newsletter
Home Lifestyle
- There are many iconic places around the world that people aspire to visit at least once in their lifetime.
- However, some are simply not worth the effort, time or money.
- Insiders pick 16 spots to avoid at all costs, according to locals around the world.
Top editors give you the stories you want — delivered straight to your inbox every day.
Thank you for signing up!
Access your favorite topics in a personalized feed anytime, anywhere.
From the Eiffel Tower to the Sydney Opera House, there are many iconic attractions around the world that people long to visit at least once in their lifetime.
That being said, sometimes when we travel, we might just go sightseeing because that's what other tourists do when they're in the area, and for someone who really explores a place properly, it's almost a rite of passage.
Sometimes, we may not want to admit it, but we don't necessarily care about the culture or history behind a particular attraction; we just come to visit because everyone else does - other people are just too stuffy, tacky, boring or cliches.
Have you ever been to New York City without walking around Times Square?
Have you really seen Paris without walking the Champs Elysees?
As iconic as they may seem, these spots aren't necessarily cut out, according to locals who live in their respective areas; many of them just aren't worth the money, time or effort.
These are 16 global tourist attractions that locals think you should skip.
Champs Elysees, Paris, France
"At the bottom of the list, without a doubt, is the Champs-Élysées," says stylist Celine. "People who live in Paris won't want to go there - well, unless they wear yellow vests! Too many tourists, overpriced restaurants, overpriced shops and it's definitely not the prettiest street in the city. Crowded during the day Full of Instagrammers and tourists with Louis Vuitton bags; at night, it's really a bit dangerous. Better to walk along the canals, the Seine, the Marais or around Montorgil.
Times Square, New York, USA
Financial analyst Lillian says, "New York tourists want to stop in the middle of Times Square and look at the neon signs. Advertising doesn't really impress us New Yorkers; our goal is to get from point A to point B with a speed of thirty kilometers per hour." hours, if we have to cross Times Square."
Ferris wheel in Prater, Vienna, Austria
"The ferris wheel in Vienna's Prater looks nice, but it's really slow and not very high," says the editorGerman businessman, Valentina. "There are many other places in Vienna with better views. Also, the Prater Entrée (the square in front of the Ferris wheel) was considered a total architectural crime. The Prater station was also notorious for its brawls, known as the drug trade."
Juliet's House in Verona, Italy
"The locals are right to avoid Casa di Giulietta," said lawyer Veronica. Hordes of tourists flock to the courtyard, where you can see the statue of Juliet and the balcony that is said to be one of the scenes of Shakespeare's Romeo and Juliet. Tourists stuck love letters on the walls with chewing gum and waited in line. Touch Touching The right breast of the Juliet statue is said to bring good luck in love. The place is dirty, crowded and costs the city a lot of money as gum and love locks have to be removed regularly."
Drottninggatan in Stockholm, Sweden
"According to many guides, Drottninggatan is the main shopping street in Stockholm," said David, an intelligence analyst, "but it's terrible. It's just a lot of weird shops full of souvenirs."
Maid Cafe and Shibuya Crossing in Tokyo, Japan
"Maid cafes - no one wants to eat there seriously, and the food is not tasty at all," explains editor-in-chief Rina. "There's also the Shibuya intersection — it's just an intersection."
Pattaya Beach, Thailand
"Thailand has such beautiful beaches, but Pattaya doesn't," said Aunyawee, a senior bank assistant. "We locals don't really like Pattaya, but for some reason, many tourists choose this city when they go on a beach holiday in Thailand."
Marina Sands, Singapore
Marina Sands is a place to avoid, according to Chee Seng: "There are more tourists than locals, and the food court is very expensive."
Myeongdong, Seoul, South Korea
“There is a shopping district in Seoul, South Korea called Myeongdong,” said student In-Ho. "Koreans may want to go there to shop and do sometimes, but there are too many tourists. Some less crowded alternatives to traditional Korean goods and street food include Insa-Dong and Ikseon-Dong. For the latest fashion trends and technology and Gangnam - Yes, that's the songGangnam Stylefrom. There are also Hongdae and the COEX underground mall. "
London Eye in London, England
"I am doingnoGo London Eye! It's overpriced and the queues are long,” said news editor Kieran.UK business information"The ferris wheel does not offer a good view of the London skyline and is a tasteless advertising opportunity - its full name is now the 'Coca-Cola London Eye.'
“If you want a great view, take a lookHeavenly gardenLocated at 20 Fenchurch Street, on the top floor of the Walkie-Talkie Building. Or, for something very different, there isSir John Soane MuseumIn Bloomsbury, a quirky mansion filled with arts and crafts. This is exactly what remained of it after the death of its owner in 1837. "
Piccadilly Circus, London, England
Director of International CooperationUK business information"Piccadilly Circus is New York's Times Square, full of tourists, big billboards, low quality restaurants and bars and zero 'old world' charm," said Dina.
Bar area in Gozsdu Udvar, Budapest
According to musician Tamás, travelers who want to avoid Budapest's tourist attractions should skip the entire Gozsdu Udvar courtyard: "Many of my friends avoid the area."
Amsterdam, Netherlands
"Amsterdam is so popular with tourists that it's packed," says marketing director Michelle. "When you say you're from the Netherlands, everyone assumes you're from Amsterdam. Amsterdam is actually a very dirty, crowded city - admittedly, with nice sights, but honestly, not that special. Rotterdam, The Hague and Utrecht is much better - they also have great canals and attractions.'
Flower Show De Keukenhof, Netherlands
"We discussed it about the Netherlands and agreed to organize the De Keukenhof flower show."Dutch Business Insider. "Spring is full of tourists. "
Why;
1. Tulips and other bulbs are a very common sight for the Dutch, so we don't want to stand in line for hours just to see the flowers.
2. Many Dutch gardens have tulips and other bulbs.
3. De Keukenhof is very touristy.
Statue of Nelson Mandela in Johannesburg, South Africa
The editorial team is inBusiness Insider South AfricaAgree that the statue of Nelson Mandela outside Sandton City Mall is not one of Johannesburg's best features: "Sandton City is a large shopping center with some popular restaurants and shops. But the strange proportions of the statue do not make it the most popular among the locals."
"All About Kafka" in Prague, Czech Republic
"It's about Kafka. Many tourists come to Prague just to learn about Kafka, but there are actually quite a few Czechs who don't know anything about him—he speaks German and never writes in Czech. Suddenly there are classes in Czech schools , but only very soon," said data analyst Anezka.
This article originally appeared on Business Insider Deutschland and was translated from German.
Follow Business Insider DeutschlandTwitter.read on
more...
FAQs
16 of the world's worst tourist traps that locals recommend you avoid altogether? ›
Of the top 10 tourist traps around the world, four are located in the US. The top tourist trap in the world and in the United States, according to the analysis, is Fisherman's Wharf in San Francisco, which features more than 1,000 reviews on Tripadvisor containing the words.
What is the most complained about tourist attractions in the world? ›- Hollywood Walk of Fame.
- Palace of Versailles. ...
- STONEHENGE. ...
- The Hollywood Sign. ...
- Big Ben. ...
- The White House. ...
Of the top 10 tourist traps around the world, four are located in the US. The top tourist trap in the world and in the United States, according to the analysis, is Fisherman's Wharf in San Francisco, which features more than 1,000 reviews on Tripadvisor containing the words.
How do you spot a tourist trap? ›When traveling to a new destination, you can easily end up at a tourist trap. But if you keep your eye out for a few red flags, you can avoid the tourists. You need to avoid places that are popular on Instagram and have hashtags. Long lines, crowded areas, and gift shops are also red flags you should look out for.
What are the biggest tourist traps in the US? ›Times Square and the Hollywood Walk of Fame Among the Biggest Tourist Traps in the U.S. We know by now that Fisherman's Wharf is the most notorious tourist trap in the U.S. and the world at large, but which other attractions rank as the biggest tourist traps in America?
What is the most overrated tourist destination? ›- Central Park.
- Niagara Falls.
- Statue of Liberty.
- Sydney Opera House.
- The Colosseum.
- Château de Versailles.
- The Grand Canyon.
- The Louvre.
The Least-Visited Country in the World: Tuvalu
According to the United Nations World Tourism Organization, the remote Pacific island country Tuvalu is the least-visited country globally.
This statistic shows the number of inbound international visitors to the United States in 2021, by country of origin. In 2021, the largest proportion of international inbound visitors to the U.S. came from Mexico with 10.4 million visitors.
What state attracts the most tourists? ›1. California
Other popular attractions in the state are: Yosemite National park. Death Valley. Disneyland.
Tourist traps will typically provide overpriced services, entertainment, food, souvenirs and other products for tourists to purchase.
How do you tell if a restaurant is a tourist trap? ›
- The Menu is in Multiple Languages. ...
- Novelty or Gimmick Factor. ...
- There's a Long List of Foreign Dishes. ...
- It's Always Crowded. ...
- Overpriced.
In order to avoid the “tourist trap,” implement the following Key Concepts of Multicultural Early Childhood Education: Emphasize human similarities before differences. Make learning concrete and interactive. Represent the range of cultures and family lifestyles present in your program, and then in the wider community.
What do Travellers search? ›Guest feedback platform TrustYou reveals 77% of travellers search for accommodation and/or locations, while 57% find hotels, 49% look for a location and 31% seek a combination of both. The findings are from a study by TrustYou on travellers' online search and booking behaviour.
What is the most visited city in the US by Americans? ›With an estimated 10 million visitors to New York City every year, this is indisputably the most visited city in the US. So, what should you do while you're there?
What is the #1 tourist destination area in the United States? ›New York City, New York
Year after year, New York City holds the spot of most-visited city in the United States.
- The spending directly related to traveling in California reached $100.2 billion in 2021.
- 32.9 million tourists visited New York City in 2021.
- Las Vegas is yet to reach 42,523,700 visitors from 2019.
- The total spending directly related to traveling in Texas was 82.9 billion in 2019.
Japanese tourists stood out for being polite and tidy, securing 35 percent more votes than the Americans who came second. Swiss tourists were commended for being quiet and considerate, unlike the Britons who were judged to be the fifth worst tourists because of rude behavior, noise and a miserly attitude to tipping.
How to avoid looking like a tourist in America? ›Avoid bright-colored clothes and wear muted colors instead. Ditch the white sneakers, bulky cargo shorts, and yoga pants, and opt for comfortable shoes and casual pants like khakis. Forget the fanny pack and hulking backpacks. Carry only what you need.
What is the most overrated theme park? ›While they're a treat for thrill-seekers, it may come as no surprise that eight of the 20 most overrated attractions in the U.S are water and theme parks. With almost 40 reviews in every thousand noting it as overrated (39.9 mentions), Universal Studios' Volcano Bay Water Park disappointed tourists the most.
What countries do Americans visit the least? ›Nauru Is the least visited country in the world, not just American travellers. This tiny island is located in Oceania and has a population of just 10,000 people. The remoteness and small size makes it difficult for people to visit. The island is only 70% uninhibited due to mining of phosphates.
What is the unknown country in the world? ›
Nauru, Tuvalu, Kiribati, and Palau are all island countries in the South Pacific that you may have never heard of. Palau and Tuvalu were important US military outposts during World War II, but following that critical phase of history, they have been out of the news.
Why is USA so popular for tourists? ›USA: The United States of America is filled with exciting opportunities to have fun, explore, and learn through its national parks, vibrant cities, innovative gastronomy, and variety of arts and culture experiences.
Which country makes the most money from tourism? ›The United States was the country worldwide with the highest international tourism receipts in 2021.
At what age do people give up on home ownership? ›In America, most people don't become homeowners until age 35. By the time we hit our 70s, about 80 percent of households own their own home, according to our analysis of the Census Bureau's American Community Survey. Homeownership remains steady throughout most of our 70s, dropping only as we near 80.
What is the most forgotten state? ›That state is Missouri. The results from Sporcle's “US States Quiz” make it clear that Missouri is the most forgotten state. The quiz has been attempted by players more than 19 million times, and Missouri is the state the lowest percent of people guess correctly.
What is the least inhabited state? ›Wyoming is the least populated state in the U.S. According to the 2020 census, Wyoming has a population of 576,851 people.
What states get the least tourism? ›- 1/ North Dakota.
- 2/ Oklahoma.
- 3/ Nebraska.
- 4/ Delaware.
- 5/ Vermont.
- 6/ Montana.
- 7/ Wyoming.
- 8/ Rhode Island.
Many travel books will tell you to keep space in your bag for the souvenirs and gifts you collect on the way. These souvenirs/gifts they talk about are called Tourist junk.
What are the big five in tourism? ›The term big five is commonly used in the tourism industry as these animals are favorites among tourists visiting the different national parks and other destinations. The big 5 include the lion, leopard, elephant, buffalo and the rhino.
What type of tourist is the most common? ›It is difficult to say what the most popular type of tourism is, as this can vary depending on factors such as location, time of year, and personal interests. However, some of the most popular types of tourism include beach vacations, city breaks, cultural and historical tourism, and nature and wildlife tourism.
What is the biggest problem in tourism? ›
Nowadays, society expects a lot, and in a short time. Management and planning procedures are proven not to be as fast as society wishes and, therefore, mass travel, undercapacity, and overtourism are together going to present the main challenge for the majority of growing tourism destinations.
What are the biggest problems of tourists? ›Tourism often puts pressure on natural resources through over-consumption, often in places where resources are already scarce. Tourism puts enormous stress on local land use, and can lead to soil erosion, increased pollution, natural habitat loss, and more pressure on endangered species.
Which countries are negatively affected by tourism? ›- Bali. ...
- Italy. ...
- Thailand. ...
- Iceland.
- Venezuela. If there was a competition for country most-likely to tip into civil war in the near future, the winner would probably be Venezuela. ...
- North Korea. ...
- El Salvador. ...
- Afghanistan. ...
- Iraq. ...
- Central African Republic (CAR) ...
- South Sudan. ...
- Libya.
Tourism brings both positive and negative effects on the health of local people. The short-term negative effects are related to the density of tourists' arrivals, traffic congestion, crowding, crime level, and other stressful factors.
What are the current issues in tourism and hospitality industry? ›- Experience and Personalization. ...
- Sustainability. ...
- Increase in Hospitality Tech. ...
- Changing Consumer Demands and Markets. ...
- Rising Operational Costs.
There are three areas of toxic tourism that I will highlight: child sex tourism, poaching, and the superiority complex.
Which five places are experiencing too many visitors? ›- Thailand: Maya Bay finally gets a rest.
- Italy: Cinque Terre tries technology.
- Peru: Machu Picchu turns to time slots.
- South Korea: Jeju Island.
- Colombia: Caño Cristales starts with a rulebook.
- You may also like:
Economic disparities: While tourism can bring in revenue to the islands, there are concerns that it can also create economic disparities, with tourists benefiting more than locals. Some Native Hawaiians may feel that the tourism industry has not done enough to address these disparities.
Is tourism destroying Machu Picchu? ›Up to 2,000 people visit the Machu Picchu citadel every day, with visitor numbers growing at 6 percent a year. The site is being slowly eroded by tourists' feet. Machu Picchu is located among steep slopes that are constantly being eroded by heavy rains and landslides are common.
What are 5 negative social impacts of tourism? ›
These negative social impacts include; social change; changing values; increased crime and gambling; changes in moral behaviour; changes in family structure and roles; problems with the tourist-host relationship and the destruction of heritage.
Which countries am i not allowed to visit? ›However, some people believe that it is in violation of the Constitution and argue that it the order was simply part of an anti-Muslim agenda. There are currently seven nations on the travel ban list: Iran, Libya, North Korea, Somalia, Syria, Venezuela, and Yemen.