World’s Best and Worst Tourist Attractions, Ranked

To help travellers make smarter choices, travel experts at Stasher analyzed 101 of the world’s most popular attractions to uncover which sites live up to the hype, and which fall short. Our travel index ranks destinations based on five key factors: Google Reviews ratings, TikTok engagement, airport accessibility, country safety, and local accommodation quality.

Here is a data-driven snapshot of the worst, best and most surprising tourist attractions across the globe, helping travellers decide where their time, money, and Instagram moments are best spent.

Top 10 Tourist Traps That Just Aren’t Worth It

While top attractions consistently deliver excellence, these destinations underwhelm visitors despite their global fame. The data reveals specific problems that create disappointing experiences. 

1. Hollywood Walk of Fame, California

The Hollywood Walk of Fame (2.67/10) was named the worst tourist attraction worldwide. Located 38.1km from the LAX airport, this sidewalk of celebrity stars had the lowest Google rating and safety score.

1. The Dead Sea, Jordan, Palestine & Israel

The Dead Sea (3.51/10) is the second-worst, with the location being 66km away from the nearest airport and a 3.10 safety rating due to regional instability. Although it offers a unique floating experience, accessibility challenges and security concerns significantly impact visitor satisfaction.

1. Grand Bazaar, Istanbul

Istanbul’s Grand Bazaar (3.86/10) is the third-worst tourist hotspot with a 3.86 score. While it is historically significant, the covered market has many negative Google ratings which reflect its overcrowding, aggressive vendors, and tourist trap pricing that transforms what should be a cultural immersion into a stressful shopping experience.

Top Tourist Attractions Overall 

Barcelona’s Sagrada Familia, Rome’s Colosseum, and the Eiffel Tower in Paris take the top three spots as the best tourist attractions in the world overall. These are well known locations internationally and so it’s no surprise that their magnificence is reflected in the data. 

What may come as surprising is the more unheard of tourist hotspots which have rounded out the top 20 best tourist attractions overall. Some of these worth mentioning include:

#4 Milford Sound, South Island, New Zealand

Once dubbed by Rudyard Kippling as the “eighth wonder of the world”, Milford Sound is the gem of New Zealand’s South Island and a must-see for any tourist interested in the country’s great outdoors. The mountainous landscapes can be enjoyed by either boat or hiking, as numerous boat trips and walking trails take visitors through glacier-sculpted passageways and some of earth’s oldest rainforests.

It’s no surprise then that the mountain had a 4.8 Google rating, over 3,000 TikTok hashtags and access to plenty of accommodation to make the trip that much more enjoyable. For those on the other side of the equator who haven’t yet heard of Milford Sound, it should be one to add to the bucket list.

#8 Smithsonian National Museum of Natural History, Washington DC, USA

When we think of natural history museums our minds typically take us to the Natural History Museum of New York, or even the British Museum of Natural History. But you may not know that the Smithsonian is actually the world’s largest museum, education and research complex. The Natural History Museum alone is larger than 18 football fields and is the largest natural history museum on the planet.

The museum has a Google rating of 4.8/5 and being in the heart of Washington DC means that it has excellent transport options and highly rated accommodation nearby. The proof is in the pudding as our data exemplifies, so taking a trip out to Washington DC to see the Smithonian’s many displays would not be a trip wasted.

#13 Bryce Canyon National Park, Utah, USA

For those unfamiliar with the USA’s geography, Bryce Canyon National Park is not typically listed as a bucket list location. But we’re here to tell that you that it needs to be. Outranking even the Grand Canyon and Yellowstone National Park, Bryce Canyon had a higher Google Rating of 4.8 and closer proximity to local airports, making it easier to get to for international travellers who may not have access to a car.

The Canyon is best known for having the largest collection of hoodoos—the distinctive rock formations you can spot all through the park—in the world. 

Best Destinations by Continent

Regional analysis reveals which continents deliver the most consistent quality experiences, helping travellers focus their planning on areas with proven track records. 

Europe: Sagrada Família (Barcelona, Spain) – 8.19/10

Europe leads the way in worldwide ratings with the globe’s number one sight. Barcelona’s design icon boasts fantastic tourist ratings (4.8 Google stars) and easy access, just 16.1km from the airport. The continent’s high safety ratings (1.578) and top accommodation quality (8.7) provide perfect conditions for great experiences.

North America: Walt Disney World (Orlando, USA) – 7.72/10

America’s theme park hub boasts continental supremacy in accommodation ratings (8.9) and relatively affordable airport access (30.6km). Safety issues are greater (2.443 rating) than in other continents, but steady visitor satisfaction (4.7 Google rating) and enormous social media interest (220,000+ TikTok likes) prove lasting popularity.

Asia: Tokyo Disneyland (Japan) – 7.01/10

Japan takes Asia’s top spot with its safest major destination on the continent (1.440 safety rating) and solid accommodation quality (8.4). Tokyo Disneyland’s 4.6 Google score indicates regular operational brilliance, though lower TikTok engagement (138,600 likes) indicates less viral traction than Western equivalents.

Oceania: Milford Sound (New Zealand) – 7.77/10

New Zealand’s natural marvel has the world’s top accommodation rating (9.5) and has outstanding airport accessibility (1km). Its 4.8 Google rating and great safety conditions (1.282) make for a great experience despite low social media visibility (33,240 TikTok likes).

Africa: Pyramids of Giza (Egypt) – 7.56/10

Egypt’s ancient landmarks dominate Africa with high visitor satisfaction (4.7 Google rating) and enormous social media popularity (209,000+ TikTok likes). Difficult airport access (42.3km) and high safety issues (2.157 rating) necessitate further planning.

South America: Christ the Redeemer (Brazil) – 7.45/10

Brazil’s famous statue tops the South America ranking with flawless visitor reviews (4.8 Google rating) and superb accommodation standards (8.8). High TikTok popularity (158,000 likes) is offset by higher safety scores (2.472) and moderate airport proximity (37km) that necessitate thorough travel planning.

Best Disney Resorts Ranked

Three Disney destinations made the top 10 global attractions rankings, proving that theme parks compete successfully against historical landmarks and natural wonders. 

Complete Disney Resorts Rankings

Walt Disney World in Orlando dethroned California’s original Disneyland as the world’s top Disney destination. The Florida park’s 7.72 overall score reflects better accommodation quality and superior airport access. 

A significant divide separates the top three parks from the bottom three. Shanghai, Hong Kong, and Paris struggle to match American and Japanese standards for visitor experience, safety, and overall value

The rankings reflect Disney’s varying investment levels and operational standards across different markets, with established American parks and Japanese partnerships delivering superior experiences.

Smart Travel Tips for Tourists

Don’t fall for what you see on social media

That viral TikTok spot might look amazing online, but terrible crowd control and safety issues tell a different story. Check Google ratings and recent reviews from actual visitors before booking your trip.

Budget for the real costs

Remote attractions eat your wallet with hidden expenses like airport transfers, rental cars, guides, and tourist pricing that could add up fast. Factor in these costs when choosing destinations, especially if they’re hours away from major airports.

Time your visit right

Popular spots during peak season mean crowds and inflated prices. Visit during shoulder seasons when possible, and always check current travel advisories within 30 days of departure. Security situations can change quickly.

Methodology

Stasher’s analysis examined five key data points across 101 global attractions:

• Google Reviews ratings (visitor satisfaction) 
• Average TikTok likes (social media engagement) 
• Distance from nearest airport (accessibility) 
• Country Safety Rankings (security conditions) 
• Local accommodation quality (lodging standards)

Each metric received equal weighting to create balanced overall scores reflecting real traveller priorities.