Most overrated tourist attractions, and what you should see instead
Amazing attractions and experiences are one of the main reasons people travel. That said, there are plenty of sites recommended by guidebooks that fail to match expectations. So which should you visit with lower hopes? We asked travel bloggers to share their most overrated attractions (with suggestions on what to do instead).
Lance & Laura Longwell of Travel Addicts: The Spanish Steps in Rome is our top pick for the most overrated attraction. It has become a focal point for every tourist scam ever invented. Despite the notoriety, the Spanish Steps aren't that historic, having been built in the 1700s. Instead, we'd urge visitors to get out of the historic center and make their way to the Via Appia Antica, just outside the original Roman city gates. You've heard the saying, "all roads lead to Rome," and this one of the original cobblestone roads from the Roman Empire. As a bonus, the Catacombs of San Callisto, which was a burial ground for the early Christians, can be found on the Via Appia Antica.
Anna Kate of the Legendary Adventures of Anna: I find going to Liberty Island see the Statue of Liberty very boring. Instead of spending your hard earned money joining the crowds at the bottom of the Statue of Liberty, you can see it for free from the Staten Island Ferry. You also are treated to fantastic views of New York City. The ferry operates twenty four hours and has beautiful night views. I really enjoy going for sunset.
Alyssa Ramos of My Life’s A Movie: I hate to admit it, but Machu Picchu was a bit overrated, mostly because of the mass invasion of tourists and theme-park-like entry area. But you can see it before it turns into Machu Disney if you hike the Inca Trail, which I'd definitely recommend doing over taking a bus to it like everyone else. You'll get to see some incredible ruins and sites with hardly anyone at them (there's a max of 200 hikers allowed on the Inca Trail at one time), and the massive bonus of seeing Machu Picchu early in the morning before they open the gates for the tour groups.
Matt Long of LandLopers: I love Belgium and I love Brussels, which is why I don’t understand the appeal of Manneken Pis. This small statue of a boy peeing into a fountain is one of the most popular tourist attractions in town, for no reason that I can tell. Instead do just about anything else. Visit the Grand Place, eat local delicacies like chocolate, fries and mussels…heck even the Atomium is more interesting than this massively overrated statue.
Dave and Deb of ThePlanetD: While the Taj Mahal it is beautiful to look at, it is crowded and unfulfilling. Agra is a dirty chaotic city that surrounds the Taj Mahal and we find it a shame that such an iconic landmark is surrounded by filth and poverty. The Taj Mahal is simply a big empty mausoleum built by Emperor Shah Jahan to pay tribute to his wife. It is a nice love story but there are so many other temples in India worth a visit. We preferred the Golden Temple of Amritsar. A visit here is something you will never forget. Located in Punjab, the Golden Temple is Sikhism's holiest site. Surrounded by water, the temple is gilded in gold that glistens in the reflection of the pool. Here people will welcome you with open arms and you can even join the 100,000 people who eat at the Golden Temple's free kitchen each day. It's a spiritual and uplifting experience to visit the Golden Temple and one of the most beautiful landmarks we witnessed in India.
6. Veronika Hradilikova of travelgeekery: When in Berlin, don't just go see the touristy Brandenburg Gate and its surroundings. If you go for a stroll around Treptower Park you'll see a beautiful aluminum statue, a swimming pool in a boat on the river and a cool former factory area featuring exhibitions, a flea market and a funky fast food joint with a tattoo studio and a club — the real Berlin!
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