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30 Cities That These Tourists Never Plan To Visit Again Because Of How Nightmarish The Trip Was
Interview With Author
Traveling is one of our greatest passions, and we wish we had the time to visit more and more places each year. Alas, we’re forced to be very selective about where we travel! While we’re busy planning our vacations, we start hyping ourselves up about how utterly amazing the entire trip will be.
But there are a lot of factors outside our control. And it pays off to do some background research before you buy your plane tickets. Redditor u/Gourmet-Guy sparked an interesting discussion on the r/AskReddit online community after asking folks to share what cities they’d never visit again and why. Read on to see what they had to say and what cities you might want to reconsider vacationing in.
Redditor u/Gourmet-Guy, who started the thread in the first place because they were a victim of Paris Syndrome, shared their thoughts on traveling abroad and avoiding tourist scams with us. You’ll find Bored Panda’s interview with them below.
This post may include affiliate links.
#1
Dubai. It features so much about what I don't like about humanity. All money and no substance.
Little Wonder 1 year ago
One of my friends took her first international holiday! to Dubai. Where she spent a week just.. in a hotel. I mean, each to their own but I'd be bored to snores.
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#2
Atlantic City is just bizarre. It feels like a run-down, smallish city, but it's weirdly dotted with glitzy casinos. It's like Vegas and Scranton got drunk one night and made a really strange baby
diana king 1 year ago
I'm from AC, and you guys haven't even touched on the worst part. It's gotten to the point where there are so many bums, you can't walk down the block without being harassed by at least 5 different people asking for money, and I don't mean homeless people that are trying their best, I mean straight up bums that feel you owe them something. I've had, on more than one occasion, a few of them tell me after I gave them a dollar or whatever i had to give, say can I get $5? Or $10? They won't even be gracious. And guys, do NOT get a hooker when you are there. 90% of them, Even the more expensive ones on the websites, will rob you of everything. It's so filled with trash, the beaches, the boardwalks, the bay and the streets. People take actual sh*ts on the street and beach. And you can fill that asterisk with either an 'o' or an 'i' and both are true. It's just horrible.
#3
Marrakesh, Morocco. Only place I’ve ever been that I’ve sworn I’d never go back to. After 2 days of walking around followed by groups of men and boys trying to touch my wife (who was dressed modestly with legs and shoulders covered), followed by aggression when either me or her voiced our displeasure with this, we gave up trying to sight-see and spent the rest of our vacation in the hotel.
Thee8thsense 1 year ago
Had same experience there, but I am blonde. I just bought what the women wear there, and it solved the problem. It was hot as hell though, being covered from head to feet. Before adopting their dress code, one man offered my husband 40 camels for me!
To be fair, whether or not a place is worth visiting will depend a lot on the traveler. Some folks might value wonderful food and pristine beaches and so they’ll be very critical of otherwise gorgeous locales that don’t impress them in those two areas. Others might want to immerse themselves in the local culture and don’t mind the chaos. However, some cities are simply hostile to tourists or downright dangerous for all visitors, whether they’re coming in from the next town over or flying in from abroad.
For instance, Listverse notes that Kabul, the capital and largest city in Afghanistan, is incredibly dangerous due to the threat of terrorist attacks. The same goes for Islamabad, the Pakistani capital, where hotels and recreational areas are commonly targeted by attackers. We’re not talking about ‘just’ being swindled out of your money in the local market or having to deal with ‘soulless’ skyscrapers—these are life-or-death questions you have to consider.
#4
Las Vegas, Nevada. The crowds, the noise, and the general debauchery were just too much for me.
#5
Birmingham, Alabama. My wife was almost kidnapped right in front of me while I was holding our infant. Luckily she’s scrappier than she looks and they gave up when they couldn’t quickly shove her in the car.
Natalie the bored otter 1 year ago
This is really scary and why people should learn to protect themselves.
#6
Paris. Somebody spat on me and called me a filthy Jew. I got lots of evil looks the whole time I was there because I was visibly Jewish. Never again will I visit Paris.
Mani 1 year ago (edited)
Unfortunately antisemitism has increased for some reasons we are not really allowed to say but we all know very well. PS: same reason why jewish schools are guarded by police. If you end up somehow in a cosmopolitan "working class" neighborhood I advise not wearing a kippa, a young disabled man was attacked for that not so long ago.
The World Population Review reports that in November 2022, the 21 worst countries in the world to visit included Afghanistan, Belarus, Burkina Faso, the Central African Republic, Haiti, Iran, Iraq, Libya, Mali, Mexico, Myanmar, North Korea, Palestine, Russia, Somalia, South Sudan, Sudan, Syria, Ukraine, Venezuela, and Yemen.
The dangers there range from active military conflicts to the high risk of being assaulted, robbed, or held for ransom. The countries themselves might be beautiful and have a long and storied history, however, this doesn’t negate the fact that they’re incredibly unfriendly to tourists. Especially those unversed in local customs and who clearly act and speak like they’re foreigners.
#7
Cairo.... My god... I have said this before but... the pollution, the people asking you for money everywhere you go, the mistreatment of animals... I wish I could say that the historical side of the city makes up for it but... nop.
Loggers Ink 1 year ago
Yes agree, never stepping foot in that place again due to their disrespect of animals. Mallorca was almost as bad
#8
Cairo. I've seen everything I wanted to see there, but would never return. Tourists are treated like cattle there, by those involved in the tourist trade, much to the embarrassment of the many good Egyptian people who live in the city.
Abgr Xenda 1 year ago (edited)
I know about the cattle way of treatment, however, this was the only way to protect tourists from scamming and got stolen. it is a strange attitude method but it is the only successful way they know, they are obligated to protect and run the tour at the same time and no body taught them what to do else
#9
Hollywood, specifically Hollywood Boulevard. It's really janky, the whole town kind of smells, and it's just wholly disappointing.
Anna Banana 1 year ago
Yeah. Actual Hollywood Blvd and city of Hollywood stopped being nice in early 2000's. There's lots of other nice places to visit in the Los Angeles metropolitan area, depending on what you like.
However, it’s not all doom and gloom in all corners of the Earth. According to a recent report published by insurance company William Russell, the top 10 safest cities in the world include Taipei (Taiwan), Tokyo (Japan), Prague (Czech Republic), Copenhagen (Denmark), Singapore (Singapore), Vienna (Austria), Lisbon (Portugal), Madrid (Spain), Sydney (Australia), and Toronto (Canada). So if safety’s your primary concern as a traveler, these might be the cities to look into for your next trip.
#10
Egypt Sharm El Sheikh.
The ressort was fine.
But stepping in the city market....big agressive vibe towards woman tourist. even when the bf is next to her
Aboredpanda 1 year ago
Yeah creepiest holiday I've ever had. The only reason I felt safe was they respected my ex to a certain extent, who was a big man. I'd warn any women going there without men, and that makes it a place no-one should go in the first place. The tourist police are there to protect the tourist from the locals, and the whole town is a theatre set built soly to host and sell to tourists.
#11
Dallas. Endless subdivisions and strip malls and mega-churches. And the name “Metroplex” tells you all you need to know about its charm.
Weasel Wise 1 year ago (edited)
Houston is the only city in Texas worth visit. The rest is, like the OP said, strip malls and mega churches...and women are only here for their baby making abilities, so sayeth their lord. Think I'm biased? Just read their news of all the women dying and in peril because a zygote in a uterus is more important than the woman that contains it.
#12
Mobile, Alabama. There was a palpable aura of anger and resentment in that town that I'll never forget.
Bored Panda was very interested to learn what had inspired the redditor to start the viral thread in the first place. They were kind enough to tell us all about it. Like many other people, the OP was dissatisfied with their trip to Paris. In fact, it’s a phenomenon that’s so widely known that it even has its own name—Paris Syndrome. In short, it's the deep disappointment that people feel after realizing that Paris really isn't all that it was 'supposed to be.'
“I finished a journey lately which led me—next to other places—to Paris,” u/Gourmet-Guy said.
They listed all the things that went wrong with their trip. For one, there were too many tourists (though the redditor is aware that they were one themselves) and plenty of “pissed-off locals” who were angry at them.
What’s more, the French capital was “too chaotic, too dirty, and in the end, the classic hot spots were overhyped.”
“In addition, the local scene is not really interesting to me,” they shared that this horrible experience made them want to hear about other redditors’ recent travel disasters, too.
#13
Nassau, Bahamas absolutely horrible. Place is extremely run down. Locals don’t leave you alone and don’t take no for an answer . no I don’t want to buy a wooden flute from the 90s, no I don’t want to but D&G sunglasses from china for $80. Idk maybe I had a bad experience but I’ll never go back to the Bahamas, at least Nassau
#14
Port-Au-Prince
Was checking my watch every few minutes counting down the days and hours until I could leave. It was a scary place where even those that are supposed to protect you are open to attacking and robbing/kidnapping/murdering you.
#15
Fez, Morocco.
The harassment of tourists by peddlers in that city is mind-boggingly aggressive and orders of magnitudes worse than anywhere else.
It doesn't help the old city is a labyrinth where Google maps does not work. You stop for one second to try to orient yourself and you are surrounded by people offering to "help" you. So stressful
In u/Gourmet-Guy’s opinion, some of the red flags that a city might not be worth the trouble include being overrun by tourists, “Especially from the American and Asian blocs who typically do rush-through travel.”
Some other red flags include vastly raised prices for goods and services, as locals try to scam tourists out of their hard-earned cash. What’s more, cities that tend to have nothing much going for them usually have one “super-hyped signature attraction, but nothing else.”
The OP didn’t want to share any of the awesome cities they think are worth visiting because they’ll “be flooded with tourists.” However, they were happy to share some tips and tricks to help travelers avoid getting scammed.
#16
Pattaya.
Never have I ever seen so many disgusting men and the down-classing of women so in your face.
Addis Ababa.
Absolute s**t hole. No idea where the city starts and the mud ends.
Manila
Traffic is literally 24 hours a day. It move took me 4 hours to go 10 miles.
#17
I'd like to avoid going back to San Francisco if I can. It just makes me sad now.
OmBoyGanesh 1 year ago (edited)
Agreed. I was born there and have lived there part time for 51,years. It’s a shell of what it once was. Things started getting bad after the dot com bust at turn of millennium. That’s also the same period other cities began bussing unhoused people and those just out of mental health facilities to the Transbay Terminal. SF didn’t have enough foresight to develop and infrastructure to take care of these folks and the problems that manifested. Namely opioids; heroin; meth. That the tech bros priced out all creatives/artists, it left a vapid vacuum. I spend 4 months of their year in SF, my mother lives there & my grandparents and maternal family is from there. I have my grandparents home & my mom has hers. The rest of my family fled in the late 90s. Right before the utopian bubble burst.
#18
New Orleans, for fun at least. I’ve had to go there a lot for work and witnessed the following:
On Bourbon st. I saw two guys get into a scuffle then one pull a gun and aim it at his head.
On Poydras st as we were pulling out of a parking area a woman dropped trou and started s******g infront of us
Next to the Superdome as a crowds of people were pouring into the stadium a guy pulled his peeper out and started pissing aimed towards the crowd but not in proximity.
In French Quarters a woman pulled her car in front of us and began beating a man yelling he’d be going back jail.
Place is out of control.
According to u/Gourmet-Guy, the most straightforward but complex piece of advice is learning to speak the local language. Even knowing a few core sentences can make a vast difference in how you’re treated.
Meanwhile, try to avoid street markets, and stay away from tourist hotspot restaurants. “The fewer English menus available, the better. Check out the restaurants that the locals frequent, too,” the redditor shared their thoughts with Bored Panda.
They added that you should try to avoid giving off too strong of a touristy vibe, too. “In some cities, you are regarded as a walking wallet if you strut around with your city guide, camera or smartphone, and funny T-shirts.”
#19
Manila
1. Traffic
2. Pollution
3. Poverty
#20
Stockton, CA. The McDonald's had an armed security guy.
Weasel Wise 1 year ago
I find it hilarious that this smelly little cow town found its way on this list. Who the fúck says, "I heard Stockton was a cool place to visit?"?!? Answer: nobody in the history of ever..
#21
Cabo. It’s an Americanized beach with American prices with gang members offering you drugs every 50 feet.
Luis Hernandez Dauajare 1 year ago
I am assuming you mean Los Cabos, en Baja California Sur, Mexico. I live there for a couple of years and I agree with you. Just visit San Jose del Cabo. A couple of miles away, beautiful and virtually untouched.
#22
I don't need to go back to Miami, or at least to South Beach. My husband and I went last year and it was a little bit of a nightmare. We always find fun together, so it was still a good vacation, but I'd rather spend money elsewhere.
Ken Beattie 1 year ago
It's be nice to see some information in these posts as the to problem "a little bit of a nightmare"... in what way?
#23
Nashville. Felt like I entered the same bar over and over and over again. Bachelorette parties everywhere. Great for age 25.
Suutashi 1 year ago (edited)
If this person was only in Nashville for the bars, then they missed out on so much. For pity's sake, they could have, at the very least, sampled the local cuisine. The Nashville area to home to numerous small, privately owned eateries belonging to people native to the area and from around the world. If traditional southern cooking and soul food isn't you thing, you have many other culinary treasures to choose from.
#24
Memphis, TN. Had to do some field work there. Cool park next to the river. Cool BPS pyramid. Never seen so many people driving around with cracked windshields. Almost got hit while driving multiple times by people running stop signs and red lights. Last straw was when I was coming up to an intersection, had a green light. Noticed someone in a white truck coming from the left. Slammed on breaks, barely slowed enough for the white truck to pass just in front of me and T-bone a sedan that was in the lane next to mine. Firemen had to jaws-of-life the car open to get the guy out and immediately sent him off to the hospital in an ambulance. Guy wasn't moving or responding to EMS, don't know if he died or what. Immediately called my boss and told him I'm GTFO and going home.
Shannon Stephens 1 year ago
I've lived in Memphis for 30years it's a shithole. Mayor Strickland has done nothing to improve the city LOTS of poverty, poor education, lots of violent crime, horribly hot humid summers. The only positive things it has is Memphis in May, the grizzlies, BBQ fest.
#25
I'm both shocked and pleased to see Detroit yet-to-be mentioned in this thread.
It isn't perfect but as a city it's **really** turned itself around over the past 15 years.
#26
Bradford, UK.
It just doesn't have a lot going for it, unfortunately. The sort of place where when people find out you are from out of town, they ask what you are doing there, but not in a sort of cheery "Oh, what are you here for?" way, but a "Seriously, why have you chosen to come here?" way.
Lou Cam 1 year ago
The National Museum of Film is a great day out though and there's some of the best Pakistani / Indian restaurants in the whole country there. Sadly many of the former industrial cities in the North of England get neglected from those pricks down south in Westminster who think only London is important.
#27
Canberra . I saw a bit of an ugly drug and angry youth scene that I never dreamt existed in Australia. Couldn't leave the place fast enough.
Tucker Cahooter 1 year ago
Didn't think it would be any worse than Sydney or Melbourne. I thought the biggest reason to get out of Canberra would be just boredom
#28
Ashgabat, glad I went, but creepy. Total authoritarian dear leader surveillance state. Basically can’t leave the hotel unless escorted. Bad food.
Utterly fascinating, but can totally scratch it off my list of “been there, done that”
#30
Kamloops. It's dirty, and whoever designed their roadways had no idea what they were doing.
What do you think ?
Mari 1 year ago
I think people are travelling to places without informing themselves. If you are travelling to a poor country you can't expect the same level of security or hygiene. If you are not open to that, do not travel to those countries! People there are trying to survive, you are just a visitor.
HelluvaHedgehogAlien 1 year ago
F**k off downvote fairies, there’s nothing offensive with Steven’s comment
Load More Replies...
Helena 1 year ago
It is sad just how many places are virtually off-limits to women. Where they can't be at least relatively safe or not harassed.
Joe Publique 1 year ago
Imagine what it must be like living there as a female citizen....
Load More Replies... Mari 1 year ago
I think people are travelling to places without informing themselves. If you are travelling to a poor country you can't expect the same level of security or hygiene. If you are not open to that, do not travel to those countries! People there are trying to survive, you are just a visitor.
HelluvaHedgehogAlien 1 year ago
F**k off downvote fairies, there’s nothing offensive with Steven’s comment
Load More Replies... Helena 1 year ago
It is sad just how many places are virtually off-limits to women. Where they can't be at least relatively safe or not harassed.
Joe Publique 1 year ago
Imagine what it must be like living there as a female citizen....
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