UK, Hungary, Spain, Portugal, and Italy Dominate 2025 List of Europe’s Most Overhyped Tourist Traps

Tuesday, March 25, 2025

UK, Hungary, Spain, Portugal, and Italy have emerged as the frontrunners in a new global ranking of Europe’s most overhyped tourist traps in 2025, with travelers calling out overcrowding, inflated prices, poor service, and underwhelming experiences. A data-driven study by Radical Storage analyzed over 95,000 reviews from the world’s most visited landmarks, revealing that Europe’s iconic destinations aren’t always living up to the hype. From the chaos of Alton Towers in the UK to the jam-packed Trevi Fountain in Italy, the continent’s top attractions are drawing criticism for falling short of expectations and delivering more frustration than magic.

Europe Leads 2025 List of World’s Most Disappointing Tourist Attractions

A new global travel study has revealed that Europe is home to the five most disappointing tourist attractions in the world, with visitors voicing frustration over poor value, overcrowding, inaccessibility, and lackluster experiences. Conducted by Radical Storage, the study analyzed over 95,000 online reviews across 200 of the most visited global landmarks, identifying the top ten places where expectations failed to meet reality.

Unsurprisingly, the top five attractions listed are all located in Europe, a region typically celebrated for its rich cultural landmarks and world-renowned destinations. However, this data reveals the other side of fame—the downside of mass tourism and inflated expectations.

Let’s take a closer look at these underwhelming tourist spots and what travelers had to say about them.

1. Alton Towers Resort, Staffordshire, UK

Taking the top spot as the world’s most disappointing tourist attraction in 2025, Alton Towers Resort has been heavily criticized for its misleading pricing structure and costly add-ons. With 49.4% of all reviews expressing negative sentiments—more than four times the study’s average negative review rate of 10.9%—the UK’s largest theme park seems to have missed the mark with international and domestic visitors alike.

Tourists complained about the lack of transparency in ticket pricing, being forced to pay for essential experiences such as queue-jumping passes, locker storage, and overpriced food and beverages. Many reviews also flagged long wait times, poorly maintained facilities, and subpar customer service, painting a picture of a destination struggling to deliver value for money.

Notable Complaints:

“Overpriced with hidden costs everywhere.”“Queues are ridiculous, even for basic rides.”It felt less like a theme park and more like a cash grab at every turn.

Despite its iconic reputation and annual visitor numbers, Alton Towers’ current public perception raises serious concerns for UK tourism operators.

2. Széchenyi Baths and Pool, Budapest, Hungary

Coming in second, Hungary’s famed Széchenyi Baths, the largest medicinal bath in Europe and a longstanding favorite among wellness travelers, has found itself in hot water due to issues of overcrowding and accessibility.

Reviews reveal that many visitors felt overwhelmed by chaotic locker systems, unhelpful staff, and packed facilities that detract from the traditionally peaceful spa experience. The bath complex, which has been operational since 1913, is an architectural marvel, but that hasn’t stopped nearly one-third of tourists from describing their visit as stressful and underwhelming.

Common Complaints:

“Too many people, no room to relax.”“Staff was indifferent and not very helpful.”Nowhere near what I envisioned for a relaxing wellness getaway.

Budapest has long promoted the baths as a must-visit attraction, but this study suggests growing dissatisfaction among its international audience.

3. Siam Park, Tenerife, Spain

Often advertised as Europe’s top water park, Siam Park in Spain’s Canary Islands has landed in third place for all the wrong reasons. Despite its tropical aesthetic and thrilling rides, many reviewers reported accessibility issues, rude staff, and even instances of body-shaming.

About one-third of all reviews flagged negative experiences, particularly those related to inclusivity. Several tourists shared stories of being publicly shamed or denied entry to certain rides based on their body type. Others noted that the park infrastructure did not accommodate those with disabilities.

Typical Negative Comments:

“Very rude staff and zero empathy.”“Not accessible if you have mobility issues.”“Felt judged the entire time—ruined our vacation day.”

These findings present a challenge for Tenerife’s tourism board, which heavily markets the water park as a family-friendly attraction.

4. Time Out Market, Lisbon, Portugal

Located in the heart of Lisbon, the Time Out Market Lisboa has garnered praise in the past for its curated food stalls and lively ambiance. But the 2025 study shows that the market is also home to the highest percentage of complaints about overcrowding and poor accessibility.

More than 25% of reviewers left with a sense of disappointment, describing the experience as claustrophobic, overhyped, and commercialized. Many suggested that the market caters more to influencers and tourists rather than genuine culinary enthusiasts.

What Visitors Said:

“Packed to the brim. Couldn’t even find a seat.”“Nothing authentic. Feels like a food court dressed up for Instagram.”Queues were endless, and the prices felt completely unjustified for the experience provided.

The findings may prompt Lisbon’s tourism officials to reconsider how the market is promoted internationally.

5. Trevi Fountain, Rome, Italy

Famed for its history, cinematic appearances, and coin-throwing tradition, Rome’s Trevi Fountain is undeniably iconic. However, according to the new study, this Italian landmark is the fifth most disappointing tourist attraction in the world.

While the fountain attracts millions of tourists annually and generates roughly €1 million per year in coins thrown into its waters, nearly 25% of visitors reported negative experiences, largely tied to extreme crowding, limited viewing access, and lack of nearby facilities.

Criticisms Included:

“It’s just a fountain, and it was surrounded by thousands of people.”“Could barely take a photo, it was chaos.”“Honestly, it felt like a tourist zoo.”

Additionally, a temporary closure for renovations in 2024 may have contributed to poor visitor experiences in early 2025.

Honorable Mentions: Other Global Disappointments

Though Europe dominated the top five, other notable attractions that made the global top ten include:

Horseshoe Casino (Las Vegas, USA) – Criticized for outdated decor and lack of energy.Guinness Storehouse (Dublin, Ireland) – Complaints over long queues and minimal tasting opportunities.Gardaland Park (Lake Garda, Italy) – High costs and accessibility concerns.Topkapı Palace (Istanbul, Turkey) – Poor signage and overwhelming crowds.National Air and Space Museum (Washington D.C., USA) – Described as underwhelming post-renovation.Why Are Tourists Disappointed?

This 2025 analysis by Radical Storage highlights several recurring themes across the most criticized tourist attractions:

Overcrowding: A dominant complaint across all top five European sites.Poor Value for Money: Hidden fees, overpriced food, and expensive tickets continue to frustrate travelers.Lack of Authenticity: Many feel popular sites have lost their cultural soul and have become too commercial.Accessibility Issues: Inadequate infrastructure for disabled visitors is a persistent concern.What This Means for Tourism in 2025

These findings signal a shift in traveler priorities, as more tourists value authenticity, sustainability, and comfort over merely ticking famous places off a list. Tour operators and destination marketing organizations will need to reevaluate how they present and manage high-traffic attractions.

Tourism boards across the UK, Hungary, Spain, Portugal, and Italy may be wise to invest in crowd management strategies, staff training, and transparent pricing systems. Alternatively, promoting lesser-known destinations that offer similar cultural or recreational experiences may help alleviate pressure on over-visited landmarks.

UK, Hungary, Spain, Portugal, and Italy top the 2025 list of Europe’s most overhyped tourist traps, as travelers slam iconic attractions for being overcrowded, overpriced, and underwhelming.

A Wake-Up Call for Over-Touristed Destinations

The 2025 ranking of the world’s most disappointing tourist attractions provides a valuable lens into what modern travelers truly expect. It serves as a wake-up call for some of Europe’s most iconic landmarks. While fame draws the crowds, poor visitor experiences can quickly erode long-standing reputations.

For tourists, the study is also a reminder to dig deeper than glossy brochures and Instagram feeds. Sometimes, the best travel memories come from the hidden gems, not the headline attractions.