Imagine spending a month’s worth of coffee money on a 30-minute gondola ride, only to spend it stuck in canal traffic behind dozens of other tourists taking selfies.
Or imagine standing in line for several hours to see a piece of art surrounded by tourists, where you can’t even take a picture.
This is the reality of many “must-see” attractions that fill Instagram feeds and travel blogs. In this article, we are going to see what the most overrated tourist attractions are and where to go instead.
1. The Mona Lisa at The Louvre, Paris
Countless tourists leave the Louvre feeling underwhelmed each day, having spent hours queuing to see a small painting through the heads of dozens of other tourists.
While the Louvre itself houses over 380,000 objects, most visitors miss masterpieces like the Venus de Milo or the Egyptian antiquities collection, fixated on their Mona Lisa mission.
If you want to avoid the crowd, head to Musée d’Orsay instead. It is housed in a stunning converted railway station, and visitors can stand nose-to-nose with Van Gogh’s self-portraits and Monet’s water lilies without playing human Tetris.
The museum’s clock tower offers a bonus: a spectacular view of Montmartre that no Instagram filter can improve.
2. Times Square, New York City
A sea of LED billboards, endless chain restaurants, and aggressive costume characters charging $20 for a photo – welcome to the “Crossroads of the World.”
One recent visitor noted, “I paid $30 for a hamburger I could’ve gotten at home for $8.” The real New York pulses along the High Line in Chelsea, where ancient railroad tracks have transformed into an elevated urban park.
Local food vendors serve authentic New York bagels and artisanal coffee, while street artists create masterpieces in real-time.
In addition, Chelsea Market below offers a food lover’s paradise, from fresh lobster rolls to hand-pulled noodles, all priced for locals rather than tourists.
3. The Leaning Tower of Pisa, Italy
The iconic lean has become more about Instagram poses than architectural wonder.
Tour buses dump hundreds of visitors hourly into what’s essentially a giant photo booth with a medieval backdrop.
Meanwhile, the medieval Manhattan of Tuscany, San Gimignano, offers fourteen stunning towers with way less crowds.
Visitors can climb these towers for panoramic views, sample the world’s best gelato at Gelateria Dondoli, and wander ancient streets where local nonnas still hang laundry between buildings.
The evening passeggiata (traditional Italian stroll) remains authentic here, unlike Pisa’s tourist-filled squares. Take it from an Italian who’s been to Pisa many times and is writing this article.
4. Fisherman’s Wharf, San Francisco
What was once a working fishing harbor has morphed into a tourist conveyor belt of overpriced seafood and tacky t-shirt shops.
A local fisherman said in an article published a few years ago in a local newspaper:
“Thirty years ago, this was where the city got its fresh catch. Now it’s where tourists get caught.”
This gives you a sense of how touristy the neighborhood has become. As an alternative, you can opt for “The Ferry Building Marketplace,” which preserves San Francisco’s true culinary soul.
Here, third-generation oyster shuckers work alongside artisanal cheese makers and sourdough bakers.
Pro tip: try the fresh-caught crab at Hayes Street Grill’s market stand – it’s half the price of Fisherman’s Wharf with twice the flavor.
5. Stonehenge, England
The mysterious stone circle now resembles a drive-through attraction, with visitors herded along rope barriers while audio guides talk about theories and dates.
Don’t get me wrong, it is still an interesting thing to see, but not worth a trip (for me).
A less famous alternative (if you’re in the area) is “the Avebury Stone Circle,” which offers a more intimate experience with Neolithic Britain.
If you go there, I recommend the nearby Red Lion pub, dating from the 1800s, which serves traditional Sunday roasts and local ales. It’s a totally different atmosphere compared to Stonehenge’s visitor center café.
6. Gondola Rides in Venice
Venice’s most famous tourist ride comes with a hefty price tag and often features gondoliers more interested in their smartphones than sharing local history.
Some travelers prefer Vaporetto to explore the Jewish Ghetto or Cannaregio district. These areas preserve Venice’s authentic character, with family-run bacari (wine bars) serving cicchetti (Venetian tapas).
I still believe that a gondola ride is something to do at least once in a lifetime. If you can choose a less crowded day and time to enjoy it best (and negotiate for the price).
7. Temple Bar, Dublin
Dublin’s drinking area charges tourist prices for a manufactured version of Irish pub culture.
For a more authentic experience, go to the Liberties neighborhood that maintains Dublin’s true spirit, with historic pubs like John Fallon’s serving perfect pints alongside real Dubliners.
Live music sessions feature local musicians playing for passion rather than tourists, and the conversation at the bar offers genuine Irish wit rather than rehearsed blarney.
8. The Champs-Élysées, Paris
Paris’s Grand Avenue has surrendered to global retail chains and overpriced cafés serving mediocre coffee.
Go there if you are interested in fancy clothing stores, but it is definitely not the best thing you can see in Paris.
As an alternative, you could choose the Marais district, which preserves the Paris of imagination, where centuries-old mansions house art galleries and hidden courtyards reveal secret gardens.
Sunday mornings in Place des Vosges bring classical musicians performing under ancient archways while local boulangeries serve still-warm croissants to knowing regulars.
Beyond the Tourist Trail
One tip I want to give you in general is to get lost in the cities you visit. Don’t just stop at the tourist areas!
The most meaningful travel experiences often hide in plain sight, just a few streets away from the crowd-packed attractions.
These alternatives usually offer better value, and they preserve the authentic culture that inspired people to travel in the first place.
Remember: the real magic of travel lies not in checking off a list of famous sites but in discovering places untamed by mass tourism.