a hefty 41.8% mistook the landmark for the Eiffel Tower. While the famous French landmark inspired the Tokyo Tower’s design, they have some major differences. The Tokyo Tower was built in 1958 to serve as the city’s sole broadcasting antenna tower, and it was also painted red due to air safety regulations. 

The tower is Japan’s second-highest structure, standing at 332.9 metres tall. Reaching the top will reward you with a unique view of the city and Mount Fuji. After immersing yourself in the captivating landscape, enhance your Tokyo holiday by diving into Japanese art at the Tokyo National Museum or for an immersive art experience, stop off at teamLab Planets.

Ranking in fourth place is the Hagia Sophia Mosque, which 85.3% of Brits couldn’t correctly identify. Having adapted to the influences of the Byzantine and Ottoman Empires, the monument displays a blend of Christian and Muslim features. 

From the Roman-styled Hippodrome of Constantinople to the Ancient Egyptian Obelisk of Theodosius, submerge yourself in the rich mix of cultural influences during your holiday in Turkey. Make sure you stop off at Gülhane Park for a picnic with the locals or visit the world’s oldest mall – the Grand Bazaar. 

Seattle's Space Needle is the fifth-hardest landmark to identify, according to Brits, with 85.1% answering wrong and 18.9% mistaking the observation deck for Toronto’s CN Tower. Standing 160 metres high, this famous landmark is another destination for tourists to enjoy incredible views. With tilting glass benches and a revolving glass floor, you’ll be in for an unforgettable experience.  

Seattle has perfectly mixed the urban city with its surrounding natural landscape. The Seattle Art Museum and Frye Art Museum both offer beautiful exhibitions, so make sure to check what’s currently on. If you’re looking for something a little more dynamic, the city’s got you covered. Between the Aquarium and the Pinball Museum, you have plenty of incentive to explore while on your holiday in the US.

Birmingham is revealed as the British city with the least landmark knowledge. Almost two-thirds (63.6%) of Brummies couldn’t correctly identify some of the world’s most iconic landmarks. This is followed by London (58.6%) and Manchester (57.2%).

The top landmark Brits couldn’t correctly locate (88.1%) is the Schönbrunn Palace in Vienna, with 18.7% of Brits placing it in Berlin. Spanning over 400 acres of land and featuring an incredible 1,441 rooms, this palace is just one of Vienna’s many cultural highlights.

On top of not being able to identify the Berlin TV Tower, the British public also struggled to pinpoint the structure’s location, with 87.9% locating it incorrectly. Out of the Brits that got the answer wrong, 15.5% mistook the German tower for a London landmark.

Japan is known for its volcanic landscape; three-quarters of the national land is mountains. At 3,776 metres, Mount Fuji is the second-highest volcano on the island, making it one of the country’s most appealing attractions. The top answer Brits gave when asked about the location of the volcanic cone was Tokyo, with 26.6%. Although you can gaze upon the solitary mountain from Tokyo, Mount Fuji is actually located on the island of Honshū, over 100 miles away.

The CN Tower is hailed as Canada’s most iconic landmark. Standing at over 553 metres, the tower radiates just as much charm by day as it does by night. Despite this, 83.9% of Brits were unable to locate the Canadian structure, with 8.2% believing it to be 955 km away in Ontario. From the Skypod, the tower’s highest observation point, you’ll even be able to catch a glimpse of New York’s cityscape and Niagara Falls. If you’re looking for a thrilling experience during your Canada holiday, the tower’s EdgeWalk holds the Guinness World Record for the highest external walk on a building.