18 Cities That Aren’t Worth Your Vacation Days
Have you ever gone to a city you’ve been looking forward to, only to end up disappointed? Before you start planning for your next vacation, make sure that your destination is worth visiting in the first place.
72% of American adults were disappointed in their last vacation because social media created unrealistic expectations. Some cities may seem popular because they are hyped on social media. Visiting these overrated cities may leave you annoyed, tired, and wanting to go home instead of having fun.
We’ve collated some of the cities that are popular tourist destinations but may turn out to be a disappointment. Here are some cities you should reconsider before hopping on a plane for a vacation.
1. New York City (USA)
The Big Apple is an iconic city anyone in and out of America would love to visit. Many want to experience the bustling city, which is how 62.2 million tourists visited in 2023 alone. With a population of almost 9 million in 300 square miles (778 square kilometers) plus the tourists, New York is crowded and full.
With so many people, visiting and exploring can also feel unsafe. In fact, even New Yorkers find the city less safe now compared to the past. While 50% of New Yorkers rated their quality of life as “good” in 2017, that decreased to 30% now.
2. Cairo (Egypt)
The city capital of Egypt, Cairo, holds the mystery of the past, with the pyramids and other history in the city. However, the city is densely populated at 22.6 million on top of the tourists that go to the city every year. There even was a 27% increase in the number of visitors to Egypt in the first quarter of 2024 alone.
If you really want to have a feel of the past in Cairo, just make sure to keep moving, especially in the crowded areas. Make the most of the trip by visiting the pyramids and the Nile River.
3. Abu Dhabi (United Arab Emirates)
The United Arab Emirates is a country that has poor air quality and the government blames it on dust and sandstorms. A Human Rights Watch report claims that the high air pollution levels in the country pose health risks for everyone in the UAE. If you’ll be risking your health just to visit the country, wouldn’t you want to visit somewhere really worth it?
Abu Dhabi is the main city and capital of the United Arab Emirates, but when compared to Dubai, it falls short in tourist destinations. If you’re set on exploring this country, consider Sharjah or Dubai instead of Abu Dhabi.
4. Macau (China)
Macau is known as the Las Vegas of Asia because it houses many casinos people can spend their time in. Besides being a gambling destination, Macau is known to be one of the most densely populated cities in the world. The city houses approximately 700,000 people, all crammed in just 12.7 square miles, which is roughly 55,000 residents per square mile.
If you hate crowds and don’t enjoy shopping or gambling, Macau is not the ideal destination for you. It’s also not a good option if you have a limited budget for your travel since the major attractions in the city require you to spend money.
5. New Orleans, Louisiana (USA)
If you love jazz, New Orleans may be one of the cities to consider for your next vacation. The city is home to Bourbon Street and The French Quarter, which are popular with tourists, along with the delicious Creole cruise.
While all these elements sound magnificent, New Orleans is not the safest city to stroll around. It ranks second among the 15 most dangerous cities in America. If you visit the city, be prepared for possible incidents.
6. Athens (Greece)
Do you love Greek mythology and imagine yourself imitating scenes from your favorite myths? Athens is named after Athena, the goddess of wisdom, and is one of the oldest cities in the world, which makes it interesting.
In 2023, more than 32.74 million tourists visited Greece, including Athens, which is one of the top attractions in the country. Besides being overcrowded, the city also has serious waste management problems, which is far from its elegant image.
7. Paris (France)
The City of Love offers a concept of romance and aesthetic scenes you will only see in movies. However, despite the amazing art and food culture, it’s not all rainbows and butterflies.
Paris is not the safest city in Europe. The U.S. Embassy & Consulates in France have emphasized caution regarding pickpocketing, especially in tourist areas and public transit. It won’t be a fun vacation if you lose your things along the way.
8. San Francisco, California (USA)
Golden Gate Bridge and Alcatraz Island are two popular places in San Francisco. More than these destinations, though, the city can disappoint tourists because it’s dirty and littered with trash. In fact, the San Francisco Standard reported on the government survey claiming the lack of cleanliness as a citywide problem.
The city is also slightly unsafe for tourists. San Francisco has a low violent crime rate, but car break-ins are common in the city, so if you like taking your car with you, San Francisco may not be the best city to visit.
9. Dublin (Ireland)
Dublin is a city that houses The Guinness Storehouse, which carries the history of the country’s famous beer. However, the city is not designed for driving and has poor-quality road signs, so going on road trips in or around Dublin is more of a headache.
Besides the issue with road signs, The Dublin City Council recently banned private cars in the city center. It aims to reduce traffic and create more space for public use. If you want to visit Dublin’s Center, you need to take public transit.
10. Atlantic City, New Jersey (USA)
Atlantic City is the smaller version of Las Vegas, so if you’re not into gambling, choose a different city to spend your vacation in. The city may have wide beaches, but you won’t be able to make the most of this destination if you don’t go partying.
When you do go out, make sure to take care of your things. Tourists and residents alike are asked to watch their pockets and stay on the boardwalk since theft and pickpocketing are common in the city.
11. Naples (Italy)
Italy’s Naples claims to be the city where authentic pizza originates. However, other cities in Southern Italy, like Capri and Amalfi, seem to have a lot more to offer. It is also dirty and littered with garbage, an issue it hasn’t resolved in the past 15 years.
Naples has a bad reputation for safety and security. While the local mafia have now turned businessmen and run bars and restaurants, some people still find the thought uncomfortable.
12. Los Angeles, California (USA)
The City of Angels sounds like a great place for a vacation, especially the iconic Hollywood sign and the Walk of Fame. However, some people find the city not worth visiting because the crowds can be dizzying and uncomfortable. The U.S. Census data shows that LA is severely overcrowded, which is a current city-wide problem.
Besides being overcrowded, Los Angeles is also among the top five dirtiest cities in the U.S., as revealed in the HouseFresh survey. With the crowds and the dirt on the streets, won’t there be more interesting places to visit?
13. Nassau (The Bahamas)
Nassau in the Bahamas is famous for its beaches and islands. However, the U.S. Department of State Bureau of Consular Affairs advises people who plan to visit the Bahamas to increase caution, especially in Nassau, where most crimes occur. You don’t want to spend your vacation being worried about your safety.
If you still travel to Nassau, tourists are advised not to go outside the main tourist beaches and areas. Stick to downtown Nassau since there are regular police patrols to keep you safe at all times.
14. Las Vegas, Nevada (USA)
Sin City is the ultimate destination for gambling fanatics. However, it may not be fun for people who are looking for different activities and stunning locations to visit.
One factor that will make you not want to spend your vacation days in Las Vegas is the dirty streets. It ranks as one of the dirtiest cities in the region, where litter is common on the streets.
15. Ho Chi Minh City (Vietnam)
Ho Chi Minh City in Vietnam is a stunning city that holds a lot of the country’s history. However, it is the biggest city in Vietnam that’s the most crowded. According to Statista, it has 4,513 inhabitants per square kilometer compared to the capital, Hanoi, which has 2,556 people per square kilometer.
In addition to being overcrowded, the city is also polluted, with air quality 2.2 times more than the World Health Organization’s guideline. On some days, you will have to wear a mask to avoid the smog blanketing the city.
16. Amsterdam (The Netherlands)
Amsterdam is the capital of the Netherlands and is home to the history of the arts in the 17th-century Golden Age. Visit museums where the works of Rembrandt and Van Gogh can be seen. The major downside, though, is the trash all over the city.
If you look around Amsterdam, you’ll see different types of litter everywhere. One contributor is the huge number of tourists that have overwhelmed the city. On top of that, the air quality in the city is poor and may even harm the health of residents and tourists alike.
17. Dallas, Texas (USA)
If you’re imagining socializing with cowboys and immersing yourself in West culture, it may be possible in Dallas, Texas. However, the hot and humid weather in this Texan city is just too much for some tourists, and one contributing factor is the pollution.
Dallas is considered one of the most polluted cities in the United States. Sensitive residents should wear a mask outdoors to avoid the effects of exposure to the city’s polluted air.
18. Venice (Italy)
Italy’s Venice is popular because of its aesthetics. The city is known as “The Floating City,” and it is filled with places you’d want to have your picture taken. The downside, though, is that due to many stunning photos circulating online, your expectations may have been higher than what the destination offers.
The romanticization of the city brought many tourists crowding in Venice, which forced the local government to charge fees just to enter the city. If you’re not fond of crowds, you won’t like Venice.
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