Disappointed by Las Ramblas?
Virgin Travel Insurance recently commissioned a study to find the world's most disappointing tourist sights. Three of the top ten were in the USA and six were in Europe - with Las Ramblas in Barcelona coming fourth.
So what's so wrong with Barcelona's most famous street? According to the report, Las Ramblas "suffers from an increasing lack of attention to quality control". What, the artistic tests imposed on the Las Ramblas street performers isn't enough? The report also mentioned the big crime problem, which is something I can't argue with. Be especially careful after dark, when the con artists come out to try to cheat you out of your cash. And watch out for pickpockets at all times of day.
The report failed to note that Las Ramblas is Barcelona's most vibrant sight, teeming with life at all hours of the day. Most people who were left disappointed by it were probably there in August, when the locals are away and the place is crammed with tourists. A tip for the underwhelmed: visit Las Ramblas outside of peak season, and perhaps take a Guided Tour of Barcelona so you can get a better understanding of the history and importance of Las Ramblas.
Still, at least Spain did better than France - two of Paris's most famous sights came first and second!
The top ten most disappointing tourist sights in the world are:
- The Eiffel Tower
- The Mona Lisa at the Louvre
- Times Square
- Las Ramblas
- Statue of Liberty
- Spanish Steps
- The White House
- The Pyramids
- The Brandenburg Gate
- The Leaning Tower of Pisa
What do you think of this report - do you think it's fair? Do you think another tourist attraction should have made the list? Leave a comment below!
Photo © Damian Corrigan
Further Reading
In some ways, I can understand why places with such iconic status can end up disappointing people. The Eiffel tower is an amazing feat of architecture, but some tourists end up feeling disenchanted seeing this massive hunk of metal up close. It just doesn’t feel quite as romantic as expected, waiting in a long, winding line (especially if it’s cold out) and getting in a cramped elevator to ride to the top. With the Louvre, so many people hold their breath over seeing the Mona Lisa, only to realize that the original is in a quite small format framed in glass, and not at all the imposing figure you’d expect. I always tell people to focus more on finding details they haven’t heard about yet– my first time at the Louvre, I was not particularly impressed by Mona, but completely fascinated by the museum’s medieval foundations, which alot of visitors don’t know exist. Looking for the small things can definitely prevent you from being disappointed by these legendary places…
I’ve been to eight of the ten and enjoyed them all to a greater or lesser extent, and I wouldn’t say they were disappointing as such, except maybe for the newly cleaned-up and corporate Times Square – I preferred it when it was seedy in the 70s. There are much more disappointing sites in the UK – Stonehenge, Edinburgh Castle, Buckingham Palace and Stratford on Avon all spring to mind. The key to enjoying any famous site is to visit when it’s quiet, so go out of season, very early in the morning (or late) and see it in peace.
I have been to seven of them, and to a great extent, agree with Martin. Each of them has a definite beauty of its own(even Times Sq.)which is tied together in part with its own location and history. Each must be taken with its surroundings. To “see” the Eiffel Tower is also to “travel” up into it, to appreciate it as an architectural marvel close up, and to see Paris from the top. To “see” the Tower of Piza is much the same, in visiting the adjacent awesome cathedral and baptistry. I suspect that some of these same people would be disappointed in seeing Washington Monument and Lincoln Memorial if they did not stop, go in or up to them, and appreciate the views and information which are provided with each. In other words put those two Washington icons in the middle of a Great Plains field and they would loose much of their excitement. I suspect also that the Grand Canyon would not be as breathtaking if it were in the middle of Manhattan.
LAS RAMBLAS FOOD WAS TERRIFIC. BEGGERS AND PICK POCKERS WHERE EVERYWHERE. I suggest if you go Las Ramblas Barcelona to take two wallets with you. The one with your money goes in your front pockets. The fake wallet in your back pocket. You might even write down some comments like try again. You might even put some dried poop in the second wallet. You can find poop everywhere on the side walks. Some people pick it up and some people do not. Where bluejeans makes it harder to pick your pocketS. Take only the credit card you plan on using. Leave the rest at home. Beware of anyone getting close to you
or reaching around you. Watch out for the card board lady saying she is hungry and needs money. She is scamming you. Watch out for the guy that says he lost his wallet and needs some cash to get home. He is scamming you also. LAS RAMBLAS WOULD HAVE BEEN nicer if these folks where not constantly trying to get into your wallet. Have fun!