When traveling abroad, many tourists are no longer interested in familiar destinations mentioned in every guidebook or postcard. Instead, they tend to look for new, less-known places, hoping to have a different, more unique experience. However, not every place can meet that expectation. There are places, whether famous or emerging, that make visitors feel disappointed because of crowds, poor service, or simply… nothing special.
To help travelers get a more realistic view, luggage storage platform Radical Storage conducted a large-scale survey, analyzing more than 95,000 online reviews of 200 popular tourist destinations around the world. From there, they compiled a list of destinations with the highest percentage of negative reviews - places that many people dreamed of visiting, but then left with regrets.
1. Alton Towers, UK - 49.4% negative reviews
Topping the list is Alton Towers in Staffordshire, England. It was originally an aristocratic estate in the 19th century, but was opened to the public and developed into a theme park in the 1980s, inspired by the Disneyland model in the US.
Alton Towers is now the UK’s largest theme park, spanning 910 acres and 10 themed areas. Yet nearly half of the reviews (49.4%) it received were negative – nearly five times the average of 10.9% in the study.
The main culprits were customer service and extra costs. 18% of reviews cited “not worth the money” – the highest of the entire survey. Many travelers said they were misled about ticket policies, had to pay extra for extras like food, drinks or access to specific areas, making the experience frustrating and lacking transparency.
Alton Towers Theme Park, Staffordshire, England
2. Széchenyi Hot Springs, Hungary - 37.2% negative reviews
A popular wellness destination in Europe, the Széchenyi hot springs in Budapest, Hungary, is the largest spa in Europe and has been welcoming guests since 1913. However, more than a third (37.2%) of reviews said the experience did not live up to expectations.
The main reason is not the quality of the water or the facilities, but the overcrowding and lack of access. The hot springs ranked third in the list of places with the most complaints about crowding and accessibility, with 16.8% of negative reviews falling into this category, compared to the average of 4.4%. Visitors are advised to visit during less crowded times of the year if they want to fully enjoy the relaxing space.
Széchenyi Hot Springs, Hungary
3. Siam Park Water Park, Spain - 31.2% negative reviews
Siam Park on the island of Tenerife (Spain) is widely praised as “the best water park in the world” and is a must-see destination for those who are passionate about water games. The park has Thai architecture, was opened in 2007 with the presence of Thai Princess Maha Chakri Sirindhorn, and is now preparing to expand to Gran Canaria.
However, the grandiose title has not spared Siam Park from criticism. Some 31.2% of reviewers left negative comments, with many complaining about unfriendly staff, unprofessional organization and poor accessibility, especially for those with disabilities. Some also mentioned being judged by staff on their appearance or weight – making the experience disrespectful and unwelcoming.
Siam Park Water Park, Spain
4. Time Out Market Lisboa, Portugal - 28.4% negative reviews
Time Out Market Lisboa - a food court founded by Time Out magazine - is one of the outstanding culinary destinations in the capital Lisbon. Opened in 2014, it won the Hamburg Foodservice Award in 2018, a testament to the success of the media - culinary model.
However, after nearly a decade of operation, Time Out Market Lisboa is gradually becoming a “victim of popularity”. With 28.4% negative reviews, many people believe that the food court is overcrowded, crowded and no longer maintains its original quality. Statistics also show that this place has the highest rate of complaints about crowded conditions and difficulty of access in the survey (18.4%).
Many tourists have to wait in long lines to buy food, while the dining space is cramped, not ensuring a comfortable dining experience - especially for those who expect a leisurely meal while exploring the local culinary culture.
Time Out Market Lisboa Food Court, Portugal
5. Trevi Fountain, Italy - 24.6% negative reviews
Fontana di Trevi - Rome's iconic fountain - is well-known to international tourists through classic films such as La Dolce Vita or Roman Holiday. According to tradition, whoever throws a coin into this fountain will have the chance to return to Rome.
However, the popularity also leads to overcrowding, overloading and loss of the sacred, romantic feeling. Up to 24.6% of visitors left negative feedback, most of which were related to the inability to access the attraction due to the large number of visitors (16.9%) - ranked second in the entire survey. In addition, this project was also closed for renovation in 2024, leaving many visitors disappointed when they arrived but could not see it with their own eyes.
A popular alternative is Palatine Hill – which not only offers great views and historical sites, but also has a much lower complaint rate (just 6.2%).
Trevi Fountain, Italy
