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I've visited over 40 countries. These are 6 of the most overrated tourist attractions I've ever seen.
I've visited over 40 countries. These are 6 of the most overrated tourist attractions I've ever seen.
Jonathan LevinJul 18, 2024, 19:21 IST
<p class="ingestion featured-caption">The Spanish Steps aren't that exciting to look at in real life. Nicola Forenza/Getty Images</p><ul class="summary-list"><li>I've traveled to over 40 countries and visited many of the world's <a target="_blank" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/overrated-things-not-to-do-in-bali-i-lived-there-2024-4">popular tourist attractions</a>.</li><li>Though many attractions are worth seeing, some didn't live up to the hype.</li></ul><p>Having <a target="_blank" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/underrated-countries-to-visit-from-frequent-traveler-2024-5">visited over 40 countries</a>, I've been fortunate enough to experience many of the world's most famous tourist attractions.</p><p>Although <a target="_blank" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/americans-hate-tourist-traps-but-cant-stop-visiting-them-survey-2024-4">tourist traps</a> get a bad rep, they still get tons of visitors. About 89% of American travelers said they've visited more than one tourist trap in the past two years, according to a recent survey by <a target="_blank" rel=" nofollow" href="https://photoaid.com/blog/tourist-traps/"><u>PhotoAiD</u></a>.</p><p>I think many popular attractions are worth going out of the way for, but not every one I've seen has lived up to its hype.</p><p>Here are some of the <a target="_blank" class href="https://www.businessinsider.com/overrated-attractions-tripadvisor-reviews-2018-6">most overrated tourist attractions</a> I've visited:</p>
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Arashiyama Bamboo Forest in Kyoto was much smaller than I expected.
Arashiyama Bamboo Forest felt like a small trail to me. VW Pics/Getty Images
The Spanish Steps didn't inspire as much awe as the rest of Rome did.
Whether you're a history buff, foodie, or architecture enthusiast, there's plenty to appreciate about Rome. sandrixroma/Getty Images
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Watching the Changing the Guard ceremony in London wasn't worth dealing with crowds.
The Changing the Guard ceremony can get crowded. CARL DE SOUZA/AFP via Getty Images
Neverending construction dampened the beauty of Sagrada Familia in Barcelona.
It seems hard to catch Sagrada Familia without a crane or scaffolding around it. James D. Morgan/Getty Images
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I didn't think Marina Sands SkyPark Observation Deck in Singapore was worth the price or the wait.
Marina Sands SkyPark Observation Deck wasn't worth the price for me. NurPhoto/Getty Images
The bizarre mural inside the White Temple in Chiang Rai was a shocking discovery for me.
I don't think I'd have missed the White Temple in Chiang Rai if I didn't visit it. SOPA Images/Getty Images