15 Quieter Alternatives To These Crowded Attractions

It’s true that a country’s top attractions are often a must-see, but being cramped or having to push your way through a crowd to see a glimpse, or having to get up pretty early to feel comfortable while visiting, is far from what I want when I travel. Plus, visiting a country doesn’t stop at its top attractions, but also and above all (at least for me) at discovering its hidden gems.

If, like me, you’re more of an off the beaten path adventurer, here are my 15 quieter alternatives to some crowded attractions!

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1. Sainte-Chapelle instead of the Eiffel Tower

Yes, you can’t go to Paris and miss out on the Eiffel Tower, but there’s actually much more to the capital of France than the famous iron tower. Of course, as you may have guessed, it’s the number one spot all foreigners want to see as soon as they arrive, and it’s a rather crowded place, to say the least.

So if you want to see something other than the Louvre Museum, Arc de Triomphe…, perhaps you should consider a little detour to the magnificent Sainte-Chapelle, with its gothic style and dazzling, colorful stained-glass windows. By the way, it’s located right next to the famous and historic Notre-Dame de Paris Cathedral.

Pro tip: you don’t have to go to the top of the Eiffel Tower if you’re on a budget, as the rooftop terrace of Printemps Haussmann also offers great views for free!

2. Bois de la Cambre instead of the Manneken Pis

Let’s be honest, I really don’t understand the hype and crowds around the Manneken Pis, because the truth is, yes, it may be cute, but don’t let the photos fool you, because the reality is that the statue or rather statuette, is less than 60cm tall (~23inches), making it probably one of the smallest landmarks in the world.

A fountain and its little boy peeing is nice and funny, but it wouldn’t make me stop and take a thousand pictures (of course, that’s just my opinion), even my local friends are still amazed that so many tourists are interested…

Anyway, if you’re in Brussels and want to escape the craziness, Bois de la Cambre is just what you need if you’re looking for peaceful, healing nature walks and a quieter alternative to the most visited attractions.

3. Pandan Beach instead of Lempuyang Temple

If you’re looking for an Instagrammable spot where you’ll have to queue for a long time to take a faked photo (it’s not real water but a small mirror is used to get the reflection), making a beautiful place seem no longer authentic or religious, go to Lempuyang Temple or you can opt for a more hidden gem and go to Pandan Beach.

After a short hike through thick vegetation, you’ll find yourself on a secluded beach that you’re pretty sure to have all to yourself, as the path isn’t the easiest and people often prefer to stay on the nearby Crystal Bay Beach.

The truth is, you’d be surprised how many secret beaches or less-touristy temples you can still find in Bali. You just have to look for them and venture off the beaten path.

4. Parc del Guinardó instead of Parc Güell

A bit like Paris, Barcelona isn’t all Parc Güell and Gaudi, although I have to admit I’m the first to love his work, but the throng of tourists in front of the popular park, not to mention the price of the ticket, were a big deterrent for me and my budget and the fact that I knew I wouldn’t be able to enjoy the place as much as I would if there were half as many people.

And that’s why I changed my plans (with no regrets) and went to the nearby Parc del Guinardó, still wild and where you can enjoy nature, quiet and breathtaking views without the crowds.

Only 3 days in Barcelona? Click here to check out my best things to do!

5. Phra Nakhon district instead of Damnoen Saduak Floating Market

Floating markets are quite the unique activity in Bangkok, but finding one that isn’t touristy and full of souvenir stalls is getting harder. If you want to avoid that kind of experience, I’d say you can skip Damnoen Saduak Floating Market then and if you really want to visit a floating market, consider Tha Kha Floating Market, a quieter, less touristy alternative.

And if floating markets aren’t really your thing, Phra Nakhon district with its Grand Palace, Wat Phra Kaeo (Temple of the Emerald Buddha), Wat Pho… is the place to go if you want to see ancient temples, and taste delicious local food.

6. Sutton Place Park instead of Times Square

I’m sure Times Square is worth seeing at least once in your life or not, especially if, like me, crowds tend to make you anxious pretty quickly and you feel like you’re going to disappear in the midst of so many people.

Maybe that’s why one of the first places I’d love to visit if I ever find myself in the Big Apple would be the quieter alternative that is Sutton Place Park. I can totally picture myself with my lunch, a book or simply sitting on a bench watching the outlines of the magnificent Queensboro Bridge lit up by the sunset at the end of the day.

7. Venice Canals instead of the Hollywood Walk of Fame

Seeing the stars of many celebrities may be an iconic, unmissable thing to do for some, but personally, I don’t really see the point. And when you know how dirty, smelly and full of agressive peddlers the place is, you really have to wonder if simple stars on the ground are worth it.

On the contrary, if you want something more relaxing, romantic and lovely, the Venice Canals seem like a good choice. Right by the beach, more picturesque than some popular sights and surrounded by numerous shops and cafes, it looks like you can’t really get bored here.

8. Parque das Nações neighborhood instead of Tram 28

Yes, the yellow tram 28 is nice and all, but taking photos of it, in my honest opinion, is enough unless you want to queue for a long time and be crammed like sardines, especially in peak season.

If you want to discover a trendy but less crowded neighborhood, you should definitely visit Parque das Nações. Once an industrial zone, the area was transformed into a modern district after Expo 98. The pier, its various sculptures as well as its good restaurants make it a nice spot for a date or an evening by the water.

It’s also the ideal place to get away from the hustle and bustle of the city center!

On a budget? Click here to discover my top 14 things to do in Lisbon!

9. Avebury instead of Stonehenge

I’m sure Stonehenge will speak to everyone, but the simple fact that you can’t get that close to the superb megalithic stones anymore, that you have to pay a rather high fee (~$30) and that it’s often very crowded doesn’t really entice me to visit.

Especially as there are quieter alternatives like Avebury. Oh and the fact that it’s free and makes for a perfect serene stroll through a cute little village in the British countryside are just some of its advantages, of course.

10. Purnululu National Park instead of Wave Rock

I’m rarely disappointed when I travel, perhaps because I like to look on the bright side even when situations aren’t the best, or simply because I tend to be a tiny bit more optimistic abroad.
Anyway, the Wave Rock is one of those spots where I thought, yes it’s a beautiful rock formation but if you don’t know anything about geology, it can be a bit disappointing. And taking a day trip just to see it is, in my opinion, not worth it! Unless you have something else to see along the way, I recommend you skip it and opt for Purnululu National Park.

Such an underrated location, the park also known as Bungle Bungle features breathtaking gorges, gigantic palm trees and enchanting views straight out of a wasteland movie.

Looking for an Outback road trip itinerary? Click here to discover mine!

11. Lake Hāwea instead of the Wānaka Tree

There’s actually much more to Wānaka than just its famous tree, but you wouldn’t believe the number of people I saw when I lived in NZ heading to the city and surrounding area just to take a quick photo of THE tree. That’s too bad, as the area is certainly worth a trip, but I for one, couldn’t stand the crowds and decided to skip the town altogether.

And where I ended up, totally by chance, has become, I must confess, one of my favorite places in the whole country: Lake Hāwea. Peaceful, with panoramas like no other and ideal for water sports, it’s quite a paradise for all adventure lovers.

12. Marmorkirken instead of The Little Mermaid

Inspired by the fairy tale of the same name, The Little Mermaid has become a veritable Copenhagen icon, and although, at first glance, I think it’d be lovely to take a picture of it with the waterside in the background, the mere idea of seeing queues of tourists trying to get a photo with it, or even climb on the poor Little Mermaid, kind of deprives it of its charm.

Plus, I don’t think this is the best way to experience the culture of the country or the lifestyle of its inhabitants, as Copenhagen’s rich history, architecture and art are probably the real reason people want to visit. That’s why Marmorkirken or Marble Church (which isn’t, in fact, made of marble) is most likely a better idea for those looking for something more impressive and interesting to see.

For your information, you can also visit the dome, which apparently offers very nice views of the city, for ~$6.

13. Campuhan Ridge Walk instead of Ubud Monkey Forest

Ubud Monkey Forest is, well, a tourist attraction, so you have to expect to see tourists, lots of them, but if that’s all it was, I guess it would be fine, but one thing I can’t really condone is that people tend to forget that monkeys are wild animals and not pets.

So, of course,the monkeys will sometimes climb on you, especially if you have food with you. In fact, monkeys can also be a bit agressive and petty thieves, which makes the experience not so pleasant for some. And seeing monkeys eating plastic garbage left by disrespectful tourists is also far from what I want to see on my travels.

Want to avoid that? Go to the serene and beautiful Campuhan Ridge Walk. Wild, green, free and located right in the city center, it’s the kind of adventure I’d rather do in a bustling city like Ubud, where peace and quiet can sometimes be difficult to find.

Not sure what else to do in Ubud? Click here to discover 15 of my favorite activities!

14. St Dunstan in the East Church Garden instead of The London Eye

I’m sorry to say, but paying $36 (if you buy your ticket online) to take a ride on a giant Ferris wheel is just crazy for me, not to mention the huge queues you’ll enconter at its base. So, the best thing for me would be to take a nice picture of it and move on.

On the other hand, I wouldn’t mind taking refuge in St Dunstan in the East Church Garden, where I know I’ll finally be able to find the tranquility I so desperately crave after a few days spent in the busy capital.

15. Old Jameson Distillery instead of Temple Bar

If you’re a bit familiar with Dublin, you’ll know that the city is renowned for its whiskey, so it comes at no surprise that there’s a street dedicated to lively nightlife: Temple Bar. Many pubs and restaurants are lined up here, but authentic is probably not the first word that comes to mind to describe it. Often described as overpriced and full of drunk tourists, I’d say it’s unlikely you’d want to see this side of Dublin.

So why not opt for a more immersive experience at one of the country’s most famous whiskey brands, Jameson, and learn more about its history through a guided tour and tasting, while discovering the real Dublin? Oh and you can also learn how to blend your own whiskey, just saying.

Do you know or have you heard of other quieter alternatives to the most visited attractions? Feel free to share them in the comments!

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And if you’d like to see 10 alternatives to the most popular destinations, click here!

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