Designed by Frederic Bartholdi, the statue of liberty is a neo-classical sculpture representing the Roman Goddess of Freedom, Libertas. Photo / 123RF
Designed by Frederic Bartholdi, the statue of liberty is a neo-classical sculpture representing the Roman Goddess of Freedom, Libertas. Photo / 123RF
Size may not be everything, but when it comes to major tourist attractions you've traipsed half way around the world to see - a bit of scale is always appreciated.
However, from The Little Mermaid statue in Copenhagen to the Statue of Liberty in New York, many of the planet's most venerated sightseeing highlights have left tourists feeling a little deflated, because they're smaller than envisaged.
Scroll down to see the landmarks that don't quite measure up to their grandiose reputation...
The Little Mermaid, Copenhagen
The 94-year-old Little Mermaid statue in Copenhagen, a tribute to Danish storyteller Hans Christian Andersen, is a popular tourist spot. Photo / 123RF
Every day, hundreds of visitors flock to photograph the monument displayed on a rock by the waterside at the Langelinie promenade. Photo / 123RF
The 94-year-old Little Mermaid statue in Copenhagen, a tribute to Danish storyteller Hans Christian Andersen, is a popular tourist spot.
Every day, hundreds of visitors flock to photograph the monument, which is displayed on a rock by the waterside at the Langelinie promenade.
However, many are shocked by how small the bronze sculpture is, despite it being clearly described in guide books as measuring 1.2m.
One visitor, cjomp6 from Finland, wrote on TripAdvisor: "It's just a small statue. It is not apparent, and I even missed it while walking past the first time."
The Mona Lisa, Paris
Leonardo da Vinci's Mona Lisa is one of the most famous paintings in the world. Photo / 123RF
Many visitors say they are surprised by how small the portrait is and it is often difficult to get up close due to overcrowding. Photo / 123RF
Leonardo da Vinci's Mona Lisa is one of the most famous paintings in the world. The art piece currently holds the Guinness World Record for Highest Insurance Valuation for a Painting (roughly $137,602,000), which it was awarded on December 14, 1962.
It currently hangs in the Louvre museum, in Paris, and has been on display there since 1797.
But many visitors feel Da Vinci could have made a bit more of an effort and used a bigger canvas.
The portrait measures just 76cm by 53cm, and it is often difficult to get up-close due to overcrowding.
Indeed, one museum-goer, Shayne S from Australia, wrote on TripAdvisor: "The crowds are crazy... it's a small picture and there was a 10 deep queue when we arrived."
Statue of Liberty, New York
Designed by Frederic Bartholdi, the statue of liberty is a neo-classical sculpture representing the Roman Goddess of Freedom, Libertas. Photo / 123RF
Many people who visit Manhattan comment on how small the monument is and even when they get up close on a boat tour, it remains a little stunted. Photo / 123RF
Designed by Frederic Bartholdi, the statue of liberty is a neo-classical sculpture representing the Roman Goddess of Freedom, Libertas.
She was a present to America from France to celebrate the US's independence and was erected in 1886 in Upper New York Bay on Liberty Island.
But was France being stingy?
Many people who visit Manhattan comment on how small the monument is and even when they get up close on a boat tour, they say it remains a little stunted.
One tourist wrote anonymously on TripAdvisor of the 33.8m monument: "Visiting here for the first time and seeing all the movies I expected an enormous statue, but it was small I was so surprised."
Manneken Pis, Belgium
A 24-inch bronze statue of a naked boy urinating into a fountain is one of the biggest attractions for visitors to Brussels. Photo / 123RF
Droves of people see the figure dressed in costume, but many get distracted by its petite frame. Photo / 123RF
A 61cm bronze statue of a naked boy urinating into a fountain is one of the biggest attractions for visitors to Brussels.
The 400-year-old Manneken Pis monument is known for having an extensive and diverse wardrobe that is changed on a regular basis.
Droves of people flock to see the figure dressed in costume, but many get distracted by its petite frame.
One tourist, SMMP from Portugal, wrote on TripAdvisor: "A lot smaller than I thought. It's a cute statue, but its small size and the amount of people that usually gathers around makes it hard to see it on perfect conditions. Nevertheless it's a landmark and the streets around are also worth visiting."
Mount Rushmore, South Dakota, U.S.
Almost 400 people worked on Mount Rushmore during 14 years of construction. Photo / 123RF
But many say they are surprised by the rock carving's scale. Photo / 123RF
Almost 400 people worked on Mount Rushmore during 14 years of construction.
The National Park Service said workers were hoisted up and down the face of the mountain as they drilled, hammered, carved and blew up rock to construct the memorial, which draws more than three million visitors from around the world each year.
Many say they are surprised by the rock carving's scale. Located high up in the mountains, visitors can only view the landmark from afar.
One visitor from Hawaii, M8738TIjm, wrote on TripAdvisor of the 18m-high landmark: "It was smaller than expected. Thought it was going to be huge."
The White House, Washington D.C.
The White House, located at 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue NW in Washington, D.C., was designed by Irish-born architect James Hoban. Photo / 123RF
Many visitors say that the building isn't quite as grand as they'd imagined. Photo / 123RF
The White House, located at 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue NW in Washington, D.C., was designed by Irish-born architect James Hoban. It has been the official residence of every U.S. president since John Adams in 1800.
The residence was designed by Irish-born architect James Hoban in the neo-classical style and construction took place between 1792 and 1800.
Many visitors, however, are non-plussed by its dimensions.
They say that the building isn't quite as grand as they'd imagined. One tourist, GreennIvy from Virginia, wrote on TripAdvisor: "This is my first visit to the White House and was surprised at how small it is.
"I've seen this iconic building so many times in pictures, movies and TV and always imagined it to be huge, but it's not.
"Pictures are a little difficult to take with so many tourists in the way. I suggest taking the metro here because the walk is short and the area is beautiful."
The Great Sphinx of Giza, Egypt
The Great Sphinx of Giza is one of the oldest and biggest sculptures in the world and attracts millions of tourists each year... Photo / 123RF
... but many people are shocked at how small it is. Photo / 123RF
The Great Sphinx of Giza is one of the oldest and biggest sculptures in the world and attracts millions of tourists each year.
It is located on Egypt's Giza Plateau on the west bank of the river Nile where the Great Pyramids can also be found.
It was constructed around 2500BC during the reign of Pharaoh Khafra, and it is thought that the face of the statue was modelled on his.
Over time it gradually became buried up to its neck in sand, which helped to preserve it before it was finally excavated in 1925. Now it attracts millions of visitors each year. But many people are shocked at how small the ancient sculpture is.
One tourist, PurplePaint from New York, commented on TripAdvisor: "I mean, you can't go to Egypt and not see the Sphinx and the Pyramids... the Sphinx itself is a lot smaller than on television."
Stonehenge, Wiltshire, England
Stonehenge is believed to have been used as an important religious site by early Britons 4000 years ago. Photo / 123RF
The average length of the rectangular stone lintels is 10 feet 6 inches - around the same size as an adult polar bear. Photo / 123RF
Stonehenge is believed to have been used as an important religious site by early Britons 4,000 years ago. Pagan celebrations at the site began in the 20th century.
More than a million people flock to Stonehenge every year, with thousands attending ceremonies to mark the solstices in summer and winter.
The average length of the rectangular stone lintels is 3.2m - around the same size as an adult polar bear. And the biggest stones were moved from 30 to 50 km away to their current location.
The world of archaeology remains astounded by this feat.
She wrote on TripAdvisor: "I didn't find Stonehenge all that interesting.
"It isn't as big as I expected and I found spotting all the barrows in the hills and fields surrounding Stonehenge more fascinating."
Big Ben, London
Big Ben - formally named the Elizabeth Tower after Queen Elizabeth II - is one of London's most-photographed buildings. Photo / 123RF
While the structure stands 315 feet high - around the same as 21 double decker buses stacked - some tourists say they'd imagined it to be bigger. Photo / 123RF
Big Ben - formally named the Elizabeth Tower after Queen Elizabeth II - is one of London's most-photographed buildings.
The sound of the 13.5 ton bell became associated with Britain around the globe through World War II radio news broadcasts.
Big Ben traditionally strikes on the hour in the note of E but currently repairs are being carried out and it won't sound again until 2021.
While the structure stands 96m high - around the same as 21 double decker buses stacked - some tourists say they'd imagined it to be bigger.
One tourist named Kelly B wrote on TripAdvisor: "Yes, this is an iconic part of London, but it's really nothing special. The first time I visited I was a bit disappointed about how small it actually was."
Buckingham Palace, London
Buckingham Palace in London serves as the Queen's sprawling abode. Photo / 123RF
Some visitors have said that they expected the palace to be even bigger. Photo / 123RF
It appears that some people will never be satisfied.
Buckingham Palace in London serves as the Queen's sprawling abode.
Complete with 775 rooms, including 52 royal bedrooms and 78 toilets, it would be very easy to get lost in the place without guidance.
However, some visitors have said that they expected the Queen to have more room to spread out in.
One disappointed tourist, Suzanne P from Canada, wrote on TripAdvisor: "I waited all my life as a Brit to come back and see Buckingham Palace. It was not a disappointment but was smaller than it appears on TV."
