16 Overrated Tourist Destinations That Are Not Worth the Hype

We’ve all seen those glossy travel brochures and Instagram posts that make certain destinations look like paradise. But sometimes, what you see online isn’t what you get in real life. Many of those pictures are edited and taken at just the right moment to make the places look better than they are. This can leave tourists feeling let down when the destination doesn’t match their expectations. To save you from that disappointment, here’s a list of tourist traps that aren’t worth visiting. Before you book your next trip, take a look and see why these places might not be the best choice.

The Statue Of Liberty, USA

The Statue of Liberty might be the most iconic destination in the United States. Thousands of tourists rush to see the stunning sculpture, but it has lost its charm. Increased tourist footfall has made it possible to enjoy the Statue of Liberty only by running into someone. The sculpture has also degraded over the past few decades, so it’s lost its sheen and part of what makes it unique.

The Hollywood Walk Of Fame, USA

With 2784 stars dedicated to timeless celebrities, the Hollywood Walk of Fame is Hollywood’s most popular destination. But while we think spotting our favorite celebrity’s name on the sidewalk is fun, tourists visiting there haven’t been too fond of it. The sidewalk is dirty and unkempt, so it isn’t visually appealing. It’s also often crowded, ruining everyone’s experience.

The Space Needle, Seattle

The Space Needle is a cool place to visit, but the view might not be worth the expensive ticket. Seattle has plenty of other places where you can enjoy the skyline without dealing with long lines and big crowds. You’re better off spending your time and money on something more rewarding, such as Chihuly Garden and Glass or the Museum of Pop Culture.

Mount Rushmore, South Dakota, USA

While Mount Rushmore’s carved tribute is a sight to behold, you can’t help but deny it has lost its charm over the past few decades. Tourists don’t like the lack of surrounding attractions; traveling solely for the monument feels taxing and a waste of money. Its closeness to other tourist traps makes it feel less natural as if it were specifically designed to attract tourists and their money, so the experience falls flat.

The American Side Of Niagara Falls

The border isn’t the only thing differentiating the American side of Niagara Falls from the Canadian side; only one has been developed to suit travelers’ comfort. While the Canadian side prioritizes accessibility and tourism, the American side is unashamedly bare and empty; there’s not much to do, so most tourists prefer hopping over the border to catch the other view.

Downtown Dubai

Dubai has quickly become a popular tourist destination, mainly because it was designed and developed to facilitate them. However, Dubai’s thoughtful design for tourists ironically makes it less admirable; Downtown Dubai is riddled with tourist traps, so tourists there feel like they’ve entered a congested area where the focus is to strut them from one destination to another. The lack of authenticity dramatically affects tourism.

The Blue Lagoon, Reykjavik, Iceland

The most popular destination in Iceland, the Blue Lagoon, is a surprisingly disappointing experience. Because of its popularity, the Blue Lagoon is horribly crowded, making a simple dip feel nauseating and troublesome. It’s also underwhelming compared to Iceland’s natural hot springs. It’s much better to head to those than this tourist trap.

The Colosseum, Rome

The Colosseum is a must-see in Rome, but the huge crowds and long lines can really take away from the experience. The area is packed with vendors trying to sell you overpriced stuff, which gets annoying. You might have a better time exploring other historic sites in Rome without all the stress.

Phuket, Thailand

Phuket’s beaches are famous worldwide, so hundreds of tourists quickly fly to visit during the summer. But tourist footfall takes center stage; the beaches become painfully crowded and especially unbearable in the scorching heat. The increased attention is also part of why Phuket’s attractions are messy and littered; it ruins the experience entirely.

Champs-Élysées, Paris, France

The Champs-Élysées might be famous, but it often feels like just an expensive shopping street packed with tourists. Many of the stores are the same ones you’ll find anywhere, which can be disappointing. Instead, check out Le Marais – a cozy neighborhood with cute shops, local cafés, and a much more authentic Parisian vibe.

The London Eye, London, England

The London Eye might be one of the most underwhelming destinations for several reasons. First, it’s incredibly crowded; people are jam-packed in the capsule, so it’s uncomfortable and disgusting. Secondly, the crowd takes attention away from sight; you’re unable to see what makes the London Eye so unique. Thirdly, when you check it out, the entire experience falls flat and feels boring.

The Waikiki Strip, Honolulu, Hawaii

You’ll know the Waikiki Strip from other destinations in Honolulu because of the crowd; the Waikiki Strip has hundreds of tourists rushing to sit down daily. The strip is underwhelming, boring, and noisy. It’s also quite expensive. You’ll find much better destinations in Honolulu beyond the Waikiki Strip.

Angkor Wat, Cambodia

Cambodia’s finest destination, Angkor Wat, promises tourists a trip back to the past through dramatic ruins. But the destination is littered with people to the extent that moving ahead feels impossible. That’s not all; many parts of Angkor Wat have degraded because of the tourist footfall. It’s so crowded that even taking a picture is impossible.

Kuta, Indonesia

Instead of the stunning blue waves welcoming you, Kuta graces tourists’ sight with floating bags of trash scattered everywhere and an unbearable stench. If that wasn’t bad enough, street-to-street sellers hound tourists, and local eateries are costly. Ultimately, visiting Kuta Beach becomes a nightmarish situation.

Venice, Italy

Venice is a wonderful place to visit, but sadly, it’s overrated and too crowded. The streets are very narrow, and anytime you go, you will find the canals packed with visitors. This ruins the aura of the place, and you may end up feeling like you’re in a fancy amusement park rather than a serene destination.

Boracay, The Philippines

Boracay’s beach helped it rise to fame, but when tourists finally returned, the entire destination had been ruined by litter. Even though Boracay is gradually moving to a fresh start, it is plagued by concerns of overtourism, poor infrastructure, and poor development, so visiting isn’t a good idea.

More For You

Ditch the routine all-inclusive and embrace unique travel experiences. Check out our guide to the types of travel that add variety and excitement to your journeys.

This article was first published at Rbitaliablog.