Europe may have the awe-inspiring grandeur of Roman amphitheatres and fairytale Gothic castles. But it is also the home of some almighty let-downs. Many of Europe’s “must-see” sights attract enormous crowds due to their celebrity status but can leave you short on cash, with an empty belly and a feeling of “is that it?!”. Here are what we think are the most overrated attractions Europe has to offer.
Eiffel Tower, Paris, France
During 1889, on occasion of the World’s Fair, much opposition arose from famous writers, artists, and architects when they opened the Eiffel Tower; some even put down signatures on the "Protest against the Tower of Monsieur Eiffel" to stop its construction. The protest read, published in Le Temps, "useless and monstrous." The famous writer Guy de Maupassant and architect Charles Garnier signed it.
The story has it that de Maupassant ate lunch on the first floor of the tower to have the eyesore out of sight. Now one of the world’s famous sites, some tourists find that the big crowds around the monument, as well as security lines and pickpockets hanging around, just spoil their visits to Eiffel.
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Brandenburg Gate, Berlin, Germany
This is the Brandenburg Gate – Berlin’s number one attraction, and it’s hard to argue against the historical significance of this 18th-century monument. However, it really is a gate – nothing inside, no museum or exhibit. Tourists who want to take a selfie and large groups with their tour guides invariably cover it, and souvenir stalls peddling every possible sort of junk that can be turned into a trinket cover every inch around you. Having taken your snap, that is pretty much it – not sure how I feel, just confused.
Dubrovnik Old Town, Dubrovnik, Croatia
Dubrovnik, Croatia with its well-preserved medieval Old Town filled with palaces, photo-friendly squares, churches and museums, Dubrovnik's historic walled city is a destination that attracts numerous travellers. However, its popularity is also the reason overtourism has taken over, making it one of those tourist traps that you'd better stay away from if you dislike too much human mass in your travel experiences.
Following its role as King's Landing in Game of Thrones, the town attracted an increasing number of travellers became so enthusiastic to pay day trips, especially those on cruise ships, so this is how Dubrovnik has ended up as it is nowadays. Even if daily entry into the Old Town has been limited to only 10,500 people, the town still feels way too busy and occupied.
Blue Lagoon, Iceland
Bathed in the black, raw volcanic rocks of lava fields, the mineral waters of Blue Lagoon lure over 700,000 tourists each year, so it can become the best known sight in Iceland. This means it would be you with thousands of others in the very popular and commercial place, not a clean nature wonder. You will want to be ready to pay over $100 and $150 (75 and 112) per person to visit it, lose all of your privacy which means losing the relaxation from a bathing in hot water. Moreover, the Blue Lagoon is a man made pool that collects runoff from the geothermal power plant nearby.
So, if you desire to go for a more rugged and natural setting for free, consider driving forty-five minutes east of Reykjavik to discover the hot springs in the valley of Reykjadalur Hot Spring Thermal River where water is around 36-40 C (97-104 F).
Stonehenge, Salisbury, England, UK
While arguably one of the country’s most iconic spots and a Neolithic stone circle dating back 5,000 years, Stonehenge has long also held the reputation of being one of the country's biggest tourist traps due to its relatively high entrance charge to visit the ancient stones from a roped-off pathway. It may be that even history fans, eager to experience the mystical power and spiritual energy of this site, will be somewhat disappointed when taking in the traffic snarl of the A303 that snakes past.
Loch Ness, Scotland, UK
More than 30,000 lochs populate Scotland, the majority of them nestled in Highland wilderness that's raw and beautiful. Un-charming, manufactured Loch Ness is a no for the best of Scotland, more of a monster ploy, really. It's pretty disappointing as well because of the size; Loch Ness is the second biggest in terms of area, and that just makes everything seem small and unimpressive. Go west instead to Loch Shiel, which sits in the shadow of jagged mountains begging to be hiked and where wildlife tours look for red deer and golden eagles.
John O’Groats, Scotland, UK
Here is another location that has made a name for itself under a guise. It is a little known fact that John O'Groats isn't actually the most northernmost point in the UK – Dunnet Head is actually just a couple of miles down the road. Don't expect anything overly picturesque at John O'Groats as the area is quite flat and is dotted with car parks, toilet blocks, shops and a cluster of holiday lodges, along with the very much photographed signpost. Drive a few miles along to Dunnet Head for more dramatic sea stacks and the windswept, rugged views that you are searching for.
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Conclusion
Famous landmarks draw huge crowds for a reason, but fame usually brings major downsides. Long lines, ticket fees, pickpockets, and endless souvenir stalls can quickly turn a dream trip into an exhausting chore.
Skipping the hype doesn't mean skipping Europe altogether. Often, the best fix is simply picking the nearby alternative: head to Reykjadalur's free thermal river instead of paying for the crowded Blue Lagoon, or drive out to Loch Shiel rather than spending hours at a commercialized Loch Ness. You get better views, fewer crowds, and a trip that actually feels like a break.