Ever invested time and money in a European getaway only to feel that twinge of disappointment?
We’ve all experienced it – that moment when a destination you’ve dreamed about turns out to be… well, not quite what you hoped for.
After years of exploring Europe’s best destinations, I’ve compiled this honest list of places that didn’t win my heart – and where to go instead.
10 European Destinations I Won’t Visit Again: Where I Will Go Instead
Travel preferences are as unique as fingerprints! What follows reflects my personal journey and opinions – your experience might be entirely different.
1. Pisa, Italy
- Destination I won’t visit again: Pisa
Yes, the iconic Leaning Tower makes for a great Instagram moment, but once you’ve taken that “holding up the tower” photo, Pisa is underwhelming.
Beyond the Campo dei Miracoli complex, Pisa offers little excitement compared to its more charming Tuscan neighbors.
The tourist scene around the tower resembles a theme park rather than authentic Italy.
- Destination I suggest instead: Lucca
Just a 30-minute train ride from Pisa sits Lucca, a gem that remains puzzlingly under-visited despite its incredible charm and livability.
Lucca’s Renaissance walls now serve as an elevated cycling path encircling the city, offering unique views.
Lucca has no single must-see attraction drawing overwhelming crowds.
This offers something rare in Tuscany – a beautiful Italian town where locals still outnumber tourists.
2. Athens, Greece
- Destination I won’t visit again: Athens
The Acropolis stands as humanity’s crowning achievement, but unfortunately, the magic ends when you descend from that magnificent hill.
Athens presents itself as a concrete labyrinth where graffiti isn’t artistic expression but rather random vandalism, with many neighborhoods feeling neglected.
Summer visits punish with heat radiating from marble, thick pollution, and predatory taxi drivers targeting confused tourists.
- Destination I suggest instead: Nafplio
When Greeks themselves vacation, many choose Nafplio – a coastal town just two hours southwest of Athens.
Choose Nafplio for its fortress with sea views and flower-filled old town squares.
Nafplio also serves as the perfect base to explore Mycenae and Epidaurus without Athens’ chaos – ancient history with seaside tranquility.
3. Salzburg, Austria
- Destination I won’t visit again: Salzburg
Salzburg looks perfect on Instagram – pristine baroque buildings, hilltop fortress, and Mozart everywhere.
But after a few hours, you realize that’s all there is.
Once you’ve seen Mozart’s birthplace, climbed to the fortress, and walked through Mirabell Gardens, you’ve exhausted the main attractions.
What’s left? Gift shops selling Mozart chocolates and expensive cafés.
- Destination I suggest instead: Innsbruck
Trade Salzburg’s tourist theater for Innsbruck, just 2 hours by train, where mountains tower over a medieval center that locals actually use.
Unlike Salzburg’s Mozart monotony, Innsbruck mixes history, university energy and outdoor adventure.
Morning in the Old Town, afternoon on Alpine cable cars, evening in local restaurants – no Sound of Music tours in sight.
4. Landshut, Germany
- Destination I won’t visit again: Landshut
From a distance, Landshut promises storybook perfection with its colorful medieval facades, but this fairy tale lacks an engaging plot.
The Gothic St. Martin’s Church and hilltop Trausnitz Castle are worth photographing, but they don’t translate into an exciting experience.
Despite its university, the city feels oddly empty – pretty to look at but lacking the energy and activities you want in a destination.
- Destination I suggest instead: Regensburg
Just 45 minutes from Landshut by train, Regensburg offers similar medieval architecture but with actual things to do and authentic German life.
A medieval stone bridge leads to Regensburg’s intact Old Town, where students bring life to historic beer gardens.
Where Landshut feels empty, Regensburg pulses with riverside cafés, live music venues, and locals who actually use and enjoy their beautiful city.
5. Geneva, Switzerland
- Destination I won’t visit again: Geneva
Geneva tricks travelers with lakeside photos and mountain backdrops, but spend a day there and you’ll wonder where all the actual attractions are.
Beyond the iconic water jet and a quick photo at the Flower Clock, you’re left wandering between UN buildings and bank headquarters with little to do.
Meanwhile, your wallet empties at alarming speed – Geneva’s extreme prices for everything make it Europe’s worst value destination.
- Destination I suggest instead: Lucerne
Reorient your Swiss adventure to Lucerne, where similar lake views come packaged with exponentially more charm and a more authentically Swiss atmosphere.
The 14th-century Chapel Bridge has become Switzerland’s most photographed monument, its flower-adorned wooden span connects two sides of the city.
Mountains surround the city, offering alpine adventures by day and returns to medieval comfort by night – no corporate sterility here.
6. Martina Franca, Italy
- Destination I won’t visit again: Martina Franca
Sure, Martina Franca’s white buildings and fancy doorways look great in photos, but after 30 minutes of walking around, you’ll be asking “now what?” There’s simply not much to do.
You can see the entire town in one morning, leaving you with that strange feeling of “completing” a place without actually experiencing it.
Even the restaurants disappoint – surprising for Puglia – with overpriced, mediocre food clearly targeting tourists who won’t be staying long.
- Destination I suggest instead: Polignano a Mare
Just an hour from Martina Franca, Polignano a Mare delivers not just pretty buildings but a dramatic setting on limestone cliffs above the Adriatic Sea.
The old town offers more than just photo ops – swim in the small beach tucked between cliffs, cliff-dive, or enjoy aperitivo at cafés with sea views.
Come evening, the town buzzes with locals in seaside restaurants and lively squares – the authentic Puglian energy Martina Franca lacks.
7. Bratislava, Slovakia
- Destination I won’t visit again: Bratislava
Bratislava looks promising at first. Medieval towers! A castle on the hill! Cute cobblestone streets! But after 3 hours, you realize that’s it.
The Old Town is so small you can walk it twice in an afternoon. The main attractions – Michael’s Gate, the Blue Church, and a few small squares – take just a couple hours to see.
The strangest part? The city center often feels empty of actual locals.
Restaurants and souvenir shops seem to outnumber residents, creating an artificial, touristy atmosphere without the energy of a real lived-in city.
- Destination I suggest instead: Budapest, Hungary
Just 2 hours by train from Bratislava, Budapest offers everything Bratislava lacks: genuine urban energy, diverse attractions, and enough activities to fill several days.
The stunning Parliament building, historic Buda Castle, and relaxing thermal baths give you actual things to do.
Budapest’s ruin bars, food scene, and bustling streets show what a real Central European capital feels like – a city that stays alive after dark.
8. Naples, Italy
- Destination I won’t visit again: Naples
Naples gets one thing right: the pizza is incredible. Everything else? Not so great.
Walking through Naples means navigating streets with garbage piled up, constantly checking your pockets, and feeling on edge in many neighborhoods.
The city’s historic buildings are often covered in graffiti and neglect. Traffic is chaotic and terrifying.
Sure, there are museums and churches worth seeing, but the stress of getting to them makes Naples feel like work, not vacation.
- Destination I suggest instead: Sorrento
Just an hour south of Naples by train, Sorrento gives you clean streets, sea views, and a relaxed vibe where you can actually enjoy yourself.
Lemon groves and cliff-top restaurants replace Naples’ gritty alleys. You can walk at night without constantly looking over your shoulder.
Best part? You can still visit all the same attractions – Pompeii, Capri, and the Amalfi Coast – but return each evening to a place that feels like the Italy you actually wanted to visit.
9. Trapani, Sicily
- Destination I won’t visit again: Trapani
Trapani promises to be a gateway to western Sicily’s treasures. The problem? The gateway itself isn’t very interesting.
This working port city lacks the charm you expect from a Sicilian destination. The historic center feels neglected, with lots of rubbish lying around.
The worst part is the siesta shutdown. Between 1-4pm, almost everything closes.
You’re left wandering empty streets, unable to eat, shop, or even find an open café.
If you’re using Trapani just as a base for day trips to Erice or the Egadi Islands, you might not mind.
But spend a full day in the city itself, and you’ll be checking train schedules to leave.
- Destination I suggest instead: Taormina
Three hours across Sicily sits Taormina, where you’ll find everything Trapani lacks – stunning views, lively streets, and things to actually do.
The ancient Greek theater offers the most spectacular backdrop in Sicily: Mount Etna on one side, the Mediterranean on the other.
Corso Umberto stays busy with cafés and shops that (surprise!) remain open throughout the day.
A cable car takes you to beautiful beaches below when you need a break from sightseeing.
10. Vienna, Austria
- Destination I won’t visit again: Vienna
Vienna is undeniably beautiful, but if you’re not into classical music or concerts, the city quickly reveals its limitations.
After touring Schönbrunn Palace, the Hofburg, and a couple museums, you’re left with expensive coffeehouses and buildings and buildings that all start to look the same.
For travelers indifferent to Mozart and opera, Vienna becomes merely an attractive backdrop with surprisingly few engaging activities.
- Destination I suggest instead: Salzkammergut
Trade Vienna’s formal atmosphere for the Salzkammergut lake district, just 3 hours away by train, where Austria comes alive with outdoor activities.
Swim in Lake Wolfgangsee, hike up Schafberg Mountain, or explore Hallstatt’s ice caves – real experiences instead of another museum visit.
Here you’ll find authentic Austrian villages, reasonably priced cafés, and natural beauty that changes with each season, offering the variety that Vienna lacks.
Final Thoughts on Skip That, Visit This Instead Destinations
Travel preferences remain intensely personal – what strikes one person as disappointing might perfectly match another’s expectations and desires.
What didn’t work for me might be perfect for someone else.
Further Reading:
- 30 Essential Items Travelers Almost Always Forget To Pack for Europe
- Most Breathtaking Countries in Europe
Europe Travel Planning Guide:
**🚑 Do I need travel insurance for Europe?
100% YES! — Europe has great healthcare, but visitors need travel insurance for emergencies. I recommend SafetyWing.
**🚙 How to get around in Europe?
By Car: Renting a car through DiscoverCars gives you the freedom to explore charming destinations at your own pace.
By Train: For travel between major cities, trains are efficient and affordable – book tickets through Omio.
**📲 Will my phone work in Europe?
Maybe — But you might come back to massive bill as it might be pricey. For the best experience, I recommend getting an SIM Card online before you travel.
**🏩 What’s the best way to book accommodations in Europe?
My go-to for European hotels is Booking.com. However we often prefer a more authentic European experience, and book apartments and homes through VRBO.
**✈️ What’s the best site to buy flights to Europe?
For finding cheap flights to Europe, I recommend Skyscanner.
