I Went, I Saw, I Regretted: 16 Destinations I Won’t Visit AGAIN (& Where I’ll Go Instead)

Have you ever saved a perfect photo of a destination for years, dreaming of the day you’d finally stand in that exact spot? I have.

For me, it was a serene canal in Venice. But when I arrived, the reality was a traffic jam of gondolas and a thousand other people trying to capture the same “serene” shot.

That trip taught me a valuable lesson about the gap between our filtered expectations and the often-crowded, expensive truth of modern travel.

So here’s an honest look at the destinations I won’t visit again, not because they lack beauty, but because issues like overtourism, high costs, and safety concerns can overshadow it.

Overcrowded Classics and Their Serene Alternatives

Many iconic cities are becoming victims of their own success. When millions of visitors descend on a place with a small local population, the very culture that made it special begins to fade.

This section covers some of those places and offers some fantastic travel alternatives that still hold that authentic charm. These are some of the key destinations I won’t visit again.

1. Venice, Italy → Annecy, France

Venice feels less like a living city and more like a theme park. With fewer than 50,000 residents and around 30 million annual tourists, the city is overwhelmed.

Local bakeries and hardware stores are replaced by souvenir stalls, and the waterbuses are packed. The new €5 entry fee feels less like a solution and more like an admission ticket to the world’s most crowded museum.

Instead, I’ll go to Annecy, France. Known as the “Venice of the Alps,” this town offers the same romantic, canal-side experience.

Pastel-colored medieval buildings line turquoise canals, all set against the stunning backdrop of a crystal-clear lake and snow-capped mountains.

Here, you can actually enjoy the water with a peaceful paddleboard session instead of fighting for space in a gondola.

Related: I’ve Lived in Italy for Six Years — Here Are 10 Unspoken Rules To Follow When You Visit

2. Santorini, Greece → Göreme (Cappadocia), Turkey

Santorini is one of the most overrated destinations I’ve encountered. The famous Oia sunset is a spectacle—of thousands of people jostling for a photo.

The island’s 15,000 residents are swamped by over two million visitors a year, straining infrastructure. 

Worse, many of those iconic blue-domed photo spots you’ve seen online are now on private property, making them inaccessible.

I’d rather wake up in Göreme, Turkey. Instead of a sunset scrum, you get the breathtaking sunrise spectacle of hundreds of hot air balloons floating over the surreal “fairy chimney” rock formations.

You can stay in a unique cave hotel carved into the rock and explore the Göreme Open Air Museum, a UNESCO site filled with ancient rock-cut churches. It’s a truly otherworldly experience.

Related: 9 Hidden Greece Islands Are Even More Breathtaking Without the Crowds

3. Barcelona, Spain → Valencia, Spain

Barcelona is buckling under the weight of 32 million annual visitors in a city of just 1.6 million residents. 

This has fueled a housing crisis, pushed out local shops, and led the mayor to announce a ban on tourist apartments by 2028.23 The city’s vibrant culture feels diluted by the sheer volume of tourism.

For a similar vibe without the stress, I’m heading to Valencia. Often called “Barcelona’s little sister,” it has it all: stunning Gothic and futuristic architecture, beautiful beaches, and a world-class food scene as the birthplace of paella.

It’s a city where you can still feel the local pulse and enjoy the Mediterranean sun in peace.

4. Dubrovnik, Croatia → Rovinj, Croatia

Thanks to its cruise ship popularity and Game of Thrones fame, Dubrovnik can feel like one long queue. At its peak, the city hosted an astonishing 27 tourists for every resident.

While officials have capped cruise ships at two per day, the magnificent Old Town still gets jammed, making it hard to appreciate its beauty.

My alternative is Rovinj, a stunning Istrian fishing port on the Adriatic. Its colorful houses rise directly from the sea, and its winding cobblestone streets are lined with Venetian-style architecture.

Rovinj offers the same historic seaside charm as Dubrovnik but feels like an authentic, living town rather than a movie set.

5. Prague, Czech Republic → Český Krumlov, Czech Republic

Prague is undeniably beautiful, but it’s also overloaded. The city welcomes 14 million visitors a year, creating a tourist-to-resident ratio of over six to one.

The historic center, especially the iconic Charles Bridge, is a sea of people from dawn till dusk, and the city has even launched campaigns to combat nuisance tourism.

For a more magical experience, I recommend Český Krumlov. This southern Bohemian town is a real-life fairytale, with a massive castle complex (the country’s second largest) perched above the Vltava River. 

You can tour a rare, perfectly preserved Baroque theater and get lost in medieval lanes. Stay overnight, and you’ll have the town almost to yourself after the day-trippers go home.

6. Amsterdam, Netherlands → Giethoorn, Netherlands

Amsterdam is actively trying to curb its tourism problem.

With over 20 million annual visitors, the city has banned new hotels, raised its tourist tax to a steep 12.5%, and launched campaigns to discourage party tourism. The city’s charm is getting lost amid the crowds and regulations.

For a truly serene Dutch waterway experience, visit Giethoorn. Nicknamed the “Venice of the North,” this village has no roads, only canals.

You get around in a silent “whisper boat,” gliding past idyllic thatched-roof farmhouses and under quaint wooden bridges. It’s the peaceful escape that Amsterdam’s postcard image promises but can no longer deliver.

7. Amalfi Coast, Italy → The Cilento Coast, Italy

The Amalfi Coast is stunning, but driving it is a nightmare. In summer, a 30-minute drive can easily stretch to three hours due to gridlock traffic on narrow, cliffside roads.

Parking is a sport of its own—if you can find a spot, expect to pay upwards of €30 a day in towns like Positano. The stress can completely overshadow the beauty.

Just south lies the Cilento Coast, a peaceful alternative. This region boasts pristine sandy beaches (a rarity on the Amalfi Coast), magnificent ancient Greek temples at Paestum, and is the birthplace of the Mediterranean diet.

You get all the beauty and delicious food for a fraction of the price and none of the traffic jams!

Budget Busters and Their Value-Rich Replacements

Some places are beautiful, but the cost is so high that it creates a constant, low-level stress that detracts from the experience. Every coffee or museum ticket becomes a financial calculation.

These are more destinations I won’t visit again, simply because my money and my peace of mind are better spent elsewhere.

8. Zurich, Switzerland → Budapest, Hungary

Zurich consistently ranks as one of the world’s most expensive cities. A simple coffee can set you back $8, while an inexpensive meal costs between $28 and $40.

With a mid-range daily budget soaring over $340, it’s hard to relax and be spontaneous when everything feels overpriced.

Instead, I’ll take my wallet to Budapest. As one of Europe’s most affordable capitals, a mid-range traveler can easily get by on $50-$100 a day.

The city is packed with unique, high-value experiences like soaking in historic thermal baths or enjoying the quirky “ruin bars,” which offer incredible culture without the hefty price tag.

9. London, UK → Krakow, Poland

While London’s world-class museums are often free, the city itself is a budget-breaker.

Ranked 8th on Mercer’s most expensive cities list, a mid-range hotel can cost up to $390 a night, and a simple pint of beer is nearly $10.

For a city rich in history that’s also easy on the wallet, I choose Krakow. Poland is an underrated gem for budget travel, and a mid-range day here costs around $83.

This affordability gives you access to profound historical sites, from the beautiful Wawel Castle to a sobering but essential visit to nearby Auschwitz-Birkenau.

Krakow is one of the best travel alternatives for history buffs.

10. French Riviera (Nice), France → Bosnia & Herzegovina

The French Riviera is the epitome of glamour, but that glamour comes at a price.

A mid-range day in Nice can easily cost €150–€200, with high prices for everything from a beach chair to a glass of rosé.

For stunning natural beauty without the hefty bill, I’m going to Bosnia & Herzegovina. A mid-range day here costs around $88.

You can swim in the breathtaking Kravica Waterfall, marvel at Mostar’s iconic Stari Most (a UNESCO World Heritage bridge), and feel the unique “East meets West” vibe in Sarajevo.

It’s an adventure that’s rich in culture, not cost.

The Disappointments and Their Delightful Swaps

Sometimes a destination just doesn’t live up to its legendary reputation.

Whether it’s due to scams, inauthenticity, or a vibe that’s more commercial than cultural, these are the final destinations I won’t visit again.

11. Paris, France → Lyon, France

Paris is the “City of Love,” but I found myself constantly on guard. The need for vigilance against common scams—like the “friendship bracelet” or “gold ring” tricks—is exhausting.

The U.S. State Department even issues warnings about frequent pickpocketing in tourist-heavy areas, which adds a layer of stress to what should be a romantic trip.

I found the charm I was looking for in Lyon. As France’s gastronomic capital, the food scene is incredible. 

Its historic center, a UNESCO site, is a beautiful maze of Roman ruins, hidden passageways (traboules), and Renaissance architecture.

Lyon offers all the culture and history of Paris with a more relaxed, authentic feel.

Also Read: My 10 Days in Europe: The Itinerary I’d Repeat in a Heartbeat (and What I’d Avoid)

12. Mykonos, Greece → Paros, Greece

Mykonos has a reputation as a party island, but it has become an exclusive and wildly expensive scene catering more to influencers than to fun-lovers.

It feels less like an authentic Greek party and more like a very expensive backdrop for an Instagram post. This makes it one of the most overrated destinations for a genuine good time.

For a better balance, I prefer Paros. It has the beautiful beaches of Naxos and some of the nightlife of Mykonos, but in a more accessible and less pretentious package.

The charming fishing village of Naoussa is lively and chic, with great bars and restaurants, but it still feels like a real Greek town where you can relax and have fun without breaking the bank.

13. Dublin, Ireland → Galway, Ireland

For many visitors, Dublin can feel like “just another big city”.

The famous Temple Bar area is a well-known tourist trap, with pints costing significantly more than elsewhere.

The authentic Irish “craic” can feel manufactured and hard to find among the crowds and commercialism.

I found the real spirit of Ireland in Galway. As the vibrant gateway to the Wild Atlantic Way, its streets are filled with the sound of live traditional music pouring out of pubs.

The city has a youthful energy from its university, and it’s the perfect base for exploring breathtaking natural landscapes like the Cliffs of Moher and the Aran Islands.

14. Rome, Italy → Córdoba, Spain

Like Paris, Rome requires constant vigilance. The risk of pickpocketing, especially on crowded buses and near major attractions like the Colosseum, is a persistent worry that detracts from the magic.

The sheer number of tourists can also turn a visit to the ancient wonders into a stressful ordeal.

For a captivating historical journey, I recommend Córdoba, Spain. Its historic center is a UNESCO site that tells the story of a time when Christian, Islamic, and Jewish cultures coexisted.

The Mosque-Cathedral is one of the most breathtaking buildings in the world, and wandering through the city’s famous flower-filled patios is a peaceful, beautiful experience.

15. Florence, Italy → Siena, Italy

Florence is struggling. Overtourism has caused rents to soar, pushing locals out and replacing historic artisan workshops with generic tourist shops.

The city that birthed the Renaissance is starting to feel like it’s losing its soul, becoming a museum of itself rather than a living, breathing place.

For a more authentic taste of Tuscany, I love Siena. This stunning medieval city is built around the unique, shell-shaped Piazza del Campo, one of Europe’s greatest public squares.

While still popular, Siena has fiercely protected its local identity and traditions. It offers a powerful sense of place and a more genuine glimpse into Tuscan life.

16. Ibiza, Spain → Seville, Spain

Ibiza’s party scene has become a victim of its own fame. It’s now incredibly expensive and exclusive, attracting a wealthy crowd more interested in being seen than in the music.

The island’s rich culture and biodiversity, recognized by UNESCO, are often completely overshadowed by the superclubs.

For a city that pulses with a different kind of energy, I’ll take Seville every time. The capital of Andalusia is alive with passion, from the soul-stirring flamenco shows in intimate tablaos to the lively tapas bars packed with locals.

Its stunning UNESCO sites, including the Alcázar palace and the world’s largest Gothic cathedral, are a testament to a culture that is celebrated year-round, not just during party season.

Finding Your Own Path

See, travel is deeply personal. This list of destinations I won’t visit again isn’t meant to discourage you from seeing the world’s great landmarks, but to encourage a more thoughtful approach to travel.

Many famous places have simply been loved too much, and the experience they offer has changed.

The world is filled with incredible places that deliver the magic you’re searching for, often in a more authentic and affordable way.

Look beyond the most-tagged photos and top-10 lists; you can find places that aren’t yet overrated destinations. Happy travels!