Top 20 Tourist Attractions That Are Famously TERRIBLE

#20: Checkpoint Charlie

Berlin, Germany

Once a tense Cold War border crossing, is now... basically a photo op with a fake guard shack and some guys in costumes who’ll pose for €5. In its day, Checkpoint Charlie was the epicenter of espionage drama, dramatic escape attempts, and international standoffs; today, it’s surrounded by tourist-trap souvenir shops selling “authentic” chunks of the Berlin Wall - they’re definitely not just painted slabs of concrete! As for the site of the checkpoint itself? It’s a sad little hut plopped between a McDonald’s and a KFC in the middle of a bustling modern metropolis. Kind of dampens the Cold War vibes, you know? Tourists expecting an awe-inspiring historical monument often leave wondering if they accidentally visited a cheap Cold War gift shop instead.

#19: Fisherman’s Wharf

San Francisco, United States

For those expecting a cute little fishing port, avoid Fisherman’s Wharf like you would fish from a polluted river. It’s the kind of place that sounds charming until you get there and realize it’s basically an outdoor shopping mall with a kitschy seafood theme. Yes, there are actual fishermen somewhere in the vicinity, but you’re more likely to encounter people selling overpriced crab cakes than hauling nets, and the historic vibe is drowned out by souvenir shops peddling San Francisco hoodies. Street performers are everywhere, and you’ll be lucky to survive a lunch without battling a horde of hungry seagulls. Plus, with modern economic hardships, the Wharf is now a sketchy shell of what it used to be.

#18: Blackpool

Blackpool, England

Considered Britain’s Las Vegas, Blackpool is found on the west coast of England and was once a thriving seaside resort. However, it’s currently struggling with enormous economic hardship, resulting in visible neglect, run-down buildings, and limited investment in modern attractions. The famous Blackpool Tower and Pleasure Beach still draw visitors, but many feel that the offerings are outdated compared to newer and cleaner resorts in the UK. Dodgy accommodations and kitschy shops are everywhere, making the daytime feel somewhat dingy, and by night Blackpool becomes a drunken, rowdy carnival, which can greatly put off families with children. While the town definitely has nostalgic charm for some, it’s now mostly associated with cheap entertainment and faded glamour. It’s a relic of a bygone era.

#17: Las Vegas

Las Vegas, United States

Let’s just say, you have to be in the right mood for Vegas. And if you’re not in that mood, Vegas can be Hell on Earth. It’s mind-meltingly hot in the summer, and you never get a break from the stimulation. The Strip’s flashing lights and over-the-top architecture promise glamour but mostly just deliver on the headache. The noise is unending, between the bustling streets and ear-piercing slot machines. Crowds are massive. Prices for food, drinks, and shows are outrageous. And yeah, gambling in those world-famous casinos is fun at first, but the novelty quickly wears off, and you know what they say - the house always wins. Still, if you are in the right mood for it, there’s no other place on Earth like Vegas.

#16: Trevi Fountain

Rome, Italy

Everyone wants to see Trevi Fountain while they’re in Rome. The problem is, everyone wants to see Trevi Fountain while they’re in Rome. Its romantic image in films and postcards contrasts sharply with the reality of the site. The fountain itself is crammed into a small piazza, leaving little room to take in its scale, and the crowds are simply unbelievable. On any given day, day or night, hundreds of people jostle for space, making it nearly impossible to enjoy a peaceful view or even get a clear photo. The surrounding area is no better, as it caters heavily to tourists with overpriced gelato shops and souvenir stalls, which only adds to the feeling of disappointing commercialization.

#15: The Pyramids

Cairo, Egypt

Don’t get us wrong - the pyramids themselves are magical. It’s the experience of seeing them that proves to be a problem. Movies and pop culture often depict the pyramids as being in the middle of some vast desert atmosphere with sweeping solitude - in reality, you’re dodging camel vendors, thousands of people with selfie sticks, and inexplicably loud tour buses arriving every ten minutes to drop off another batch of tourists. And that’s to say nothing of Cairo itself being right next door. Like, it’s literally right there. You can gaze at the pyramids and then turn your head and see the local Pizza Hut. By the time you leave, you’ll be sweaty, sandy, and sunburnt - and that’s just how we love it!

#14: Plymouth Rock

Plymouth, United States

Plymouth Rock is the tourism equivalent of meeting your childhood hero and getting yelled at. Supposedly the landing spot of the Mayflower Pilgrims in 1620, the little rock now sits imprisoned in a stone cage. Gorgeous. Centuries of hype have made visitors expect something monumental - maybe a dramatic cliff, or at least some huge boulder that could flatten a sedan. But nope. It’s just a little rock. When you see it, you’ll be shrugging your shoulders and saying “Yep, that’s a rock alright!” But hey, it’s a symbol, and symbols are important - just don’t expect cinematic grandeur, because you’re certainly not gonna get it.

#13: Stonehenge

Wiltshire, England

Speaking of disappointing rocks - Stonehenge! Like the pyramids, the structure itself is magnificent. But it’s not really worth going out of your way to see. Visitors make the pilgrimage expecting mystical druid vibes, only to discover it’s just some big stones in the middle of a field. Maybe it would be different if you could actually stand in the middle of it, but ropes keep you at a very polite British distance. And on drizzly, windy days (so, most days in England), you’ll spend more time wrestling with your umbrella than contemplating ancient mysteries. Sure, it’s historically important, but after about five minutes of “Huh, neat,” you’re left wondering if the builders went through all that trouble just to prank future tourists.

#12: Dubai

Dubai, United Arab Emirates

Don’t let the movies and Instagram influencers fool you - Dubai is not worth it. The city is often hyped as some kind of futuristic playground with world-class amusement parks and stellar skyscrapers. In reality, it’s basically a glitzy shopping mall in the middle of the desert. Step outside in summer and you’ll experience a heat so intense you’d think you were standing on the sun. So you’re forced inside, where much of the sightseeing boils down to malls and towers you pay a small fortune to enter. There’s no authentic culture to be found here - it’s just shallow consumerism, artificial beaches, and soulless attractions. Visiting Dubai is a surreal experience, like living inside of a dream. Just, not in a good way.

#11: Times Square

New York City, United States

Times Square is probably worth a visit if you’re already in New York. But don’t expect a good time if huge crowds, loud noises, and bright lights aren’t your thing. The experience is mostly standing shoulder-to-shoulder with thousands of strangers, each of whom are jostling for a photo, while a guy in a cheap Spider-Man costume demands a tip for photobombing you, while cars honk incessantly, while neon ads blare from above, while you slip on someone’s hot dog wrapper, while someone tries handing you a flyer for their free comedy show. Yeah, it’s sensory overload to the max. And the neon ads aren’t even for cool stuff - they’re mostly insurance companies and chain restaurants you could visit anywhere.

#10: The Hollywood Walk of Fame

Los Angeles, United States

You travel the Hollywood Walk of Fame expecting the glitz and the glamour of the movie industry. But instead of red carpets, you get thousands of gum stains, many suspicious puddles, and the occasional Iron Man. The stars themselves are also quite disappointing, as they’re just small brass plaques embedded in the sidewalk. Half the names you won’t even recognize, and the popular ones will be surrounded by tourists, so you won’t even get a good look. To make things worse, the walk stretches for over a mile, so if you want to see them all, prepare for a marathon past endless vape shops and kitschy souvenir stores. And watch your step, or you’ll trip over the tourists laying on the ground taking selfies.

#9: Niagara Falls

Niagara Falls, Canada

If you want to see Niagara Falls, you have to go in the off-season. Going in the middle of summer is just out of the question. The traffic and crowds are simply ridiculous, with thousands upon thousands of people cramming into every nook and cranny trying to catch a glimpse. Parking is impossible, so don’t even try, and the sticky Ontario humidity only adds to the frustration. And it’s not like they conserved the falls in a beautiful, natural oasis. No, they turned the nearby vicinity into Vegas-lite, with countless tourist traps, sketchy pawn shops, and tacky amusements like Clifton Hill. If you’re a nature lover just trying to enjoy the grandeur, stay well clear. There is little for you here.

#8: The French Quarter

New Orleans, United States

When people think of this admittedly beautiful area of New Orleans, they think of jazz music, a sense of theatricality, people coming together to revel in the streets and, of course, Mardi Gras! Sadly, the popularity of the French Quarter has largely robbed this iconic destination of both its charms and its authenticity. Wandering the French Quarter you’re unlikely to encounter any locals unless they’re serving you at a bar. It’s like spring break but decidedly more middle-aged, and in uncomfortable cramped quarters. It’s hard to find a good meal that isn’t ridiculously overpriced, and if you’re there for music, you’re better off venturing into one of the neighboring areas, like Marigny where you can actually find up-and-coming acts at watering hotels still frequented by locals. The architecture, thankfully, remains just as beautiful as advertised.

#7: Hobbiton Movie Set

Matamata, New Zealand

There are few fantasy worlds that have been brought to life on film quite as spectacularly as Peter Jackson managed to do for Middle Earth with his adaptation of J.R.R. Tolkien’s “The Lord of The Rings”. Sadly, like so many fantasies, the Hobbiton set is undermined by real-world limitations. The overall design is undeniably fantastic, so visitors who know how to manage their expectations will likely have a great time. That being said, paying $80 to $90 for a one-hour tour is steep. And unfortunately, there’s no real opportunity for exploration, as the tours are guided and move very quickly. And for many, passing through Hobbiton at a hurried pace makes for a rather painful tease. But who are we kidding, for superfans, it likely still remains a must-visit.

#6: Champs-Élysées

Paris, France

Ahhhh… les Champs-Élysées! It’s the stuff of songs and many a romantic fantasy. The avenue appears on the checklist of must-visit areas of Paris for pretty much every first time visitor to the city of romance. While Paris is a city famous for its green space, you won’t find much of it along this world-famous shopping street. Don’t get us wrong, the tree-lined avenue makes for a beautiful photograph, especially with the Arc de Triomphe serving as a colossal focal point at one end. But walk up and down the Avenue des Champs-Élysées and you’ll find little else but major retailers like Banana Republic, The Gap and Lacoste, while the sidewalk itself is crowded with souvenir vendors hawking overpriced plastic Eiffel towers.

#5: The Blarney Stone

Blarney, Ireland

Are you in search of the gift of gab? Well… you’re probably better off downloading a language learning app or signing up for a public speaking course. Something tells us that kissing this rock isn't going to suddenly make you eloquent, clever, or the world’s greatest flatterer. Regardless, this world famous stone, which is set into the battlements of its namesake castle, continues to draw people from around the world as it has for ages. Concerns of sanitation aside, the biggest gripe that visitors have with the experience is that well… you’re just kissing a rock. That’s it. The castle itself is perfectly nice (and might provide added appeal to architecture enthusiasts), but there’s just not a whole lot going on here.

#4: Rainbow Mountain

Cusco, Peru

Duped by Instagram yet again! With the right lighting conditions, some editing and some handy filters, the Montaña de Siete Colores (or “Vinicunca”) lives up to its name. And to be fair, even in person, most visitors will agree that the lines of color that decorate this Peruvian mountain make for a unique sight. The issue is that, unless you happen to visit at the perfect time of day, in August, and when there hasn’t been any recent precipitation, the colors are unlikely to come anywhere close to the vibrant hues that you’ve been obsessing over online. And it’s not a very easy trip, requiring long drives and lengthy hikes. And if bad weather rolls in? Tough luck. Even under good conditions, many visitors voice disappointment with the sight that greets them.

#3: Mount Rushmore

South Dakota, United States

When you gaze upon Mount Rushmore, you’re immediately struck by what an impressive feat it is to have carved the likenesses of Presidents Washington, Jefferson, Roosevelt and Lincoln into the side of a mountain. But once the initial impact wears off, one can’t help but be somewhat underwhelmed by the actual size of the sculptures. Don’t get us wrong, a 60-foot tall head is impressive, but Mount Rushmore is hurt by its own reputation. Photos of Mount Rushmore provide very little by which to judge the scale of the heads, and unfortunately, most visitors don’t realize just how much they’ve exaggerated the size of these presidents in their minds until they see the sculpture for themselves.

#2: Loch Ness

The Highlands, Scotland

Spoiler: you’re not going to randomly have an encounter with the legendary Loch Ness monster. And once you accept that reality, what you’re left with is an admittedly pretty lake, but one whose local legend has resulted in inflated prices of pretty much every service in the area and a whole lot of tourist-centric merchandising and theming, which, unless you’re a serious Nessie fan, is likely to leave you feeling let down. You’re unlikely to make a trip to Scotland just to visit Loch Ness, and once you get there and realize that the lake is actually pretty far out of your way, and that you’ve forfeited a day of your trip that could’ve been better spent elsewhere in this culturally-rich nation . . . no amount of cheap souvenirs will make up for that time!

#1: The Mona Lisa

Paris, France

To call the Louvre overrated would be just wrong. Sure, the lines are absurdly long, but once you make it in, you get to see some of the world’s most famous and stirring works of art. Sadly, though, one of the most iconic pieces in the collection has become a frequent source of disappointment, due to its modest size. Despite its colossal artistic reputation, the Mona Lisa is quite small and occupies relatively little wall space. Size isn’t everything, but the massive crowd perpetually gathered around it makes the painting feel even smaller, and perhaps not worth fighting through to see. In 2019, one survey of British travelers reported that, according to respondents, the Mona Lisa was “the world’s most disappointing tourist attraction”.

Have you been to any of these places? What did you think? Let us know in the comments below!