ADVERTISEMENT

You can travel to Rome and skip the pizza place your friend told you about but you have to visit the Colosseum. Some travel destinations are simply a must-see. But that doesn't mean you'll like them.

To learn more about these questionable places, Reddit user u/superlemondaze made a post on the platform, asking: "What's a tourist attraction you've been to that was 100% not worth the hype?" And people responded.

As of today, the question has 23.6K upvotes and 17.2K comments, many of which describe why some of the most popular spots can feel overcrowded, overpriced, and simply overrated.

#1

People Are Sharing The Most Disappointing Tourist Traps Around The World (30 Pics) The glass bridge over the grand canyon.

Total rip-off tourist trap.

It takes HOURS to get there from Vegas

They charge you $20 to park in an empty desert

They charge you $30 per person to take the bus from the parking to the attraction (it's like walking from parking into a mall - no distance at all!)

Then they charge you $30 per person if you actually want to walk on the bridge

You cannot take pictures or bring a camera onto the bridge, but they will sell them to you, of course.

There is one overpriced place to eat where they sell you canned food heated up in a microwave for big money... or you could drive 5 hours back to Vegas...

Go there to get scalped.

TommyHolef**ker , wikimedia.commons Report

Travel blogger and speaker A Lady in London has been to 112 countries and she's only visited a few attractions that she thought were over-hyped. It was primarily because she isn't really drawn to such places to begin with.

"Most of them were attractions that heavily marketed themselves or got lots of coverage on social media," A Lady in London told Bored Panda. "I went because I was curious after seeing them advertised or talked about online so much, and not because I was truly interested in them."

While the traveler acknowledges that some companies and individuals might prey on tourists, she doesn't think that makes the whole industry corrupt or dishonest. "I think most are genuinely trying to offer something that appeals to a certain demographic. If I'm not in their demographic, I'm probably not going to enjoy their attraction. But someone who is in their demographic might love it," she explained. "Like most things in life, the degree of enjoyment of tourist attractions tends to be relative to one's interests."

ADVERTISEMENT

Don't worry. Everyone can find something they're into. "There are lots of ways people can discover cool, less popular sights when they're traveling," A Lady in London, who also documents her trips on Instagram, said. "As a professional travel blogger, I obviously recommend following blogs and social media accounts that share about under-the-radar places. Local knowledge is key, so if you can find influencers who specialize in a specific destination, you'll often discover great places through their content."

#2

People Are Sharing The Most Disappointing Tourist Traps Around The World (30 Pics) The Dead Sea. You're in Israel. In the desert. It's blazing hot, like 115°F. You think you'll go take a dip in the Dead Sea to cool off, right? Wrong. First, you have to pay to go through a spa to use their towels, pools, etc. Then you take the wagon/shuttle that drives you from the spa down to the shore. The wagon/shuttle goes about 5 miles per hour in the scortching sun. No breeze. Next, you get to the shore of the Dead Sea. You the proceed to run over the sand that's so hot you're sure your feet will burn off. You tentatively step into the water....and it's like the hottest bath you've ever taken in your life. The water is maybe 1° away from boiling. But you figure you've made it this far, might as well get the full experience. So you submerge. It's a mistake. Every pore on your body is burning from the salt. If you have shaved any part of your body within the last three years, you will feel the salt seep into the little micro cuts and burn you from the inside out. You find cuts on your body you didn't even know you had. Even your asshole is burning because you have pooped and wiped within the last week, so your skin is raw there. And the worst part is, when you decide you have had enough of this boiling body of water, you practically have to crawl out because you're too bouyant to stand. And in the process of crawling out, you scrape your knees on the bottom where the salt rocks have crystalized which sets off a whole new round of pain. So now you're hot, sticky from the salt, and every inch of your body burns.

_Emerald_Eyes_ , wikimedia.commons Report

Add photo comments
POST
vickyz avatar
Vicky Z
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

OK i laughed a lot but who thought that swimming at the dead sea would be refreshing really? Of course the salt will do that to your body not to mention that your skin will be dehydrated for the next 5 years!!

View More Replies...
View more commentsArrow down menu
ADVERTISEMENT
#3

People Are Sharing The Most Disappointing Tourist Traps Around The World (30 Pics) Dubai. It's the most soulless, cultureless, and artificial city I've been to. The shameless and obscene display of bling-bling only adds to this vibe, and the supertall skyscrapers and mega malls get old sooner or later.

To top it off, all of this is built overnight on what is essentially slave labor.

PacSan300 , wikimedia.commons Report

Cory and G Varga, the wife and husband duo behind the blog You Could Travel, have also been to a few tourist attractions they could've probably passed on. "The most disappointing was by far the Manneken Pis in Brussels," they told Bored Panda. "Then we have La Rambla and Mercado de La Boqueria in Barcelona: overcrowded and overpriced. The famed Checkpoint Charlie in Berlin is a bit of a tourist trap and Camargue in the South of France because of factories and pollution."

The couple is warier of the industry than A Lady in London and said that at the end of the day, people are here to make money. "Naturally, travel industry players invest heavily in marketing and as we know, marketing can sometimes be deceiving. Travel agents operate on commission so their goal is to sell you a dream: more expensive hotel, upgrades on flights, more experiences to visit. Luckily, travelers are also savvier and can see right through the ads."

"Modern travelers rely mostly on recommendations of friends and relatives, online recommendations, social media, and travel blogs. Commercial information is not so relevant to them anymore. We do appeal to all industry key players to change some of their practices ... and adopt a more ethical stance."

ADVERTISEMENT

Cory and G Varga think the best way to learn about unbeaten paths is by simply exploring. "Ditch the hop-on-hop-off options and grab a city map (or just use digital maps on your phone) and go on an adventure. It's perfectly okay to want to see popular attractions but travel between them on foot if possible. It's the curious sights in-between that are so much more interesting and unusual. A cute family-run bistro, an obscure century-old shop, a friendly local with a story to tell," the wife and husband explained.

#4

People Are Sharing The Most Disappointing Tourist Traps Around The World (30 Pics) The Taj Mahal (Agra). It's surrounded by 10-meter-high walls, and the entrance fee is ludicrously expensive compared to any other attraction in India. If you're in Agra and want to see the Taj Mahal, go across the river. There are some gardens almost directly across from it, and there's a great spot by the river with a brilliant view of the Taj Mahal, particularly at sunset. This experience is totally free, and you won't have to deal with crowds.

Nevermind04 , wikimedia.commons Report

Add photo comments
POST
chi-weishen avatar
chi-wei shen
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

That's some solid advice. The Taj Mahal is still a magnificent monument and worth seeing it.

View More Replies...
View more commentsArrow down menu
#5

People Are Sharing The Most Disappointing Tourist Traps Around The World (30 Pics) While the Louvre is wonderful, the Mona Lisa was a huge disappointment.

The painting itself is tiny and there are always hordes of people around it.

There are a million better things to see at the Louvre.

lenachristina , wikimedia.commons Report

Add photo comments
POST
wandiledludlu avatar
Sum Guy
Community Member
2 years ago (edited) DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

That's true... but do you think you can live with yourself for not trying to see the mona lisa when you're already at the Louvre? I don't even understand why the monalisa is so loved, but I would not pass up the opportunity to have a glimpse of it

View More Replies...
View more commentsArrow down menu
ADVERTISEMENT

In 2020, global international tourism arrivals fell by 73%, according to the World Tourism Organization, and recovery hopes for 2021 have been dented by waves of new infections. But as vaccination programs advance around the world, opportunities are arising for restrictions to be gradually eased.

Destination and tourism businesses are trying to rebound while also being sufficiently nimble to manage the abrupt tightening of restrictions that could be imposed in response to future infection waves and the emergence of new variants of the virus. Let's hope this brings more transparency to the industry and more chances to travelers!

#6

People Are Sharing The Most Disappointing Tourist Traps Around The World (30 Pics) If you go to the Great Wall of China, I'd suggest not going to the section right there in Beijing. Very rebuilt and touristy.

Take a van ride a ways out of the city, to the Simitai section. Now there's some uncrowded, old-school Great Wall.

DownUpOverAndBack , wikimedia.commons Report

Add photo comments
POST
wandiledludlu avatar
Sum Guy
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I feel like this is a given... you have to try get away from people if you want to experience the best out of something

View More Replies...
View more commentsArrow down menu
#7

People Are Sharing The Most Disappointing Tourist Traps Around The World (30 Pics) Disney Parks. Want to eat? Be ready to Shell out $50 a person per day. Oh, you came for the rides? Enjoy the four or five you make it on unless it's a busy day, those days enjoy the two or three.

flipamadiggermadoo , wikimedia.commons Report

Add photo comments
POST
juliaa1960 avatar
Julia Atkinson
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Disneyland is my idea of hell on earth - rampant consumerism, screaming brats and obnoxious parents

View More Replies...
View more commentsArrow down menu
#8

People Are Sharing The Most Disappointing Tourist Traps Around The World (30 Pics) Machu Picchu. I respect the Incas for building it, the real issue I have with it is the current management. It’s flooded with people (they let in over 3x the cap sto make money) being annoying and it’s very expensive, they bus people up a huge hill all day and we are required to have a tour guide and only spend 3 mins at certain areas. It’s misrepresenting the history of the Incas to people with selfie sticks. Not my fave

You are WAY better off seeing the Inca capitol, Cusco because it’s where they actually lived and thrived. See Sasqsyhuaman and the Qoricancha sun temple. Go on a backpacking trip and you will find Inca and pre Inca stuff Everywhere. With no idiotic tourists families. I highly recommend it.

¡Viva Perú!

ccut , wikimedia.commons Report

Add photo comments
POST
vickyz avatar
Vicky Z
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I love how people run to see a touristic place and complain about the other tourists being there! Well, surprise!

View More Replies...
View more commentsArrow down menu
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
#9

People Are Sharing The Most Disappointing Tourist Traps Around The World (30 Pics) Sydney Opera House. The tours are expensive and the inside is kind of underwhelming. The outside is free and is also the best part. ALTERNATIVE: Just walk around Sydney harbor. It's free and gorgeous.

CaligulaAndHisHorse , wikimedia.commons Report

Add photo comments
POST
jen_hunt_9250 avatar
Alethia Nyx
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

An acquaintance once told me a great joke about it. Australia has the best performing arts centre in the world, the only problem is the outside is in Sydney, the inside is in Melbourne and the carpark is in Adelaide.

carolyngerbrands avatar
bindi_banana avatar
Bel
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Forget the tours - go to a show if you're going to go inside. Support the arts!

aliquida avatar
Aliquid
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Why would you want to tour the inside of the Opera House... what were you expecting to see other than the inside of an opera house. It is an amazing piece of architecture to look at from outside. Go inside to see an actual Opera, or just look at it. I think people who pay for tours are likely suckers who never watched an opera in their lives, and didn't think for a second about what the interior might even look like.

calyfansugarglider avatar
Calyfan Yelood
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Love the alternative presented! But I agree, Sydney is a beautiful city because of the outdoors, so why waste time in a stuffy building?

stevecampitelli65 avatar
SCamp
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Ahh, it’s an opera house, what were you expecting on the inside - a fun park?

annelouise-bidstrup avatar
AnnaBanana
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

The inside of the Opera House is built primarily for acoustics, so it's pretty boring to look at. It's really only interesting for music, dance and architecture lovers. It's still one of my favourite places in Sydney.

antaatulla avatar
Klingsor
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Instead of taking an expensive tour, go see a play there.

julie_rose_translator avatar
Julie C Rose
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

People tour the inside? I didn’t actually know that was part of it, so I just walked around outside it like this person said.

lisa_tetlow_5 avatar
Lisa Tetlow
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I've heard the outside of the building is more impressive to see than the inside.

bobledrew avatar
Bob LeDrew
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Disagree. The tour inside provides you with a ton of background about the opera-level drama behind the building of the Opera House, and it also allows you to understand how the outside works by being inside it.

jmchoto avatar
Jo Choto
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I really enjoyed a lot of things in Sydney. Riding around the harbour half the day on one of the ferry boats was my absolute favourite part. The Opera House always looks great in photos, but it looks kinda grimy and dirty and yellow up close.

tamstar avatar
Tam StaR
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

You can also take a ferry (which is their public transportation) and see it from the outside for like a few bucks, crowd free. Day or, if you prefer, night views.

suehazlewood avatar
Sue Hazlewood
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Agree, just walk all around and to the Rocks, also through the gardens etc. So much more interesting.

evelyn_haskins_7 avatar
Evelyn Haskins
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

IMHO Our Harbour was far more beautiful when that promontory was parkland. I find the building hideous -- not to mention because the architect had merely drew some sketched, it tooko engineers, and YEARS of Opera House lotteries to be able to even afford the wretched useless thing. Then it is not big enough to even stage Grand Opera, Sydney WAS a beautiful city of grand Sandstone buildings and small green parks, then these were demolished to blast great holes into the rock and construct graetr ugly glass towers with lighted advertising on top of them. OH, we HAD to become MORE 'Europeanised' :-(

vthart avatar
Viv Hart
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I was there in 1981, no crowds, interesting visit to the Opera House, very informative, about A$10.00. Also had a boat trip of the harbour.

kelly_hartle avatar
Kelly Hartle
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Actually, the acoustics in the Sydney Opera House are terrible. The original architect was a well known architect, but he was fired part of the way through, and a less accomplished architect finished it. It’s a beautiful design, intended to look like billowing sails in the harbor, but not very good as an actual opera house.

jeffbellislack avatar
jeff belli slack
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

For anyone that wants to see a spectacle in Architecture with real soul, the SOH is a must-see. As a resident, and I can see the house from my street I take visitors on a ferry ride first because it goes right past the western side and the front. on the way to manly. Pub lunch in Manly and ferry back with ice cream and a view of the SOH as you come back into Circular Quay which is thrilling. Go back in the evening to eat at one of the outdoor cafes at the base of the SOH and enjoy the harbour Luna Park, the SOH towering above you and the passenger ship terminal. Return through the week and book a tour; it is worth every cent, every bloody cent.

boppa99 avatar
Simon Smith
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

See a Opera or theatre and do a tour,they range from different prices,it's all interesting, l know l live in Sydney 😃

mikemaxis avatar
MikeMaxis
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I was happy to just touch the outside shell and go into the lobby there.

nz_organiser avatar
Kirsty Brown
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

There is a theatre in Auckland that looks 'ok' from the outside, but it's not until you get INSIDE that you really see it. I probably would have toured the inside if I'd gone all that way! So for all those saying "what did you expect? it's the inside of an opera house", there's the inside of a theatre for you: https://www.aucklandlive.co.nz/show/the-civic-tours

email_9 avatar
lynath61 avatar
Lynath Fairfax
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

No it's not that much. The most expensive seems to be about 200Pounds but then there are discounts available I do agree it is a bit much, especially if you had a family.Personally would not be worth it to me.

Load More Replies...
rileyhquinn avatar
Riley Quinn
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

An opera buff told me that listening to any opera in this venue is transcendent.

cyberchook avatar
Cybele Spanjaard
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Home ground yes it is a tourists venture of course and the performances are magic.. I familiar one to me anyhow.. Opera, the stage plays ..any musical concerts and players ..It is a but dull inside, planned for the accoustics to work well and they do. Many steps inside too

ozkiska2love avatar
Ann Golub
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

agreed. I am a Sydney-sider and I don't like the inside. There was a lot of controversy about how it was built, and what happened when the architect, Jørn Utzon, had to step away because he couldn't do what he planned and wanted. His vision got butchered.

clanmorello avatar
Lynn Morello
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I watched that being built. We used to live in the Sydney suburbs and I worked in Sydney at the time.

mariyastoyanova avatar
Mariya Stoyanova
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Why would you want to go INSIDE it? It's the outside that is unique

sneum21 avatar
Umi
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I am from Australia and I agree my dad has been there and said there is barley any room in there especially on New Years and night time.

beezelpalomar avatar
Beezel Palomar
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

For free you can swim around the SOH looking for the spots where Finding Nemo was filmed.

james_fox1984 avatar
Foxxy (The Original)
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Haha, that's not a good idea. Darling harbour is busy with traffic, is polluted, has hidden debris and on top of that, during certain times of the year it's infested with jellyfish.

Load More Replies...
nowpete94131 avatar
BleeBloo
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Another one that's exciting to see in person, you can run your hand over the exterior walls and appreciate the architecture.

s_p_barnett avatar
Steve Barnett
Community Member
2 years ago (edited) DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Didn't get close. Just looked at it for some time from another viewpoint across the water. [Edit] They do like nun hats though.

f_h_ avatar
F. H.
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I don't know why you'd want to take a tour of the building if it's expensive. The best parts are on the outside. When I was there 21 years ago, you were also able to peek into the foyer for free. I assume that changed.

james_fox1984 avatar
aliquida avatar
Aliquid
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Just curious.... why would you have expected it to be anything but boring?

Load More Replies...
View More Replies...
View more commentsArrow down menu
#10

People Are Sharing The Most Disappointing Tourist Traps Around The World (30 Pics) The Liberty Bell. Wait in a long line to look at... a bell. That looks exactly like it does in all the Philly souvenirs. They don't even let you lick it.

burgundyotter , wikimedia.commons Report

#11

People Are Sharing The Most Disappointing Tourist Traps Around The World (30 Pics) Every Hard Rock Cafe. Seriously, the pricing is similar to a nice chain restaurant, but the food is right on par with Applebee’s.

Jummatron , wikimedia.commons Report

#12

People Are Sharing The Most Disappointing Tourist Traps Around The World (30 Pics) Madame Tussauds in London. You're in a city filled to the brim with history and culture and free museums, but you'd rather wait in line for hours and pay a fortune to go see a mannequin of Justin Bieber?

[deleted] , wikimedia.commons Report

#13

People Are Sharing The Most Disappointing Tourist Traps Around The World (30 Pics) The London Eye

What you expect

Whisked into your futuristic pod by smiling flight attendants, you gently rise above the ancient city of London. The crowds fall away as the panorama of the city is laid out before you - truly an experience for the ages

What happens

A snotty customer services assistant rips your d**k out through your wallet as you are shuffled into a stiflingly hot glass pod with dozens of other people. Sweaty tourists barge you out of the way to get to the windows before you have even left the ground. There are children, and they are screaming. The ride is 45 minutes long.

JamJarre , wikimedia.commons Report

Add photo comments
POST
jyrihakola avatar
Jyri Hakola
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Generic rule: do not visit popular cities at summer and mid of tourist season.

View More Replies...
View more commentsArrow down menu
#14

People Are Sharing The Most Disappointing Tourist Traps Around The World (30 Pics) Times Square and Piccadilly Circus, same damn chain restaurants and tourist traps

shiftdnb , wikimedia.commons Report

#15

People Are Sharing The Most Disappointing Tourist Traps Around The World (30 Pics) Mount Rushmore. It looks exactly like any picture you've ever seen. It's not easy to get up close to it. If you're in that area, I recommend prioritizing Devil's Tower. It's well worth it.

JBleezy1979 , wikimedia.commons Report

Add photo comments
POST
julie_rose_translator avatar
Julie C Rose
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Mt Rushmore is shitty, anyway - it’s on a spot that’s sacred in Native American culture and I think I remember reading that the people who made it KNEW that.

View More Replies...
View more commentsArrow down menu
#16

People Are Sharing The Most Disappointing Tourist Traps Around The World (30 Pics) Waikiki Beach. It's a horrible, crowded concrete beach surrounded by traffic and overpriced stores.

Go to literally any other beach in Oahu. But the coolest thing to do is drive up to north shore, and pick a spot on any one of the many relatively isolated beaches there and enjoy the scenery.

rachelgraychel , wikimedia.commons Report

Add photo comments
POST
vickyz avatar
Vicky Z
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Usually the famous beaches worldwide don't seem so impressive when you get there because they are overcrowded and probably ruined! You go to the beach to relax so pick a less famous one

View More Replies...
View more commentsArrow down menu
#17

People Are Sharing The Most Disappointing Tourist Traps Around The World (30 Pics) Pyramids of Giza; might be being too harsh, but the swarm of aggressive market vendors surrounding them makes the place a bit of a nightmare. One woman from our group asked a guard to take her photo standing next to the pyramids, and the guard refused to give it back without recieving payment (I cant recall the amount but being extorted by a man with an AK-47 isn't an ideal situation). Inside the tombs themselves it reeked of piss and was a claustrophobes complete nightmare. A ~ 5 foot tall, very steep ramp with f**k all to prevent a fall wide enough to fit 1.5 men at best with a steady stream of people coming up from the opposite direction. Being literally yelled at to buy headscarves and assorted plastic s*** by the truly horrible merchants outside completely ruined my experience of the place, which I'm so, so sad about because I spent months looking forward to the trip.

TheTrustyCrumpet , wikimedia.commons Report

Add photo comments
POST
liverpoolroze avatar
Rose the Cook
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Unfortunately if you want to experience the wonders of Ancient Egypt you have to put up with the modern inhabitants. If you are really interested best join a special interest tour or a university group. As well as knowing the real facts about what you are seeing they know how to deal with the annoying locals.

View More Replies...
View more commentsArrow down menu
#18

People Are Sharing The Most Disappointing Tourist Traps Around The World (30 Pics) Branson. The Simpsons weren't really joking when they described it as Las Vegas ran by Ned Flanders.

earlymusicaficionado , wikimedia.commons Report

See Also on Bored Panda
#19

People Are Sharing The Most Disappointing Tourist Traps Around The World (30 Pics) The Leaning Tower of Pisa - five minutes, that photo, and you're done.

[deleted] , wikimedia.commons Report

Add photo comments
POST
vickyz avatar
Vicky Z
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

When you are there your brain tells you that you HAVE to take that photo

View More Replies...
View more commentsArrow down menu
#20

People Are Sharing The Most Disappointing Tourist Traps Around The World (30 Pics) Bourbon Street, New Orleans

Now don’t get me wrong, the food is smash so I’d recommend hitting it anyways (Pat O’Brien’s and NOLA Poboys were my favorites). But the whole street itself is dirty, smells like sewage, and is overloaded with mostly ear rapingly loud rap music and maybe a couple jazz bands.

ProfessorSucc , wikimedia.commons Report

Add photo comments
POST
blue1steven avatar
Donkey boi
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I can't hear or read 'New Orleans' without salivating. Some of the best food I eaten anywhere was in a strangers front yard in New Orleans, he was grilling up for his family and just offered up some food to 2 passing European tourists. If you're reading this, I love Derrick & Leanne!

View More Replies...
View more commentsArrow down menu
#21

People Are Sharing The Most Disappointing Tourist Traps Around The World (30 Pics) Plymouth Rock

Put bluntly, this attraction is massively lame, no one even knows if this is the right rock or even if there was a rock.

Beobee1 , wikimedia.commons Report

Add photo comments
POST
cashcowgirlfriend avatar
Julie Robertson
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Not to mention that the rock is nowhere near the shore, and it's frightfully small; you can't even get close, and it's just this rock in the middle of a fenced off area. When we were kids, we were taught Plymouth Rock was this huge historical thing, and then it's a huge disappointment. I recommend you visit the living history museum at Plimoth Plantation, instead.

View More Replies...
View more commentsArrow down menu
#22

People Are Sharing The Most Disappointing Tourist Traps Around The World (30 Pics) Hitlers typewriter. It's a typewriter, I'm not sure what I expected.

girlthatfelltoearth , Birmingham365 Report

Add photo comments
POST
der-tod-auf-raedern avatar
Cactus McCoy
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

"Hitler's typewriter" sounds like a Netflix production on a really tight budget.

View More Replies...
View more commentsArrow down menu
#23

People Are Sharing The Most Disappointing Tourist Traps Around The World (30 Pics) Roswell, New Mexico. You’d think it would be a hotspot for conventions and space geeks, but it was an incredibly tiny town with dozens of alien shops and barely any people. It was creepy as hell.

properrocky , wikimedia.commons Report

Add photo comments
POST
juliaa1960 avatar
Julia Atkinson
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

It needs a museum dedicated to explaining how aliens crossed the interstellar void in a craft made of weather balloon materials

View More Replies...
View more commentsArrow down menu
#24

People Are Sharing The Most Disappointing Tourist Traps Around The World (30 Pics) Oktoberfest. Way too crowded for my liking. I had a much better time at fests in the smaller villages.

aircraftwhisperer , wikimedia.commons Report

Add photo comments
POST
schnubbi avatar
LostSoul
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Munich here. Been to Oktoberfest every year of my life, first time w/ 3 months-I´m 46 now. Always has been overcrowded in the evenings, but turned unacceptable in the last 10 years. Primitive party crowd like somewhere else in the world. Nothing special, just embarrasing. I recommend coming at 11 in the moning, have some chicken, pretzel and 2-3 Maß of beer and leave at 15 at latest, befor the crazy people arrive. That´s cool. You will meet kind, local people, that are lightly drunk and still able to talk. Or you just visit any of the bavarian beergardens with better food and lower prices for beer and food. Oktoberfest is basically for your insta-bucket-list. :-)

View More Replies...
View more commentsArrow down menu
#25

People Are Sharing The Most Disappointing Tourist Traps Around The World (30 Pics) Romeo and Juliet's balcony in Verona. Like, 10,000 people all crammed into this tiny alleyway just to see a balcony that I found out was built after the play was written.

I understand Romeo and Juliet is a work of fiction, but the story of the balcony is it inspired the play. I now know that isn't true but as someone knowing very little about Shakespeare, I thought it was true when I went to the wonderful city of Verona.

Jay_1327 , wikimedia.commons Report

Add photo comments
POST
juliaa1960 avatar
Julia Atkinson
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

The "Juliet's balcony" story is so silly I can't summon up much sympathy for this disappointed tourist

View More Replies...
View more commentsArrow down menu
#26

People Are Sharing The Most Disappointing Tourist Traps Around The World (30 Pics) M&M World in London. Every single tourist has a bag from there, they don't even sell the unusual flavours of M&M, just the usual UK packets of peanut and solid chocolate. I just don't understand it...

WraithCadmus , wikimedia.commons Report

Add photo comments
POST
patdobson avatar
Pat Dobson
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Stand in front of the store in London, turn 180degs, hey-presto the Lego store :) Much better :)

View More Replies...
View more commentsArrow down menu
#27

People Are Sharing The Most Disappointing Tourist Traps Around The World (30 Pics) Hollywood Blvd

CaliPalDude , wikimedia.commons Report

Add photo comments
POST
vickyz avatar
Vicky Z
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

If the actors are not in their balconies waving at me there is no point

View More Replies...
View more commentsArrow down menu
#28

People Are Sharing The Most Disappointing Tourist Traps Around The World (30 Pics) Any instagram gimmick where you need to spend money on tickets and wait in line for a photo op

Specifically thinking of Museum of Ice Cream

yeelee__sin_ Report

See Also on Bored Panda
#29

People Are Sharing The Most Disappointing Tourist Traps Around The World (30 Pics) Takeshita Street in Harajuku (Tokyo). I couldn't move my elbows an inch without bumping into someone, and pretty much every shop had a 30-minute line. I went to see the Harajuku-style fashion associated Takeshita Street, but hardly saw any of that. So essentially I was packed like a sardine for hours while waiting in long lines to shop for overpriced clothes. I love Tokyo, but I definitely won't be going back to Harajuku anytime soon.

danganranger , wikimedia.commons Report

Add photo comments
POST
onemessylady avatar
Aunt Messy
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Go on the side streets and alleys. They're full of tiny shops and artisans that are way more interesting and original than tourist traps like this. ...///... Frankly, I don't know how dumb you'd have to be NOT to have fun in Tokyo. Every time we go, we find more gorgeous parks and wonderful places.

View More Replies...
View more commentsArrow down menu
#30

The Fyre Festival

abudabu Report

Add photo comments
POST
bp_10 avatar
WilvanderHeijden
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

A festival promoted on Instagram by social media influencers turned out to be a massive scam. Who could have guessed....

View more commentsArrow down menu

Note: this post originally had 65 images. It’s been shortened to the top 30 images based on user votes.