Bangkok, Tokyo and Toronto among the World’s Most Overrated Cities according to recent study

A recent study has found that certain popular cities are not be as fabulous as we might think.

While many people devise a bucket list packed with travel destinations and sights they feel they ought to visit at some point in their lives, often the ultimate experiences are not so special after all.

Data analysts selected the top 85 tourist destinations for investigation to uncover cities that are not really worth visiting, based on reviews left online by visitors, on sites such as TripAdvisor.

They reviewed tens of thousands of ratings for the 85 most popular destinations worldwide, along with their top 20 most rated sights and attractions. In particular, the experts analysed the ratio of 5 and 4-star ratings to 3, 2, and 1-star ratings. This approach yielded a figure representing the number of people disappointed by a travel destination and resulted in a helpful list of the World’s Most Overrated Cities.

According to tourist ratings, destinations such as Auckland, Tokyo, Dubai, Amsterdam, Las Vegas, Seoul, and others fall short of expectations.

Bangkok, Thailand, retains the title as one of the World’s Most Overrated Cities with 18.4% of tourists expressing disappointment in their visit there.

Top 3 Most Overrated Cities According to Online Reviews

01. Bangkok, Thailand

For the second consecutive year, the Thai capital retains its position as the top overrated city, with the percentage of dissatisfied tourists rising from 16.6% in 2023 to 18.4% in 2024. According to online reviews, Bangkok is synonymous with overcrowding and murky river waters. Even the renowned street food fails to impress reviewers, with dishes like Boat Noodles and Pad Thai, though affordable, lacking in quality for non-locals.

02. Toronto, Canada 

Oddly, 16.8% of tourists felt disappointed with Toronto, its most disappointing attraction being the CN Tower. Toronto has experienced a notable shift in perception among tourists, earning the unfortunate distinction of being the second most overrated city in 2024. This sudden decline is unprecedented, with its ranking plummeting from 36th place in the previous year. Once celebrated as a vibrant destination, Toronto now faces criticism largely centered on its iconic CN Tower. Grievances include its steep pricing and frustratingly long queues, tarnishing the experience for those expecting panoramic views of the city.

03. Tokyo, Japan

Tokyo, the Asian mega-metropolis renowned for seamlessly blending ancient culture with cutting-edge technology and the kawaii lifestyle, has long been a favourite among tourists. From the bustling streets of Shibuya to the serene gardens of the Imperial Palace, Tokyo offers something for everyone. However, despite its charm, Tokyo has recently ascended several ranks to claim a spot in the top three most overrated cities worldwide. According to the latest analysis of online reviews, one in six tourists leaves the city disappointed.

Particularly disappointing is the statue of the Akita dog Hachiko, renowned for his unwavering loyalty to his deceased owner, located outside Tokyo’s Shibuya Station. It appears that this heartwarming tale may not resonate as strongly with Western tourists, which contributes to their lukewarm reception of Tokyo’s attractions.

Click here to read the full study and its results but here are some of the more interesting findings.