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London While Paris may be among Europe's most frequented cities along with another location, both could be considered overhyped when it comes to vacation spots.
According to Luke Hoogmoed, @lukepatrickh ), a 25-year-old individual traveler from the Netherlands who has traveled to 40 different European nations.
The adventurous traveler has revealed his list of less favorite overcrowded European spots along with alternative recommendations to MailOnline Travel.
Continue reading to discover why the lone traveler experiences a 'feeling of unease' in London and which European city he believes has streets 'overflowing with garbage and rodents'.
Swap Oslo for Tallinn
The seasoned traveler recommends swapping the 'dull' Norwegian capital for Estonia's 'enchanting' capital as an alternative.
I found Oslo somewhat dull," admits Luke. "As far as I'm concerned, you go to Norway for the natural beauty rather than its urban areas. To me, Oslo seems quite gray and impersonal.
Tallinn boasts a Nordic allure, with its enchanting medieval Old Town and more affordable costs. Entering this place feels like diving into a fairy tale, enhancing the stark difference all the more.
Ditch Amsterdam for Wroclaw
Luke, who hails from the Netherlands, shares this insight: "Certainly, the capital of my country boasts numerous distinctive and attractive spots. However, if you seek a safer, cleaner, and more budget-friendly option, I would recommend Wroclaw."
Wrocław, pronounced as 'Vrotswaf,' is a Polish city located close to the Czech border.
Luke shares: "Wrocław has a comparable atmosphere to Amsterdam, yet lacks the crowds, expensive costs, and trash-filled roads. The architectural style in numerous Polish cities mirrors that of Amsterdam."
Exchange Antwerp for Gdansk
Antwerp, a Belgian harbor town, ranks as "one of the least attractive cities in Europe," says Luke. He attributes this assessment to issues with safety, cleanliness, and general appearance.
The travel expert suggests visiting the Polish harbor town of Gdańsk instead, calling it "much more charming." He appreciates that Gdańsk is "budget-friendly, secure, and tidy," featuring "remarkable structures" worth seeing.
Exclude London from the list and include Prague instead.
Despite being one of Europe's top tourist attractions, London is considered overrated by Luke, who mentions experiencing a feeling of unease during his visit.
Luke shares: "I have visited London several times, and although I acknowledge its grandeur in aspects like history, architecture, and culture, it personally feels quite overpowering for me."
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I wouldn’t want to upset any British friends, but each time I go over there, I experience a bit of unease. This probably stems from my own tastes since I’m not particularly fond of large, bustling metropolises such as London and Paris. Nonetheless, I cannot overlook the safety issues. Each time I look up “knife crime in London,” I come across reports posted mere hours before. This does little to ease my mind.
For Luke, the Czech capital outshines the Big Smoke as both a superior and more affordable vacation spot. He elaborates, "Prague stands out with its breathtaking architecture, profound historical heritage, and lively ambiance—all at a significantly lower price compared to London’s expenses. Additionally, it offers greater safety. Personally, I consider it the most picturesque capital city in all of Europe."
Desert Paris for Budapest
Luke acknowledges: "Paris is Paris, and one must make an effort to visit it at least once to witness its famous attractions. The locations I find somewhat overhyped still possess distinct allure."
However, the traveler claims that he believes the Hungarian capital excels over Paris in nearly every aspect.
Luke clarifies: "Despite being a popular tourist spot, Budapest retains its genuine Hungarian character. It might get crowded at times, but it stays quite secure. I have traveled to Budapest seven times, and every visit has been nothing short of excellent."
Even so, Luke states: "The Eiffel Tower isn’t in Budapest, so I still urge you to explore every location on the list and develop your own views instead of simply following my recommendations."
Change Bodrum for Antalya
According to Luke, the coastal town of Bodrum ranks as Turkey's most overhyped vacation spot.
He asserts: "The genuine Turkish ambiance is gone; now it functions as a holiday destination for the upper class."
While another coastal retreat might be popular, Antalya continues to preserve a profound Turkish heritage and history. For this reason, I would suggest exploring Antalya rather than Bodrum. Additionally, the cuisine in Antalya is simply outstanding.
Substitute Stockholm for Riga
Luke has a comparable issue with Stockholm as he does with Oslo. He mentions finding the Swedish capital "rather boring and drab."
The seasoned traveler notes: "Based on my experiences, it tends to be unexpectedly grimy and usually lacks intrigue. You should explore Scandinavia for its natural beauty rather than solely for its urban areas."
Luke favors Riga, which is Latvia’s capital. He elaborates: "The place exudes a distinctively Nordic vibe yet remains more genuine, secure, and budget-friendly. Given that I spent a year studying there, the city holds a special spot as my adopted hometown; thus, I am somewhat partial. Nonetheless, I sincerely think it stands out as an excellent choice."
Abandon Brussels for Ghent
The Belgian capital has failed to impress Luke, who claims that the city's streets are 'overflowing with garbage and rodents'.
He states: "I have visited Brussels two times, and unfortunately, I found each visit to be underwhelming. To begin with the positive aspects, the historical center is stunning, the fries and waffles are delectable, and the ambiance nearly gives off a carnival-like vibe."
However, once you leave the old town area, things change dramatically. The streets are cluttered with refuse and rodents, and the issue of homelessness is quite evident. This is unfortunate for a city with such an illustrious past.
Rather than that, I suggest going to Ghent—a beautifully preserved, delightful university town in Belgium known for being traveler-friendly.
Chuck Barcelona for Porto
In recent years, Barcelona has had difficulty dealing with overtourism, which is why Luke suggests avoiding it.
The avid traveler remarks: "Barcelona has grown so crowded with visitors that it's now rather unenjoyable."
He shares: "In Portugal, Porto provides vibrant architecture, exceptional cuisine, and top-notch wines—all at more favorable prices compared to Barcelona. Additionally, it boasts lower instances of pickpocketing. Furthermore, Porto is less expensive, quieter, and cleaner. Indeed, it also features beautiful beaches!"
Drop Venice for Perast
Luke has included Venice, known as Europe's "Floating City," on his overrated list due to its tendency to be overrun by visitors. He believes that the city’s efforts to tackle this problem with initiatives like a tourism tax could help reclaim some of its original character.
Meanwhile, he suggests visiting Perast in Montenegro. The traveler shares, "Perast is among the most stunning locations I have ever laid eyes on."
Although it doesn’t match Venice exactly, Perast surpasses it when it comes to safety, cleanliness, cost-effectiveness, and genuine local experience.
Looking for more from Luke? Follow him on Instagram - @lukepatrickh
