The world's five most disappointing tourist attractions are in Europe
Some of the most lauded tourist attractions in the world leave travellers distinctly underwhelmed, a new study has found.
Luggage storage company Radical Storage analysed 95,352 visitor reviews across 200 of the most visited landmarks to reveal the world's most disappointing tourist attractions.
The top five spots were all taken by European sights, a few of which are often considered bucket list-worthy destinations.
Inspired by Disneyland's success in America, the country estate of Alton Towers was transformed into a theme park in the 1980s. With 10 themed areas spread across 910 acres, it is the UK's biggest.
However, the research found that almost half of the reviews for the Staffordshire-based amusement park featured words indicating a negative experience. For context, the average rate of negative reviews in the study is 10.9 per cent.
Alton Towers had the highest percentage of reviews that specifically complained about value for money including misleading ticket information, and expectations to pay for overpriced add-ons such as expensive food and drink or access to different areas of the park.
Comments also suggest it's often not the rides that disappoint customers, but the customer service.
The Széchenyi Baths and Pool in Hungary's capital Budapest is the largest medicinal bath in Europe and has been a wellness tourism destination since 1913.
However, over a third of people who left a review of the baths online reported a less than satisfactory experience. The baths ranked third worst in the crowds and accessibility category (16.8 per cent of all reviews compared to the 4.4 per cent average).
Siam Park in the Spanish Tenerife is Europe's biggest water park, opened by the Princess of Thailand Maha Chakri Sirindhorn in 2007. However, a visit to the 'world's best water park' is not universally enjoyable. Reviewers frequently mention the rude staff and accessibility issues.
Some reviewers mentioned feeling shamed due to their weight and mentioned the park not being disability-friendly. Overall, nearly a third of reviews had something negative to say about their experience.
Planned and built by the magazine Time Out (a British media and hospitality company) in 2014, Time Out Market Lisboa was the company's first venture into food halls.
In 2018 the project earned the prestigious Hamburg Foodservice Award - one of the most respected awards in the food-service industry. But according to reviews, things may have taken a turn for the worse since. Over a quarter of reviewers have left underwhelmed or disappointed.
It seems the Time Out Market Lisboa is a victim of its own success. The attraction had the greatest percentage of reviews mentioning crowds or access issues (18.4 per cent compared to the 4.4 per cent average).
The Trevi Fountain is an iconic Baroque monument in Rome and has been featured in popular films such as Fellini's La Dolce Vita and Wyler's Roman Holiday.
Every year, tourists throw an estimated €1 million into the fountain, and a coin tossed into the water is supposed to guarantee a return to Rome in the future.
But if you cast a wish into the fountain, you may want to time your visit wisely. After Time Out Market Lisboa, the reviews had the second greatest proportion of people mentioning crowds or accessibility issues. Overall, one in four people had something negative to say about their experience.
The fountain was also closed for renovations for part of 2024, which may have contributed to some visitors' disappointment.
Samarkand's Silk Road past is woven into its present. At Registan Square, once a bustling marketplace, researcher Armida Nazaryan explains its role as a trade hub between East and West.
Nearby, at Afrasiab, restorer Marina Reutova unveils ancient Sogdian murals, offering a rare glimpse into 7th-century life.
In Konigil, craftsman Zarif Mukhtarov revives the lost art of Samarkand Silk Paper, prized for its durability. Finally, in a local bakery, Gulchehra Nurriddinova shares the tradition of Samarkand's iconic flatbreads, baked in a scorching tandyr oven—an enduring symbol of Silk Road hospitality.
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