10 Worst Tourist Traps in the World According to the Internet
Chantelle KincyTempted by the promise of iconic landmarks or cultural experiences, travelers often find themselves lured into tourist traps, dubbed so for reasons ranging from astronomical prices to an inherent lack of authenticity. We all want to steer clear of these, but what exactly are they, and where do they wait?
The Leaning Tower of Pisa, Italy
Comically askew, the Leaning Tower of Pisa is an architectural marvel. But the site is primarily a magnet for clichéd photographs and expensive entry fees.
Pisa has lost many visitors after its peak, but yearly international visitors are estimated to be over a million, Nomadic Matt. Walk the streets of Pisa and take in the city’s architecture, as recommended by bloggers and influencers who found the tower a bit underwhelming.
Times Square, New York – The Neon Lure
Times Square is known for its dazzling digital billboards, Broadway theaters, and the bustling energy of Midtown Manhattan. However, it’s notorious for its labyrinth of chain stores and restaurants, overpriced tickets, and dense crowds. The blazing billboards overshadow the city’s city seat, leading tourists into a neon-excited stupor.
The area has been dramatically gentrified, losing much of its authentic character. Staying in the area after the theaters have closed can yield a more peaceful atmosphere to appreciate the twinkling lights, a tip from local New Yorkers.
The Blarney Stone, Ireland – Cork, Ireland
The Blarney Stone offers visitors the promise of eloquence to those who lean over a parapet to kiss this iconic castle piece. However, the opportunity to contract various strains of infectious diseases (now including COVID-19) has tourists second-guessing.
Kissing the stone involves lying down and leaning backward over a gap with nothing below but a steep drop, which terrifies many visitors. Explore Cork’s Cork ‘sic district, find a cozy pub, and engage in the local scene instead of puckering up for the stone, advises travel journalist and National Geographic contributor Erica Firpo.
The Hollywood Walk of Fame – Los Angeles, USA
The Hollywood Walk of Fame is synonymous with glamor, but the reality is a pic-laden hiking trail. The Walk of Fame has over 10 million annual visitors, per the Los Angeles Tourism & Convention Board.
In search of the stars adoring their favorite celebrities, visitors are met with a sidewalk overcrowded with street performers, crime, aggressive performers demanding tips for photos, and sub-par tour guides misleading tourists. Venture to Los Feliz for casual star-spotting and a more relaxed experience, as advised by National Geographic explorers.
The Little Mermaid, Denmark – Copenhagen, Denmark
In the water outside Copenhagen, perched on a rock, is the Little Mermaid, a global cultural icon thanks to Hans Christian Andersen. However, this bronze mermaid often leaves tourists disillusioned by its diminutive size and the long trek to visit.
The monument is far from the city center, leading to overtaxed traffic. At 175 years old, the Mermaid Mermaid is showing signs of age, often in the form of graffiti. Locals recommend spending time in the adjacent Kastellet Fortress Park, experimenting with the city’s culinary scene, and exploring its thriving art and design world.
Pyramids of Giza – Giza, Egypt
The Pyramids are magnets for tourists worldwide drawn to their ancient mysteries. However, visitors must brace themselves for relentless touts, hucksters, and aggressive souvenir sellers.
There is a constant hassle from vendors and camel trek operators, who often offer rides for excessive amounts and charge even more to dismount. Venturing by horseback or camel into the Egyptian desert can provide a more authentic and awe-inspiring connection to the marvels.
La Rambla – Barcelona, Spain
La Rambla, once the city’s city wall, is now a street unlike any other, a bustling hub of activity often polluted by petty crime, aggressive sales tactics, and inflated prices.
It’s an expensive place to eat, and the crowds make pickpocketing a constant threat. The paella often served in the area isn’t authentic but is a watered-down version for tourists.
The Venetian Gondola – Venice, Italy
The dream of gliding through canals in the soft moonlight may be tarnished by the reality of the inflated rates of these gondola rides, a cost often misunderstood until it’s its pay.
At roughly $100 for a daytime ride and even more under the moonlight, these iconic vessels are a pricey way to travel. Often, the serenade is canned, and the gondoligondolier’s is optional. Good luck finding a romantic spot around the next corner without someone proposing.
The Grand Bazaar – Istanbul, Turkey
The Grand Bazaar is a sensory overload of scents and colors. Still, it’s easy to get lost in a whirlwind of overpriced carpets and countless tchotchkes while being uncomfortable in the presence of pickpockets.
Among its 3,600 shops, it’s difficult to distinguish genuine local items from mass-produced merchandise, and vendors pressure visitors to buy. The allure of the Grand Bazaar still draws a massive 90-91 million visitors annually, promising a truly ‘grand’ commercial experience.
Niagara Falls – Canada and USA
Located on the Ontario, Canada, and New York, USA border, Niagara Falls is a must-see for many. However, the commercialization of the area with casinos, hotels, and tourist-centric attractions can take away from the raw beauty of the falls.
Tacky, artificial tourist destinations like Ripley’Ripley’se It or Not, wax museums, crowds, and long lines for activities like the “Maid o” the Mist” boat “are overwhelming, according to tourists. Still, Niagara Falls gets between 30 to 40 million visitors per year, according to Niagara Falls Tourism.
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