16 Overrated Travel Spots Around the World — And Where You Should Go Instead

Tourist destinations and attractions don’t always live up to the hype. Whether it’s due to overtourism, social media, or inflated expectations, it’s frustrating to finally experience a popular place or landmark and realize the experience was terrible.

Destinations change, travel is widespread, and the world is more accessible now, so certain attractions or spots sometimes don’t measure up. Here are some of the world’s most disappointing tourist destinations, according to the Upgraded Points team.

Go or don’t go, but knowing which ones we think aren’t worth it (and which are) can at least help you manage expectations.

1. Vatican City

“I’m not particularly religious, but I was looking forward to seeing this renowned complex that’s its own city-state. A huge fan of artistic marvels, I was excited to see the Sistine Chapel. But the millions of people practically storming Vatican City and lines that circled the entire complex felt more like a circus than a humbling cultural experience. I couldn’t deal with the long waits and rude tourists shoving, yelling, and smoking, and finally, I just turned around and left. The cacio e pepe I ate at a nearby restaurant was way more life-changing than seeing the Sistine Chapel would have been (or at least I like to tell myself that). Since that first attempt, I’ve been back to Rome several times, but have steered clear of this destination, opting to experience less busy attractions in the city instead.” –Lori Zaino, Senior Content Contributor.

Where to Go Instead

“The ceiling of nearby Chiesa di Sant’Ignazio di Loyola is covered in frescoes so bold and inspiring that you’re more likely to have a spiritual awakening here than when catching a glimpse of the Pope’s stomping grounds. A less crowded and more affordable alternative to the Sistine Chapel, the ceiling of this church is covered in colorful religious visions painted by Andrea Pozzo. Head here instead of the Sistine Chapel and Vatican City to avoid long lines and costly entrance fees,” suggested Zaino.

2. Sunrise at Angkor Wat, Cambodia

“Sunrise over Angkor Wat was not the magical experience we were after. Most properties organize a takeaway breakfast since you leave your hotel around 4 a.m., but we were told you can’t bring food onto the temple grounds. After a meh sunrise, hefty crowds, and cranky, hungry kids, we decided this wasn’t an experience we’d recommend to others.” –Keri Stooksbury, Editor-in-Chief.

Where (Or When) To Go Instead

It’s not where to go instead, it’s when. Stooksbury suggests that Angkor is worth visiting, but sleeping in and heading over at a more reasonable hour may offer a better experience.

Hot Tip:

It’s easy to avoid the disappointment of a poor experience at a tourist attraction if you don’t have to leave your sofa to see it. Experience these 100 tourist attractions virtually (Angkor Wat included) without leaving home.

3. Shibuya Crossing, Tokyo, Japan

“When researching things to do in Japan, one item on almost every list is Shibuya Crossing, also known as the Shibuya Scramble, where thousands crisscross a busy intersection daily. So, when my wife and I flew to Tokyo for 48 hours, we had to check it out. I expected something more chaotic, but since the Japanese are so polite and organized, crossing the street was relatively uneventful. That’s good, but we checked that off our list and moved on. It is certainly a spectacle, but nothing I feel compelled to go out of my way to do again.” –Christopher Hassan, Social Media and Brand Manager.

Where To Go Instead

Shibuya is worth seeing, but it feels even more unique when you’re not directly in it. “Get a drink at the nearby high-floor Starbucks and watch the crowds from above,” said Hassan.

4. The Louvre, Paris, France

“While the Louvre is famous worldwide and even houses the legendary Mona Lisa, I’ve found that its vast size, long queues, and throngs of visitors can sometimes make the experience feel a bit overwhelming.”-Juan Ruiz, Senior Editor and Content Contributor.

Where To Go Instead

Ruiz suggested another Parisian museum he likes better: “When I’m in Paris, I often choose the Musée d’Orsay. Its smaller, more intimate setting offers a refreshing and focused experience — a perfect escape from the hustle and bustle of the Louvre.”

5. Cancún, Mexico

“One destination that underwhelms me is Cancún. The airport taxi cartel, overpriced amenities, and a lack of significant cultural infrastructure are key reasons.” –Christine Krzyszton, Senior Finance Contributor.

Where To Go Instead

Krzyszton suggests heading to Puerto Vallarta, “which has multiple and affordable transportation options, a thriving cultural scene, and affordable creative cuisine.”

6. South Beach, Miami, Florida

“While I love Miami and the surrounding area, I am continually disappointed by the South Beach area. It has amazing potential, with stunning art deco buildings and a prime beachfront location. However, every time I visit, it’s jam-packed with tourists who seemingly have forgotten how to live in civil society at home. The area has gems of restaurants, bars, and even hotels. Still, much of the prime real estate on Ocean Drive, directly adjacent to the Atlantic Ocean, is occupied by tourist-trap restaurants and bars that lead to excessive noise and crowding, especially during more popular travel periods. This crowding spills over to the beach, making it harder to enjoy a day relaxing on the sand and in the water.” –Nick Ellis, Senior Editor and Content Contributor.

Where To Go Instead

Ellis offers a few alternatives to beat the crowded, touristy South Beach area, starting with Mid-Beach. “If I’m near South Beach, I tend to spend more time in Mid-Beach, a neighborhood just to the north of South Beach. It also has spectacular Art Deco hotels, other architecture, and plenty of high-end, interesting bars and restaurants. However, it feels notably less crowded than South Beach, so you can enjoy the beautiful setting and find a quiet spot on the beach to relax.”

He also suggests heading to Sunny Isles, which is further north. “Sunny Isles Beach, a beautiful strip of beach fronted by a row of luxury high-rise condo buildings. But, the beach is wide and beautiful, and there are plenty of excellent but under-the-radar restaurants and bars that feel more relaxed and down-to-earth than the glitzy, often overhyped ‘clubstraunts’ you’ll find in South Beach.”

And don’t forget about the Florida Keys. “Finally, if you want to feel like you’ve gotten away from it all but want access to all the amenities Miami has to offer, plan a day trip (or stay for a few days) on Key Biscayne, a barrier island located to the south of Miami’s downtown Brickell district by a causeway. Visit Crandon Park Beach to feel like you’re on a proper island retreat — its calm waters and white-sand beach provide the perfect setting for everyone in your group to enjoy,” Nick said.

7. Overnight Train From Prague to Zurich

“I thought we’d have this lovely train through the mountains, but I got an old, cramped sleeper train with a tiny window, no food, and way too many warnings about dangerous passengers. When we boarded, the steward insisted we lock our door when leaving our cabin because there were passengers who would steal our stuff. When he came back to check our tickets, he left us a whole list of things, telling us:

• If your husband goes to the bathroom, don’t leave the door unlocked for your safety.
• When you go to the bathroom in the middle of the night, go quickly and immediately lock the door.
• If anyone knocks on your door who isn’t me, do not open and do not answer.

Although nothing happened, this was very startling advice to be given when we had this fancy image of a train gliding through snow-covered mountains.” –Kellie Jez, Director of Operations and Compliance.

Where To Go Instead

Jez suggests taking this train trip during the day instead of at night or opting for a rail journey where trains are safe, efficient, and offer excellent scenery, such as train trips through Spain.

8. Trevi Fountain, Rome, Italy

“The Trevi Fountain is one of the most stunningly beautiful artifacts in the world — and, sitting as it does in the heart of a city that attracts 15 million visitors a year, it’s as popular as you would expect. That, unfortunately, is also why it’s almost impossible to enjoy visiting it. The fountain is in a small square, which fills up fast and turns into an impossibly crowded scene at almost all hours. You won’t only have to fight hordes of other visitors, but also pickpockets and the cheesiest pickup artists.” –Alberto Riva, Editor and Content Contributor.

Where (Or When) To Go Instead

“Yet, there is good news: You can have the place to yourself with some planning. As a born-and-raised Italian who lived and worked for years not far from the fountain, I learned that the trick is to show up early. Really early, that is. Go at 6 a.m., have a cappuccino in one of the nearby cafés that open early, listen to the water splashing, and marvel at what humans can build,” said Riva.

9. Santorini, Greece (Via Cruise)

“I made the mistake of visiting Santorini on a cruise during the summer. It was beyond crowded with multiple ships in port (I think there were 5 that day). The whole experience of being shoulder to shoulder with thousands of other tourists trying to check ‘see the iconic blue roofs in Santorini’ off their bucket list was totally unenjoyable. To top it off, the line to get back down to the ships was well over an hour long. It was madness.” –Katie Seemann, Travel Partnerships Manager

Where To Go Instead

Seemann suggests opting for Mykonos instead of Santorini, saying, “It was still crowded but not quite as much as Santorini, and I don’t think I had such high expectations for that island. I think that was part of my problem with Santorini. It’s one of those places that gets built up so much that it’s hard to live up to what you imagine it will be.”

10. Higashiyama District, Kyoto, Japan

“Kyoto has done a great job of marketing itself on Instagram. However, the Higashiyama District, home to the imposing 5-story tall Hōkan-ji Temple (Yasaka Pagoda), was a huge letdown for me. It was difficult to access by public transportation, yet it was absolutely mobbed by tourists. We shuffled quickly through the historic streets like cattle and then wondered why we even bothered,” said Stooksbury.

Where to Go Instead

“In contrast, Kyoto’s Torii Gates at Fushimi Inari Taisha and the Arashiyama Bamboo Forest lived up to the hype. If you want to see the Higashiyama District, the best time for crowd-free exploring is early morning and late evening. Outside of those times, your experience may be less than ideal,” she explained.

11. Dubrovnik, Croatia (In Summer)

“Hot, sweaty, and crowded, the walled section of Dubrovnik in summer felt more like a theme park than a centuries-old medieval city. If I wanted to go to Disney, I would have! Each morning, I could feel the moment when the cruise ships would dock, and swarms of people would descend, making it impossible to experience or access the city’s beautiful and charming sites,” said Zaino.

Where To Go Instead

“This summer, I’m heading to Cavtat, a small beach town south of Dubrovnik, and to Lapad Peninsula north of the walled center. If you’re dying to visit the walled city, head there in the off-season (November or February) for a better, less crowded experience,” she said.

12. Komodo Island, Indonesia

“I’m not a fan of going on excursions organized for tourists, but this was my only option for visiting the Komodo National Park. I’d seen a lot of beautiful images and videos on social media and felt ‘influenced’ to visit.

Sadly, I couldn’t have been more disappointed. I’d go as far as to say I actively disliked most of the experience. The 3-day, 2-night trip wasn’t cheap, and my boat experience wasn’t very nice. The food served was basic, to say the least. I couldn’t stomach any more mornings of stale white bread and chocolate spread.

As for the national park itself, I was left disgusted by what I witnessed. I’ve never seen more plastic in an ocean. The beaches we visited had so much trash on them that some parts looked more like waste disposal centers than the paradisiacal beaches I was expecting.

The most disappointing and shocking part of the experience was visiting the Komodo dragons. These stars of the show are known to be vicious predators who can run up to 20 kilometers (approximately 12 miles) after a human whose life they can end with one bacteria-ridden bite. So why, oh why, oh why, are tourists able to get so close to these ferocious creatures to take their precious selfies? The answer is well-known: These poor creatures are sedated and used as a pure money-making scheme. Please take your dollars elsewhere.” –Dan Ross, Senior Content Contributor.

Where to Go Instead

Discover the “wild beauty and nature of the neighboring Sumba Island instead,” Ross said.

13. The London Eye, U.K.

“The London Eye was disappointing (but what Ferris wheels aren’t?). Not only are tickets expensive (roughly $40), but the attraction is best admired from afar. Within the glass capsules, photos of the Thames River and the city turn out fuzzy at best. Overall, the experience feels too commercialized, with expensive souvenir shops and photo packages that feel like a cash grab. For travelers looking to immerse themselves in London’s rich history and culture, the London Eye falls short (it only opened in 2000, after all!).” –Stella Shon, Senior Features Editor.

Where To Go Instead

“There are better ways to see London’s skyline for free, such as from Primrose Hill or Sky Garden,” suggested Shon.

14. Lake Titicaca Near Puno, Peru

“Nothing ruins a nature visit more than a combination of funky odors, odd-colored water, and piles of trash at a famous lake: Lake Titicaca. Nearby Puno is a city that makes you feel dirty whenever you walk down the street. Puno remains the only destination where my wife and I have paid to change our flights and leave early.” –Ryan Smith, News Managing Editor.

Hot Tip:

Read more about Ryan Smith’s personal best (and worst) experiences at tourist hotspots to see which are worth visiting (and which aren’t).

Where To Go Instead

The lake is in Peru and Bolivia, and Smith recommends choosing the Bolivian side of Lake Titicaca, where the Cordillera Real mountain range towers above it. The lake is also relatively close to La Paz, which makes arrival easier.

15. West Coast Gum Walls

“Plenty of tourist attractions I’ve been to have disappointed me to various degrees because of how you feel corralled and rushed in absorbing the beauty, such as La Sagrada Familia. Then some should’ve never been tourist destinations in the first place — if you wouldn’t take your out-of-town friends to spend the day at the office complex where you work, why would you want to do the same at Rockefeller Center? But possibly the worst tourist attractions I’ve been to are the West Coast gum walls that have somehow been turned into “must-go” sites for first-timers to San Luis Obispo and Seattle’s Pike Place.

My first thought is always, ‘Why?’ followed by a visceral revulsion to the odor of strangers’ saliva and the lingering artificial flavors still wafting from the thoroughly chewed wads. As a bonus, if it’s hot enough in the summer, you might even take home a souvenir in the form of a glob of gum that’s melted onto your shoe! So if your SLO CAL or Seattlite friend insists the nearest gum wall is a unique and quirky sight you have to see, say no and let them chew on that.” –Michael Park, Senior Editor and Content Contributor.

Where to Go Instead

For West Coast attractions worth visiting, Park offers up Snoqualmie Falls, stunning cascades outside of Seattle, and Hearst Castle, a 20th-century mansion north of San Luis Obispo in California.

16. Canggu, Bali, Indonesia

“Canguu, Bali, is the only place I have ever felt unsafe on a daily basis — and I was there for over 2 months. Verbal harassment, men on motorbikes grabbing me while walking on the street, and more. And if you enjoy the ocean, fair warning, you may end up on a course of antibiotics. You could offer me all the money in the world, and I would still never set foot anywhere on that island again. I had strong words with those who told me it was paradise and I had to go.” –Kathryn Schroeder, Compliance Associate.

Where To Go Instead

“In Indonesia, the best place I went was Labuan Bajo on the island of Flores, which was gorgeous and peaceful,” Schroeder shared.

Final Thoughts

Many destinations worldwide feel overhyped, but a straightforward solution may be to visit them during the low season, very early in the morning, or late at night. Or skip them entirely and head elsewhere, to second cities, alternative spots, or anywhere else. Besides helping mitigate overtourism, you’ll probably have a more enjoyable travel experience.