The Berlin TV Tower is the world’s most underwhelming tourist attraction (Picture: Getty Images)
If you’re spending your hard earned money, you want to be certain the tourist attractions you’re visiting are worth the coin.
From Germany to France and the USA to Thailand, no country is safe from savage Tripadvisor reviews – but if nothing else, they help to manage your expectations.
A recent study by Vision Direct analysed 5,000 of these reviews at 106 locations which regularly appear on our travel bucket lists.
Each was scored on percentage of poor, terrible and average reviews and average rating, as well as the number of Instagram hashtags and number of TikTok views. The researchers gave each place an ‘underwhelming score’ based on how truly naff it is. The bigger the score, the worse the reviews.
TikTok and Instagram can often make things look far better online than they are in reality, so here are the most underwhelming tourist attractions that aren’t all they’re cracked up to be.
So the number one most underwhelming attraction in the world is…
Berlin TV Tower, Germany
The Berlin skyline with the famous TV tower, which was considered the most underwhelming (Picture: Getty Images/iStockphoto)
Visitors branded it a ‘complete disaster’ and a ‘pretty soulless’ and ‘absolutely vile’ experience with one tourist dubbing it ‘perfect for queuing enthusiasts.
It’s the tallest building in Germany at 368 metres high and has been part of the landscape since 1969.
There’s an observation deck with a bar at 203 metres high or the Sphere restaurant at 207 metres which does a full 360 degree spin once an hour.
It sounds impressive on paper but it received an underwhelming score of 94.2%. The ratio of poor/terrible/average review to the overall number of reviews was 26.7%.
Fun fact about the Berlin TV Tower
Dubbed ‘the Pope’s revenge’ by locals, the structure ended up being a bit of a joke after the German Democratic Republic wanted to show off its engineering talents, but when hit by the sun the spinning sphere below the antenna showed a reflection of a giant cross.
Moulin Rouge, France
The Moulin Rouge in Paris was one of the most underwhelming attractions (Picture: Getty Images)
The second tourist destination on the list was Moulin Rouge in Paris, which received an underwhelming score of 92%.
Visitors called the venue ‘unimpressive’ with one claiming the performance was ‘more like walking around stage like a magic show waiting to be told what to do next’.
Another even dubbed it the ‘worst show ever’ with ‘music was akin to some dire 80’s tv show’.
The home of the Parisian cabaret sees the Moulin Rouge troupe take to the stage every evening to perform stunning ballet and choreography.
Founded in 1889 the original venue was destroyed by a fire in 1915 but was rebuilt and reopened in 1921.
This hasn’t done much to impress tourists though with a quarter of the reviews rating it terrible, poor or average.
They branded it ‘overpriced’, ‘low quality’, and a ‘waste of money’.
Tegalalang Rice Terrace, Indonesia
The Tegallalang Rice Terrace was the third most underwhelming tourist attraction (Picture: Getty Images)
And in third is the Tegalalang Rice Terrace in Bali, Indonesia, which had an 89% chance of disappointing visitors.
Having been there ourselves, we can confirm that, although stunning, the rice fields can feel like a huge tourist trap, with huge queues for influencer shots on swings and ledges – the shots often seen on social media.
And it seems others agree with one review branding it a ‘fake world for Instagram’ while another described it as ‘a perfect example of what mass tourism can do with once beautiful places’.
The cascading rice fields are vibrantly green but that didn’t stop visitors from branding it ‘commercialised’, ‘overexploited’, ‘disappointing’, and even ‘cheesy’.
If it had been left relatively untouched we can’t help but feel its reviews would be glowing.
The Grand Palace, Thailand
The Grand Palace, Thailand was the fourth most underwhelming attraction (Picture: Getty Images)
Coming in fourth on the list with an underwhelming score of 87%, The Grand Palace in Bangkok didn’t seem to impress.
One disgruntled visitor said ‘all you see is a gaudy roof, grey gate, and a white wall’ while another said the site only got one star because giving it zero stars wasn’t an option.
The palace is currently used for ceremonial purposes by the Thai royal family but it was the former residence of King Rama I to King Rama V of the Rattanakosin Kingdom.
It consists of the Outer Court, the Middle Court and the Inner Court and holds several state offices.
It’s located in the heart of Bangkok, so it’s hard to miss but according to Tripadvisor, you may want to.
Atomium, Belgium
The Atomium, a symbol of Brussels from the 1958 Worlds Fair (Picture: Getty Images)
Fifth is the Atomium in Brussels, which received an underwhelming score of about 80%.
Described as ’5% old steel structure, 5% flashing led lights, 90% waiting in line’, it doesn’t sound like tourists were too impressed.
Another user, Abie, simply said: ‘What a load of rubbish.’
It was originally built for the Brussels World’s Fair in 1958. It was meant to express a desire to maintain peace among nations in the fact of scientific and technical progress.
This is the reason it’s shaped like an atom, to demonstrate the peaceful use of atomic energy.
It wasn’t mean to survive the fair but it did, and in the early 2000s the building underwent a big restoration – reopening in 2006.
Fun fact about the Atomium
It came with the slogan: a world for a better life for mankind.
Tokyo Tower, Japan
The Tokyo Tower all lit up in the city looks stunning but was still considered underwhelming (Picture: Getty Images)
The Tokyo Tower received an underwhelming score of nearly 77% despite it being an impressive structure at 333 metres high.
Jutting out of the skyline in central Tokyo it’s deemed a symbol of Japan’s post-war rebirth as a major economic power.
The main deck for visitors is at 150 metres which you can reach by lift or brave the 600 steps upward.
The top deck stands at 250 metres high and allows for a briliant view of Tokyo and even Mount Fiju – if you’re lucky.
But one unhappy tourist said that if you’ve been to the Eiffel Tower, to forget Toyko Tower while another agreed, saying: ‘The Tokyo Tower is the Eiffel Tower without the things that make the Eiffel Tower cool.’
Visitor Josie Lino said: ‘It was honestly not worth it for 3000 yen. The view is pretty, but it is nothing special. The staff treats you well, but once again, for the price, it is not worth it. The lines are quite long to get to the top-deck and the view really isn’t breath-taking.’
Fun fact about the Tokyo Tower
It’s not just a tourist attraction though, it actually doubles up as a broadcast antenna.
Seoul Tower, South Korea
Seoul Tower with cherry blossom in Seoul City, South Korea (Picture: Getty Images)
With an underwhelming score of 75.7%, Seoul Tower in South Korea didn’t impress tourists – ranking it seventh on the list.
It reaches a 262 metre height in Namsan Park but is actually 480 metres above sea level.
The observation tower allows you to see the entire city but tickets start at £24 for admission, but according to one visitor ‘it sucks’ while another said it was ‘totally worthless’.
Marcus Cannon said: ‘Seoul Tower is an iconic landmark located on Namsan Mountain in central Seoul. Its a tower, you cen get some good views across the city, weather allowing, but sadly thats as good as it gets.
‘The main building itself is tired and could really do with a lick of paint and some TLC. It has the usual complement of tourist gift shops, but better and cheaper items can be located in Seoul’s many and various shopping areas. It has a fair number of food outlets and restaurants, but again these are nothing special.’
The White House, USA
The White House was the eighth most underwhelming tourist attraction (Picture: Getty Images)
‘Horrible’ and a ‘waste of a building’ is what unhappy tourists dubbed the home to the presidents of the United States over the years.
It’s surprising given the White House is on everyone’s lists when it comes to visiting Washington DC.
But the current home of Biden and countless presidents to come received an underwhelming score of 70%.
Reviews claimed you had to book months in advance through a local representative but upon arrival the tours were extremely disorganised – with some reportedly not being allowed in despite having booked.
Make sure to check the White House is actually open for tours, as countless visitors were left disappointed when having to view the building from behind iron fences due to renovations or building works.
The Great Buddha of Thailand, Thailand
The Great Buddha of Thailand in Phuket, Thailand (Picture: Getty Images)
Thailand is a destination on countless people’s bucket lists but the Great Buddha in Phuket received an underwhelming score of 67.6%.
Visitors called it ‘trash’ and ‘one big lie’ with others recommending people skip it all together.
It’s free entry which is a bonus for such a popular tourist destination but remember to dress modestly if you go, covering your knees and shoulders.
The site is a seated Maravija Buddha statue offering sweeping views but little explanation about the history of the site once you arrive.
Tourists on trip advisor claimed the flowers they’d bought to place were removed about 10 minutes later to be resold again, while others claimed it looked dirty and some found the trek up to it too difficult.
Guggenheim Bilbao, Spain
Guggenheim Museum by Frank Gehry architect in Spain is one of the most underwhelming tourist attractions (Picture: Getty Images)
Coming in at number 10 on the list, with an underwhelming score of 65.5%, is the Guggenheim Bilbao in Spain.
It earned the title of ‘worst museum in the world’ from one unhappy tourist, while another branded it an ‘ugly piece of crap’.
It was designed by Canadian American architect Frank Gehry. It’s a whopping 24,000 metres squared and is classed as an innovative architectural landmark.
The three levels of the building are organized around the Atrium and are connected by means of curved walkways, titanium and glass elevators, and staircases.
It’s a museum housing multiple exhibitions of modern and contemporary art but it didn’t seem to go down a treat with visitors.
The 20 most underwhelming bucket list tourist attractions
Moulin Rouge, Paris – 92.1% found it underwhelming
Tegalalang Rice Terrace, Bali – 89.4% found it underwhelming
The Grand Palace, Bangkok – 87.3% found it underwhelming
Atomium, Brussels – 78.9% found it underwhelming
Tokyo Tower, Tokyo – 76.9% found it underwhelming
Seoul Tower, Seoul – 75.7% found it underwhelming
The White House, Washington DC – 70.6% found it underwhelming
The Great Buddha of Thailand, Phuket – 67.6% found it underwhelming
Guggenheim Bilbao, Bilbao – 65.5% found it underwhelming
Royal Palace of Madrid, Madrid – 64.1% found it underwhelming
Basilica Cistern, Istanbul – 63.9% found it underwhelming
Hallgrimskirkja, Reykjavik – 63.4% found it underwhelming
Tian Tan Buddha, Lantau Island – 63.3% found it underwhelming
The Hollywood Sign, LA – 63.0% found it underwhelming
Taipei 101, Taipei – 62% found it underwhelming
Cerro Santa Lucia, Santiago – 62% found it underwhelming
Eden Project, Cornwall – 61.8% found it underwhelming
Chateau de Versailles, France – 59% found it underwhelming
Seattle Space Needle, Seattle – 58.6% found it underwhelming
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An iconic French site made the list,but it’s not the Eiffel Tower.