Many of us spend months, if not years, saving up to visit our dream destinations. But when we finally get there, the reality can be far from what we imagined.
Whether it’s littered landscapes, tourist traps or queues for Instagram photoshoots, even the most iconic holiday spots can leave you wondering: ‘Is that it?’
We asked Metro readers to share the destinations they’ve been most disappointed by, and their responses were passionate enough to make you rethink a few of your travel plans.
From overcrowded beaches to underwhelming landmarks, these are the places people have axed from their bucket list.
Phi Phi Islands – Thailand
The Phi Phi Islands in Thailand’s Andaman Sea are famous for their lunar white beaches, clear blue water and limestone cliffs. But their popularity has come at a cost, with some visitors claiming the islands have been ‘ruined’ by overtourism.
Sharing her experience of visiting, Andrea van Wyk wrote: ‘You walk in a massive queue along with hundreds of people to get there. The beach is packed. The sheer number of visitors has damaged the ecology so you can’t swim either. There are better Thai islands to visit.’
Roy Meadows agreed: ‘I went 30 years ago and it was idyllic. Went three weeks ago and it’s heartbreaking.
‘Carrier bags, plasters and condoms in the sea as we pulled up in the flag-operated traffic light system. Us humans have a lot to answer for.’ Lynne Poyner, meanwhile, claimed the islands have been ‘ruined with tourism’.
Santorini, Greece
Santorini is known just as much for its overwhelming crowds of tourists as for its dramatic views and pebble beaches, according to Metro readers.
The Greek island was ‘packed solid’ according to Sandra Peacock. She added: ‘You couldn’t even cross people to get to the other side in Oia.’ Another, Stephen Newcombe, said the island has been ‘ruined’ by cruise ships.
Some defended the island, however. Daniel Steeger wrote: ‘Santorini is very nice, but not in peak season. Do early morning walks and it’s great.’
While Marilyn Jones Barnett commented: ‘Santorini is one of the best places I have been to, but I went out of season.’
Paris, France
While Paris is adored by many, the City of Love hasn’t captured everyone’s hearts. Emma Lovelock described the French capital as ‘busy, dirty and the most unfriendly place I’ve ever been’. She added: ‘When people are not friendly or just not nice it kills anything. A trip to Aldi is more romantic.’
Another visitor, Olya Gaidai, said: ‘The city itself is stunning, and the food was good, but really unfriendly people.’
Others were let down by the sights. Sandy Denman wrote: ‘Even the Mona Lisa disappointed me. I just said, “Is that it?”. It’s so small.’
The Canary Islands, Spain
The Canary Islands, a Spanish archipelago located off the northwest coast of Africa, are known for their year-round warm climate and volcanic landscapes.
While a popular destination for some winter sun, some visitors feel the islands are lacking, with one visitor claiming there’s nothing to see but stag do’s and ‘the odd volcano’.
Reflecting on his visit to Lanzarote, David Hennessey wrote: ‘The warm climate is all it has going for it. Other than that it is just a soulless rock in the sea.’
Another reader, Sam Torrance, added: ‘I totally agree. It is the most boring island I have ever had the misfortune to visit.
Tenerife, the largest of the islands, didn’t fare much either. One visitor, Ruth Evans said she ‘wouldn’t go back if it was free’. However, others claim the island has ‘beautiful towns, great hills and quiet beaches’, warning future visitors to ‘keep away from the big resorts and travel independently.’
The Maldives
Spread across more than 1,000 islands, the Maldives in the Indian Ocean is a bucket-list destination for many travellers, due to its azure waters and tropical climate. However, some argue it’s not worth the hype.
Sharing his experience of the Maldives, Roger Kirkham wrote: ‘We stayed on one of the islands and there was nothing to do and the food was average. Once the novelty of being on a tiny island surrounded by sea wore off, we couldn’t wait to leave. Mauritius is far nicer in every way.’
Another visitor, Jenny Jones, agreed: ‘A couple of days there would be fine but a whole week gets very boring very fast.’
Venice, Italy
When picturing Venice, images of charming streets and beautiful canals might spring to mind. But for one visitor, it was a completely different story. Jenny Bickerton wrote: ‘[There were] crisp packets and coke tins floating in the canals which stunk. Bright yellow taxis are everywhere.
‘I had this vision of standing on the Rialto Bridge and gazing down the Grand Canal but I couldn’t because of all the folk selling handbags.’
Another reader, Liberata Gallagher, added: ‘Venice is beautiful, undoubtedly, but every turn is someone taking a selfie and so many tourist trap restaurants.’
Others complained that their expectations of the city had been set ‘unrealistically high’ and that there are ‘dozens of cities across Europe with more charm’.
Dubai, UAE
A city famous for its dazzling skyline, lavish resorts, and luxury shopping, Dubai is undoubtedly a glamorous destination – with the majority of it built in the last 50 years. Yet, not all readers were taken with the city.
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Billy Trueman described it as ‘awful’ and ‘sterile’. He explained: ‘[There’s] no history, wildlife or anything natural. Just endless concrete, desert and glass.’
Matilde Napoleao added: ‘Dubai is dull, made with an extremely cheesy bad taste and is sterile. Horrible weather, therefore no quality public spaces, no museums, forget the green.
‘I think if your life is driving and always being indoors between hotels and shopping malls then it’s the place for you.’
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