What to see at Madame Tussauds in London: the best waxworks

Wax museums are very popular nowadays. They are spread all over the world in major cities and are a popular tourist attraction. Of all the wax museums in the world, one stands out above the rest, Madame Tussauds.

This museum houses the world's largest display of wax figures of world-famous personalities from different fields. The sculptures are so well crafted that you'll get the impression you're standing in front of the real person.

If you buy tickets to Madame Tussauds in London you can discover how the sculptures are created and admire the final result, as well as the sets, which are also made with the utmost attention to detail.

The Beckham couple is a British favourite and there are always crowds to photograph them. In addition to their fame, the realism with which these figures have been created is astonishing.

Both are in a section called Party. In this part you will walk on the red carpet and see the sculptures of the most popular stars of the high society parties such as Angelina Jolie, Brad Pitt or George Clooney.

The famous model stands out in this section destined to the great figures of fashion and she does it for her pose and the set in which she is. You will feel as if you were behind the catwalk with the model, who is portrayed with impressive realism.

In this section for fashion catwalk fans you will find models such as Zendaya or Cara Delevigne. The clothes on these sculptures are also haute couture.

Of course Agent 007 has his figure, or rather figures in the museum. Several of the actors who have played 007 and some of his characters wear their costumes and gadgets typical of the character. Daniel Craig seems to come to life on the set where his figure is on display.

In the "Film" section dedicated to cinema and accompanying James Bond there are historical actors such as Charles Chaplin. There are also famous directors such as Steven Spielberg and characters such as ET.

There are many worthwhile sculptures in the sportsmen's area, but the one of Usain Bolt made a special impression. And if not, just tell that to the flesh and blood man who was amazed by his own wax figure. It looks like he'll be running away at any moment.

The great sports stars share space with the sprinter. For Spaniards, a selfie with the figure of Rafa Nadal is a must. Some of the most outstanding sportsmen who have their sculpture are Michael Jordan, Muhammad Ali, Cristiano Ronaldo and many more.

Being in England, you couldn't miss the figure of Elizabeth II. And you can see the devotion they have for her in London in the details of her wax figure. One of the most photographed in the museum, she is without doubt so lifelike that you don't know whether to bow to her or not.

Of course you can't miss other figures of the British royal family. Next to the Queen in the "Royal" section are the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge and Prince Harry. They are the most photographed figures by Londoners without a doubt.

There is a section dedicated to the great world leaders among which Nelson Mandela stands out. A much-loved character whose figure is especially well cared for in terms of details such as facial expressions and his wardrobe, with his representative shirts that change from time to time.

Other great world leaders and leaders also have their wax figures. Some like Obama or Trump or British politicians like Boris Johnson have their figures in the museum.

The most famous physicist on the planet could not be missing from the museum. His figure is next to a blackboard that contains some of his most famous formulas and is one of the most accomplished sculptures in terms of facial details. His famous moustache is also very accomplished.

He shares space with the great minds of history. Inventors, artists, writers... Steven Hawking, Shakespeare, Picasso or Van Gogh are some examples.

The figure of the King of Pop is simply spectacular. With one of his characteristic dance poses, he looks as if he is about to do his famous Moonwalk at any moment. His outfit is identical to the original one he wears in the video clip of "Billie Jean"

In the music area, alongside Michael we have all the great names in history. Madonna, Adele, Bob Marley, Freddy Mercury...

Marvel has its own section which includes a 4D cinematic experience. Among the many superheroes represented, the Spider-Man figure is particularly interesting as he is literally hanging from the ceiling. How did they make a wax figure in that position on the ceiling? It's a question on everyone's mind when they see the Spider-Man figure.

For comic book and Marvel fans there are also wax figures of the Hulk, Captain America and Iron Man.

Star Wars fans can fulfil a dream and climb aboard the Millennium Falcon where characters such as Darth Vader, R2-D2 and Obi Wan await them for a photo opportunity. In this section dedicated to the work of George Lucas, the recreation of the duel from the Duel of Fatesscene in The Phantom Menace stands out.

The wax sculptures are the centrepiece of the museum but these are not the only way to enjoy the museum. Madame Tussauds also offers its visitors so-called "experiences" that combine wax figures with light, sound or stage recreations. These experiences are:

Sherlock Holmes Experience

This is one of the museum's most popular activities and consists of an interactive theatre in which the spectators must help the actors to solve a crime as Sherlock Holmes would.

Spirit of London Ride

This exhibition takes a journey through the history of the city of London and does so through recreations of historical settings such as St. Paul's Cathedral, Buckingham Palace and Big Ben.

The name of Madame Tussauds has not transcended as much as her museums have, but it is interesting to discover who was the forerunner of wax museums. Madame Tussauds was a French woman born in 1761 who dedicated her life to sculpture. She was noted for her mastery of the wax she extracted from bee honeycombs, which led her to become an artist to French royalty. It was at the royal palace in Paris that he had his first major exhibition and where he began to gain a reputation as an artist.

His fame took him to London, where in 1835 he opened his permanent exhibition, now known as the wax museum of the same name. Marie Tussaud was noted for sculpting great faces from the history of France during the French Revolution, such as those of Louis XVI and Robespierre, and even personalities such as Benjamin Franklin posed for her. But her most famous legacy was her exhibition which, after moving in 1884 to the building that houses the museum today, was recognised as the world's first wax museum.

The museum has several floors and a myriad of figures that you'll want to take pictures with, so a visit can take several hours. Depending on how calmly you take it of course. The visit requires patience, as if you want a photo with some of the figures you will probably have to wait in the queues that form around them. Despite this, the building has all kinds of facilities to make your visit as pleasant as possible:

• Each floor has toilets with baby changing facilities if you go with the little ones.
• There is a gift shop for souvenirs as well as a cafeteria and a food stall.
• There is a cloakroom for a fee.
• It is wheelchair accessible and there are lifts to all floors.
• WIFI is available for visitors.

If you want to optimize your visit to the wax museum and enjoy it to the fullest, here are some tips that will surely be useful:

• Book your tickets online in advance.
• If you opt for the premium ticket you will have access to all the exhibitions at no extra cost and most importantly, you will save a lot of time queuing. It's well worth the extra cost.
• Check out the option of tours that include admission to the museum along with other monuments.
• Visit the museum early in the morning or in the middle of the day if you want to see it at a quieter time.

As mentioned above, the museum is located in an area that is home to more than one tourist attraction. If you want to complement your visit to the museum with other points of interest, here are the closest ones:

• The Regents Park: It is located just behind the museum and it is one of the royal parks of London. It has large green areas, cafes, open-air theatres and even a university.
• London Zoo: It is located inside Regents Park and is a great option especially if you are travelling with children.
• Sherlock Holmes Museum: Next to the wax museum and in the mythical Baker Street you will find another museum dedicated to this emblematic figure of English literature.