15 Famous Places That Locals Say to Avoid

It’s so easy to get wrapped up in the must see tourist traps when traveling. They appear in guidebooks and on Instagram, and you feel like you’re somehow missing out if you don’t go. But here’s the truth: These are places that the locals avoid like the plague. Just because these places are famous doesn’t mean they’re glamorous in real life – they can be overcrowded, overpriced, and underwhelming.

Not always does the reality match the hype. If you want a more authentic experience, it’s worth listening to the people who actually live there. They know the ropes and can tell you where to go to get the real magic. Here are some popular destinations that locals will tell you to skip. You’ll thank them later.

Hollywood Walk of Fame

Yes, walking alongside your favorite celebrity’s name in gold letters is thrilling. Once you get there it’s just a crowded sidewalk full of people trying to take the same selfie. Locals will often tell you to go a little off the beaten path to find a more genuine Los Angeles experience.

Times Square

Times Square can be dazzling with all of the bright lights, until you realize you’re shoulder to shoulder with hundreds of other tourists, all taking photos of the same billboards. If you are a local, however, you will usually be pointed away from Times Square, as locals prefer to breathe without bumping into a camera wielding stranger.

The Leaning Tower of Pisa

No doubt it’s an iconic structure, but once you’ve taken the obligatory ‘holding up the tower’ photo there’s not much else to do. Locals suggest going to other historic places in Italy that don’t involve lines or expensive gelato.

Venice’s St. Mark’s Square

St. Mark’s Square may be the first stop on the list for tourists in Venice, but locals avoid it like the plague, especially in peak season. Between the cafés’ overpriced items and the pigeons too vying for attention, we find there are more peaceful places to enjoy Venice’s canals.

Santorini’s Oia at Sunset

Oia is known for its legendary sunsets and it’s packed to the brim with people trying to get the same view. If you ask a local, they’ll suggest you go to a less-crowded part of the island for a sunset that’s just as beautiful, without the crowd.

A Statue of The Little Mermaid in Copenhagen

Locals shake their heads at the crowds it attracts, but it’s one of the most famous statues in Denmark. In reality, the statue is, well, small, and not awe-inspiring. Otherwise, beyond the occasional ballad, Copenhagen doesn’t have much to offer by way of cultural experience.

The London Eye

No doubt London’s skyline is gorgeous, but locals don’t usually stand in line for hours to ride the London Eye. Of course, you don’t need to go that high up, either, as the city is littered with high up spots to take in the sights such as the Sky Garden or Primrose Hill, or any hill in the park; just ensure you have a picnic basket and the appropriate picnic blanket in tow.

Niagara Falls (American Side)

A wonder of nature, Niagara Falls is, but locals on the American side will often suggest hopping over to the Canadian side for a better view, and a much less commercialized experience. Souvenir shops and wax museums make the American side feel more like a tourist trap.

Paris’s Champs-Élysées

If you’re imagining strolling down a glamorous Parisian boulevard, you may be disappointed. Now the Champs-Élysées is more like a high end shopping mall than a lovely avenue, and it’s usually swamped with tourists. Locals will tell you to go to smaller, quirkier neighborhoods where Paris is still Paris.

Sydney’s Bondi Beach

Bondi Beach is world famous, but locals prefer quieter beaches. Bondi can be overwhelmed with tourists wanting to get the best Instagram shot while doing nothing but hanging on the beach. If you want the real Aussie beach vibe, you’ll find plenty of less commercialised options.

Rome’s Trevi Fountain

Tossing a coin into the Trevi Fountain will ensure your return to Rome, they say. Of course, while you’re scrabbling for space to throw that coin you might discover yourself wanting to be somewhere else. The locals usually recommend going to the fountain at night, or better yet, finding some of Rome’s other stunning yet less crowded piazzas.

Dubai’s Mall of the Emirates

While an indoor ski slope in a mall might seem impressive, locals will tell you Dubai has far more to offer than over the top shopping malls. If you happen to be in Dubai, stay away from the malls, there’s a unique culture packed with natural wonders to be discovered.

Las Vegas Strip

Yes, the neon lights are captivating, but many locals stay off the Strip unless they have to be there. While there are casinos and tourist packed streets, there’s a real side to Las Vegas that’s full of art, culture, and little known gems that you won’t find in the flashing signs.

Machu Picchu

Machu Pichu is on every traveler’s bucket list, but locals have noticed how overcrowded the site has become. It is undeniably stunning, but the crowds of tourists can take some of the sheen off the experience. If you want to explore some of Peru’s less-known Inca sites, you can do so without the crowds and still have history and beauty.

Cancún’s Hotel Zone

The Hotel Zone in Cancún may be paradise, but it’s usually packed with tourists. Locals will tell you to go to quieter spots along the Yucatán Peninsula where you can still find pristine beaches and turquoise waters, minus the nonstop party.

Disclaimer: This list is solely the author’s opinion based on research and publicly available information.

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10 Best African Photo Safaris You Must Experience

Even if you’ve been on a safari in the past, an African photo safari is something you want to experience or at the very list add to the top of your bucket list.

But first, what is a photo safari? The phrase “photo safari” is not a common sentence structure but its meaning can be deduced easily. An African photo safari in general context means going on an adventure with the sole purpose of taking high-quality pictures.

10 Best African Photo Safaris You Must Experience15 Famous Places That Locals Say to Avoid