If you didn’t know, travelling has become quite the in-thing as of late. It’s no longer something that only retirees and rich people do because they’ve got the time or the money. Whether it’s because people have learned that they can now travel on the tightest of budgets or that there are ways to earn money by and while travelling, it’s something that the young and old, rich and poor have come to love.
And while there are places around the world that everyone wants to see, there are also some that have been ignored for some time now. If you’re thinking about going on a trip in the near future, this article will give you some things to consider. Here are some of the most under and overrated travel destinations in the world.
Times Square, New York (Overrated)
Times Square is amazing, what with all the bright lights and things to do and every T.V show and movie will reiterate that fact to you and while there is some truth to it, above all the place is crowded!
We’re not talking a few hundred people either. There are thousands of people walking about, rushing to get to their destinations. So, while the pictures do look nice, it’s not nearly as glamorous getting knocked about, pushed and shoved every five steps.
Rome, Italy (Overrated)
Rome is a place that just about everyone in the world wants to travel to for a variety of reasons; the food is great, the architecture is beautiful, and the culture is so much fun. When you visit then get ready to experience this all with over ten thousand of your closet friends, yep that is the number of people who visit sites like the Colosseum every day.
The place is packed to the brim, to the point that the usual troupe of ” getting up early” won’t even guarantee you a glimpse of the Trevi Fountain or a picture of the Spanish Steps without anyone sitting on them.
Las Vegas, Nevada (Overrated)
If you’re into gambling and partying the night (and day) away, Vegas is the place for you but apart from that, there isn’t much to do in the city plus what people don’t tell you is that this place is hot!
Not only that, there are so many lines all over the place- getting into shows, nightclubs, restaurants and even walking on the sidewalk- that it can seem like you’re spending more time walking and waiting than enjoying yourself.
Phuket, Thailand (Overrated)
Let’s face it, Phuket is an Instagrammer’s paradise with luxurious resorts, crystal clear waters, and countless photo opportunities. With the appeal of natural beauty and an envious feed, who wouldn’t want to go there?
Well, For starters the city is also known for being able to see and ride elephants, many of which are mistreated. Its beaches while beautiful are often shared with hundreds if not thousands of other people, one of the reasons why they are seen loaded with trash.
The Red Light District, The Netherlands (Overrated)
The Red Light District is known around the world for being one of the few places which has legalized sexual services and that is why, understandably, it is one of the first places that comes to mind when you think about Amsterdam.
But this city isn’t for the conservative or the weak at heart, nudity comes with the territory, and once the clock strikes 11 pm, the district becomes extremely crowded and not the safest of places.
Cairo, Egypt (Overrated)
It’s always great to visit historical monuments that have stood for thousands of years especially if its selling point includes the Nile River, the Giza Necropolis and the Khan el-Khalili bazaar.
But it might not be worth it when you hear that just trying to get to Cairo can be very expensive and the flight time can exceed 10 hours if you are in anywhere west of New York. Once you get there, being hassled by salesmen and seeing the pyramids in a large crowd is not the experience that people hope for.
Hollywood, California (Overrated)
Some of the world’s greatest movies have been filmed in one of the many studios in Hollywood and the prospect of seeing one of your favourite stars is a great reason to go. Plus, who doesn’t like to dream about bumping into a famous celebrity?
But when you factor in the LA’s terrible traffic, how expensive it is to stay there, how crowded the “walk of fame”, “Disneyland”, and “Santa Monica pier” are, then you won’t be planning a trip there anytime soon.
The Leaning Tower of Pisa, Italy (Overrated)
The Leaning Tower of Pisa is an architectural disaster which became one of the most recognized monuments in the world. Initially tilting because of its inadequate foundation, the bell tower has amazing views for those able to climb it.
With that being said, many have said that the climb isn’t worth it, and if you’re thinking about taking one of those classically cheesy selfies where you push the monument, then you should expect at least 5 to 20 photobombers.
London, England (Overrated)
London can be found on almost everyone’s bucket list and for good reason. With landmarks like Big Ben, Buckingham Palace, the London Eye, and Tower Bridge, it’s easy to understand why.
Unfortunately, all of those sites listed above are some of the most visited places in the city and not only do you need to get advanced tickets, at least a few days, to visit these places, the lines to get there are often very long.
Statue of Liberty, New York (Overrated)
The Statue of Liberty is one of the most well-known symbols in the United States, it is much more than a statue. Originally, a gift from France, she stands over 305 feet tall in the heart of New York City.
But don’t get too excited. Thousands of people have expressed their regret about this place, their main complaint being that is just isn’t worth it. The lines take up most of the time and the view really isn’t all that.
Cancun, Mexico (Overrated)
When you hear the word Cancun, most people think of “affordability”, “flavorful food”, “great weather”, and “beautiful beaches”. Unfortunately, some other words/phrases that come to mind include “over-priced activities”, “aggressive vendors”, and “safety issues”.
On top of that, it is a favourite spot for inebriated college kids who will throw unnecessary loud parties at all hours of the day. With Spring Breakers the town biggest tourism group, you might also have a hard time finding family-friendly activities.
Stonehenge, England (Overrated)
Stonehenge is one of the more mysterious rocks on planet earth and people have been speculating about its creation for centuries. Every generation as asked, just where it came from and who put it there.
But in real life, they’re really just stones that crowds of people flock to see every year. All the mystery is taken away by loud person chewing gum right next to you and the children begging their parents to see something more interesting.
Mykonos, Greece (Overrated)
Mykonos is a picturesque island which is known for its unique architecture and lit parties. Thanks to social media, the city is more popular than ever and because of all of the attention, the Greek isle is often very crowded and very expensive.
If you really have your heart set on the feel and aesthetic of Mykonos, why not try one of the other smaller islands? They are practically identical without the addition of the hordes of tourists.
Taj Mahal, India (Overrated)
The Taj Mahal is a beautiful place with a rich history, it was a romantic gift from a husband to his beloved wife. The place is picture-perfect and looks as pristine as it was when it was first built.
But what people don’t tell you is how far you’d have to drive to even get there. To make things worse, the line to get inside is crazy ridiculous to get inside and when you do, you’re far from alone. Maybe it would do better to get a postcard if you’re in the area- or stay outside.
The Mona Lisa, The Louvre (Overrated)
The Mona Lisa, which was completed by Leonardo Da Vinci in 1517, is the most well-known painting in the world, and even the director of the Louvre has said that over 80% of the museum’s visitors come just to see it.
On top of having to compete to see the artwork, it sits behind a 1.52- inch-thick layer of bulletproof glass and there is also a wooden fence and a rope fence (on occasion) to keep viewers back.
Loch Ness, Highland, Scotland (Overrated)
Sadly, you won’t run into the infamous Loch Ness monster here, but what you will find is an ordinary lake with a museum that TripAdvisor reviewers say is in desperate need of an update.
If you really want to experience the beauty of a Scottish loch, try Loch Awe or Loch Maree instead. They are understated lochs which have the quintessential Scottish vibe a tourist wants without the actual tourists.
Rio De Janeiro, Brazil (Overrated)
Brazil is exotic, exciting and exhilarating or at least that is what the pictures will have you believe. While it has beautiful beaches and even more beautiful people, the whole city is more or less a tourist trap.
The hustle and bustle is just straight-up chaotic and most of the main part of the city is filled with restaurants which serve subpar food with a high price tag. If you really want to enjoy the city, we suggest you do your research and stay far far and far away from major tourist attractions and stick to smaller local street food and restaurants.
Moulin Rouge, Paris, France ( Overrated)
The Moulin Rouge dates back all the way to the late 19th century when the opening of the venue changed cabaret’s image forever. Since then, the Moulin Rouge has seen many an elite guest, and the red windmill has become synonymous with Paris.
Sadly, though, the venue isn’t quite what it used to be. Tourists complain that visitors are packed into the theatre, making it hard for the staff to serve food and drinks. And many say that the show itself is completely overrated. One TripAdvisor reviewer referred to it as “more of a second rate high school variety show than the fabulous dance spectacular one would expect.”
Daytona Beach, Florida (Overrated)
Unless you’re a college student planning a wild spring break trip or a NASCAR fan looking to attend the Daytona 500, you might want to skip Daytona Beach. These groups tend to get rowdy, so you’ll be hard-pressed to find a quiet hotel. Cars are allowed on the beach, meaning that the sand might not be all that peaceful either.
Cars are allowed on the beach, meaning that the sand might not be all that peaceful either. Fortunately, Florida has no shortage of beach destinations. Try the Keys, Clearwater Beach, Bill Baggs Cape Florida State Beach, or Pensacola Beach instead.
Harbour Bridge, Sydney, Australia (Overrated)
Chances are you won’t find a bridge that’s more expensive to walk across than the Sydney Harbour Bridge. The 1.5-hour climb will set you back $124, whereas the full 3.5-hour climb will cost you $224. That’s a pretty steep price for a view that many people say isn’t all that spectacular.
Consider taking a ride on the ferry for a view that includes the Harbour Bridge and won’t break the bank. That’s a pretty steep price for a view that many people say isn’t all that spectacular. Consider taking a ride on the ferry for a view that includes the Harbour Bridge and won’t break the bank.