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Original poster

Which city break did you NOT enjoy?

466 replies

pinkfishbluefish · 05/12/2022 19:56

Where’s overrated, and why? Looking at making a 2023 travel itinerary and curious.

I wasn’t fond on Rome.

I would love to try Amsterdam but worried about safety: wouldn’t be interested in any of the ‘popular’ activities that folk do there, or the red light district. I more like the look of the food, culture, boat trips and museums.

OP posts:
Blossomtoes · 05/12/2022 22:50

Forgot Belfast - my bloke’s native city and I’ve been so many times it feels like home.

IcedPurple · 05/12/2022 22:51

I love Paris which is wasted on the French

This made me laugh!

itsnotmeitsu · 05/12/2022 22:54

@Isleoftights · Today 21:37

Preston was ok, the bus station is Grade 2 listed, and no-one tried to rob me. 😄

KevinsChilli · 05/12/2022 22:54

Been to Paris a couple of times and whilst I definitely enjoyed it more the second time I still wouldn’t rush back.

Ho Chi Minh didn’t feel safe, too much bag snatching and we went to a swanky rooftop bar but there was clearly some dodgy going ons with women working there wandering off inside with men…

Luxor, bloody loved the history but the locals are a pain and just constantly pestered and don’t feel safe.

Love New York, Rome, Barcelona (but went out of season early December, no crowds), Budapest, Berlin, Hamburg, Krakow, Split.

Going to San Francisco next year but as part of a longer trip, purposefully only staying 2 nights there as always hearing bad things about it these days.

OldWivesTale · 05/12/2022 22:55

I've been to Paris lots of times - I used to love in France - and I just can't see the appeal.

Amsterdam is gorgeous and feels safer than most cities.

KevinsChilli · 05/12/2022 22:55

Oh and loved Amsterdam!

OldWivesTale · 05/12/2022 22:58

OldWivesTale · 05/12/2022 22:55

I've been to Paris lots of times - I used to love in France - and I just can't see the appeal.

Amsterdam is gorgeous and feels safer than most cities.

  • That should say live

Also Lyon is so much better than Paris.

Rainallnight · 05/12/2022 22:59

Lisbon. Dirty, lots of beggars, got food poisoning and ended up in hospital. Hospital was extremely basic, not like anywhere in Europe.

AnyFucker · 05/12/2022 22:59

Seville seems to be universally loved < licks pencil tip >

honeyfox · 05/12/2022 22:59

Budapest and Barcelona, and I've been twice to both.

Canthave2manycats · 05/12/2022 23:01

batchainpuller · 05/12/2022 22:50

There always is on these threads!

I live in Dublin, so maybe I’ve low expectations 😉 but I’ve never been anywhere I’ve hated. I love cities and the grit and grime. Shocked that someone said the only place to see in Dublin was the Guinness storehouse though? And that a pint is €12. Oh and that it’s provincial!

Show quote history

I don't get this either? I love a wee Dublin trip!

I've never been anywhere I've hated either. There's something to see or do wherever you go! Some people are very picky. I just love to see new places or re-visit favourites!

I love London (lived there for a while), Paris, New York, Madrid, Malaga, Seville, York, Newcastle on Tyne, Edinburgh, Galway, Cork. I liked Lisbon too but it's been many years since I was there. Faro was nice for shopping but never spent more than a few hours there. Re Paris, I speak some French (I have a degree from about 100 years ago!!!!), and I have always found Parisians very encouraging. I think they like it when an English speaking person tries to speak to them in their own language.

earsup · 05/12/2022 23:02

Paris...pretty but dull
Istanbul....got poisoned from refilled mineral water....vomitted for days....landed at gatwick and straight to hospital....and it was freezing...but city was ok...
Barcelona is fab....i lived there for years but so much bag snatching and pick pocketing now...we tharted a bag grab on the airport train....alerted the people...!

NewToWoo · 05/12/2022 23:05

Onestepforwards2back · 05/12/2022 20:18

Paris and New York were a disappointment for me. Would have really loved to have enjoyed both.

Same here. I lived and worked in Paris in my twenties and adored it. Took DC, expecting to love it. It was aggressively expensive (four pounds for a can of Coke from a tiny kiosk outside Musee d'orsay ten years ago!) The Parisians are so rude to tourists (never got that when I clearly worked there - always very friendly.) And there's nowhere to relax. In London on a hot day you have all the parks and squares and bits down by the river. Paris is harsher and duller in comparison.

Felt similar about New York. Found myself thinking - meh. Meh to the Highline - long dull walk with bits of grass. Meh to the food - eye wateringly expensive pap. Meh to the rigid streets of glass canyons so you can't wander and relax and explore, just march down block after block. I wouldn't hurry back.

IAmIngrid · 05/12/2022 23:05

Absolutely adored Rome, it was blissful.

Florence was incredibly boring, don't get the hype.

And Dublin was literally the worst place I've ever been in my life. Had to go back for work a few years later still the nightmare I'd first encountered. Would not go back there if you paid me, filthy and awful.

Suburbanqueen · 05/12/2022 23:05

Prague!

dontlookgottalook · 05/12/2022 23:05

Milan. Locals were incredibly hostile.
Paris - threatening and the contrary to popular belief, the shopping is not great.

Hoolihan · 05/12/2022 23:05

I don't think I've ever hated anywhere. I did find people a bit rude in Paris though.

I've just got back from a weekend in Malaga and it was WONDERFUL. Amazing weather, great food, cheap and loads to do but still compact enough to walk everywhere. Would be hot as hell in summer though.

ErinAndTonic · 05/12/2022 23:07

New Orleans.. total dump! 😆

Felt really uncomfortable on occasion in the evenings too

TrashyPanda · 05/12/2022 23:09

London - dirty, overcrowded and full of rude people. Never feel safe there.

ErinAndTonic · 05/12/2022 23:09

Oh and Munich.. but thats more because we almost got arrested for illegally using the subway (unintentionally) and had a horrible experience with some scammy types threatening us for money.

Cops ended up giving us a lift home in the end and apologising, so all was not lost!

ronaldthecat · 05/12/2022 23:10

Love: Krakow, Prague, Amsterdam & Istanbul

Hate: Dublin, Belfast, Berlin & New York

London will always be my favourite though.

dontlookgottalook · 05/12/2022 23:11

Glasgow is a fabulous city.

RisingSunn · 05/12/2022 23:14

Bruges
New York.
Houston

JoyfulGirl · 05/12/2022 23:16

Honestly the only city I absolutely hate is London.

Cheshiresun · 05/12/2022 23:16

Monaco - found it boring, concrete jungle. Limerick - boring but not overcrowded. Dublin - crowded, dirty at the time and got ripped off.