45+ People Shared the Most Disappointing Cities They’ve Ever Visited

When most people think of Amsterdam, there are a couple of different reasons they want to visit. Some are because of the unique restaurants and local craft beers. Others love the history and want to see the charming canals.

Though Amsterdam has all of those things, many people find it a very chaotic and overly crowded place geared towards tourists. Many of the streets are dirty, and the canals are too, which takes away some of the romantic notions travelers have.

Tinseltown! It’s where all the glamorous movie stars live, and on top of that, it’s outfitted with fantastic weather 24/7 all year long. Looking at images of the beaches and the iconic Hollywood sign might have you longing to visit this city.

But if you had the idea that it’s gonna be glamorous and beautiful, some travelers have a surprise for you. Many people find that the city is dirty, expensive, and just too overcrowded.

If you’re venturing through Italy, then there are many cities on your list to see. Places like Rome, of course, but people want to see Naples, especially as a destination for those looking to visit the archaeological site of Pompeii.

But don’t go in expecting to see the glamorous and beautiful architecture of Rome and Florence. In fact, many people find that Naples is a little rundown and its streets are full of trash. Some even find it quite scary, especially at night.

Paris is the city of lights. The most romantic city in the world. Whether from Europe or further away, almost everyone thinks that Paris is a must-see. After all, you have Notre Dame and the Eiffel Tower. Why wouldn’t you want to visit this city?

Though there are plenty of beautiful sights to see and a lot of history, many people find they are not as welcomed as they thought they would be. On top of that, there also seems to be quite a bit of trash and underwhelming tourist attractions.

Morocco is one of the most popular destination spots for many tourists. But when you break it down and actually look at a city like Marrakech, people primarily want to see the luxurious and famous palaces and experience the spas and hammams.

Unfortunately, it’s changed a lot over the last couple of decades because of its popularity. It’s changed from an authentic and awe-inspiring location to a tourist trap for Western tourists.

Okay, so Houston is not one of those cities that many people want to visit. There’s been some interest growing when it comes to travel within North America.

Besides being the home to a diverse range of cultures, it’s also relatively easy to navigate. That being said, there’s a lot of crime and poverty, which leads to rundown neighborhoods. This could be a deterrent to making it a travel destination.

New Orleans is a slice of American history that has many things that can’t be skipped. Its rich mixtures of French and Spanish, and Native American cultures make a unique environment to see. On top of this, they’re known for their wonderful food and amazingly resilient people.

That is all true, but its popularity as a tourist destination comes with a lot of other problems. The food might be good, and the music might be fantastic, but the city does have a unique smell that just might be a little off-putting.

When you’re setting up a visit to Europe, many cities pop into mind, and maybe one of the most popular is Venice. After all, who doesn’t want to walk along the canals and see those fantastic gondolas while eating stellar Italian seafood dishes?

The truth is because of its popularity, many find it to be excessively expensive. On top of that, it’s very humid and tends to be crowded almost all times of the year. That may make it less than inviting for some.

Dubai might not be a historical travel destination, but for many, the beauty of its skyline and its stunning sand dunes is enticing enough to make it a must-see travel destination. But does the city live up to the hype?

Unfortunately, that’s all it has. Though there are a lot of really fancy buildings and architecture, the streets are still full of people struggling to make ends meet. This could be distasteful for some.

There’s something appealing about going to a city that is built on casinos and culinary adventures. When you’re on the East Coast of the United States, frequently, instead of heading out West to Las Vegas, people turn to Atlantic City.

Here they think they get the same experiences they do out West. But the truth is this city is very run down and a little dirty. So you might be gambling on something that isn’t going to pay off.

Like many islands in the Indian Ocean and the Pacific Ocean, Bali is a destination for those looking for majestic beaches and stunning temples. This combination of mountainous greenery and stunning beaches is why it has become such a popular travel destination.

Unfortunately, Bali has changed quite a bit because it’s become such a popular destination for Instagrammers and digital nomads. According to some, it’s now overpriced and a little bit too touristy for some.

If you’re looking for a city with brilliant architecture and museums galore, there are a lot of European cities that may come to mind. One of those could very well be Brussels. Though it might not be the first destination in mind, many people do add this capital city to their lists.

Unfortunately, like many European capitals, though, it’s pretty expensive to travel to. In fact, some were even shocked that they had to pay for water in restaurants.

Who doesn’t want to spend a weekend in Sin City? Las Vegas has become a mecca for Bachelorette parties and weddings alike. With its vibrant lights and crazy nightlife, it’s no wonder people choose it as a travel destination.

But what you see in the movies isn’t what you get when you get there. Depending on the time of year, it can be super-hot and uncomfortable. But all year long, it’s dry and dirty and always smells of smoke.

Everybody wants to see Niagara Falls. It’s a beautiful location where three waterfalls are combined and create a stunning vista for you to take amazing selfies in front of. Of course, that’s what it’s promoted as!

The trick, though, is that when you see the pictures of these wonderful falls, you don’t realize that there’s a city that wraps around them. It’s not a National Park; in fact, it’s pretty much like a giant mall with a beautiful centerpiece.

The Philippines have become a tourist destination because of its stunning beaches and unique landscapes. The capital city Manila is among them and is outfitted with tons of galleries and museums for tourists to take advantage of.

Though there are a lot of cultural things you can take a look at, many tourists when they get there are surprised by how bad the traffic is. On top of that, the city is quite dirty, even though you wouldn’t know it from Instagram pictures.

It doesn’t matter what type of traveler you are; Egypt and its amazing tourist attractions are on everyone’s list. Standing in front of the pyramids or riding a camel is something every traveler dreams of doing at least once.

Those sites and the museums are outstanding, but the rest of the city of Cairo is quite different from that. It’s hectic and dirty, and everybody is trying to scam you for your money.

When you think of California, you think of Los Angeles and San Francisco. Many travelers steer clear of Los Angeles because they know that it’s not what it appears to be, and head to San Francisco instead. Travelers who go to San Francisco hope to see fantastic architecture, and iconic sites and enjoy amazing food.

But what visitors get when they get there is not quite what they had imagined. Several travelers found there was a lot of trash and other things on the sidewalks that detracted from the overall beauty of the city. On top of that, some areas have a pretty high crime rate.

The city of brotherly love is one of the travel destinations on the East Coast that many want to visit, due to its history. The city’s history is extensive and may not be what those travelers think it is.

Like many large East Coast cities, if you step away from the historical sites, you find that the city is overcrowded and has terrible traffic. There’s also very little parking!

If you’re headed to Greece, you’ll start or end up in its capital city of Athens. In your mind, you have visions of the Acropolis being above a beautifully pristine city full of historical sites.

When you get there, you realize what you actually get is historical sites surrounded by graffiti-filled streets that are dirty and home to a massive population of homeless people.

For those visiting from afar when entering the United States, one of the main places they visit is New York City. Filled with a wide range of different cultures and amazing architecture, this city is a destination for everyone.

But what you get is something quite different. The streets are pretty dirty, and there are some unique smells in certain parts of the city. On top of that, if you need to go to the bathroom, you’re gonna be out of luck because there are very few public restrooms.

Though many people just think of Pompeii as an archaeological site, a city surrounds this amazing site. When you see images of the city itself, it looks like a cute little town that will be ripe with unique sayings.

But in truth, what you get is kind of a quiet little town with very little happening and somewhat okay Italian food. On top of that, you can smell the toxicity in the air, especially when that volcano is a little angry.

Many people outside the United States may not even know about Branson, Missouri. But this is a place with tons of theaters and shows and even an amusement park. It’s a destination for many people in the southern region of the United States as it has a family-friendly, almost Las Vegas-like atmosphere.

However, if you’re going to this city and expect the bright lights and excitement of Las Vegas, you’re gonna be highly disappointed. Though there is some fun to be had, it does feel like a budget version of Las Vegas combined with Disneyland.

We’ve all seen images of those beautiful South Beach sunsets in Miami. That, coupled with the impressive skyline and culinary exploits, many people flock to this Florida city to get a little downtime.

But along with that beauty comes quite the price tag. Many people that have headed down to Miami have found that everything seems to be a little overpriced, and people are just a little too fake for them.

If you’re into music, Austin, TX, might be a location that you have set your mind on visiting. Over the past couple of years, Austin has really elevated its status as a travel destination by embracing its music scene and culinary scene.

However, with its push to build tourism, something quite the opposite has happened. With more businesses moving in, everything has begun to rise in price, and you might find that it’s expensive and a little overpopulated for your liking.

There’s nothing like walking across the Ha’penny bridge in Dublin into the Old Town city center. You get majestic views of the River Liffey, and then you can sit down at a pub and enjoy a pint.

Well, that all sounds amazing, and in truth, Dublin may not meet your expectations once you set foot on its streets. Many claim London is super expensive, but when asking a tourist who has been to both, Dublin is 10x more expensive. And not quite as big as you might think!

When you think of German cities, you think of wonderful old towns with old-style wooden German houses. Or maybe you think of edgy graffiti-strewn cafes like in Berlin. If that’s what you think, German cities like Frankfurt should definitely not be a city you visit.

In fact, this city can be pretty disappointing because it’s simply an economic base. Though there are historical sites to see, it’s not as beautiful as other cities.

Though maybe it’s not as well known in the North American continent, it’s becoming more so thanks to travelers and Instagrammers. So when you see epic images of Bratislava with its beautiful castle and cute Old Town, you might think that’s someplace to go.

Though it’s a beautiful city, it’s definitely not as large or impressive as Vienna. It’s not a place you really need more than a day trip to explore.

For most people, the epic and final destination of their travels always has to be Rome. With its extensive history and epic iconic landmarks, very few people in the world would say Rome wasn’t someplace they wanted to visit.

Because of this, though, it’s very touristy and always packed. Be prepared to deal with selfie sticks and elbows galore. On top of that, many find that it’s quite expensive.

Casablanca has a place in many people’s hearts because of the Hollywood movie. There’s something romantic about it, no matter what generation you were born in. Because of this, it’s become a tourist destination.

But unlike the movie, it’s definitely not as glamorous as you might think. Casablanca is actually a business district on the seaside and isn’t as clean as you might think. Plus, there’s not as much to see either.

For many people, when they’re visiting Florence, one of their popular day trips is out to Pisa. After all, that’s where that famous leaning tower is, and it’s a must-see when you’re visiting Italy, right?

When you see this place in some pictures, it looks gigantic. However, once you actually get there, you might be disappointed at how small the building is, and that might be a little disappointing.

London has it, all right! They have stunning museums and epic historical sites along with fantastic architecture. But the truth is what you see when you get there isn’t quite as awe-inspiring as what you see in pictures.

Just like any other capital, this city is sprawling and large and a little overcrowded. On top of that, the weather is not always the best, and the prices are quite steep.

As Thailand’s largest island, Phuket is a destination for many tourists. That’s especially true for those that follow travel bloggers who have been touting the fantastic scenery for years.

But the cities on the island themselves are riddled with trash, and the water quality is not great. Plus, because there are so many tourists, the beaches are overcrowded for a good part of the year.

If you’ve ever seen a Hollywood spring break film, then it’s probably for sure that you’ve seen Cancun. Because of the popularity of the beautiful beaches and the low-cost, many people choose this as a destination.

Unfortunately, when you get there, what you see is not quite what you expect, including the fact that it’s quite a dangerous location when it comes to dangerous crime.

Although the ownership of Hong Kong switched hands, it remains a tourist destination in Southeast Asia. Many people flock to this city with its amazing modern skyline and epic culinary scene.

The problem is that all those people are flocking, adding to the massive population already there. That means when you’re visiting this city, you’re going to have to deal with densely packed city streets and probably a little bit of trash. Oh yeah, and it’s expensive too!

Canada, though a large country, isn’t full of large cities. So often, when people are looking at places to visit in Canada, they wind up going to the same several cities. One of those happens to be Edmonton in Alberta.

But according to some travelers, this would be a disappointing waste of your time. Not only are there no views, but it tends to have a bit of a smell and is quite flat. Furthermore, it doesn’t have any exciting adventures to be had.

Rio de Janeiro may be best known for its carnival, but people flock there all year long on vacations. This could be because of the tropical forest’s fantastic coastline and epic viewpoints.

But once they get there, the images they had in their mind are not what their eyes behold. With the overpopulation and poverty levels in this city, it’s dirtier than people expect and more dangerous.

Sao Paulo is one of the largest cities in the world. Most people choose to visit this city to take in the beautiful white avenues and uniquely modern skyline backdropped against a lush Brazilian landscape.

Now there are a lot of options to take in as a tourist. Many find that you have to be overly cautious about showing any type of expensive items, and there is quite the language barrier.

Singapore may be one of the places that most people venture to because of its culinary scene. But on top of that, there are architectural sites to be seen and a little slice of culture to be learned. But it’s not all it’s cracked up to be, according to some travelers.

Some have found this destination to be a little disappointing, as they weren’t expecting it to be quite so expensive. On top of that, if you’re not good with hot and humid weather, this is definitely not the destination for you.

Bangkok is the way to go for those looking to experience a little bit of the traditional Thai culture, but not too far away from the modern world. It has a lot of historical landmarks and an amazing food scene.

That being said, some have found that the noise and smell of Bangkok have made their experience a little less than glamorous. On top of that, there is severe traffic, so getting from one place to the other is quite challenging.

When you think of snow in the Alps, you think of Switzerland. One of the cities within this beautiful country that tends to get more tourists is Lucerne.

However, Lucerne is not quite as epically beautiful as you might think. Though there is beauty, you’ll also wind up paying a pretty penny because of the cost of everything from accommodations to food.

Seattle probably hit its tourist peak in the 90s, and since then, many people have found it a wonderful destination in the northwest of the United States. Though there’s a great culinary scene and it’s close to a lot of fantastic scenery, it’s not necessarily as grand as you might think.

The city itself has weather that’s pretty much nonstop cloudy and rainy. On top of that, because of the tourist influx, you may find it quite expensive to enjoy some of those more iconic Instagram-able moments.

Beijing is full of temples, amazing gardens, and several UNESCO World Heritage sites. This makes it a destination for many tourists, especially those looking to experience Chinese culture.

Though there are a lot of beautiful sights to see, many find Beijing to be a little overwhelming. Along with the high level of armed military on the streets, there are also a ton of scammers trying to take your money.