Some famous landmarks are worth the hefty entry fees and long lines that you have to endure to see them. Others are better swapped for a more convenient (and impressive) alternative. While some travelers argue that the Eiffel Tower is not worth a visit, and others claim that there’s much more to New York City than the Empire State Building, we have rounded up a list of the most popular tourist attractions that you could totally miss. Check them out below!
Swap The Blarney Stone For The Shandon Bells Of St. Anne’s Church
There are lots of reasons why Ireland is worth traveling to in 2020. One of them is that there are so many landmarks and points of interest to see, but some are more worth visiting than others. The Blarney Stone in County Cork is one of the most famous attractions in the country, but most travelers will tell you that it’s not worth it. Particularly when you hear that locals who are tired of tourists have been known to urinate on the stone as a prank before hordes of tourists kiss it
Instead, visit St. Anne’s Church in Cork city and ring the Shandon Bells at the top of the tower.
This is a much more hygienic and less crowded interactive experience, and the view you’ll get over the city is amazing.
Swap The Hollywood Walk Of Fame For The Hollywood Forever Cemetery
Most people can’t visit Hollywood without checking out the Walk of Fame. While it costs nothing to walk along Hollywood Boulevard and see the stars of your favorite celebrities, it’s also pretty underwhelming. The real Hollywood is anything but glitzy, and most travelers will end up being disappointed when they’re heckled on the street and harassed into buying overpriced souvenirs.
To pay homage to your favorite stars, you’re better off visiting the moody Hollywood Forever Cemetery, where figures like Rudolph Valentino and Mel Blanc are buried. The cemetery itself also hosts festivals and concerts and is a beautiful place to simply walk around in.
Swap The London Eye For Sky Garden
We won’t lie to you: the London Eye does boast terrific views of the English capital. But there are also plenty of other places around the city where you can take in other spectacular views, often without the entrance fee or the long lines. Luckily for those who are a little claustrophobic and don’t want to be stuck in a capsule for half an hour, there are alternatives like Sky Garden.
Situated in London’s historic financial district, the rooftop garden sits atop the ‘Walkie-Talkie’ building and is one of the best free views in London. You do have to pay (quite a lot) to eat and drink there, but you are also allowed to just stop in for free photos (as long as you book a time slot in advance).
Swap Checkpoint Charlie For The Berlin War Memorial
Berlin is a haven for history-lovers and Checkpoint Charlie is one of the remaining relics from the Cold War period that most tourists automatically flock to. Although interesting, Checkpoint Charlie isn’t the best attraction if you’d like to really learn about the Berlin Wall and get a feel for what life was like in Berlin during this time.
The Berlin Wall Memorial stands in Bernauerstrasse on the former location of the Wall’s death strip. Here, you’ll find the last piece of the original Wall that’s complete with the ground around it. The surrounding area features monuments and exhibitions documenting the local history.
Swap The Mona Lisa For The Great Sphinx Of Tanis
The Mona Lisa is easily the most famous painting in the Louvre and one of the primary attractions that draw people to Paris. But the reality of visiting is often marked by huge crowds of people pushing to catch a glimpse of a painting that is much smaller than you were imagining.
Luckily, the Louvre has plenty of other treasures that are much more impressive and less crowded. One of the sights that you must see in the Louvre is the Great Sphinx of Tanis, which was excavated in 1825 from the Temple of Amun ruins at Tanis. The sculpture is believed to date back to 2600 BC.