12 Popular Tourist Traps Locals Secretly Hate
If you have traveled, chances are you’ve visited a tourist trap – a popular tourist stop that locals avoid at all costs.
Tourist traps are usually places that used to be under the radar but changed drastically after they were “discovered.” Major cities like New York, Los Angeles, San Francisco, Rome, and Barcelona have a fair share of tourist traps.
While you shouldn’t avoid them entirely, you need to know how to make the most of your visit and avoid crowds and tourist scams, which are prevalent in these places.
If you want to learn about the worst tourist traps in the world and where to go instead to save money, keep reading.
1. The Las Vegas Strip
There’s a reason why locals don’t like the Las Vegas Strip.
The famous stretch of Las Vegas Boulevard with a high concentration of glitzy resorts and casinos, sees over 40 million tourists annually.
People travel to Las Vegas to see the neon lights, gamble, party, and hike at natural landmarks like Red Rock Canyon National Conservation Area and Valley of Fire State Park. The world’s entertainment capital does have it all, with many restaurants, casinos, and stores open 24/7.
While there are plenty of reasons to visit the Strip, there are also reasons to avoid it. First, it’s the most expensive place in Las Vegas, where you can expect to pay double and triple the normal price for basic things like food, snacks, and Uber rides.
Add traffic congestion and rude behavior from tourists who treat Las Vegas like a break from the real world where rules don’t apply, and you will see why this place has such a bad rep among locals.
Additionally, most Las Vegas residents like to hang out at local casinos and bars, which are not inundated by tourists and have better pricing.
2. Times Square, New York
Many New York residents dread Times Square. If you’ve ever been there at least once, you can’t blame them.
The popular square sees about 360,000 people on average, which can be overwhelming and stressful, even for someone used to busy streets in New York City.
Walking around Times Square can be challenging, depending on the time of day. The area is crammed with tourists, street artists, vendors, and endless traffic.
Many New Yorkers go as far as to claim that the area is not representative of the city, because most of the original establishments that populated the area in the past are now gone and replaced by commercial chain stores and restaurants geared toward tourists.
Simply put, many locals view Times Square as a magnet for out-of-towners, and usually steer clear of it, unless it’s part of their commute.
If you are visiting New York for the first time, you will most likely stop here, and check out everything it has: from the bright lights to the Hershey store and the M&M store to nearby Broadway theaters.
3. Santa Monica Pier, Los Angeles
Located west of downtown Los Angeles, Santa Monica is a coastal city that boasts over 3 miles of Pacific beaches. The population of Santa Monica is nearly 89,000 people, according to the World Population Review, so it’s not just tourists that you will see here.
Santa Monica has several areas, including downtown, Pico District, Sunset Park, Ocean Park, and Mid-City. The city is one of the most visited parts of downtown, and while not every part of Santa Monica is crowded with tourists, some are.
Santa Monica Pier is one of the most popular attractions in the area, always packed with tourists, and has higher-than-average prices on food and snacks. As an alternative to Santa Monica, consider Culver City, where you can check out the Museum of Jurassic Technology, and grab a bite in downtown restaurants.
When you get tired of tourists after visiting Santa Monica Pier, head to Westside Comedy Center, Third Street Promenade, or Abbott Kidney.
4. Hollywood Boulevard, Los Angeles
Hollywood Boulevard is an undeniable tourist trap in Los Angeles, and you aren’t likely to find too many locals strolling around the area.
The famous thoroughfare has a high concentration of businesses, attractions, and street performers mostly trying to get whatever tourist dollar they can, including the Hollywood Walk of Fame and costumed characters looking to take photos with tourists in exchange for tips.
In recent years, the area has seen an increase in homeless people, and many travelers now say that the place that’s supposed to be about glitz and glamor has become rundown and even unsafe to visit.
5. Trevi Fountain, Rome
The famous Trevi Fountain is one of the worst tourist traps in Rome that attracts thousands of tourists on any given day. The fountain is free to the public and can rival World Heritage sites like the Coliseum and the Leaning Tower of Pisa.
While this landmark is beautiful, it has long become a mecca for pickpockets and scammers who come here to prey on unsuspecting tourists who are often too busy trying to take a photo in front of the famous landmark or getting that Italian gelato.
If you want to visit Trevi Fountain before eating gets packed, wake up early. You can enjoy the uncrowded area and snap plenty of photos without any people at dusk. The earlier you come, the better experience you will have because you will not have to deal with yellowing and elbowing your way through the area.
Don’t feel like getting up early? Luckily, Rome has plenty of beautiful fountains like the Fountain of the Four Rivers, and The Acqua Paola Fountain, which are stunning, but nowhere near as crowded.
6. Fisherman’s Wharf, San Francisco
Fisherman’s Wharf is a busy waterfront area that was a mere fishing pier before it became one of the major tourist attractions in San Francisco.
Most tourists visit Fisherman’s Wharf to see the loud sea lions at Pier 39 and try local seafood, particularly Dungeness crab and clam chowder served in sourdough bread bowls. (Some locals even say the area is home to the absolute worst seafood restaurants in San Francisco, that charge obscene amounts of money for mediocre food).
When you walk around, you will smell seafood on every corner, as the entire area seems to be a combination of souvenir shops and restaurants.
You likely won’t come across any locals here, except those who work in tourist-oriented businesses. San Franciscans usually avoid Fisherman’s Wharf and nearby Ghirardelli’s Square, which sells the famous chocolate from San Francisco, and prefer more low-key areas free from tourist traffic.
Although the temptation to visit Fisherman’s Wharf is almost guaranteed, if you are in San Fran, hold on to your wallet because there will be plenty of vendors. And scam artists trying to get your money.
7. Waikiki Beach, Honolulu
One of the most popular beaches in the world, Honolulu Beach is not a place to relax, because it always has hordes of tourists with cameras and selfie sticks.
If you want to see some of the most spectacular beaches on Oahu, head to the East or West Shores. Although the entire island is very touristy, you will get a break from the crowds once you get out of Honolulu.
The Waikiki District is a huge tourist trap, and there’s nothing authentically Hawaiian about it. The area is home to restaurants and stores selling familiar brands with a huge markup because they know tourists will buy them anyway.
One thing to remember when looking for beaches in Hawaii is water safety. Hawaii has one of the highest rates of drownings in the United States, with tourists accounting for the great majority of them. Always check conditions and ask if the beach is safe for swimming before getting in the water.
8. Las Ramblas, Barcelona
Las Ramblas is a busy boulevard in Barcelona, and not so long ago, it was one of the best walkways in the city. However, mass tourism has gone out of control in the Catalan capital, with locals taking it to the streets and dousing tourists with water as a sign of protest.
Today Las Rambles is filled with overpriced restaurants and souvenir stores overcharging you for things you can buy cheaper elsewhere. You won’t find locals dining or shopping in this area, which should be a good indicator.
The area also attracts scammers and pickpockets who often walk in the crowds looking for their next victim. If you are determined to visit Las Ramblas, avoid spending money here and keep an eye on your belongings.
Instead, head to Mercat de Sant Antoni for some handmade Spanish souvenirs or El Raval, a nearby neighborhood, that offers a more authentic experience and better restaurants where you won’t get ripped off.
9. Ubud, Bali
Originally known for its artisan crafts and dance, Ubud has become a tourist magnet thanks to Instagram.
Many bloggers post perfect photos from the jungle and gushing about food, landscapes, and sacred Balinese temples, which are so overcrowded that you need to wait hours to take a simple photo (Case in point: famous Lempuyang Temple, aka Bali’s Gate of Heaven you’ve likely seen on Instagram).
Surrounded by lush rainforest and rice paddies, Ubud was a serene place well off the radar some time back, but it’s not anymore. The area is congested with traffic and the entire island faces big pollution problems with piles of trash on many streets and plastic dotting local beaches.
Bali often attracts tourists because of its low prices on food and accommodations, and you can find a reasonably good stay for under $100 per night. However, if you want to spend your vacation in one of those Instagrammable hotels with floating breakfast, be ready to pay hundreds if not thousands of dollars.
Indonesia is home to more than 17,000 islands, so you shouldn’t have any problem finding an alternative to Bali, which would be cheaper but just as scenic, if not more.
Consider places like Sumatra, Borneo, rainforest-clad Mentawai Islands, or Banda Islands, known for their diving.
10. Machu Picchu
Machu Picchu is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and one of the Seven Wonders of the World and attracts millions of tourists.
The ancient Inca city is the cornerstone of Peru’s tourism economy, it’s also an unmistakable tourist trap, with everything around this famous landmark catering to visitors from other countries.
Although drones, selfie sticks, and tripods are not allowed at this landmark, the sheer number of visitors can make it overwhelming, especially during the high season. Aguas Calientes, a gateway to Machu Picchu from where many tours depart, is supported entirely by tourism.
To experience authentic Peruvian culture, consider booking a tour of less famous ruins like Ollantaytambo, Choquequirao, or Huánuco Pampa.
11. Acropolis, Athens
Acropolis is a museum under the open sky that boasts some of the best-preserved examples of Greek architecture. Unfortunately, this historic landmark faces some serious overcrowding issues.
Many people treat Athens as a pit stop on their way to the Greek Isles, and for most of them, the Acropolis is an obvious stop. To make things worse, many people visit Greece in summer, the high season when sweltering temperatures add to the issue of overcrowding.
If you don’t feel like exploring the famous landmark with hordes of people in the extreme heat, visit the Acropolis during the shoulder season when summer crowds start to recede.
The weather is more tolerable and you won’t have to deal with people constantly trying to get in your way. I suggest booking your tickets ahead of time, so you don’t need to wait in line at the ticket office.
12. Old Town Dubrovnik
Before it was profiled in the Games of Thrones, Dubrovnik was a sleepy town along the Adriatic Coast of Croatia. Few people knew about Dubrovnik, and it wasn’t a sought-after destination with dozens of daily flights.
Things changed drastically after the show gained worldwide popularity, and Dubrovnik shot up to the international stardom.
Old Town Dubrovnik, once a quiet venue, has become one of the busiest landmarks in Croatia, with many tourists traveling here to see the spots where the movie was filmed.
Huge cruise ships have become commonplace in Dubrovnik’s cruise port and once quiet city’s streets are not clogged with foot traffic to the point that they take away from the entire experience.
As tourism grew, many locals were forced to leave with many residential units being converted to hotels and Airbnb’s. While Old Town Dubrovnik is worth a visit, it’s best not to spend your money there, because chances are, you will likely overpay.
You will find plenty of great restaurants and souvenir stores just 10 minutes away, far less expensive.
If you want a similar experience without the crowds and ridiculous prices, head to Herceg Novi, a coastal town in neighboring Montenegro that has all the charm and no mass tourism.
