There are so many places in this great world of ours that travellers want to see. However, there are some places that travelers perhaps too much want to see. As a result, some of the world’s most popular destinations have a way of getting overcrowded with tourists.
Now, we’re not saying that these crowded tourist destinations aren’t worth checking out, because they are. However, when you’re planning your next trip, you might not be looking into competing with the throngs of people that can overrun places like Rome, New York City, and other destinations.
If you’re in that camp, then you’ll want to check out this list. On it, we’re going to identify 10 of the most crowded tourist destinations on the planet, and then share with you 10 absolutely amazing alternatives. In short, these alternative destinations may be just the places you want to go if you’re looking to get some culture, all while at the same time avoiding the push and pull of other tourists as you strain to take a peek…
1. AVOID: The Leaning Tower of Pisa
If you must get your photograph here, then by all means go for it! However, you might find it difficult to get an angle that doesn’t include throngs of people.
2. CHECK OUT: Duomo di Pisa
Once you get frustrated head over to this absolutely magnificent cathedral that’s sure to impress.
3. AVOID: Stonehenge
Totally cool, but the crowds here can get pretty thick, and it’s not even possible to get up close to the landmark.
4. CHECK OUT: Avebury
Give Stonehenge a check out, if you must, but then make the short drive to Avebury, a town entirely encircled in stone.
5. AVOID: The Equator
Heading to Ecuador to check out the Equator can be cool, but combine the heat with plenty of other tourists…
6. CHECK OUT: The Greenwich Meridian Line
For a cooler and less-crowded look at an important division of the world, which is still plenty neat (and accurately placed, geographically).
7. AVOID: The Blarney Stone
If you need the gift of gab, then by all means go ahead! But, you’ll have to wait in a pretty long line…
8. CHECK OUT: The Grounds
But don’t skip Blarney Castle entirely! It’s definitely worth seeing, and the crowds no kissing the Blarney Stone are usually sparse.
9. AVOID: Newport, Rhode Island
Beautiful beaches, great shops, tremendous restaurants… God-awful traffic during the summer months, too!
10. CHECK OUT: Watch Hill, Rhode Island
Here, you can still get the beaches, check out the houses, get some good food, and avoid the traffic. That’s a win-win!
11. AVOID: The Great Pyramids
Again, this is something that’s worth seeing, but you’ll have to contend not just with the crowds, but also the commercialization.
12. CHECK OUT: The Pyramids of Dahshur
The lack of name recognition means that you’ll have a much less stressful time when visiting these equally impressive monuments.
13. AVOID: The Little Mermaid in Denmark
Not only are there plenty of crowds to contend with here, the statue your looking at isn’t even the real thing!
14. CHECK OUT: Hans Christian Andersen in Central Park
It’s all the Hans Christian Andersen of Denmark in a faction of the travel time… And you can even climb on the sculpture!
15. AVOID: Prague Astronomical Clock
This one definitely draws the visitors, so if you go, try to get there right around the turn of the hour, so you can get in and out.
16. CHECK OUT: Musee d’ Orsay
If clocks are your thing, then you’ll find this museum has plenty to impress with and far fewer people with which to contend.
17. AVOID: Times Square
An experience to be sure, but the crowds, vendors and performers can make Times Square unbearable. The locals avoid it for a reason.
18. CHECK OUT: Museum Mile
Rather than checking out sky-high advertisements, why not check out some of the greatest art ever created?
19. AVOID: Hollywood Boulevard
You’re more likely to see a thousand bums doing God-knows-what than you are a celebrity on Hollywood Boulevard.
20. INSTEAD: The Sunset Strip
Why not travel a mile or so away to the Sunset Strip where you can at least check out famous landmarks like Whiskey-a-Go-Go and the Roxy?
