One inevitable part of traveling is that you never know exactly what you’ll find. A new destination may blow away your expectations — while others, unfortunately, may leave you feeling disappointed. So Redditor u/kawaiinia_UwU asked, “What tourist destinations are heavily overrated and name some that are severely underrated? Here’s what travelers said.
1.
SEE IT: “Dalyan, Turkey. It’s up there in my top three destinations I’ve ever visited. It’s scenic, home to good restaurants, close to the beach and to hiking spots, and it’s a friendly place to travel solo where you don’t need to worry, even as a woman. I had the best eight days there.”
2.
SKIP IT: “Geneva. I spent a summer there and I found the city to be pretty dull. If you’re in the area, I’d say check it out for a day or a weekend, but don’t spend much more time than that. If you want to visit Switzerland, Lucerne and Montreux are more beautiful and relaxed destinations IMO.”
3.
SEE IT: “Portugal. I do hear more people talking about it lately, but it’s still underrated. This country is affordable and the food is nothing short of incredible. Lisbon is fantastic and there are beautiful rural areas nearby. Also, many Portuguese people also speak English so it’s a managable destination for English-speakers.”
4.
SEE IT: Northern Michigan, particularly during the the summer as a ‘beach’ destination. I would rather visit beautiful Lake Michigan than trek to the ocean.”
5.
SKIP IT: “Bali. I loved Lombok (which is just one island over) and Flores so much more. I wouldn’t say I didn’t enjoy the time I spent in Bali, but I don’t think this island has anything to offer that can’t be found at a cheaper price tag (and a more authentic feel) on other islands.”
6.
SEE IT: “Southern Japan. This whole area really is beautiful. The cities are much like Tokyo: busy, bright, and entertaining. However, just outside of the cities in southern Japan you’ll find incredible countryside. Think: rolling hills, mountains, and forests. I lived just south of Hiroshima, and I was lucky to experience the city with it’s mix of modern and historic sites and the nearby small towns that were so peaceful.”
7.
SEE IT: “Mo’orea. Instead of Bora Bora, which is a hugely popular honeymoon destination, go to the nearby island of Mo’orea. It’s close to Tahiti and the local people there are so welcoming. When I visited there were essentially no tourists. It was stunning, and you can drive the whole island in less than an hour.”
8.
SEE IT: “Bordeaux. It may be known as a wine destination, but even if you aren’t a wine lover it’s just a great city to visit. The people are friendly, the food is great and it’s just the right size — big enough so there’s plenty to do but still manageable.”
9.
SKIP IT: “Los Angeles. The few times I’ve visited, I’ve found L.A to be terrible. Orange County, however, is a different story. I’ve visited for months at a time. This area has so much to do and lots of cool, accessible day trips you can take to nearby parts of California. The food is great, and there are lots of quiet beaches and hiking spots.”
10.
SEE IT: “Utrecht, Netherlands. If you’re going to visit Amsterdam, consider staying in Utrecht rather than the city proper. It felt to me like staying in Brooklyn or East London. I could swing by Amsterdam’s main attractions at my leisure (like the museums, which are as good as what you’ll find in London, Paris, or New York) but you get a more ‘authentic’ Dutch experience in this hip college town.”
11.
SEE IT: “Budapest. Even the ‘touristy’ parts of this city were a ton of fun. The locals were incredibly nice and the nightlife was criminally underrated.”
12.
SEE IT: “Cornwall, UK. This destination in southwestern England boasts beautiful beaches where the ocean looks almost Caribbean blue. Plus there are coastal pathways so you can hike almost everywhere. Most people skip it because it’s a full eight hours by train from London, but I’d recommend taking a sleeper car to visit. I promise it’s worth your while.”
13.
SEE IT: “Riga, Latvia. I loved visiting Riga. The food was delicious and the prices were very reasonable. The city is full of character and there’s interesting art all around. You can experience the best of the city if you only have a couple of days to spare, so you can seamlessly weave it into a larger Eastern European vacation.”
14.
SKIP IT: Puerto Rico. This island is one place I would not choose to visit again. I was so disappointed to find that it felt very, very Americanized there. So many of the restaurants are American fast food places (Burger King, McDonald, KFC, etc…) and you really have to go far inland to find good authentic food and culture. Old San Juan is by far one of the best things to see and do on the island, but I did not find anything overly special about it.”
15.
SEE IT: “Halifax. I grew up in Nova Scotia and there are so many amazing things to do in the city of Halifax. Best of all, perhaps, is its proximity to nature. Within a few hours of driving you can go whale-watching, explore Joggins Fossil Cliffs, or camp and hike in gorgeous parks. Or you can take an overnight trip to Cape Breton and drive the Cabot Trail.”
16.
SKIP IT: “Sedona, Arizona. Unless you are into healing crystals and going to bed at 7 p.m., you’re probably not going to enjoy your time there.”
17.
SEE IT: “Guanajuato, Mexico. My grandfather was born there and I went back with him and my grandmother to visit. It’s an amazing city that is steeped in history and lots of culture. Visiting makes you feel like you went back in time. It’s been several years and still think about returning to this special place.”
18.
SKIP IT: “Dublin. This city is a complete tourist trap. I am Irish and I see people coming to Ireland expecting to have a full Irish experience in Dublin, when really all the best parts of Ireland can be found outside the capital, spread out across the country. If you want to see the real Ireland then go to the countryside: The unique landscapes of the Ring of Kerry, the Burren, the Cliffs of Moher, the Connemara and County Donegal Mountains are incredible. And If you want an Irish city experience, I’d recommend going to Galway instead.”
19.
SEE IT: Ischia, Italy. “Instead of Capri (the blue island), go to Ischia (the green island). It’s literally right next door. It’s four times the size of Capri so there’s lots to see and do, including the many green grottos. It’s also about four times cheaper, making it easier to explore on a budget. It’s a natural thermal island, which is really neat.”
20.
SEE IT: “Bath, UK. I choose to go to Bath as a last minute thought. It was supposed to be a convenient stop between London and Stonehenge. But I was more impressed with the beauty and history there than I could have ever imagined.”
21.
SEE IT: “San Carlos, Mexico. This small town right on the sea of Cortez has beautiful snorkeling and scuba diving. The food is fantastic and you’ll find virtually no crowds. People always think of Cancun or Puerto Vallarta when they want a Mexican vacation, and San Carlos is always overlooked. Part of me wants to share this beautiful paradise with the world and the other part of me wants me to keep my it a secret.”
22.
SKIP IT: “Kyoto. I may not have given it a fair shot, but arriving in Kyoto and being constantly surrounded by huge mobs of tourists and crammed public transit killed my ability to appreciate the peaceful vibes I so highly anticipated. My expectations of this city were so different from the reality. Lots of people go and stay at a ryokan, but you can have this experience almost anywhere else in the country. Personally, I would pick a more rural part of Japan for a ryokan stay.”
23.
SEE IT: “Bruges. This city enchants visitors with its vast array of craft beers, friendly locals, picturesque medieval streets, stunning canals, and well-preserved historic charm, making it an ideal destination for those seeking an off-the-beaten-path European adventure.”
24.
SEE IT: “Boston. Especially for food lovers, Boston is a gem. I lived in Brookline at one point, and there were great restaurants just steps away from my apartment. Little Italy has heavenly food, and you can always find great eats in both Kenmore & Copley Square. The whole city is a treasure for anyone with an appetite.”
25.
SKIP IT: “Medellin. I had built this city up so much in my head, and while it was fascinating, I ended up liking it much less than other places I visited in Colombia like Salento and Palomino. I really enjoyed learning about the history of the city, but the vibe just felt ‘off’ for me. I was ready to move on to the next destination by the end of my stay, and that doesn’t happen often.”
26.
SKIP IT: “Nashville. It’s a bunch of honky tonks and bachelorettes these days — just a big party town now. I might be salty because I remember old Nashville that was quiet and civilized, where people could enjoy going downtown and we still had Opryland instead of a giant mall.”
27.
SEE IT: Trieste, Italy. This Italian city is probably one of the least talked about. It has green hills that cascade into the turquoise bay. If you’re interested in history there are a lot of interesting museums to visit. And the influences of neighboring Slovenia and Austria make for a really unique cityscape and food culture.”
28.
SEE IT: “South Korea beyond Seoul. If you’re going all the way to South Korea, take the time to see other areas beyond the popular city of Seoul. Gyeongju, the ancient capital, is too stunning for words and is well worthy of a visit. Hiking there feels like you’re traveling through a storybook landscape. In addition, Jeju Island and the seaside city of Sokcho are both amazing.”
29.
SEE IT: “Cadiz, Spain was such a pleasant surprise for me. It’s such a pretty city with fascinating history, including a Roman amphitheater that had been buried under buildings for centuries. Plus there’s a beautiful beach right adjacent to the old town”
What’s a popular destination that you didn’t find so appealing or an underrated one that deserves more attention? Tell us in the comments.
Source: https://www.buzzfeed.com/hannahloewentheil/over-and-underrated-travel-destinations-2023