10 TOURIST DESTINATIONS YOU SHOULD AVOID THIS YEAR

Some landmarks are truly worth enduring crowds, long queues and dozens of cameras pointed in every direction. Others, however, are — without exaggeration — a complete letdown.

PHOTO: Verona / Pixabay

But how can travelers know in advance what is genuinely worth visiting and what is simply overrated? This is where the British newspaper The Telegraph steps in. Its travel team has compiled a list of Europe’s most disappointing tourist attractions — places they believe travelers should avoid altogether.

To make this list, a destination does not necessarily have to be bad. Instead, it is often extremely dull, overpriced and lacking any real insight into local culture. In other words, these are places that offer a lot of hype, crowds and expectations, but very little authentic experience. So which attraction should you cross off your travel list first in 2026, according to The Telegraph?

At the very top of the list is Juliet’s Balcony in Verona.

Although it is one of Europe’s most famous romantic spots, the truth is that it has no real connection to William Shakespeare or his tragic lovers. The balcony was actually built more than 300 years after Shakespeare’s death. It is an ordinary balcony — one of thousands — with the difference that today visitors must pay around 12 euros just to get close to it. Die-hard fans of Romeo and Juliet may feel the photo opportunity is worth the price, but it is easy to see why this attraction tops the list of disappointments.

Second place goes to Leicester Square in London. While often considered a tourist attraction, many see it more as a place where “a lot is happening” rather than a destination truly worth visiting. The Telegraph journalist Rob Crossan described it as one of the most stressful spots in the British capital, calling it “Las Vegas — only run by Michael O’Leary,” a clear reference to its excessive commercialization and chaotic atmosphere.

Third on the list is the Blue Lagoon in Iceland, labeled one of Europe’s biggest tourist illusions. According to Crossan, it is far from the Nordic spa fantasy many imagine, instead resembling “an airport lounge dipped in dirty water.” He went on to describe it as a “human soup,” hardly the peaceful and relaxing experience most visitors are hoping for.

In addition to these destinations, The Telegraph published a full list of European attractions that, in their assessment, offer very little compared to the popularity they enjoy:

·       Juliet’s Balcony, Verona

·       Leicester Square, London

·       Blue Lagoon, Iceland

·       Blarney Stone, Ireland

·       Reeperbahn, Hamburg

·       Manneken Pis, Brussels

·       Mona Lisa, Paris

·       Gondola Ride in Venice

·       The Little Mermaid, Copenhagen

·       John O’Groats, Scotland

If you are planning your travels for 2026, this list may serve as a useful guide — not so much for where to go, but for what you might skip without any regret.