For most travelers, there is comfort in hitting the most-visited tourist traps in our small world. Posing for selfies, buying trinkets, and reenacting behavior witnessed millions of times before appeals to a sizable chunk of the global tourist trade.
However, even those who take this approach may balk at what has become of our world’s most prominent tourist hotspots. We have compiled what could be described as tourism’s biggest letdowns, based on some simple methodology.
We reviewed dozens of rival travel platforms for their most recent negative global tourist spot reviews. We then ranked our own in accordance with the most frequently mentioned places: some will not surprise; others might. It presents a question: are there tourist traps we can remove from our bucket list?
Times Square, New York City, New York
The location for countless movie scenes, music videos, and wedding photos tops the group here. It might be a little unfair to Times Square, which is ostensibly quite a small piece of real estate. For illustration, its public plazas measure roughly 12,000 square feet, compared to Tiananmen Square’s 4,700,000 square feet.
Therefore, an attraction this size in America’s largest city was always going to be somewhat crowded. Local New Yorker and New York Timeout’s Ian Kumamoto addressed the criticism about Times Square’s overcrowded nature in a 2024 post. He still found it hard to concur.
“Even though they’re absolutely right about the area, we must admit that it’s hard not to get defensive,” he wrote. “New Yorkers don’t step foot in Times Square unless they absolutely have to; it’s different when we’re our own haters.”
Fisherman’s Wharf, San Francisco, California
Anyone who has graced the city of San Francisco must remain hopeful that the city can regain its former glory. Recent issues with tents and crime may deter some from a visit. Furthermore, a recent ABC 7 News article asks why people are staying away, considering how much safer and cleaner it is now.
The city, much vaunted as one of America’s crowning jewels, deserves its share of visitors, not least those who love the charm of Fisherman’s Wharf. What’s not to love about Pier 39’s cotton candy, clam chowder in bread bowls, and basking sea lion selfies?
Mia Taylor writes for Cheapism that Fisherman’s Wharf is “riddled with overpriced junk for sale, with street vendors preying on unsuspecting tourists …” If anything, the sheer volume of sidewalk traffic will make this experience a little too uncomfortable for some.
Wall Drug, Wall, South Dakota
At first glance, the name appears as some kind of trick. What might “Wall Drug” be referring to? A wall? Or some kind of pharmaceutical product, perhaps? The answer is the Wall Drug Store in the South Dakota town of Wall, population: 700 people.
The town is synonymous with attractions such as the National Grasslands Visitor Center and Wall Drug, featuring its unrelated 80-foot model dinosaur photo opportunity. Why anyone would cross the nation to visit an old-fashioned drug store and expect anything other than that is up for debate.
Mental Floss puts this attraction joint top of its list, based on the fact that it is labeled a “tourist trap” regularly. The store is the heart of Wall, bringing in over two million people per year, so let’s be nice.
Hollywood Walk of Fame, Los Angeles, California
Cynics among us might say the only people who truly wish to visit the Hollywood Walk of Fame are the names written on it. For those of a more discerning nature, it might be hard to see anything other than mild irritation at this famous Los Angeles attraction.
“Don’t expect any glamour on this famous street in the heart of the City of Angels,” reads a Travel Dudes post. “It’s an otherwise ordinary street with huge crowds taking pictures of the sidewalk.” Expect celebrity and superhero impersonators, a jumble of souvenir traps, and endless selfie stick-wielding pedestrians.
La Rambla, Barcelona, Spain
I first visited La Rambla roughly 20 years ago, and I was overwhelmed by how pleasant, multicultural, and relaxing the whole experience was. Fast-forward to more recent times, and while the famous walking street is relatively safe, the swelling tourist numbers attract petty thieves. Such a description underlines why many find the experience disappointing.
“Be careful with your belongings and be wary of anyone who approaches you,” advises local travel platform Barcelona Local Experiences. At night, you can walk through the Gothic Quarter and the Born, but it is not advisable to walk along the end of La Rambla.” Thankfully, Catalan News reported in recent times of continued decreases in certain forms of street crime, such as pickpocketing.
Manneken Pis, Brussels, Belgium
The entry that wins the prize for the strangest tourist attraction name (hotly contested by Wall Drug) is surely Manneken Pis. While some may still furrow their brows over this proper noun, just wait until you hear what the attraction is. This famously tiny statue, like so many of its European contemporaries, depicts an angelic boy doing his business into a fountain.
Therefore, expecting anything other than disappointment here is a tall order. Still, travel blogger B-Side Travels is not having it and writes in defense of Belgium’s satirical landmark. “He’s not a grandiose cathedral or palace,” reads its polemic. “He’s a little boy mid-stream, and somehow, he carries more history and personality than most monuments twice his size.”
The Colosseum, Rome, Italy
A recent Business Insider article highlights what to expect at Rome’s flagship tourist attraction. Joey Hadden writes that even paying for a premium ticket, she found the experience overwhelming. “I figured there would be plenty of room to explore the nearly 6-acre space at my leisure,” the reporter says. “But even with a skip-the-line service, I was disappointed that there was no escaping the crowds of tourists.”
Furthermore, don’t expect the crowds to subside in the coming years. AP News reports that a once-secret underground tunnel, named the “Commodus’ Passage,” is now open. It will likely bring more intrigue to an already oversubscribed tourist spot.
The Mona Lisa, Paris, France
Surprisingly, the world’s most famous painting doesn’t top the list, though it makes little difference. This box-ticking choice for most Paris visitors is one for the ardent modern pilgrim.
The painting is only visible from an unfairly wide angle and for as long as the crowds allow. Mona Lisa’s smile takes a lot of patience to see in the peak season. We could recommend against going, but there are some hacks for the enlightened few.
Stuart Bak shares some tips on the helpful website, Paris Pass. “Morning lines can be brutal and the courtyard is usually packed with impatient tourists well before the doors open,” he says, recommending a three p.m. timeslot. “By now, the queues will have subsided significantly, and you’ll still have plenty of time left to ogle the art inside.”
Stonehenge, Wiltshire, United Kingdom
I remember being able to just walk into Stonehenge and mingle with the rock formations, all for a cheap National Trust ticket. How times have changed. Now, this right only belongs to “Stone Circle Experience” ticket holders, who pay £70 ($95) for the privilege, according to English Heritage. For everyone else, expect to pay a hefty sum to walk past the rocks from a safe, foolproof distance.
Crowds in the middle of summer are heavy, but even on a quiet day, this experience is quite underwhelming. Nonetheless, those of a certain age read the word “Stonehenge” and will instantly remember the scene from This is Spinal Tap (1986). For many, this would be the more entertaining way to see it.
Niagara Falls, Niagara, Canada
They aren’t the world’s biggest falls, and some might even say they aren’t that spectacular. Nevertheless, come summer (or most other holiday seasons), Niagara Falls are packed with the usual high-density and low velocity crowds. As with any other high-density tourist trap, you can expect overpriced theme restaurants, glacial-paced pedestrian groups, and souvenir stores.
Yet, if you really crave seeing one of North America’s natural wonders, all is not lost, according to The Researched Traveler guide. This experienced journeyer reckons “the best time to visit Niagara Falls without crowds is to visit early in the morning.” The idea of visiting in frigid midwinter conditions may turn many away. Therefore, plan for the winter months if you wish to avoid the crowds.
The Eiffel Tower, Paris, France
France’s most famous tower makes the grade for being disappointing, and there is little surprise if you have experienced the shoulder-to-shoulder experience. While visiting in the peak summer season is only for the most dedicated, even the off-peak season welcomes high numbers. According to the research page, Hotelagio, numbers range from 5.2 million in July to 2.9 million in January.
What’s more, countless YouTube videos show how the vicinity surrounding the tower is scattered with scammers and street peddlers. One recent example comes from the Honest Guide channel, featuring two tourists being attacked by street hustlers. Thankfully, they relented when it was clear they were being recorded. Still, one must be on their best guard when visiting, sadly.
Trevi Fountain, Rome, Italy
Like Paris, Rome attracts millions of history-loving travelers, wanting to get a taste of the seven-hill city. Rome’s connotations begin with the Colosseum and are usually followed by Trevi Fountain, where visitors famously toss their coins.
Some might even argue the fountain is at its most entertaining when unruly visitors decide to jump in, much to local Vigiles’ dismay. In any case, this Bored Panda “Instagram vs. Reality” post shows what most visitors will meet: hordes of people ruining your selfie.
“When in Rome, try to avoid Roman tourist attractions,” said nobody ever. Maybe it’s time to change this norm, starting with this urban, aquatic letdown.