Don’t Go There – Grossly Overrated Cities Of The World
Travel hype dies fast. A place that was once a well-kept secret – Ahoj, Prague! – reaches critical mass, trippers flood in, prices skyrocket, and you might as well be in Des Moines, Iowa. The locale in question is still great to visit…but the magic’s gone.
Despite the headline, this piece isn’t about tearing cities – or, rather, their reputations – down. It’s merely an honest look at how time, and tourists, change everything. And I’ll always love Paris. But that might be more of a reflection on my past than the present-day actuality of the city of light.
Anyway…
Here are a few cities that, for many travelers, no longer deliver:
Venice, Italy
Venice is, was, and will always be visually stunning.
It’s only everything else that’s altered. A locale of atmosphere and mystery is now clotted with cruise ship passengers, restaurants shilling for their money, and both calles and canals are bottleneck nightmares.
Italy offers countless alternatives that remain charming and intimate. Bologna or Lecce, for instance, are a perpetual source of beauty, food, and culture. If Venice no longer floats your gondola, give them a try.
Paris, France
Paris suffers from the fact that it’s Paris: destination of dreamers.
And, damn, every dreamer in the world seems to visit. The city survived the Nazis and it’ll survive the Elmwood, Illinois class of 2026, but the fabled joie de vivre gets tougher and tougher to locate. And the famous Parisian hauteur only adds insult to injury.
Paris still shines when you slow down and step away from the landmarks. For travelers who need to keep an eye on the clock the experience can feel rushed and underwhelming.
France’s smaller cities, like Lyon or Bordeaux, often deliver richer day-to-day pleasures. Vive la difference!
Dubai, United Arab Emirates
Dubai is impressive in scale, sure.
But scale’s not everything – especially when the result feels engineered rather than a natural urban development. Skyscrapers, malls, artificial islands impress once…and that’s it. If you’re searching for history, walkability, or spontaneity, you won’t find them in the UAE’s showplace. Dubai? Dubious.
Santorini, Greece
Ah, blessed isle of Santorini!
Everything you wanted in Greece – and less. A lot less. Crowds. A crumbling infrastructure. The overwhelming sense that life isn’t being lived there, it’s being stage-managed.
Avoid the hassle and hustle. Greece offers dozens of islands where the place is so and the people are real. Naxos, Paros, or Milos offer similar beauty and far more breathing room.
Times Square, New York City
Times Square isn’t New York. It’s an ad for New York.
The worst of New York: loud, crass, aggressively commercial. It’s a mugger dressed like a showgirl. Visitors make the mistake of thinking Times Square’s a city when it’s only one ugly portion of it. Don’t judge NYC by Times Square. I mean, do I judge you by assuming you’re like your Uncle Benny, the loud-mouthed bigot who never gets invited to family holiday gatherings anymore?
There are far better places to spend your time in the Apple. Get out of Manhattan, for one thing, and visit Astoria in Queens. Bay Ridge in Brooklyn. Arthur Avenue in the Bronx. NYC rewards your curiosity. It can reward it, too.
Go Where? For What? And Why?
Capital cities have much to offer. That’s why everyone who’s downloaded the latest Lonely Planet Guide is blocking your view of the Mona Lisa. Capitals are hyped to the nth degree to keep the tourist cash arriving; realize this and you can deal with it.
And remember: smaller cities provide glorious opportunities for off-the-beaten path museums, cultural attractions, and enough excellent cuisine for a hoard of foodies.
Search out the places where people actually live and – with care and respect – taste the vibe.
