Friday, May 9, 2025

Europe’s Biggest Letdowns: The Tourist Traps You’ll Want to Avoid

Photo courtesy of Alton Towers website
Photo courtesy of Alton Towers website

A recent study by luggage storage company Radical Storage has revealed Europe’s most disappointing tourist attractions. After analyzing 95,352 reviews of 200 global hotspots, the results are in—and they’re all in Europe.

Topping the list of letdowns is the UK’s Alton Towers. This sprawling 910-acre theme park, inspired by the magic of Disneyland, seems to have lost its sparkle. Despite boasting ten themed areas, visitors are less than thrilled.

Brace yourselves for this shocker: nearly half of Alton Towers’ reviews—49.4%, to be exact—are negative. That’s a far cry from other attractions’ average 10.9% negative review rate.

So, what’s got visitors so riled up? It’s not just the rides.

Complaints about sky-high ticket prices, overpriced snacks and drinks, and extra charges for some regions of the park are pouring in. Some visitors even found the customer service more hair-raising than the roller coasters.

In second place is Budapest’s Széchenyi Thermal Bath in Hungary, with 37.2% of reviews being negative. Known as Europe’s most enormous medicinal bath, Széchenyi has been a wellness destination since 1913, but more than a third of visitors reported unsatisfactory experiences.

Coming in third place is Spain’s Siam Park in Tenerife. This Thai-themed water wonderland may be Europe’s most significant, but size isn’t everything. Opened in 2007 with a royal seal of approval from Thailand’s Princess Maha Chakri Sirindhorn, you’d expect a flawless experience. However, 31.2% of visitors report rude staff, poor accessibility, and a lack of facilities for those with disabilities.

Rounding out the list are Lisbon’s Time Out Market (28.4%) and Rome’s iconic Trevi Fountain (24.6%). Both attractions are frustrating tourists, with complaints about overwhelming crowds and difficult access.

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