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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

What place/city would you never visit that others love?

271 replies

MoverOva · 28/04/2026 11:12

Paris and New York for me. They don't appeal at all. Not just the amount of tourists but when I've seen of them on tv and videos they don't look attractive. I'm open to being told I'm wrong. I don't like London but would visit if I had to. I've been a few times for shows and sport etc. I always feel grubby after a visit.
I do like some cities. Favourites are Edinburgh and Barcelona. Barcelona is rife with pickpockets though so you have to be on your guard.

My ideal holiday is walking in the lakes but I still enjoy the odd city break.

So is there anywhere that is popular that doesn't appeal to you?

OP posts:
Jaddf · 29/04/2026 13:20

The cities look so lovely!

LostThestral · 29/04/2026 13:19

There isn't anywhere I wouldn't go - even a bad holiday is a memorable holiday

Jaddf · 29/04/2026 13:16

Gonnagetgoingreturnsagain · 29/04/2026 13:13

Why ffs? are you Muslim?

Show quote history

No. Hindu.

Gonnagetgoingreturnsagain · 29/04/2026 13:13

Jaddf · 29/04/2026 13:12

I do want to visit Riyadh and Jeddah

Why ffs? are you Muslim?

Jaddf · 29/04/2026 13:12

I do want to visit Riyadh and Jeddah

nois · 29/04/2026 13:11

the UAE, Turkey, Australia, South Africa,

TamarindCottage · 29/04/2026 13:10

Las Vegas and Dubai. No thank you

Beeswacks · 29/04/2026 13:10

Having been once, Edinburgh. I hated it, very weird vibe and hugely unwelcoming. I wouldn’t go if I was paid to go!

Gonnagetgoingreturnsagain · 29/04/2026 13:09

Not sure if others love it but Saudi Arabia. I’m sure it’s lovely.

luckylavender · 29/04/2026 13:09

Japan, Australia, NZ, Canada, South Africa

Jaddf · 29/04/2026 13:07

I find Edinburgh safer than London

Original poster
MoverOva · 29/04/2026 13:00

BoredZelda · 29/04/2026 12:55

That’s ok. You aren’t “meh” about it. That would make it terrible. It’s a statement piece, it’s iconic, and that’s what architecture for these sorts of buildings should be about. We had no suitable old buildings for it, I’d rather what we have, than a simple concrete and glass box.

Have you been in it?

Show quote history

No I'll be honest I haven't. Maybe one day?

OP posts:
BoredZelda · 29/04/2026 12:55

MoverOva · 29/04/2026 12:41

Nope not convinced. Still hate it.

Show quote history

That’s ok. You aren’t “meh” about it. That would make it terrible. It’s a statement piece, it’s iconic, and that’s what architecture for these sorts of buildings should be about. We had no suitable old buildings for it, I’d rather what we have, than a simple concrete and glass box.

Have you been in it?

BoredZelda · 29/04/2026 12:53

AlcoholicAntibiotic · 29/04/2026 11:27

I like both Edinburgh and London, but I find Edinburgh much more dirty and polluted. Perhaps it’s that the centre is all crammed into a smaller space.

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Hard disagree here. The statistics don’t bear this out at all. Nor does my experience.

There isn’t a lot of traffic in the centre of Edinburgh, not compared to traffic in most areas of London. Like London, Edinburgh’s low emission zones make a huge difference. The public transport is moving towards electric, with nearly half the bus fleet being all electric, and the remainder are low emissions.

There are plenty of negatives in Edinburgh, “more dirty and polluted” than any other UK city isn’t one of them.

Original poster
MoverOva · 29/04/2026 12:41

BoredZelda · 29/04/2026 12:40

This is a crazy take. Edinburgh has some fantastic buildings, both new and old. Scottish Parliament, love it or hate it, does what good architecture is supposed to. It’s attention to detail, use of sight lines for motifs, the usability of the building, nothing is done by accident. Like any good art, it stimulates conversation and debate. It sits in an area surrounded by old buildings and new.

Any city which decides only old buildings are important, is not doing what cities should. Places need to evolve, architecture evolves to meet the modern day. Frankly there are some buildings in Edinburgh which do not serve the users at all well, but we keep them because they are old. Preserving history is vital, but allowing a city to work well for its users is also important. I think Edinburgh does this generally very well, but Glasgow has a far less sentimental view on life and strives for improvement and function rather than heritage for its own sake. Both cities have their own unique brand of beauty.

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Nope not convinced. Still hate it.

OP posts:
BoredZelda · 29/04/2026 12:40

MoverOva · 28/04/2026 13:07

Yes old buildings are fabulous. I was so upset when they built the parliament building in Edinburgh. I visited a few times as it was being built.

Show quote history

This is a crazy take. Edinburgh has some fantastic buildings, both new and old. Scottish Parliament, love it or hate it, does what good architecture is supposed to. It’s attention to detail, use of sight lines for motifs, the usability of the building, nothing is done by accident. Like any good art, it stimulates conversation and debate. It sits in an area surrounded by old buildings and new.

Any city which decides only old buildings are important, is not doing what cities should. Places need to evolve, architecture evolves to meet the modern day. Frankly there are some buildings in Edinburgh which do not serve the users at all well, but we keep them because they are old. Preserving history is vital, but allowing a city to work well for its users is also important. I think Edinburgh does this generally very well, but Glasgow has a far less sentimental view on life and strives for improvement and function rather than heritage for its own sake. Both cities have their own unique brand of beauty.

WhatAboutSecondBreakfast86 · 29/04/2026 12:37

MoverOva · 29/04/2026 12:28

Ok London is fabulous can't wait to go back. You coming @WhatAboutSecondBreakfast86 ? Or shall I meet you on the train to Edinburgh? 😉

Sounds perfect!

Original poster
MoverOva · 29/04/2026 12:28

Ok London is fabulous can't wait to go back. You coming @WhatAboutSecondBreakfast86 ? Or shall I meet you on the train to Edinburgh? 😉

OP posts:
WhatAboutSecondBreakfast86 · 29/04/2026 11:29

Jaddf · 29/04/2026 11:26

And London has more. More parks, museums, art galleries. More places to eat. A wide variety of cuisines and food to try.

More opportunity. More things happening. Great place to build a career.

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Sometimes less is more 😉

AlcoholicAntibiotic · 29/04/2026 11:27

MoverOva · 29/04/2026 10:55

I know I never feel this in Edinburgh. But when I've had to visit Central London and cleansed my skin at night it's been so dirty. I've been to cities all over the world, lots in the US and never experienced it.

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I like both Edinburgh and London, but I find Edinburgh much more dirty and polluted. Perhaps it’s that the centre is all crammed into a smaller space.

Jaddf · 29/04/2026 11:26

WhatAboutSecondBreakfast86 · 29/04/2026 10:45

To be fair, London is a filthy city, Lots of cities have nice parks and museums etc.

Show quote history

And London has more. More parks, museums, art galleries. More places to eat. A wide variety of cuisines and food to try.

More opportunity. More things happening. Great place to build a career.

Original poster
MoverOva · 29/04/2026 11:07

WhatAboutSecondBreakfast86 · 29/04/2026 10:57

There is a reason people call it 'The Big Smoke'
Last time I was there I was only travelling through and what I blew out of my nose that night came out black 😳
Always wanted to visit Edinburgh, it looks beautiful.

Edited
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Oh Edinburgh is my spiritual home. You have to go. If you aren't easily creeped out go in the vaults. You can feel the history. It's sad though but such an interesting experience. The castle is fantastic but expensive to visit. Arthur's seat is a must if you are ok mobility wise. The hop on hop off bus tour is a great way to see lots.
Oh I feel a trip coming on. I have family living there so that's a good enough reason to visit.

OP posts:
WhatAboutSecondBreakfast86 · 29/04/2026 10:57

MoverOva · 29/04/2026 10:55

I know I never feel this in Edinburgh. But when I've had to visit Central London and cleansed my skin at night it's been so dirty. I've been to cities all over the world, lots in the US and never experienced it.

Show quote history

There is a reason people call it 'The Big Smoke'
Last time I was there I was only travelling through and what I blew out of my nose that night came out black 😳
Always wanted to visit Edinburgh, it looks beautiful.

Original poster
MoverOva · 29/04/2026 10:55

WhatAboutSecondBreakfast86 · 29/04/2026 10:45

To be fair, London is a filthy city, Lots of cities have nice parks and museums etc.

Show quote history

I know I never feel this in Edinburgh. But when I've had to visit Central London and cleansed my skin at night it's been so dirty. I've been to cities all over the world, lots in the US and never experienced it.

OP posts:
WhatAboutSecondBreakfast86 · 29/04/2026 10:45

Jaddf · 29/04/2026 10:32

But you don't live in a city, and it'll never have what London has

Show quote history

To be fair, London is a filthy city, Lots of cities have nice parks and museums etc.

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