The world's most overrated city according to tourists - full list

Not every bucket list destination lives up to the hype. While some cities look incredible on social media or in films, many find that the reality can be overcrowded, overpriced, or simply underwhelming. Tourists from around the globe have shared which cities they believe are the most overrated and the results may surprise you.

BuzzFeed recently compiled a ranking of the top 22 most overrated cities in the world, based on candid feedback from travellers worldwide. Leading the list was New York City, known worldwide for its towering skyscrapers and iconic landmarks like the Empire State Building, Times Square, the Statue of Liberty, Central Park, and its famous bagels and its New York-style pizza.

New York is the busiest city in the United States and one of the most visited urban centers in the world. Its fast pace, diverse population, and endless attractions draw millions of tourists each year. In 2024, the major city welcomed nearly 65 million visitors.

Often called "the city that never sleeps," New York promises an energetic, unforgettable experience with an endless amount of things to do and explore, but for some it hasn't been such a positive experience.

One person wrote: "Granted, I love the food and some of the sights and attractions, but overall, it is way too overcrowded, filthy, noisy, and polluted. I come from the Pacific Northwest, and the difference in the air quality is appalling; NYC air literally smells like oil and exhaust."

Someone else said: "NYC stresses me out. I've been to big cities all over the world, some bigger than NYC. And for some reason, it's just overwhelming."

Following New York City on the list were Macau in China, known for its glitzy casinos but criticised by some for feeling unwelcoming, New Orleans, in the US, where the vibrant nightlife and party atmosphere didn't always sit well with visitors, and Nassau in the Bahamas, a popular cruise port some found overcrowded and overly touristy.

Here is the full list of the most overrated cities according to BuzzFeed:

New York City, New York, USA

Macau, China

New Orleans, Louisiana, USA

Nassau, The Bahamas

San Francisco, California, USA

Munich, Germany

Naples, Italy

Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam

Dallas, Texas, USA

Athens, Greece

Amsterdam, Netherlands

Atlantic City, New Jersey, USA

Paris, France

Havana, Cuba

Los Angeles, California, USA

Cairo, Egypt

Venice, Italy

Las Vegas, Nevada, USA

Dublin, Ireland

Lima, Peru

Santorini, Greece

St. Louis, Missouri, USA