These are the 10 most overrated tourist attractions in the world, according to a study

An analysis of Tripadvisor reviews put several famous landmarks on the list, with complaints about value emerging as a recurring theme.

I’m perfectly happy being a tourist. A place being famous isn’t a reason for me to skip it, and I’m willing to spend money on an experience I’m excited about. But I do want to leave feeling like it was worth what I paid.

That’s where some attractions seem to lose people. A study commissioned by ChicksX analyzed Tripadvisor reviews to rank the world’s most overrated tourist attractions, and several places with serious history behind them made the top 10.

The researchers say they examined the top 50 landmarks and attractions in each country, including only listings with more than 100 reviews. They tracked 40 negative words and phrases, including “overpriced” and “disappointing,” and compared the number of mentions with each attraction’s review count.

One detail is important here: The supplied scores reflect keyword mentions divided by reviews, so a score of 57% does not mean 57% of visitors disliked a place. A single review can contain multiple keywords. Think of this as a ranking of complaint-related language among the attractions studied, rather than a definitive list of places to avoid.

10. Ngong Ping 360, Hong Kong

Ngong Ping 360 connects Tung Chung with Ngong Ping on Lantau Island by cable car, with the Big Buddha and Po Lin Monastery among the nearby sights. It’s a sightseeing experience in its own right, with glass-bottom cabins available for people who want a view beneath their feet.

The study counted 2,786 negative keyword mentions across 7,541 reviews, giving it an overrated score of 37%. That puts the cable car attraction at No. 10, though the release doesn’t identify which complaints were most common here.

9. Bletchley Park, United Kingdom

Bletchley Park is associated with the World War II codebreakers, including Alan Turing, whose work helped decipher enemy communications. Its place in history makes this one of the more surprising names on the list.

Researchers recorded 3,058 negative keyword mentions in 8,171 reviews, producing a rounded score of 37%. Of course, a review of a day out can say plenty about the visitor experience without settling the question of a place’s historical importance.

8. Sovereign Hill, Australia

Sovereign Hill is an open-air museum recreating Australia’s Gold Rush era. It ranked eighth worldwide, with 1,442 negative keyword mentions across 3,823 reviews and a rounded score of 38%.

Here, the release does offer a clearer explanation: It reports more than 500 mentions describing the prices as too expensive. For this attraction, at least, the question of value was a noticeable part of the criticism.

7. Graceland, Tennessee

Elvis Presley’s former home in Memphis landed at No. 7, with 7,702 negative keyword mentions across 20,230 reviews. Its rounded score was 38%, based on the largest review sample of any attraction in this top 10.

According to the release, complaints included the cost and a feeling that there wasn’t enough to see. Graceland may carry enormous sentimental value for an Elvis fan, but the findings suggest some visitors wanted more for their money.

6. Arecibo Lighthouse & Historical Park, Puerto Rico

The Arecibo Lighthouse & Historical Park combines a lighthouse built in 1898 with family attractions, including replica ships and an aquarium. That gives it a different feel from a straightforward stop to photograph a historic lighthouse.

It received 122 negative keyword mentions across 320 reviews, for a rounded score of 38%. This was the smallest review sample in the top 10, a useful detail to keep in mind when comparing it with attractions represented by thousands of reviews.

5. Jungfraujoch – Top of Europe, Switzerland

Jungfraujoch is home to Europe’s highest railway station, at 3,454 meters above sea level. The mountain excursion includes views of the Aletsch Glacier and an Ice Palace with sculptures carved in ice.

Despite that setting, it placed fifth in the study, with 271 negative keyword mentions across 703 reviews and a rounded score of 39%. The release doesn’t break down the complaints for this attraction, so it’s unclear how much of that score reflects cost versus other parts of the visit.

4. Besakih Temple, Indonesia

Besakih Temple is a Hindu temple complex on the slopes of Mount Agung in Bali. Its terraced courtyards and multiple temples form one of the island’s most important religious sites.

The study recorded 1,097 negative keyword mentions across 2,752 reviews, giving it a rounded score of 40%. As with Bletchley Park, its position here concerns the language used in tourist reviews; it isn’t a measure of the site’s cultural or religious significance.

3. Stonehenge, United Kingdom

The prehistoric stone circle at Stonehenge came in third, with 6,414 negative keyword mentions across 15,118 reviews. Its rounded overrated score was 42%.

This is probably one of the names most likely to start an argument. Seeing an ancient monument in person can be the entire reason for making a trip, but that doesn’t guarantee everyone will come away equally impressed.

2. Kampong Phluk, Cambodia

Kampong Phluk is a fishing community in Cambodia’s Siem Reap province, where houses stand on tall stilts to accommodate seasonal changes in water levels. It’s also a place where people live and work, which makes the label “tourist attraction” feel a little incomplete.

It ranked second with 552 negative keyword mentions across 1,042 reviews, for a rounded score of 53%. That’s a substantial jump from Stonehenge’s 42%.

1. Warwick Castle, United Kingdom

Warwick Castle takes the top spot, with 9,430 negative keyword mentions across 16,430 reviews and a rounded score of 57%. The attraction combines more than 1,100 years of history with live entertainment and family activities, including bird-of-prey displays and a trebuchet attraction.

There’s quite a lot going on beyond the castle itself, which is useful context for anyone imagining a quiet afternoon exploring an old building. The study doesn’t identify Warwick’s most frequent complaints, but it had the highest ratio of tracked negative language to reviews among the attractions analyzed.

Some places fared much better in the same research. The study also identified the world’s most underrated tourist attractions, including a Florida mansion that earned plenty of praise.

These are the world’s most underrated tourist attractions, according to a new study

Forget the crowded, overpriced bucket-list stops — a new study says these lesser-known spots are the ones actually blowing visitors away.

Read more: These are the world’s most underrated tourist attractions, according to a new study

The 20 Most Boring Tourist Attractions in the U.S., Ranked

A new study by analyzed over 1,100 U.S. attractions on TripAdvisor and looked for boredom-related words like “boring,” “dull,” and “underwhelming.” The result? A list of places that tourists were most disappointed by, scaled by complaints per 1,000 reviews for fairness.

Read more: The 20 Most Boring Tourist Attractions in the U.S., Ranked

The Top Tourist Attraction in Each of the 50 U.S. States to Add to Your Bucket List

In this article, we venture through all 50 states, uncovering the single, must-visit tourist attraction that best encapsulates the spirit and essence of each one.

Read more: The Top Tourist Attraction in Each of the 50 U.S. States to Add to Your Bucket List

The Weirdest Tourist Attractions in Each of the 50 U.S. States, According to Travelers

Embarking on a cross-country adventure? Looking to explore the lesser-known and unconventional side of the United States? From colossal balls of twine to peculiar museums, the 50 states that make up this diverse nation are home to an array of strange and offbeat tourist attractions.

Read more: The Weirdest Tourist Attractions in Each of the 50 U.S. States, According to Travelers

10 Forgotten Tourist Spots in the United States Worth Exploring

Tired of the usual tourist spots in the US? Want to uncover some amazing hidden gems? Well, you’re in luck! We’ve got the inside scoop on secret destinations straight from fellow Americans. Get ready to discover breathtaking state parks, picturesque drives, and more. This list has something for everyone. So grab your bags because it’s time to embark on an extraordinary adventure off the beaten path!

Read more: 10 Forgotten Tourist Spots in the United States Worth Exploring