The World’s Most Disappointing Tourist Attractions

We love all travel and after more than a year without a foreign holiday, we’ll never again take a destination for granted. That said, there are some tourist attractions that just fall a tiny bit short of the mark. Whether it’s iconic artworks overshadowed by camera-toting crowds or questionable statues that don’t quite meet with the anticipation; here are seven of the world’s most disappointing tourist attractions that we won’t be rushing back to see when the world reopens.

The Little Mermaid – Copenhagen

When it comes to Denmark’s Little Mermaid, the emphasis is undoubtedly on the word ‘little’. The statue, inspired by a Hans Christian Andersen fairy tale, is located shore side on Langelinie Pier and is, shall we say, much smaller in person.

Chinatown – San Francisco

It is marketed as the largest Chinatown outside of Asia but those looking for an authentic experience may be disappointed. If you’re looking for ‘Made in China’ souvenirs, extremely glitzy lamps or garden benches with a stone dog and child waiting to accompany you either end, you’ll love it, otherwise we would recommend ending your walk at the entrance gateway.

The Guinness Factory – Dublin

Dublin is an amazing city and one of our favourite destinations on any British Isles mini cruise itinerary, but the home of its biggest export left us slightly underwhelmed. The 360 degree view from the Gravity Bar is spectacular, showing Dublin in all of its glory, but elsewhere the museum feels a little too cold and corporate for our liking. Guinness lovers should enjoy theirs in a good old Dublin boozer instead, whilst whisky fans should head to the Jameson factory for a more authentic experience and a cracking Jameson and ginger ale cocktail at the end. You’ll even have the chance to become a certified whisky tester along the way.

The Mona Lisa – Paris

We aren’t questioning Leonardo da Vinci’s artistic abilities for a second but there’s something about the way the Mona Lisa is displayed in Paris’ Louvre Museum that renders it a little disappointing. Framed by an expanse of space and surrounded by a smart-phone toting crowd desperate to bag a selfie with the world’s most parodied artwork, the 77cm x 53cm painting looks a little lost amidst the melee.

Photo credit: thinkrorbot

The Giza Pyramids – Egypt

Egypt is home to over 100 pyramids and since school we’ve been shown pictures of them against a sultry purple sky, surrounded by golden sands. Sadly, the reality is somewhat less appealing. Whilst undoubtedly still a miraculous feat of ancient engineering and worthy a visit, the ambience of these impressive structures is tainted by an abundance of rubbish in the surrounding area and determined vendors pushing their wares on unsuspecting tourists.

The Equator – Ecuador

At almost 100ft tall, the Mital del Mundo – ‘Middle of the World’ – is an unquestionably impressive marker of Ecuador’s proudest feature, the Equator. The only problem is that it was erected in the wrong place, with the monolith built several hundred feet to the away from where GPS technology has indicated that the Equator actually sits.

Manneken Pis – Brussels

Manneken Pis means Little Man Pee in the Dutch dialect of Marols and it adequately describes the stature of Brussels’ most famous resident. A look of confusion tends to wash over the faces of those who arrive at the Manneken Pis, when presented with a rather petite bronze sculpture of a naked boy urinating into a fountain.

Have you ever found yourself underwhelmed by a tourist attraction you’ve waited a lifetime to visit? Let us know!