I have traveled to over 40 countries and visited many of the world’s most popular tourist destinations.
Many of the attractions were worth seeing, but some didn’t live up to expectations.
Tourist attractions like the Spanish Steps and the Changing of the Guard were less appealing.
I have been fortunate enough to visit over 40 countries and experience many of the world’s most famous tourist destinations.
Despite their bad reputation, tourist shops still draw large numbers of people: In a survey of 1,000 Americans by passport photo service PhotoAid, about 90% said they had visited a tourist shop at least twice in the past two years.
Many popular tourist spots are worth the trip, but not all of them will meet your expectations.
Here are some of the most overrated tourist spots I’ve visited.
The Arashiyama Bamboo Forest in Kyoto was much smaller than I expected.
The Arashiyama Bamboo Forest felt like a small path to me. VW Pics/Getty Images
Kyoto, Japan is one of the most beautiful cities I’ve visited, and as long as you don’t mind waking up early in the morning to avoid the crowds, you’ll enjoy some of the most beautiful and tranquil scenery in Asia.
But Kyoto is also home to one of Asia’s most overrated tourist attractions: the Arashiyama Bamboo Forest.
I was expecting a vast bamboo forest with lots of little paths to get lost in. Instead, I found a short, wide path through a small, unattractive forest. The bamboo forest makes for some nice photos, but that’s about it.
The Spanish Steps were not as awe-inspiring as other parts of Rome.
Whether you’re a history buff, a foodie or an architecture lover, Rome has plenty to offer. sandrixroma/Getty Images
You can spend days in Rome exploring its famous historical monuments and ruins without getting bored.
Most sites, like the Colosseum, left me in awe, unfortunately some of Rome’s most famous landmarks, like the Spanish Steps, did not leave the same impression.
If the Spanish Steps weren’t on my list of things to do in Rome, I probably would have walked right by them.
There was not much else notable about the staircase or its surroundings, other than it being the largest and widest staircase in Europe.
Seeing the Changing of the Guard in London was not worth enduring the crowds.
The Changing of the Guard ceremony can get quite crowded. CARL DE SOUZA/AFP via Getty Images
We skipped the Buckingham Palace tour but did stop by to watch the Changing of the Guard.
It’s great to witness a long-standing tradition, and the precision of the routines is impressive, but overall I found the experience rather disappointing.
The Changing of the Guard seems to be on everyone’s checklist when visiting London and I was constantly jockeying for position to catch a glimpse of the ceremony. The 45 minute ceremony seemed to last forever and I didn’t find it particularly exciting or enjoyable.
Endless construction has marred the beauty of Barcelona’s Sagrada Familia.
Photographing the Sagrada Familia would be difficult without a crane or scaffolding. James D. Morgan/Getty Images
If you’ve been to Barcelona, there’s a good chance you’ve seen the Sagrada Familia. One of architect Antoni Gaudi’s most famous works, the church towers above Barcelona’s skyline and can be seen from anywhere in the city.
However, it is famously still unfinished, with endless rows of cranes and scaffolding making it quite an eyesore.
George Orwell once called the Sagrada Familia “one of the ugliest buildings in the world,” and while I don’t entirely agree with Orwell, I think the Sagrada Familia is overrated.
I appreciated the exquisite detailing of the church’s façade, but my opinion may change once construction of the church is actually completed.
I didn’t think the Singapore SkyPark Observation Deck was worth the price or the wait.
The SkyPark Observatory was not worth it for me. NurPhoto/Getty Images
Singapore is a clean city-state with a beautiful skyline and delicious food — a great place to explore during a long layover.
However, at times, especially at the SkyPark Observation Deck at Marina Bay Sands, it felt like we were in a giant tourist trap.
Don’t get me wrong, the view from the rooftop of a 57-story hotel is breathtaking, but it wasn’t worth waiting in a long line and paying $24 just to get into a small area.
I spent most of my time on the observation deck, melting in the sun and trying to hide in tiny gaps in the railing.
The strange murals inside the White Temple in Chiang Rai were a shocking discovery for me.
I would have missed out if I hadn’t visited the White Temple in Chiang Rai. SOPA Images/Getty Images
The White Temple in Chiang Rai, Thailand is a beautiful yet quirky tourist attraction that you shouldn’t miss even if you don’t go there.
The White Temple is more of an art installation than a temple, and although the building and grounds are stunning, I found it quite disconcerting once inside.
Inside the main building, you’ll find large murals that combine American pop culture icons and movie characters, such as Spider-Man and Neo from “The Matrix.” You’ll also see a depiction of the controversial 9/11 terrorist attacks.
This was not at all what I expected from a Northern Thai “temple”.
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