5 Most Disappointing Cities to Visit

We've been fortunate to visit many great cities around the world. However, here are 5 cities that I found underwhelming, for different reasons. We still enjoyed ourselves but there was just something lacking

[@mukkaar]

As someone from Finland, yeah. Compared to many capitals Helsinki is pretty boring. Love living there and there's plenty to do as local, but aside from some places in Lapland, Finland isn't really made for tourists. And due to lower population/tourism, there also isn't very many major expensive stand out attractions and whatnot. It's also not medieval historic wonderland. So yeah, most people probably don't find it that interesting. Though, Turku could be pretty interesting for Tourists. Especially if you are visiting Stockholm, take ferry cruise, which is also pretty neat, and do day trip there.

[@dazeouttravel]

Great insights, thank you. I imagine some of the scenery in Finland, especially in the north, is spectacular. Helsinki was pleasant enough to walk around for a few hours and we found the harbour and cathedrals impressive but not sure we could have stretched it out to a few days.

[@Aman1nFull]

I won't pretend Helsinki is as exciting as Berlin or Prague but I think it definitely is more exciting than Tallinn, which is just a booze destination, and on a par with Stockholm. I think the main mistake is to stick to the area by the harbour and the two cathedrals. Of course, you need to know where to look: go kayaking in the Helsinki archipelago and gaze at the extravagant villas perched on the shore, or if you have the stamina you could even paddle to Suomenlinna, an 18th century seafortress built by the Swedes. You can also go to a sauna in vanhakaupunkilahti bay that is run by volunteers and free of charge, admire a mix of jugendstil, neoclassical, and national romantic architecture in Kallio and Kruununhakka that is unrivalled, or visit the National Gallery to admire the greatest Finnish paintings from the 1800s and early 1900s. And then there is the Mannerheim museum located in Mannerheim's childhood house. And for the clubbers and barhoppers there is enough to do in Kallio.

[@dazeouttravel]

Appreciate the tips, super helpful if we return. So good to get some insider knowledge as those hidden or quirky things to do can make the difference.

[@guydreamr]

Another thing about Bangkok and Thailand in general is that the population is actually quite hostile to foreigners and outsiders in general. I was there for three months in 2010 and let's just say I'll never darken Thailand's door again.

[@AbstractEntityJ]

I would agree about LA, having been there. It is overhyped as hell. The Getty Museum is really the only thing worth a damn there if you're an adult, and maybe some of the other art museums too. I haven't been to Helsinki, but from what I've heard of it, what you're saying is probably accurate. Ottawa and Brussels I have been to and I'd somewhat disagree about. Bangkok, not sure. Never been, and I don't have much knowledge on Southeast Asia.

[@dazeouttravel]

Appreciate the insights. Great to get other people's experiences of different cities as there are so many things that can shape or skew our perceptions. Thanks.

[@DrLaurelWeaver]

I would say almost every city in USA is very disappointing. They are dirty, hard to navigate, awful public transit, you need a car to get anywhere, too many damn parking lots ruin the aesthetics, modern architecture is boring, expensive for no particular reason. too many chains also take away from anything that can resemble local culture. I will say Boston and DC were very cool cities.