The world’s most overrated tourist spots, ranked

Discover the 10 most disappointing tourist attractions in the world according to travellers: 5 are located in Europe and stand out for crowding, excessive prices and betrayed expectations.

Do you have a travel bucket list? Eiffel Tower, Colosseum, Trevi Fountain? It might be time to rethink it. A new study analyzed 95,352 tourist reviews of 200 of the most-visited attractions on the planet to uncover which ones fail to live up to the hype. The verdict? Some of the most iconic destinations are also the most overrated.

The top 5 most disappointing tourist attractions

Alton Towers, United Kingdom (49.4% negative reviews)

Planning a day of fun at the UK’s largest theme park? Think again. Nearly half of all visitors left unimpressed. The biggest complaints? Poor value for money, hidden extra charges (food, drinks, fast-track access), and terrible customer service. Ironically, the rides themselves weren’t the issue.

Széchenyi thermal baths, Budapest (37.2%)”

Dreaming of a relaxing soak in Hungary’s most famous hot springs? Brace yourself. More than one-third of visitors called the experience disappointing. Top complaints included overcrowding, poor accessibility, and a lack of attentive management.

Siam park, Tenerife (31.2%)”

Europe’s so-called best water park might not live up to the title. Almost 1 in 3 visitors felt let down, citing rude staff, accessibility issues, and even instances of body shaming.

Time out market, Lisbon (28.4%)”

Expecting a trendy culinary experience in Lisbon? You might just find a chaotic mess instead. The market, a victim of its own popularity, is plagued by long lines and massive crowds. Many describe it as stressful rather than satisfying.

Trevi fountain, Rome (24.6%)”

Hoping to toss a coin and guarantee your return to Rome? Go ahead — but prepare for disappointment. One in four reviewers complain about overwhelming crowds, limited access, and a lack of space to enjoy the moment. The 2024 renovation work hasn’t helped, either. Better to seek quieter alternatives like the Palatine Hill.

Full ranking: the 10 most disappointing attractions worldwide