17 Breathtaking Views That Aren’t Worth the Crowds
Traveling to breathtaking sights around the globe often involves overwhelming crowds. Picture visiting a natural wonder or famous historical site only to find it surrounded by selfie sticks, loud conversation, and long lines. Most of these spots look idyllic online, but getting there might leave you more stressed than awe struck.
Here are 17 scenic sites where the crowd factor might be more important than the view.
Santorini’s Sunset at Oia
Santorini’s Oia village is practically overrun during golden hour and is known as one of the most magical sunsets in the world. On tourist weekends, photographers struggle to find space to get a picture of the famous horizon. The scene is beautiful, but the crowds have many travelers feeling more like sardines than spectators.
Louvre, Paris – Mona Lisa
It’s no secret that Leonardo da Vinci’s masterpiece is charming, but the truth of viewing it up close is a different story. Inside a small, climate-controlled room at the Louvre, surrounded by a thick mob of people, the Monalisa hangs in all its glory, so expect an obstructed view and the near-impossible task of appreciating the finer details of the painting amongst the selfie-happy crowd.
Machu Picchu, Peru
This ancient wonder is often perched high in the Andes and tops travel bucket list items. Unfortunately, its allure means that it is always busy — so busy you feel like you’re in a theme park, not a mystical Incan city. Machu Picchu’s magic is tarnished by the swarm of other tourists whose presence is causing harm to the ancient structure and environment.
The Trevi Fountain, Rome
The Trevi Fountain is one of Rome’s most recognizable landmarks and visitors around the world come to see it. However, tossing a coin and making a wish loses its luster when you’re packed shoulder-to-shoulder with hundreds of other people. From dusk till dawn, this spot never sleeps.
Times Square, New York City
Times Square is filled with bright lights and billboards. It is the beating heart of New York City. Tourists flood this area around the clock. All this together makes for a lot of sensory overload. On the streets, mascots try to charge for photos, and vendors and performers attract thick crowds making it difficult to walk around peacefully.
The Eiffel Tower, Paris
The Eiffel Tower is a romance, but it’s also reality, and while it’s beautiful, getting to the top of this iconic landmark is often accompanied by long lines and crowded viewing decks. The allure of the experience is diminished unless you’re there at an off peak time and you’re prepared to wait in line and jostle for photos.
Maya Bay, Thailand
Maya Bay is a dazzling location with a beautiful shoreline that is now packed full of tourists. Each day, boatloads of tourists offload onto the beach. Consequently, the beach has been closed periodically for conservation efforts to restore its natural beauty, but once re-opened, you can expect crowds on land and at sea.
Cliffs of Moher, Ireland
Ireland’s Cliffs of Moher have a sweeping, rugged coastline, and a crowded viewing platform. Finding a peaceful moment with nature can be difficult with people everywhere and so little space. For many visitors, it’s anything but a serene experience, with high winds and close quarters.
Charles Bridge, Prague
Charles Bridge in Prague features stunning statues and wonderful picturesque views across the Vltava River. By mid-morning the bridge is full. Vendors and musicians on the street attract crowds that make it busy, so for a quiet stroll, you may have to get up at sunrise.
Tegalalang Rice Terraces in Bali
Bali’s most photographed locations are the lush green Tegalalang rice terraces. The serenity you see in photos is not quite the case in reality as you will be in the company of hordes of other tourists. Instead of a peaceful walk through the rice fields, you would have to weave through photo setups and traffic jams.
Badaling Great Wall of China
The Great Wall spans thousands of miles, but the best and most easily accessible and visited sectors of Badaling are often packed with visitors, as they are located right opposite Beijing. The scale of the wall is impressive and a wonder to behold but climbing elbow-to-elbow with other tourists can detract from the experience as a whole.
Ha Long Bay, Vietnam
Ha Long Bay’s limestone islands rising from emerald waters is a dream come true, but the boat traffic can make the area less magical. Boats bump each other for space and the sense of solitude in photos is hard to get, given the flotilla of vessels.
Lake Bled, Slovenia
Lake Bled is picture-perfect with its church island and castle that enamor many, but in peak season the crowds flock to this tiny lake, especially to popular viewpoints on the island. It is a beautiful lake, but if you’re looking for solitude, the busy atmosphere will send you packing.
Blue Lagoon, Iceland
Iceland’s Blue Lagoon is famous for its milky blue waters and has become a must-do activity. Unfortunately, a lagoon full of tourists, elbow to elbow, enjoying the geothermally heated waters feels more like a public swimming pool than a relaxing spa treatment.
Taj Mahal, India
The Taj Mahal is a white marble splendor, but the crowds that gather every morning to see it are overwhelming. Its peaceful aura is ruined by long lines and packed viewpoints, and you’ll have plenty of company trying to take it in.
Los Angeles, Hollywood Sign
The Hollywood Sign is one of the famous icons of Hollywood Town and fans from all over the world visit it. Getting a good view, however, often means dealing with crowded trails, traffic, and a shortage of parking. The trek to get the perfect shot of the sign is often more hassle than it’s worth, and many visitors find it tedious.
Pike Place Market, Seattle
Pike Place Market is a Seattle staple where you can find fresh seafood and local artisans. Charming, but crammed with visitors every day, it’s hard to see stalls or the famous fish toss. The main floor is often avoided by locals and you may find the experience a little claustrophobic.
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 Experience
