This was published 7 years ago
The most overrated and underrated cities and sites worth seeing
Travel is a matter of taste, and beauty in the eye of the onlooker. The things we see and do on our holidays are dependent on our perception of value, our personal tastes and mood, the sunshine and queue length, and whether we've just scratched the rental car or gagged on a fishbone.
Nevertheless, we've canvassed our top writers to come up with the places they think are overrated and which you might want to reconsider if you have limited time, money or patience. And we've leavened the mix with a light-hearted look at the little things that underwhelm us, from turndown service to neck pillows.
Of course, those with independent minds or bucket-list fixations can ignore our thoroughly biased opinions. Others might want to consider our underrated list instead: places and activities that we feel deserve more praise. One thing we all agree with is that, for every travel disappointment, there are a dozen other destinations to surprise and enchant.
CITIES AND SIGHTS
OVERRATED
CASABLANCA, MOROCCO
Not, frankly, what I was expecting, having seen the 1942 Bogart/Bergman movie (which I then learnt was shot in Hollywood, anyway). Even the tourist magnet cafe, Rick's Bar, was built just 13 years ago. Casablanca is neither Fez nor Marrakesh, and nor is it particularly romantic nor Moorish. It's just a hard-working city full of hard-working people, many of whom would very much like to sell you a leather handbag. TD
See: What's the best way to get around Morocco?
JULIET'S HOUSE, VERONA, ITALY
It seems churlish to criticise the home of a fictional character for lack of authenticity, so let's focus on the lack of stuff to see instead. It's an old house, with some token old furniture, and a balcony that has a permanent long queue of photo-hungry people outside. A balcony, of course, that was constructed long after Shakespeare died. DW
See: What you must do before visiting 'Italy's most romantic city'
TIMES SQUARE, NEW YORK, US
The flashing lights, the New Year's Eve dropping ball, the bargain Broadway ticket booth ... OK, it was a stretch getting that far for the plus sides. Some might be put off Times Square by the onslaught of commercialism (why all the fuss about a big M&Ms shop?), but really it's the people. Oh so many people. DW
See: The ultimate first-timer's guide to New York
LA RAMBLA, BARCELONA, SPAIN
Unless you have a thing about living statues, hideous terrace restaurants and the odd pickpocket, La Rambla is overrated. Even the still-great La Boqueria market is besieged by smartphone-toting tourists and hellish paella restaurants. But wait – there is another Rambla to the north of the Placa de Catalunya, lined with the elegant shops and beautiful architecture of the Eixample district. As for markets, try the charming Santa Caterina or the huge wrought-iron hangar that is the Mercat de Sant Antoni, soon to re-open after a massive restoration. TD
See: The top five (free) things to do in Barcelona
LAS VEGAS, US
Las Vegas may look dazzling at first, but rap your knuckles on any surface and you soon see that it's fibreglass, fake, a big mirage in the desert. The bright lights of the Strip disguise a deep consumerist ugliness. So hire a car at the airport and drive out of the city – to Hoover Dam, or north across the state border to Zion National Park, which is a genuine spectacle of ancient rock formations and worth the trip. LR
See: 19 things that will shock first-time visitors to Las Vegas
POMPEII, ITALY
If your idea of a good day out is to battle your way between cruise-line tour groups in the southern heat to see loose flagstones, broken pillars and a load of old rocks, then make all haste to Pompeii, legendary Roman ruin wrecked by the eruption of Mt Vesuvius. To make it worse, half the chief sights are barricaded off for repairs. There are a dozen better ruins, such as Ephesus or Jerash. BG
UNDERRATED
MEXICO CITY
Mexico City is one of the world's most spectacular cities, blighted by one of the world's worst reputations. Don't believe what you've heard. It is safe and vibrant, full of artists, culture, food, museums – you name it. At a moment when other major capitals like New York and London are dealing with gentrification, losing their edge and becoming, in the process, eye-wateringly expensive, Mexico City remains the real deal. It was good enough for Frida Kahlo. LR
See also: Twenty reasons to visit Mexico City
GLASGOW, SCOTLAND
The allegedly dangerous, ugly cousin of Edinburgh is actually amazingly friendly. It feels like everyone wants to know you in Glasgow – to hear your story, and to tell you their own. This city is also home to a thriving live music scene, and a bar and restaurant culture that is easily the equal of anywhere in Britain. BG
See also: Three minute guide to Glasgow
NAPLES, ITALY
This is a rough city with a heart of gold, a place where, yes, you could find yourself suddenly on the wrong side of the tracks, but over on the right side of the tracks they've got the world's best pizza, Italy's best pastry (the ricotta-filled sfogliatella), a huge archaeological museum, and a historic centre with a charming, lived-in feel to it. Naples is well worth taking a chance on. BG
See also: The Italian city everyone hates
JAKARTA, INDONESIA
Sure, the traffic is nuts in this Indonesian megalopolis, but Jakarta has a beating cultural heart that isn't talked about enough. Kota, the old town, gives a taste of Jakarta's Dutch colonial roots, you can whiz around the main square on a colourful hired bike, check out a show at the puppet museum, then head to the antique market at Jalan Surabaya. Finish the day 56 floors above the city at Skye Bar, then rest your weary bones in the quirky-chic new Raffles Jakarta, an ode to Indonesian artist Hendra Gunawan. NK
See also: Where to eat in Jakarta: Chef Will Meyrick
BRUSSELS, BELGIUM
Spend a little time in the supposedly boring seat of the EU government and you start to appreciate Brussels' greatness: the live music venues, the cosy little restaurants, the great beer, the antiques shops, the markets, and the Tintin murals that appear on numerous city walls. It's a surprisingly fun place to be. BG
Contributors: Andrea Black, Anthony Dennis, Jill Dupleix, Terry Durack, Ben Groundwater, Belinda Jackson, Brian Johnston, Nina Karnikoswki, David McGonigal, Lance Richardson, Craig Tansley and David Whitley
Related stories:
See also: Overrated or underrated: Best and worst things about plane and train travel
See also: World's most overrated and underrated foods
See also: 10 things about hotels we love and hate
Sign up for the Traveller newsletter
The latest travel news, tips and inspiration delivered to your inbox. Sign up now.