A seasoned traveler and frequent flyer has cautioned against visiting three destinations where locals hold animosity and where food prices are inflated. Francis Hellyer, the CEO of tickadoo, asserts that he has extensively traveled and has strong opinions on Europe’s “best” cities. He singled out three popular cities that he considers overrated and best avoided due to high prices and unwelcoming locals.
Francis expressed his disdain for Paris, citing exorbitant prices for subpar coffee, overcrowded tourist spots like the Eiffel Tower, and unpleasant experiences in the city’s metro and train stations. Despite being a popular destination with nearly 48.7 million visitors in 2024, Paris has left many tourists disappointed, notably the Japanese who experience Paris Syndrome, a severe culture shock phenomenon.
Critics of Venice liken the city in summer to a tourist-filled amusement park, with an Instagram page called ‘Venice is not Disneyland’ highlighting the inappropriate behaviors of visitors and locals alike. The page aims to shed light on issues such as littering and tourists bathing in the canals, which pose health and safety risks.
Regarding Amsterdam, Francis criticized it as being synonymous with stag parties and overpriced snacks. While Amsterdam attracts millions of tourists annually for its museums and scenic canals, locals have grown weary of rowdy behavior, leading to initiatives to curb disruptive activities like public intoxication and disrespectful behavior in the Red Light District.
In efforts to manage overtourism, Amsterdam implemented measures such as banning cruise ships from the city center and launching campaigns to deter certain visitor demographics. The city council also enforced regulations against public consumption of drugs and alcohol, as well as photographing sex workers without consent.
Despite his reservations about certain European cities, Francis has a list of favorites that he enjoys. While some popular destinations may not live up to the hype, there are still plenty of European cities worth exploring for their charm and cultural offerings.