10 Famous Places in Europe You Should Definitely Avoid in 2026 (Overrated)

So we're back again for another video and let me tell you this week's topic is a problem. Where world famous destinations are not exactly living up to the hype. Between the overcrowding, the inflated prices and disappointing experiences and some cities and islands are better skipped. But the good news is there's always an alternative that gives you the history, the scenery, the atmosphere without all the headaches. So let's take a look at 10 famous overrated places in Europe and where you should go instead. So let's start this video and get one of the most controversial cities out of the way, Paris. For me, someone that's been at least nine times, it's probably the most overrated city behind London. It's at the top of nearly everybody's European dream list and it honestly doesn't deserve to be. Yes, it is true, there are a number of world-class museums in Paris. They are incredible and you should 100% visit a few while you're in the city, especially if you've never been to Paris before. But the museums alone aren't worth visiting the city. People also love the Eiffel Tower, the Arc de Triomphe, but I think they're quite average. Paris, in my opinion, just seems to be getting worse and worse year on year and I don't think it will meet the fantasy that you have of the city and it's really unfortunate. But for a quieter and more refreshing experience, I think you should head to the southeastern part of France, to Annecy, known as the Venice of the Alps. The town is set on the shores of a crystal clear lake with mountain peaks rising from the distance. It's old town is a maze of pastel coloured houses, flower-lined canals and a lot of lively cafes that still feel quite intimate compared to the crowds of Paris. And you can even spend the morning exploring local markets or even hire a boat on the lake and taking those wonderful views that feel a world away from the chaos of the capital. Number two, reluctantly, London. Often seen as the must-visit city in England. But let me tell you, the reality is very different once you arrive. Now I'm always going to have a soft spot for the city that I was born in but it's getting really embarrassing. The streets are overcrowded with all types of random people, the costs of everything is sky high, the charm of London just literally gets lost in endless queues and noise and on top of that it's getting the headlines for all the wrong reasons. Knife crime has gone up, rising phone thefts, I mean literally you can't even take your phone out without the higher probability it's going to get stolen by a complete imbecile on a BMX bike. And just the general feeling that safety isn't what it used to be in London and it's true. Yes there are honestly world-class landmarks here and plenty of attractions and for me it's just not a happy city anymore. If you do want history, atmosphere, a safer and more welcoming environment, I think you should head north to York. It's a walled city and one of the most beautiful in the country. With the cobbled streets, medieval buildings and stunning York Minster right in the center. And the good thing is you can walk along the old city walls, wander through the shambles which is a great place to take photos and enjoy the crooked timber houses and you can even stop at traditional tea rooms or pubs without the chaos of London. And I feel that York has it all. Number three is Barcelona and it might be one of Spain's most famous cities but fame comes with a massive problem. The crowds here are relentless, La Rambla feels more like a theme park than a street and even Gaudi's masterpieces are hard to enjoy when you're shoulder to shoulder with a billion tourists. Now if you add in the high prices and of course the endless pieces of crap, pickpocket people running around stealing instead of getting a job. Plus the beaches look far better in the photos in real life. But if you want something far more rewarding I think you definitely should head south to Granada. It's set against the Sierra Nevada mountains. The city is relaxed, a really densely rich mix of history and culture. The Alhambra alone is worth the trip. It's a beautiful palace filled with intricate courtyards and gardens and it's quite a peaceful place. But beyond that Granada feels authentic, more so than Barcelona. Brussels. Now it might be the capital of Belgium and home to the EU but as a city break destination it often disappoints. I still don't know why people visit but it is known for its political buildings and being a business district more than anything else. But on top of that Brussels has been struggling for quite a number of years with rising crime rates, pickpocketing around the major squares and a reputation for being one of Europe's less clean and welcoming capitals. But again if you are looking for a much better experience only 30 minutes away you can head to Ghent. It's a beautiful medieval city full of canals and cobbled streets and houses that look stunning both day and at night. There's also the Gravenstein castle. You can cruise the waterways or simply sit at a cafe in the historic centre and just watch the world go by. Now Ghent does have a student energy and that keeps it quite lively without feeling overrun and I think it's a much more down-to-earth vibe than visiting Brussels. Number five is actually Milan. Often promoted in the magazines as Italy's fashion and design capital. For me I think it's a little bit of a letdown. Now outside of the Duomo and the Galleria much of the city feels modern and very business focused. Less charm that we all expect from Italy. Prices for the food and the accommodation are some of the highest in the country and the reviews often mention how kind of unfriendly and overpriced the city has become. Now I think Milan over the years has really struggled with rising petty crime. But here's an interesting alternative. Now this hot spot is nestled in the heart of the Umbria region and it sits atop a series of hills offering some stunning views of the surrounding countryside and another destination with a deep rich history. So this is a place to explore lots of walking surrounded by picturesque landscapes impressive renaissance palaces. Now the highlight here is its Duomo. Magnificent cathedrals showcasing the city's centuries-old heritage. But beyond its historical charm, Prussia simply has that vibrant energy. You can feel it. Number six is Mykonos. Now I'll admit it's one of the most popular summer destinations in Greece and I've thoroughly enjoyed it. Famous for those whitewashed cyclidic houses, plenty of beach clubs that run until sunrise and of course the iconic windmills overlooking the harbour. It is and has been a party hot spot and a luxury escape for many years. But for me I think lately it's become super overcrowded and really overpriced. And you know what happens once everybody gets hold of a destination it becomes destroyed sooner or later. But for a much quieter alternative you should head to Karpathos. It's tucked between Crete and Rhodes and it also offers the same turquoise waters and sandy bays but without the mass amounts of tourists. Even villages like Olympos still keep centuries-old traditions alive. Now there are activities you can go on like there are mountain trails and hidden coves which also give you that sense of discovery. I don't think Mykonos has that anymore but Karpathos is still under the radar to go out there and give this one a try. Number seven is Zurich. Now this place is often sold as the gateway to Switzerland mainly because of its old town streets, the luxury shops and of course the main thing the lake that opens out to the alpine views. For me I have to say it's a little bit overrated. The everyday costs of some of the highest in Europe. A simple coffee can run you between 6 to 7 francs and dinner quickly pushes it past 40. And apart from that it's pretty much known as a financial district with just a handful of museums. But I think a far more interesting option is Vaduz. This is the tiny capital of Liechtenstein just over the border and here you can walk the whole center in under an hour with the prince's castle perched on the hillside above and vineyards spreading across the valley. There's a local museum that shows the story of this small country and the trails around town lead straight into mountain scenery which is what most people want in Switzerland. But here you can do this in Liechtenstein. So Vaduz may be small but it feels more personal and the experience here is often more memorable than Zürich. Number eight may be controversial but I don't think it is. Helsinki. Now this place will pop up on your radar because of its clean streets. Best thing about it is its saunas, the design museums and what efficient trams. But who cares about that? I find the place quite dull which is why it has to be on this list. Even the city center lacks that old world walkable charm that many European places has. There's no winding medieval streets or anything like that. It's quite modern architecture and if you add in the high prices Finland actually ranks among one of the priciest countries. Even daily travel costs are quite high and what you get in an expensive city with little to add visually it's not really worth it. But here's a good thing. Just across the Gulf of Finland you'll find Tallinn and this delivers exactly what Helsinki lacks. Its medieval old town is actually a UNESCO world heritage site filled with winding cobbled streets, its watchtowers, colourful merchant houses that look literally straight out of the storybook. You can get sweeping views of Tompia hill across the red rooftops, plenty of city cafes, markets and bars and all of this in a very affordable atmosphere. And it's only a two-hour ferry ride away from Helsinki but the contrast is huge. Number nine is Benidorm. Now this is one of Spain's most famous beach destinations especially for us Brits. Known for the endless high-rise hotels, package holidays and nightlife that goes on until sunrise and a cheap holiday destination. But it's one of the most overcrowded and commercialized resorts in Europe. The beaches are packed in the summer, the skyline looks more like a concrete jungle instead of that Mediterranean flavour that we wish for. Cheap drinks, noisy bars and it's kind of given the place a reputation that puts you off. But the good thing is just a short drive up the coast Altia feels more like you're in another world. It's a small town that has a whitewashed old centre that climbs the hillside, cobbled lanes leading up to the blue dung church and from the top you get views over the sea and surrounded mountains. Then down below the waterfront plenty of cafes, traditional tapas bars and a much quieter stretch of beach. Now this destination has that laid-back Mediterranean feel that we all imagine when we book our holiday to Spain. And number 10 is Prague. Maybe once upon a time it was a quiet and peaceful place but that is no longer the case. It's quickly become one of the most overrated cities in Europe. Yes it is stunning to look at but the city is crammed with so many tourists. I'm talking shoulder to shoulder walking across Charles Bridge, lining up for half an hour just to tour the church in the castle, while hundreds of people wandering through the narrow old part of the city at any given time. It's pretty difficult to find the essence of Prague and there are many channels out there that try to focus on just that. So if you don't feel like going to Prague why not try Trobond. And it's known for its picturesque landscapes, its expansive fishponds and a very quiet yet serene atmosphere. And this sets it apart from the hustle and bustle of the more busier destinations in the country. Now many people are drawn here to its historic spa culture and the grandeur of the Trobond chateau. So I think this is quite a contrast from some of the other busier places. I think this particular destination in Trobond offers quite a peaceful retreat. And there you have it folks these are my choices for some of the most overrated places in Europe. If tourism doesn't spread soon enough these places are going to get a lot worse. But try out those other destinations I'm sure they will be just as good as the main ones.