Study Reveals World’s Worst Tourist Attraction and No. 1 is in California 

Imagine booking a flight, hailing an Uber, suffering through traffic, only to arrive at your tourist destination and be utterly disappointed.

Apparently, that happens way too often at some of the most popular tourist destinations. The folks over at Stasher have analyzed 101 of the world's most iconic landmarks using a comprehensive scoring system that combines Google Reviews ratings, average TikTok likes, distance from major airports, country safety rankings, and local accommodation quality to create an overall score out of 10 for each location.

The World's Worst Tourist Attraction Is ...

The honor (dishonor?) goes to none other than the Hollywood Walk of Fame in Hollywood, California.

The iconic landmark scored a paltry 2.67 out of 10 despite global fame and constant presence in films and TV shows.

So, why the hate?

Tourists complain about overcrowding, persistent panhandlers, a lack of genuine attractions beyond the stars on the ground, and the surrounding area's grittiness, which proves that celebrity nostalgia doesn't guarantee quality experiences.

Not to mention the amount of tourist traps in the area, from gimmicky restaurants and bars with insane prices for a drink to street performers harassing you. It's hard to fathom how out-of-towners still flock to Hollywood with the idea that they'll run into a celebrity, when that couldn't be further from the truth.

Celebrities don't pal around in this part of Hollywood. But that hasn't stopped tourists from arriving in droves.

Jacob Wedderburn-Day, a travel expert and CEO and co-founder of Stasher, says that "famous" areas don't always mean it's worthwhile. He says that some of the world's most recognized landmarks score poorly because they struggle with the basics that make travel enjoyable, such as poor public transportation.

"The Hollywood Walk of Fame is a perfect example. People imagine something glamorous based on what they've seen on screen, but the reality is often underwhelming," Wdderburn-Day says. "That doesn't mean avoid these places entirely, but research beyond the postcard image. Check recent visitor reviews, understand what you're actually getting, and decide if the logistics match your travel style. Sometimes the most famous option isn't the best option."

For context, Stasher lists Barcelona's Sagrada Familia as the world's best attraction, scoring 8.19 in its ranking of the world's best tourist attractions.

The 10 Worst Tourist Attractions Worldwide