6 Overrated Travel Destinations and One That’s Totally Worth It

Let’s be real. Travel is rarely the serene experience portrayed in social media posts. Some of the most iconic sites in the world can end up feeling rushed, overcrowded, or just not worth the effort. That doesn’t mean they aren’t impressive, but when time and money are limited, you want to make smart choices. Here’s our honest ranking of six destinations that didn’t live up to the hype (with #1 taking the crown for disappointment), plus one iconic site that’s 100% worth the journey if you plan it right.

6. Overrated: Angkor Wat, Cambodia

• Expectation: A spiritual sunrise moment. Exploring ancient temple ruins in peace and feeling the energy of history and nature.
• Reality: You’ll be surrounded by hordes of people in front of a filthy waterway hoping the gorgeous pink hues of sunrise hide the grit in your photos. The central Angkor Wat temple is mobbed, and once you factor in the heat, tuk-tuk traffic, and relentless vendors in the area, the magic fades fast.
• Still worth seeing? Yes. But don’t expect it to be serene or a peaceful sunrise moment. Our favorite spot was actually Ta Prohm (the Tomb Raider Temple).
• Better option: Luang Prabang, Laos. Wake up early for alms-giving, take a longboat up the Mekong to the Pak Ou Caves, hike and swim at Kuang Si Falls, and explore peaceful temples in town. It’s calm, affordable, and culturally rich with nowhere near the crowds of Siem Reap.

5. Overrated: Chichén Itzá, Mexico

• Expectation: A majestic Mayan pyramid and ruins in the middle of the jungle.
• Reality: The area is flat, the grounds are packed, and the vendors are loud. It’s also a long, hot drive from most tourist bases like Cancún or Tulum, usually on a group day tour.
• Still worth seeing? Maybe.
• Better option: If you’re in the Cancún/Tulum area, go to Cobá. It’s smaller and more mystical in the jungle, and you can climb a designated spot. If you’re up for an amazing adventure, head to Tikal, Guatemala. You’ll still need to make an effort to get there, we did a full day from San Ignacio Belize, but it’s a completely different experience. You’ll see pyramids peeking out of dense jungle, unique wildlife, and far fewer tourists. We spent hours wandering with a private guide, climbing to viewpoints, and actually feeling the history and a connection to this unbelievable site.

4. Overrated: Stonehenge, UK

• Expectation: A mystical stone circle in a wide field. Peaceful, quiet, and otherworldly.
• Reality: You can’t get close to the stones unless you book a pricey special tour. The main experience involves a roped-off path, buses full of people, and a quick wander around the outskirts while cars and buses zoom by on the road beyond. It’s also a bit of a trek from London.
• Still worth seeing? For die-hard history buffs, maybe. And only if you’re on your way to see other things in the area, like the gorgeous town of Bath. Otherwise, skip it.
• Better option: Fairy Glen, Isle of Skye, Scotland. No, it’s not ancient stones like Stonehenge. But it’s a stunning, magical place that feels legendary. Green hills, bizarre natural formations, and fewer crowds if you time it right. It looks like something from a fantasy film. Combine it with a Scottish Highlands road trip and you’ll get far more out of the experience.

3. Overrated: Christ the Redeemer, Brazil

• Expectation: Jaw-dropping view of Rio and a peaceful, iconic experience.
• Reality: On a clear day, it’s packed. On a cloudy day, you might not see anything. The trip up involves lines, transport transfers, and crowds at the top. Everyone’s jostling for the same photo.
• Still worth seeing? Only if it’s a clear day, and go early.
• Better option: Sugarloaf Mountain. It’s still a tourist hotspot in Rio de Janeiro, but so awesome. Take the cable car up at golden hour. You’ll get stunning iconic views of Rio, and there’s space to move around, grab a snack, and take your time. Just beware—the cable car ride is crowded and high in the sky. It’s totally worth it for the view, though.

2. Overrated: The Mona Lisa at the Louvre, Paris

• Expectation: Standing quietly in front of the most famous painting in the world, reflecting on life.
• Reality: You’re several rows back in a crowded room, straining over phones and heads, separated by glass and security barriers. It’s more about the crowd than the art.
• Still worth seeing? If you’re at the Louvre already, take a look, but don’t build your visit around it. We love Paris, and many touristy things are worth it, but the Mona Lisa experience is disappointing.  
• Better option: Musée d’Orsay. It’s right across the Seine, inside a stunning former train station. It has world-class Impressionist works from Van Gogh, Monet, Degas, and others, and you can actually see them. While it does get crowded, the museum has better flow and it’s more enjoyable overall. Be sure to get a timed ticket and visit early or late in the day. This is a stop we make almost every time in Paris.

1. Overrated: Pyramids of Giza, Egypt

• Expectation: Ancient pyramids rising from the sand, far from civilization on a quiet and epic journey.
• Reality: They’re right in the middle of a busy city. You’ll deal with scammers, pushy vendors, and photo-ops with camels shoved in your face. There’s constant noise and hassle.
• Still worth seeing? You can’t go to Egypt and skip them, but go in with eyes open. If we could do it again, we’d find a boutique hotel with pyramid views and avoid the site itself. The Marriott Mena House looks extraordinary, but at $800/night, we’d likely just go for dinner and stay somewhere nearby.
• Better option: Luxor. It’s still popular, but the experience is more manageable. You can explore the Valley of the Kings, Karnak, and Luxor Temples at your own pace. The ruins are more detailed, the setting feels more authentic, and it’s easier to get off the beaten path.

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Totally Worth It: Machu Picchu, Peru

This place actually delivers. Yes, it’s busy. Yes, it’s a bit of a process. But it’s absolutely worth the effort.

Here’s how to do it right:

• Book a private guide. It’s not cheap, but ours helped us avoid bottlenecks, kept the pace smooth, and added just enough context.
• Stay overnight in Aguas Calientes. This lets you take one of the first buses up in the morning.
• Be in the first entry group of the day. Our guide took us right when everyone else went left. Watching the mist clear over the ruins with only a few other people around was unforgettable. We had a peaceful hour that felt like the site was just for us.

If you want a splurge experience that actually feels once-in-a-lifetime, this is it. The setting, the scale, and the atmosphere all live up to the hype—especially if you plan it well. If you really want to go all out, consider staying at the Belmond Sanctuary Lodge at the top, just note that the price has gone up significantly in recent years.

Our Take

The honest truth is that crowds, commercialization, and unrealistic expectations can ruin what could be incredible travel experiences. Sometimes it’s just a matter of timing and research, but often, the lesser-known alternative offers a better return on your time and energy.

We’re not saying you shouldn’t go to these famous sites. Just know what you’re in for, and don’t skip the underdogs. They’re often where the best travel moments happen.

What are your most overrated sights? Which ones do you recommend? Let us know in the comments.