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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.

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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."

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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.

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Vicky Z
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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!!

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#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.

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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."

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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.

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chi-wei shen
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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.

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#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.

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Sum Guy
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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

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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.

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Sum Guy
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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

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#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.

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Julia Atkinson
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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

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#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!

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Vicky Z
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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!

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#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.

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Alethia Nyx
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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.

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#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.

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#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.

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#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?

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#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.

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Jyri Hakola
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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.

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#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

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#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.

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Julie C Rose
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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.

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#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.

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Vicky Z
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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

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#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.

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Rose the Cook
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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.

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

how exactly does one join a university group if one is not a part of a university?

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

My husband and I first went to Egypt 2 months after the revolution. We were the only tour group in the country. We had the best time as there were NO other tourist groups just a few brave individuals. It was fabulous. The next time we went on a tour organized with archeologists. That was worth the extra money. Better access, after hours, not so many vendors. But remember, selling plastic s,,t is tbeir only livelihood. After the revolution, they were starving. I bought way more that i needed and paid more that I needed to. Just to help.

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AndyR
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2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I did the same - at one point we were in Tutankhamen's tomb on our own.

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Robert T
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2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

The pyramids are definitely worth going to see, but you need to be wary of people trying to sell you things. We kept ourselves to ourselves and just had a good look round. The highlight of the organised trip I went on though, was that we went back to the Giza Plateau in the evening and had dinner watching the sun set on the pyramids.

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chi-wei shen
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

The pyramids are awesome but the entire surroundings are so terrible I wouldn't go there a second time. All the local people I've met there were asking for "baksheesh". I've never met so many annoying people in one place.

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

Yeah, I think Egypt runs on baksheesh - somewhere between a tip and a bribe. It helps to learn a few words of Arabic. It makes you sound like you know what you're doing and a lot of them will move on to easier victims.

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Panda Kicki
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2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Go in the morning, when they have just opened. We where virtually alone.for about an hour.

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Nevits Yibble
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

This person sounds entitled as hell. What was the expectation going inside a 4,500 year-old ruin? An air conditioned McDonalds? My Giza trip was fascinating

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John C
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

For those that are anxious to decry our current culture; the reason King Tut is so popular isn't because he was so great. Quite the opposite, his tomb paled in comparison to others, so much so that the mad rush to loot graves around the 1900s skipped his tomb in favor of other, MUCH more elaborately decorated tombs.

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James016
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2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I went in 2009 and we got followed around by the locals. I took a picture of a guard on a camel and he made the hand sign to pay him. I deleted the photo. The pyramids themselves and the sphynx are amazing though.

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Mónica Elisabeth Sacco
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Pyramids ARE tombs. If somebody expects to have a dazzling Las Vegas Luxor tour, I'm afraid those somebodies Will be very disappointed. Go to Vegas next time and leave historial tours.

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Bonnie Lauria
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

When we went to see the Pyramids of Giza, all we saw was outstretched hands looking for baksheesh--- even in the ladies restroom, where you had to tip to get ONE SQUARE of T.P.

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Lenka Smetanová
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I was there as a child... It was magnificent to look at... you need to understand that those pyramides and most the Cheopses was the biggest man-builded monument for almost 4 thousands years... If you are not interest in history, those are just piles of stone blocks not worth of your visit... I also don't like some places because they have no worth for me to see and I would be just disapointed, but I love ancient architecture of egypt so I loved that visit.

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

You're better off doing a Nile cruise in the off-season. It can be a culture shock, but you have to understand local customs of like paying bakshish.

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Marco Hub-Dub
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Of all the places on this list, most of which I’ve visited, this is the one I agree with most. Worst tourist trap I’ve ever visited. Definitely worse than all the higher up posts. Tho, I’ve never been to Branson. Egypt is beautiful at times, disgusting at times. Like nearly every place. The tourist trip of the Pyramids is simply horrible.

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Karl Baxter
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

There are several sites online that let you take a 3D tour inside in incredible detail. No heat, no mess, no stink and from the comfort of your chair. Some things you just don’t need to see first hand.

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Malwin Wellham
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Tourists spots in Egypt are swarmed by aggressive locals demanding tips. And pushy hawkers trying to sell merchandise. The moment they know you are a tourist (it is not easy to look local) you get targeted. Local offcials like security guards and others there to maintain order also join in demanding tips (which they call Bakshish). And also overcharging cabbies.

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Lamb Taylor
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I went with the idea of feeling the history of the place and didn't even notice the tourists. If your this sort of person you can't help but appreciate this amazing monument. If you are expecting a comfy Disney type visit forget it. The sad thing is that most Egyptians (remember the modern ones are muslim and have no interest in this culture. PS. I got that first hand from several) see it as just a way of making money. Thank god there are some archeologists and historians there who care about this amazing cultural history.

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Nikki Angulo
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2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I went in 2011, a year after the political upheaval, Egypt was still recovering, and there were not many tourists at all.

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Mickie Shea
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Heck, let's build your own pyramid and let's see, we could charge and hock goods

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Celtic Pirate Queen
Community Member
2 years ago (edited) DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I respect the fact that people have to make a living, but when I have politely declined your offer of whatever overpriced piece of crap you're trying to sell me - F**K OFF!

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j b milam
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

i wouldn't blame the guard for asking for money, if he did take their picture for free that's all he'd do all day. Besides, he's a guard, let him do his job.

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Pierre Couture
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

also the pyramids are not way out in the desert, they are right next to the slums of giza. overcharged for a 5 minute ride on a camel. as OP noted, the inside tour is smelly and claustrophobic and the tomb itself is underwhelming. The Museum of Antiquities in Cairo is worth an all day tour as that's where all of the tomb's contents are.

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Katherine Forrestall
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

But do NOT miss the Valley of the Kings. The river cruises are good for that experience. Alexandria is good trip too.

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

The romance has been replaced by modern day grubbiness..the archeologists were /are the luckiest.St least you can say you have been there and inside!!!

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Kelley Eidem
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Never been there. Been told that the energy that can be felt there can be life changing. Aggressive vendors might interfere with that kind of experience, however.

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Nicola Gordon
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

After visiting the wonderful temples along the Nile first, the pyramids and the tiny sphinx were rather disappointing, though it was quite fun doing the round trip on a camel!

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Debbie Stearne
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Almost got to Egypt during the protests a few years ago. Our tour was cancelled, but some tours went ahead and there were no crowds and no hawkers.

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Mari Bryant
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Watch Idiot Abroad when he goes there. True and unedited view of what it's really like.

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Kiwii Stone
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I agree, although I'd add that even if you don't ask a guard to take a photo, they'll try to extort payment for telling you that where you're stood is a good angle for a photo!

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

For the tomb part, a little tip… don’t visit if you’re claustrophobic. And a side question, do you claustrophobic Pandas have claustrophobia if you’re video calling someone in a small space?

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

I was so lucky to have gone many years ago, when there were very few people or tourists around. I loved it.

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Jon S.
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

There are travellers accounts from the 1800s of guides carrying them to the top of the pyramid then leaving them there until they agreed to pay a hugely inflated 'gratuity' to help them back down.

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El muerto
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

is so terrible that local people actually live in their countries, shouldn't they just leave so rude foreigners can take a few pictures...I mean "the client is right" right?...besides people trying to survive are the worst

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#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.

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#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.

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Vicky Z
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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

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#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.

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Donkey boi
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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!

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#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.

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Julie Robertson
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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.

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#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.

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Cactus McCoy
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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.

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#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.

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Julia Atkinson
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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

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#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.

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LostSoul
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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. :-)

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#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.

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Julia Atkinson
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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

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#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...

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Pat Dobson
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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 :)

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#27

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

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Vicky Z
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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

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#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

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#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.

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Aunt Messy
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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.

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#30

The Fyre Festival

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WilvanderHeijden
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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....

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