European Tourist Traps Actually Worth Seeing
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- เผยแพร่เมื่อ 9 พ.ค. 2024
- The Eiffel Tower, the Hofbrauhaus, a gondola ride in Venice, there are so many tourists traps in Europe, but some really are worth going to see. Here we give you the list of the best tourist traps in Europe that everyone should visit at least once!
Filmed in Athens, Greece
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Im a tourist so Im going to ALL the tourist traps. Except the crappy restaurants.
so, no tourist craps.
Visit the trap, then go at least two or three blocks away before considering where to eat!
The eiffel tower at night when it's all lit up is MAGICAL. Also we did a river cruise around golden hour and seeing the eiffel tour at that time was so beautiful.
Indeed it is magical
is it true you're not allowed to photograph it t night?
The Colosseum and Arch de Triumphe are huge tourist traps worth seeing.
Defo the Colosseum! Get goosebumps everytime I am in Rome
The Colosseum is amazing. Sometimes when you go to a famous place that you've seen in textbooks, you get that sense of "Holy cow, it's the REAL THING and I'm REALLY HERE!" The Colosseum did that for me. It's an incredible feeling to see history alive in front of you.
Colosseum is great from the outside but the inside is pretty meh. The Forum is infinitely better
I’ve never understood the hate that a lot of tourist traps get. Most of them are worth a visit at least once!
The Tower of London was a highlight for me when I visited London. The Beefeater tour was fantastic.
Agree 100%.
The locking up ceremony at around 9pm is only a pound, booked in advance. Well worth doing.
I'm not sure if others would consider this a tourist trap but Sagrada Familia is definitely worth seeing. After seeing a bunch of different cathedrals around Europe I was skeptical about seeing another one, but Sagrada Familia is so unique. I could spend hours looking at the different scenes depicted both inside and outside the cathedral. I can't wait to see it again once it's finished!
Well yes, but when will it be finished...?
When we went to Munich, we chose Hofbrauhaus because they were the only place that had live bands on a Monday. 100% worth it!
Did you check out the vomitorium?
@@jimbrennan1181 nope
agreed!
@@jimbrennan1181 Last time I went they had been removed out of the men's bathroom on the main level. Maybe they still exist elsewhere because the place is huge.
@@JustinCase780 Thanks, and you are correct! I only found one, and it was not in the toilette, it was in a hallway near the kitchen. I had a feeling that there had been a lot more previously but I also wasn't sure if I was just missing them.
The Alhambra. One of the best tourist sights in Spain. What's good is how well executed the Nasrid Palace tour times are. By forcing everyone to book early limited time tickets, you actually don't feel overwhelmed by crowds. Also, Granada is way more than just the Alhambra. Spend at least 4 days there to see everything else the city has to offer.
Swiss Alps - Jungfrau, Zermatt, etc. Touristy, yes, breathtaking, also yes
Mona Lisa? Head to the basement in the same wing of the Louvre and you'll see art you've never heard of before👍❤
You can also just turn in any direction from the Mona Lisa lol
I skipped the Louvre and went instead to Musee de l’orangerie to see Monets water lilies. I will never forget it.
@@CapnCody1622
I would agree I spent the whole day there and saw art and sculptures that we’re just stunning
Your profile picture perfectly explains your comment.
Yeah, some friends told me the rest of the Louvre has amazing art and isn't crowded, very worth a visit.
The Hofbrauhaus's Music is best and also though food so good and Agustiner. Eiffel Tower so worth it to go up.
My daughter and I had an absolute blast and one of the best nights of our vacation at Temple Bar!!!!
The royal mile in Edinburgh up to the castle. It is very much a tourist trap. But there is good food and fun shops and bagpipes and haggis neeps and taters and well to me it’s worth it.
Agreed.
Just got back from there myself. Loved it!
Yep, go to Stirling Castle instead
Thanks, headed there next month.
Tatties, not taters 😉
There is a reason they are tourist traps - they are worth it! As you said - at least once! Love all of those places you mentioned. I would add Manneken Pis as well - yes, you only need to see it once, but it is worth it. Central Park or Times Square as well - it is electric. Central Park is an oasis of calm in a hectic city and worth a walk around to get some zen :)
Tourist traps mainly cause people try to live through the lives others lived.
I've done many of these "tourist traps" and most all are worth it one time during a trip. Eiffel Tower, Stonehenge, Hofbräuhaus, Tower of London, Marienplatz etc. Some though, like Collosseum and Pantheon in Rome, I could happily see over and over. Never tire of anything in Rome.
In Rome, having a drink or even food while sitting across from the Pantheon, and, taking in the historical ambiance of Caffe Antica Greco with a 9 Euro coffee drink- both worth every penny.
I just realised I've been to most of these 'Tourist Traps'. I've enjoyed seeing them all. Heading off to Europe again in a couple of weeks and finishing up in Athens. Informative video as always Mark.
I never realized how lucky I was when I went to the Louvre. There was almost nobody in the room when I saw the Mona Lisa, so I was able to get as close as was allowed.
The Hofbräuhaus definitely attracts many tourists. But I must say, the prices in the Hofbräuhaus are within the normal price range in Munich and the food is good quality. So I'm not sure, if it's really a “tourist trap”.
Even I - born and raised in Munich - go there from time to time.
I agree. Schöne Grüße aus Erding!
Maybe not tourist trap, I agree. But it is a tourist hub.
Wieliczka salt mines outside Kraków. Not cheap, full of tourists, but a must see!
Venice is insane during the summer. But it is just incredible. Stunning. Nothing like it in the world. I agree with him about the Beefeater tour. Really, really cool.
Don't know if it qualifies as a tourist trap, but the Anne Frank House in Amsterdam. You only need to go once, but it's well worth it. Afternoon Tea in London, boat ride on the Thames. I agree with what you included as well. Santorini is on my list.
Anne Frank House is the only thing in Amsterdam I have good memories of!
Agreed, my mistake was not pre-book the tickets so I couldn’t get into Anne Frank House
@@theunraveler I'm so sorry! They are released on Tuesday at a certain time there (you have to do the math and figure out what time it is where you live)--it happened to be 1am here, but if you get on your computer at exactly that time 6 weeks before you're going to be there, you'll get tickets. It's amazing how fast they sell out. I missed the Van Gogh museum for the same reason. Didn't book ahead. :( I hope you get to go back to see it. It's heart wrenching but well worth seeing. Make sure you do something fun after going there. ;)
@@sunflowerfields4409 there’s too many fun things to do in Amsterdam
@@theunraveler I totally agree! I will have to go back.
Just went to rome and went to almost all the tourist traps....love it planning going to more tourists traps in the future 😂
details?
Because you are a tourist 😂
I don't know whether it's considered a tourist trap, but since you are mentioning the view and surroundings; one of my most memorable experiences I had when I was in Vienna, was having a piece of Sachertorte and a cup of tea at the terrace of legendary Hotel Sacher. An old dream came true! 🙂
Great video!
This is such a creative idea for a video!! Great stuff!
As always, great video Mark. Thanks for sharing your travel wisdom.
The Louvre is HUGE with so much to see! It's only that one room with the Mona Lisa that is crowded. Definitely go!
Love it 🥰 I enjoyed most of the tourist trap you have mentioned and to be honest … I had a great time !!!!
Great video. It’s good to be reminded that some tourist traps are worth seeing. I’ve seen many on your list and agree….once is all you need
Hey Mark, awesome video
Sitting behind the Eiffel Tower with a picnic as the sun goes down. What's not to like? I've been to Paris many many times and I do it every time.
I like your video's. In my opinion is this one of the best! Thanks!
I definitely enjoyed visiting Stonehenge. I recommend a tour that includes visiting the inner circle if you can. You have to plan way ahead as they are very limited and only available before opening or after closing. The tour I was on was an all-day thing, but only the first part was Stonehenge, then we drove on to our next stop.
We've been to almost all of those sights & loved every one! The tip is to get going early. We were 2 of 4 people when taking pics of Mona Lisa. We are also all about the backroads & getting off the beaten track. It's all good!
The Palace of Versailles was worth every bit of its €20 price tag. I recommend booking in advance, and going in the summer. I was there in November, and by the time I was done inside, there wasn't time to check out the gardens and grounds before dark. 100% would go again.
Thanks for the Beefeater Tour tip! Heading to London in 3 weeks and was debating how to see the Tower of London. Will book the tour after your recommendation!
Augustine Brew … so cool 🍺
I did Bath last week on my Vacation. It's great.
Definitely going to check out Krakow's main square in August. Will try to see the Da Vinci painting in Krakow. Also going to make the day trip to Auschwitz-Birkenau. Will also check out regional museums in Katowice and Wroclaw.
My wife and I have done the Hofbrauhaus and Temple Bar and some other tourist traps when we've traveled but we mixed in some off the beaten path stuff too. The point of travel is to see what others have seen and experience them in your own way. Would we do Temple Bar if we want back to Dublin again? Nope, but we can say we did and at least know that it wasn't something we wanted to to do again. If someone does those tourist trap-ish places and loves them, then good for them. Travel should make you happy, and not be used as some form of world traveler street cred to display on IG.
Places are tourist "traps" for a reason. I learned to see all the popular stuff; it's popular for a reason, usually a good one.
Château de Versailles, Vernazza and the Shambles
Great video, we will be in Greece next week, first time for us we will be doing all the touristy stuff.
Get a car and take a drive up to Delphi and Meteora if you have time. Both are magical and I've been to almost every place on this list.
Hello Mark Wolters of Wolters World, I like your videos!
The London Eye
Yeah, the Acropolis, Santorini, the Eiffel Tower, Musee d'Orsay, the beerhall in Munich, and the tour of the Tower of London were all worth it. I would add the Alhambra, the ruins of Delphi, and Pompeii. Amazing places to visit, even if they are busy. I still think about those trips to this day. And yeah, I overpaid for some food at a restaurant in Nyhavn Copenhagen just to enjoy the views and people watching on a summer evening. No regrets!
Thank you for mentioning the Checkpoint Charlie Museum, it's small but well worth it. We forget what that used to be like for people.
Been to most of these & agree that they are worth visiting at least once. Santorini is gorgeous (spent a day). Stonehenge was a few hours, then we went on to Salisbury & Bath. Louvre has so many wonderful works besides Mona Lisa & Musee d'Orsay is fantastic, especially if you like Impressionists & Post Impressionists. Some other European tourist traps - Leaning of Tower of Pisa (great for a photo, visit cathedral next door), Trevi Fountain in Rome, Las Ramblas in Barcelona - all incredibly crowded. Love your channel!
Nice video Sir:): I am jonesing to go to some of my favorite traps in Germany to include the Hofbrauhaus in Munich:).
My sister in law and I had a saying regarding overpriced food in touristy areas. (Allowing for inflation because it was $4 when we started) "Shut up and eat your $15 hot dog." even if they don't sell hot dogs, that's just our saying. When you're in Piazza San Marco and a coffee and tiramisu is $30 ... you're in Piazza San Marco! "Shut up and eat your $4 hot dog." When you're in Sky Garden or Galata Tower and your Coke costs you $20 "shut up and eat your $4 hot dog" - you're there for the view!
Hahaha! Piazza San Marco - "Shut up and drink your €13 beer"
Ha, I love it!
That is GREAT!!!
Wonderful true video. Most of these "Tourist Traps" I have been to and thoroughly enjoyed. Totally agree that these are worth seeing. I crossed into East Berlin when the wall was up, guns and guards....Scary though at that time.
Another one I will say is the clock tower in Prague. It is super touristy and packed, but a must visit.
Yeah, the Eifel Tower is quite impressive. So much bigger and grand in person than in photos
If you can do a gondola ride as part of a small group tour, definently do it while in Venice. I was there a couple weeks ago. I'll never forget it
Two in Rome that are definitely worth it: 1. Apertivi in the evening in front of the Pantheon. It's expensive (something like $50 or $60 for two in winter--a meal of appetizers and drinks) but worth it to watch life go by on that piazza. 2. The Sistine Chapel. I've been several times and it just amazes me every time. The Pieta in St. Peter's is also heartbreakingly beautiful even if the rest of St. Peter's leaves me a bit flat.
don't get discouraged from going to any touristy place. you never know when or if you'll be back at all. I'm so glad we went to the Louvre, the Eiffel Tower, palace of Versailles. I was almost discouraged because of watching so many videos that considered those places "tourist traps"
the beefeater tour was fantastic! They are very knowledgeable and also interest people themselves (they are all former military service people) that have to have certain achievements to be considered for the job. Plus, the tour of London has so much to see.
I really liked Versailles. I thought that was worth seeing. I walked to the Eiffel tower last year but didn't pay to go in. The Tower of London was really good. The Temple Bar is brilliant!! Love Ireland
Been to them all except Stonehenge! 😂 Have an awesome time in Greece. My happy place.
Stonehenge looks better on tv .i did get a nice jar of strawberries jam
In addition to Bath, taking a full day for Stonehenge is worth it if you add Avebury and Solsbury Hill etc. Do a tour of all of the local prehistoric sites.
Yes to adding Avebury to Stonehenge.
Wollers World: Can you recommend a Santorini or Mykonos alternative?
I would say the Roman Forum (several times) and the Colosseum tour at least once. When you are IN there, you get a scope of how big it really is!
The tower of London tour is worth EVERY penny!!! Your guides (the Beefeaters) are retired soldiers and they are excellent! Next time I'm there I'm going again.
The Changing Of The Guard at Buckingham Palace BUT go to Whitehall where they are lined up, being inspected, the band forming up and then marching out. THAT is truly cool but a lot of people don't know about that part.
The Mona Lisa for me was disappointing BUT the Louvre has so much more to offer, even in that gallery. If I were planning a trip to Paris though I would go off season.
The Eiffel Tower is very cool!
I think you should visit the Magritte Museum and the neighboring Royal Art Museum i Brussels. And have a beer or two at Delirium Cafe
I’d personally skip Checkpoint Charlie and only visit it if it’s part of a larger itinerary walking tour.
La Sagrada Familia on the other hand is absolutely worth a visit!
GREAT video with lots of great information. I totally agree with you on ALL of these. If I were to add one to this list, I'd add the Sistine Chapel. I mean, yes, it's a masterpiece and yes, it's beautiful but is it worth the hours and hours of touring the Vatican museum and then the packed crowd in the chapel and they, how much of it do you really see when you're staring up at the ceiling and the guards are constantly shushing you.
Yes. The Sistine Chapel and Vatican museum were definitely a suboptimal experience. Guide cracking the whip the entire time. No stopping at anything. Hall of Maps? More like Hall of Covid! What a sea of people. Next time, will go on our own with an audioguide, and plan on spending most of the day.
I went to Athens in February last year. Sunny, 20 degrees celsius. 0 queue to access the Acropolis and about 50 people on top of the Acropolis. It was great!
I love ferris wheels so you can bet I have been on the London Eye at least 3 times and I would go again.
When in Istanbul, go to a dinner show / cruise. Most of them have great dance shows (support my fellow dancers :-) ) Or just see the show at Hodjapasha.
I'm going to Santorini this July for Akrotiri alone. It's worth persevering with the throngs of tourists to see one of the most impressive archaeological sites in the world.
I really like the perspective of this video. Sometimes tourist traps are that for a reason. And well, if you're visiting you are a tourist! Glad you mentioned Santorini because I have wanted to go there for a long time and have always wondered if it would still be a good experience with the crowds. I'm not sure I agree about the Mona Lisa or the Leaning Tower of Pisa, but I also say that from the perspective of someone who has seen them and doesn't need to see them again. Maybe I would feel differently if I'd never seen them.
Tower of London tour 👍
Hallstatt. GORGEOUS, but overcrowded with tourists during the day. The restaurants along the water provide excellent views but not so good food.
The salt mine tour there is worth it, at least once.
As our June European adventure nears we have several of these on our itinerary, knowing they are must do's at least one time. The Beefeater tour is one that I had not considered so may find time for it the week we are in London.
Stonehenge is worth it ! I flew
all the way from Austin Texas ! My word ! It’s worth it .
I have to agree. Most of the tourist traps are ok to visit a least one time. What I never do is go to "Madame Tussaud" and eat near tourist trap.
Santa Village in Rovaniemi. Finland. definitelly worth going in the wintertime
I just arrived yesterday from my Germany trip and I agree with you on the Hofbrauhaus. You have to go there at least once. I loved the atmosphere, the band and the Ein Maas Dunkel Riedle beer (I probably got the name all wrong 😆) which was a 1 L dark beer that has a lemonade flavor. I really enjoyed it.
Just a heads up for everyone else, Mark mentions the Pergamonmuseum and it was most likely opened at the time of him filming it, but it's currently closed for 2-3 years for restoration...that and the Deutsche Museum which had all the historical artifacts of German history were closed for the same reason when I was there which was disappointing, but a good excuse for me to go back to Berlin some day.
A tourist trap that is worth it is Park Guell in Barcelona. It is a whole park with Gaudi (architect of the Sagrada Familia) design and the best part is you can snake around up to the top of the mountain it's on and see the whole city laid before you. Best views ive ever had in a city. But definitely plan getting your tickets, they only let so many in at a time.
Good take , I wouldn’t go out of my way for Stonehenge
Couldn't agree more with this list - th only note I have is the Louvre, if you go pretty much as soon as it opens and you go directly to the Mona Lisa there are no lines, you can get an unobstructed view a could feet away from it and explore the other magnificent works in that room, then the rest of the Louvre is yours to explore while everyone else is trying to get to the Mona Lisa.
Trevi fountain in Rome.
That one shocked me. Smaller than I thought 😂
But go in the middle of the night when there is not as much people there!
Rome at night was very nice and less crowded
@@spanishkidd87very nice little city not like New York
Intenditore
I agree - some of those "tourist traps" really are something you should at least see once. Neuschwanstein falls into this for me. Not really a repeat place but it's neat to see it and take the whirlwind tour. You've mentioned before that hey, if it's something YOU want to see, then see it! It's your trip!
Thr HB Haus is fun- gives you thay stereotypical beerhall experience but yes! We're fans of Augustiner Keller, too.
Wolter the best time to visit Acropolis Parthenon, is late February - early March. Half the ticket price, not hot at all (waer a jacket pls) and on a sunny day its majestic!
Tip for the gondola drive: share with it someone. At least when we were there on our honeymoon (2018) they wouldnt let you share it with other people outside of your circle. So before booking a ride we found another family and asked them if they want to go together as if we were together. It was much cheaper and we also got couple of photos and had a lovely time.
I’m a Londoner and 100% agree with the Tower of London tour. It’s the only paid attraction in London that’s really worth the money.
Yes, I’ve been to Harrod’s twice. Tourist trap? Maybe, but fabulous and yes, we did purchase items. I have been to many of the “tourist traps” you have mentioned, but the Louvre in Paris still eludes me. We missed it on our first trip, and it was closed on Tuesday on our second trip. One day I will have a selfie with the Mona Lisa. 🙏
I'd say the actual checkpoint Charlie is a bit of a tourist trap, especially taking a photo with the actors. But i agree, the stadium needs to be done at last once
Definitely Stonehenge. I would also recommend 221 B Baker Street. Going there was one of the best decisions I made when I visited England. I’ve never been fond of tourist traps, but going to 221 B Baker Street was an unforgettable experience. I can’t wait to return and take my sister.
The boats in Retiro are totally worth it for a one-time, afternoon activity in Madrid!
Budget tip!
Acropolis and Pantheon and a lot of State owned Greek museum are free for the last weekend of September annually (European Heritage Days).
I love those town squares with the overpriced meals. 😁 Piazza Navona in Rome is my favourite and we actually enjoyed a delicious meal and a nice conversation with the owner.
Oh, I actually had one of the best meals I've ever had in Piazza Navona! I think that one is better than some of the other spots.
Piazza Navona is great to sit and just watch. Also the piazza at the Pantheon.
@@krmobot I totally agree! That was also a lovely place to people watch and have a delicious meal.
Just spent 13 days in Athens, seen it ALL
Touristy places are touristy places for a reason.
Accept they are crowded and maybe expensive and you are ok.
I remember going to Venice and wanting to ride the Gondolas. Then I got off the tourist bus and the smell nearly overwhelmed and I even saw raw sewage in the water. I was like yep thats a big nope for me. If I get tipped into that water our poor boat captain will never be seen again. Venice was so wild. Ill never forget the smell of fresh baked pastries, sewage and mildew. As for other Tourist traps I loved the Castles. I went to the Neuschwanstein Castle and Linderhof Castle in Austria and they were amazing. The Eagles Nest was a wild place too. You can see multiple countries from its viewpoint. Its breathtaking and sinister all at the same time.
The two times I've been to Venice, I've been absolutely enchanted, but all of that water definitely does result in a certain smell. XD
I’ve been to most of these places on this list that are outside of the Uk and would recommend all of them with the exception of Santorini. It still looks beautiful but it’s just a nice facade, Whatever charm Thira used to have is gone and everything has been replaced with souvenirs stands and ATV rentals. Oia was nicer but as packed as the nyc subway at rush hour. Maybe i would have liked it better
if I stayed outside of Thira.
Also sometimes it’s worth spending the 20 bucks and taking the tour. We did that for the Norman palace in Sicily and ended up getting a breakdown of every mosaics and it was super interesting. You might get to cut the line too.
I saw Santorini in the winter and no one was there. It was pretty fun.
I got pretty lucky with the weather though, it was sunny and mild the whole time but locals said that wasn't always true in the winter.
The Colosseum in Rome was incredible....for the first hour or so. I would've much preferred spending way more time at the Roman Forum just down the way.
Blessed to say I’ve been to/done all of these.
Travel Hack for Stonehenge: Go during any equinox. Due to religious rights they allow the local pagans to do their rituals inside the Stones at sunrise for an hour or 2. It was an incredible experience that I would do again. You don’t have to partake in the ritual you can frolick freely in and around the stones. It’s Incredible to see the sheer size of them
Go to Santorini!!!! Go at the beginning of Oct to avoid crowds
Actually in Berlin go to the Stasi Museum. Absolutely fascinating. They were absolutely nuts. The surveillance they did on normal citizens and their methods were completely ridiculous.
Many people think that the Heathrow Express is a waste of money. My ticket for the HX only cost me £9.90 but the suburban service to get back cost me around £13 !