We see some great photos online & hear a couple of stories from friends—then suddenly, we picture ourselves in those places having the time of our lives! Sadly, a lot of these places aren’t the postcard scene we imagined. Here are eleven places that are rather underwhelming. These places are still worth a visit, they’re just quite different from what we imagine. You can still visit them if you want to. Keep your expectations tempered, though!
Featured Image Credit: kues/Depositphotos.com.
The Leaning Tower of Pisa, Italy
The Leaning Tower of Pisa is where everyone tries to get that funny photo of themselves “holding up” the tower. Emphasis on the “everyone.” The area around the tower is way smaller than you’d think and this means it gets rather crowded. You’ll struggle to get a unique photo here since everybody’s doing the same thing.
The Great Wall of China
The Great Wall is massive and absolutely a sight to behold. But if you’re picturing a solitary walk along ancient stones, think again. The most visited sections are filled with tourists. As such, the more remote sections are where the magic happens. Sadly, they’re not as easy to get to and you’ll probably have to stick to the well-beaten path.
Times Square, New York
Times Square is the ultimate New York City destination—bright lights, busy crowds & endless energy. The reality is exactly that but maybe not in the way you’d hope because it feels more like a giant outdoor shopping mall. You have constant elbow-to-elbow crowds and more ads than you can shake a stick at. The real New York charm comes from the less flashy neighborhoods.
The Mona Lisa, Louvre Museum, Paris
Seeing the Mona Lisa in person is on many people’s bucket list. But when you get there, you’ll see a small painting behind glass—surrounded by a mob of tourists all trying to snap a picture. The Louvre has lots of other incredible art that doesn’t get nearly as much attention. Yet these pieces are just as worthy of your time! You’re better off visiting these because you’ll actually have the time to enjoy each piece, unlike with the Mona Lisa.
Hollywood Walk of Fame, Los Angeles
While the Hollywood Walk of Fame might sound like a glamorous stroll among the stars, it does feel a bit underwhelming. Some areas are pretty worn down. In fact, you’re more likely to be working out how to get through crowds and street vendors than feeling like you’re in the heart of movie magic.
Stonehenge, England
Stonehenge has lots of mystery and is definitely worth a visit. However, don’t expect to get up close and personal with the stones—visitors are kept at a distance. The site is also a lot smaller than many imagine. It’s a place where the atmosphere is more impressive in photos because you can’t see the barriers keeping the crowds back.
The Dead Sea, Middle East
Floating in the Dead Sea is a unique experience and it’s all because of its super salty water. Unfortunately, the reality of the shrinking sea is rather disheartening. You also can’t ignore the impact of industrial mining in the area. While it’s still an incredible place, the environmental issues make visiting here feel a little unethical.
Mount Everest Base Camp, Nepal
There’s no denying that trekking to Everest Base Camp is an adventure of a lifetime. Sadly, it’s not all stunning vistas & personal victories. For starters, the altitude sickness and physical toll are challenging enough. Once you factor in the environmental impact of the trek, it’s clear that the most beautiful places on earth also need our respect. It might be better to visit through videos and photos instead of in real life.
Santorini, Greece
With its iconic sunsets and white buildings, Santorini is a dream. But during peak season it feels like everyone had the same dream! The streets are narrow & crowded which makes finding a spot to enjoy the famous sunset more of a competitive sport. Of course, it’s still gorgeous. However, you might want to look elsewhere for a bit of peace or at least try visiting during the off-peak seasons when there are fewer crowds.
The Little Mermaid Statue, Copenhagen, Denmark
If you go to Copenhagen, you might be excited to see the famous Little Mermaid statue that was inspired by Hans Christian Andersen’s fairy tale. Unfortunately, she’s rather small and, honestly, a bit underwhelming. She’s always surrounded by tourists snapping photos! Visiting here is hardly the magical encounter you were probably expecting from such an iconic place.
Loch Ness, Scotland
Loch Ness is legendary because of our friend Nessie, the Loch Ness Monster, who may or may not exist. People flock here hoping for a glimpse or at least to feel the mystery in the air. What you’ll find is a beautiful, large lake and not much else. It’s hardly going to give you that thrill of adventure you were hoping for.
Disclaimer: This list is solely the author’s opinion based on research and publicly available information.