The Biggest Tourist Traps in Italy

[@debbiedennison]

While the gondolas in Venice are expensive and touristy, we thought it was interesting/sobering to be at water level and see the effects of rising water. Homes where the original first floors are now under water. Our gondolier was 3rd generation and took us around smaller canals. Might not do it again but felt it was worth the money for the experience.

[@theoldar]

Staying in Sorento is a wonderful way to explore the entire area. Plus at the end of the day you stay in a place that knows how to take care of tired tourists!

[@filippo2806]

I was born and live in Pisa myself. Pisa is a small city, and although I don't agree with the fact that the leaning tower is a tourist trap, he is right about the fact that the church next to it is more rich of history and fascinating, and if you don't have much time spending half a day in Pisa and half in Lucca is actually a good idea (although it will be quite tiring because in both cities there are many things to see if you want to live them fully). if you're coming to Pisa after seeing the tower and the Campo dei Miracoli I suggest you to visit the city center and the Cavalieri Square. from there it will take you like 40 minutes doing the Main Street to the train station!

[@kdonor]

My 14 year old daughter and I appreciated seeing Fibonacci's grave and also the church in Pisa near the tower.

[@kerrineilson597]

Pisa is misunderstood if all you are doing is taking a picture. The reason that I returned for a second time is because the climb is so unique and so fun. Walking up a leaning tower is such a strange wonderful sensation. I wouldn’t miss it!!!!!

[@MartinBaltuhin]

I agree, Pisa is very cool place, also Marina Di Pisa

[@peterhedberg9528]

Of course I had a gondola ride in Venice. No regrets at all.

[@paulkoza8652]

Mark, you hit a home run on this one! One you may have left out (along with the Venice gondolas) is the Blue Grotto on Capri. I did it and I'm glad I did, but it was the off season so not too crowded. It was a once in a lifetime because although I love Capri, I'd never do it again! But, I'd definitely return to Capri! I think your key take away is that if you stray off the beaten path, whether it is a few blocks, or a few towns away from the major cities, you will find the true Italy. Do your homework well before you leave. The other piece of advice is that if you only have 7 - 10 days, don't try to take in the entire country. Pick one or two regions and thoroughly see them. My friend and I spent a month there two years ago in April. We pretty much took in the entire north of the country, but I did my research and we really saw the true Italy. Get yourself one or two good guidebooks, watch KZbin channels such as yours, and you won't go wrong. Thanks for all of your helpful advice.

[@TMD3453]

Like that it’s ok to do some trappy things just because.

[@deaf830]

The whole Italy is a tourist trap and I love being trapped there.

[@caramia4789]

Yeah I came to Italy a few years ago and been trapped here ever since. Love it!

[@lehatmaker]

I had such a strange experience in Pisa. My sister and I got our pictures and climbed the tower - which is a super weird and interesting feeling. We explored the baptistry which was cool. But then we ate possibly the worst pizza I’ve ever had (my own fault for going to a place right next to the tower). We had a good laugh about it afterward and followed with an amazing night in Florence. I did the gondola and the glass factory in Venice - neither were worth it, in my opinion. It was much more fun to explore and find hidden gems. This is great advice. I learned a lot on my first trip to Italy that I wish I’d known before I went. Now, 4 trips later, it seems crazy that I didn’t know this before. Thank you for all your great videos! ❤️🇮🇹

[@sl4193]

"if you don't pay them you'll get to see how they pillaged Carthage" - a serious point about a potential tourist trap but I burst out laughing. Thank you Mark for seasoning your great practical travel advice with humour.

[@IndigobluBeauty]

Just got back from Italy last Sunday. I did do the gondola ride- 30 minutes 90 euros- no singing. I enjoyed it but yes its a tourist trap. Pictures on the menu and foods from ‘all over Italy’ are definitely tourist trap signs - i did food tours in rome, florence and venice that all focused on the local cuisines and places locals go to Rome my favorite pasta was amatriciana (sp?) - perfectly al dente; florence it was riboletta and the beef pepper dish (i cant remember the name) and venice it was the bites of food on bread (I cant remember the name). Also had wines favored to the regions. A very enjoyable trip! Ciao!

[@robertcapek2425]

I think your beef pepper dish was peposo. I've had one in Lucca.

[@EA-tx8ef]

I think you're referring to Cicchetti for the tiny sandwiches served in bacari in Venezia

[@IndigobluBeauty]

@@EA-tx8ef yes thats exactly what they are! Thank you - very delicious

[@IndigobluBeauty]

@@robertcapek2425 i looked that up and yes that’s what it was. Peppery goodness. Im going to try to make it at some point

[@doc7440]

Ribollita is really good and Peposo or Peposo toscano all'impruneta ( the beef pepper dish i suppose ) is really good too

[@itravelwisely]

Love your videos Walter! Just so happens I'll be visiting Italy in a couple of months here so this is gold for me.

[@woltersworld]

Awesome! Have a great trip!!

[@sunflowerfields4409]

I love Italy and the next time I go there, I may never come home. 💜 Such a beautiful country.

[@multiyapples]

Thanks for the info wolters world.

[@my3bb879]

You should 100% go to Lanciano in the Abruzzo region. It’s such a nice small town with amazing people

[@MercenaryTX]

Top of my bucket list. Need to hit Italy in April for our anniversary. Instilled travel bug in my kids. Son on a flight to Guatemala as we speak.

[@YakAttack915]

My wife and I are planning to trip in the fall to Italy, I appreciate all the insights

[@TheBexi]

Verona has a lot of "Juliette's balconies." Just pick the one you think is prettiest. Also ask locals where they like to vacation. We wanted to do the Amalfi coast but we asked where Italians love and they all recommended Ischia. So it's less Americany and yes, still expensive, but not like the places expecting a ton of Americans

[@THillick]

Exactly!!! Get off the main drag. Walk until you see laundry hanging above the street. Hopefully find a place w/o a menu on a sandwich board outside the door. Do this and you may get lucky and find a young lady seating and serving, her daughter at the register and a nonna hand making your pasta... Eat where the local eat. It's better in every way.

[@karlgarnett7445]

Thanks for the information as I'm on a cruise and will be there in August. So, Thanks again.

[@meissoun]

Instead of taking a gondola, we went on a stand-up paddle tour through the canals in a small guided group. This was the absolute highlight of my visit to Venice! It helps if you have prior experience SUPing. No special clothing required since you are definitely not planning on falling into the dirty water....

[@michaelgirvine]

Good list but my favorite tips came from Rick Steves. If they have pictures on the signs outside the restaurant, it's a tourist trap. Italians, or locals in any part of the world, know what their traditional dishes look like, tourists do not. That and do not eat in the piazza's, go a block or three away.

[@lucacreddo5689]

I'm italian and I have to say that the Cappuccino thing is completely overrated. Yes; Cappuccino in Italy is a morning drink; but there is no problem if you would like to order it in the afternoon. Italians also drink Cappuccino in the afternoon sometimes, especially in winter.

[@luis16467]

YES well said. People just dislike it as an accompaniment to a savoury meal.

[@dennischiapello7243]

That's great to know! Thank you! I've been to Italy several times and always blend in as a native--until I they hear me try to speak Italian, that is. But I've never been able to adapt to the "prohibition" against afternoon Cappuccino, and in the future I will order it casually and confidently! A bit of caffe sprezzatura, if you will.

[@jonaseichelberger4895]

I got married in Positano last year. I think it is the most beautiful place

[@meganbrown2449]

Love it!! Planning a trip to Paris and Rome with young kids!! Love all the tips!! So glad I found your channel!!!

[@TMD3453]

Love it! Good advice per usual. It’s Ok to do some tourist traps anyway!

[@manilograniglia]

Ciao from Italy 🇮🇹

[@anna.rrrrrr]

Pisa is definitely a must but for 1 day, it’s really small. I would suggest their ships museum, it’s unique. I wouldn’t agree about cappuccino. Great video with legit tips! ❤

[@douglewis7067]

What you said here correlates with what we saw when we went on our honeymoon in Italy. The only thing I felt really burned by was the Gondolas in Venice. Don't be surprised if you're shelling out $100+ for a 10 minute ride if you don't negotiate. We did also notice that the food facing attractions was overpriced and bad, but walking 2 blocks in any direction unlocked local restaurants that were amazing every time.

[@TripHacksDC]

The tour group size thing is a big issue. Tours start to deteriorate in quality once you exceed about a dozen and definitely once you exceed 15 per guide. There are lots of companies in Italy advertising "small group" up to 20 or 25 guests. Not great.

[@TheBourbonWrench]

Our hotel in Venice offered a boat ride thru the canals and around the island. Was longer, saw more, and cheaper.

[@hoytoy100]

Went to Rome with family in February several years ago. It was great!! No lines, good weather, cheap hotels. Get a guide and glide into the sights and learn from a certified pro.

[@nicholasarrow2443]

Leaning tower of Pisa - in the daytime, such a crowd it’s like being at a football match. Go late at night, you’ll have it to yourself. Choose a full moon, go with your beloved, it’s the most romantic spot on earth.

[@magnificus8581]

Could not agree more about Pisa!

[@tobiojo6469]

Hey Mark, great video

[@renferal5290]

I'm off to Rome in a few months and I am really trying to learn more Italian so I do better then when I was in Florence.

[@manueltasser6323]

as someone who's currently in rome: book the attractions beforehand (i think mark said that in one of his videos) and make sure to be there on time because otherwise you have to pay it again. Wish you a nice trip!

[@DrVVVinK]

Pisa is like Bridgeport, CT of Italy. If you ever been to Bridgeport, CT, you know what I am talking about.

[@slopermarco]

I don't know Bridgeport so I will refrain from any comments. Regarding Pisa, this may be less popular/nice than other Tuscan cities such as Florence, Siena or Lucca, but it certainly CANNOT be defined as a "tourist trap". It is a city that is more than 2k years old. The Leaning Tower, as well as the cathedral, the baptistery and the entire square complex, dates back to the 12th century and it's an UNESCO world heritage site. It's history. How can history be defined as a "tourist trap"? It's not a restaurant!

[@slopermarco]

@@Elatenl I am triggered and I feel obliged to reply because, knowing Mark's expertise, I am surprised that on this occasion he confused a "tourist place" like Pisa and its Leaning Tower for a "tourist trap" as can be an overpriced fast food disguised as a typical local restaurant or an organized sightseeing tour where at the end you are sold some pots. 😒

[@Suomilady88]

Thank you Mark, this is very helpful. I'm planning to go to Italy in mid or late May 🇮🇹 Do you know any hidden gems in Italy where tourists don't go so much?

[@kdonor]

If you go to Pisa, I recommend going to the cemetery within the square. You have to buy tickets but they're not very costly. We went so that we could see Fibonacci's grave. It was very special.

[@adi91216]

Waiting for you to visit the UAE and do videos on the countries in the Arabian gulf.

[@Rick-sm5xf]

For Pisa we mostly just flew in and out of there. On the way out we stayed a wonderful little boutique hotel with a nice restaurant in it. Late in the day we did the leaning tower. No crowds but throngs selling silly stuff. Ignored them. My stomach had been on the fritz. At the hotel restaurant I complained that the soups of the region seemed to have the consistency of pasta sauce. I needed fluid. They poached the fish my travel companion had and made me a wonderful broth. The guys at that hotel were the BEST. I would bet the rooms were small but it did not matter. I wish I could remember the name of this little hotel.

[@liukize]

Come to visit Brescia!

[@blogauthor3375]

Pisa is more than the leaning tower. Worth a half day. Lucca is worth a week or more

[@addie-eileenpaige6460]

The gladiator guys wanting payment for pictures reminds me of the characters in Times Square. I know that they always just want the money, so they'll demand it if you stop for a photo op. In fact, I went there last year with a friend of mine. I tried to convince him to keep walking, but he fell into their clutches.

[@ericcherveny5195]

I hear a lot about over tourism and scams in Rome. I'm just starting my travel life. I'm going to Japan in May and wanted to do Italy next, especially Rome. Do you think it's worth it or maybe move it down the list and try other countries first?

[@luke211286]

Love the leaning tower so much? Go to Bologna. You get to take photos of the two of it, and it is even older and more attractive (imo) than the one in Pisa. Lucca is amazing as well, and I haven't seen any "tourist trap" restaurant on my trip there. The tordelli ragù is to die for

[@alessandrom7181]

Two different stuff btw. Pisa tower is a design masterpiece, Bologna's ones can be older but they are just regular towers with no special design you have tons in Italy.

[@dennischiapello7243]

I spent 3 weeks in Bologna in 2002 and climbed one of the towers partway. (Only one is--or was--open to the public.) It was rather nerve-wracking, especially since the wooden stairs have been worn smooth as glass over the centuries. Anyway, I turned around when images of the then very recent WTC collapse invaded my mind. Bologna in general is a great place to visit, if you want to avoid rampant tourism. I chose to go there because on my first trip to Italy a few years previous, I had scarce opportunity to practice my Italian; everyone spoke English to me. That wasn't the case in Bologna, and my Italian really improved!

[@Tramptraveller]

❤❤❤❤

[@user-ol2nk1wx9x]

1) taormina is definitely the amalfi of sicily, especially considering how non-touristy most of sicily is. 2) I don't know if I've ever really seen a place that *won't* serve you milky coffees after noon, they'll just look at you super disappointed/weirded out/insulted/eye-rolly 😅

[@joelaw13]

I'd say seeing places serving a full eggs and bacon type breakfast is usually a tourist trap. Not a traditional Italian breakfast! Not that the restaurant is necessarily a bad place to eat, but it's almost definitely geared towards tourists and not locals

[@mars8378]

Thank you so much! The pay thing about the centurions made me laugh because that’s what the mascots do if you visit time square in NYC 😭 (or at least they did when I lived there haha). Glad to see that no matter where you go, people will try to dress up and scam tourists lol- humanity’s great equalizer.

[@travelvideos]

If you want to take a gondola in Venice, take a traghetto (ferry gondola) for 2 euros or something.

[@Blaziken36]

Video on biggest tourist traps in Vatican City next?

[@Chrisb8s]

To be honest all of Rome feels like a tourist trap. From the trevi fountain to the the Spanish steps. You almost feel like it Disneyland. From attraction to attraction. Not that you don’t want to go and you Can find great food and service. You just have to work a little harder to find it than in some other parts of Italy

[@slopermarco]

I wonder how works dating back to the 18th century such as the Trevi Fountain and the Spanish Steps can be defined as "tourist traps". Not to mention the Tower of Pisa which dates back to the 12th century. Italy is not a fake Disneyland, but authentic history. And authentic history can NEVER be a "tourist trap".

[@slopermarco]

@@Elatenl I completely agree that those 4 street artists (sometimes "extortionists") dressed as Centurions at the Colosseum may not be the maximum for the city's decorum, but in my humble opinion they are still too few to define the whole of Rome as "Disneyland". Would you call NY "The Carnival City" just because of those 4 goofy cosplayers dressed as cartoons you find in Times Square? 🙂

[@Chrisb8s]

I know, it's not that. it's the feeling you get when you walk from Piazza Navona over to Trevi Fountain and on to the Spanish steps with the Hoards of people.. it's just hard to appreciate and enjoy. @@slopermarco

[@Chrisb8s]

And, to be honest I just enjoyed being in 'smaller' towns in italy. and enjoying the history and people and food @@slopermarco

[@cmcb7230]

This is true anywhere you go but pay attention to the change you get back when buying anything. 2009 my wife paid for food or something from a restaurant at the smaller airport in Rome. She paid with a 50 euro bill and got the change back as if it was a 20, the guy kept 30 euro. Of course it was her word vs his, this was the first time she paid for anything in Italy and she got ripped off. Things are probably different now since debit cards are more prevalent, but I still prefer paying with cash.

[@andre3424]

Exaclty, avoid restaraunt (with photos) close to big famous squares and monuments if you can. I am Italian and we all call those restaraunts "fake italian restaraunts"

[@TheCurtainLift]

🎉

[@golgumbazguide...4113]

Explore Golgumbaz Deccan india 🇮🇳

[@fathuman]

All of Italy is a tourist trap, especially during peak season. And doubly especially if the place is small, like Venice or San Gimignano. You will be shoulder-to-shoulder with tourists and trappery all day long. Italy is popular, its inevitable.

[@hawa7264]

I honestly don't get the whole tourist trap thing. Many things are just tourism infrastructure. You also wouldn't rent a private flat - you go to a hotel. Of course the food in the touristy restaurants won't be as authentic as in a local osteria. But you can understand from the menu what you will eat and you know if it's gonna fit your needs. And you can check the reviews on Google maps which will be mostly in English and not in the local language. It's fine to use the tourism infrastructure.

[@ls4224]

Would you ever go to Sicily?

[@slopermarco]

Pisa a tourist trap?????? It certainly won't be Florence, it won't be Siena and maybe it won't even be Lucca, but how can you define "tourist trap" an historical city with its medieval/Renaissance/eighteenth/nineteenth century architecture, also founded ++2k years ago by the Etruscans? C'mon, please!! We are talking of "history", we aren't talking of a restaurant that can (or not) be defined a "tourist trap". History is NEVER a trap for tourists!

[@slopermarco]

3:26 I too was disappointed when I learned that "Romeo and Juliet's balcony" was NOT the original one from William Shakespeare's tragedy. What a disappointment!!! ☹ A disappointment second only to when, after banging my head against the wall and causing a head injury 🤕, I discovered that "Platform 9 3/4" in London King's Cross railway station is FAKE as it is NOT the original one from the Harry Potter saga. What a (painful) disappointment!!!! 🤣🤣🤣

[@dennischiapello7243]

I don't think the story of Romeo and Juliet is true to begin with!

[@slopermarco]

@@dennischiapello7243 Really???? 🤣🤣🤣🤣 (it's obvious that it's NOT a real story!😊)

[@dennischiapello7243]

@@slopermarco Haha! I didn't read your whole comment! Sometimes my policing of internet discourse gets a bit overzealous! 😅

[@lilianag6158]

I think that call it a " Trap " is offensive , and the so call " Traps " you found it in any tourist location ( be USA , Canada , UK , France or any other country in the world ).

[@user-ix3yh8yt7r]

I hate Italian food. And I'm partial Italian.

[@dennischiapello7243]

On a visit to Naples I met, through a friend, a man who had once been a chef for the Il Fornaio restaurant chain in California. He fell in love with the state and the different cuisines he encountered there, his favorite being Vietnamese. He said his fellow Italians exaggerate the quality of Italian cuisine. He believes the quality of the food product itself is superlative, but that the dishes can be mundane. My sister lived several years in Parma, and she said that the food was excellent, but that it got monotonous to always eat in the Parmigiana fashion. It may be less true today, but the provincialism within Italy is quite thoroughgoing.

[@NickGoesFar]

Ah man, tourist traps! There are so many stacked around all the great places in the world - it's become so out of hand. And with tourist traps, come tourist scams!

[@johnlim7720]

Tourist traps are always present in major cities. It's actually the pickpockets in Italy that I hate most...same goes for France and Spain. NEVER happens in Japan or Singapore. 2 of the most safest countries I've ever visited.

[@JayandSarah]

It's actually pretty simple. If you are doing something and you are surrounded by tourists, it's part of the trap. And lets' face it, lots of people fly to Italy on vacation as tourists, wanting to be part of the trap. Nobody wanting to live like a local flies there for a week or two on vacation. They don't care about spending the cash and wasting it. They will probably never come back and don't mind if they are being overcharged. It's not even a consideration for them. They go back home to their jobs and forget about it after posting all the selfies.

[@Rick-sm5xf]

Sienna is probably a tourist trap. Crowded, known for it's leather goods. Got a belt there. IF you want to step away from the crowds go to the WINE LIBRARY. In Sienna the Wine Library keeps wine samples from around Italy. Many are available at their bar. Walk around inside where the wine is in casks on display.

[@AltayDagli-y1z]

Stay away from Florence unless you are a renaissance history buff or an artist. The whole city feels like a over-priced tourist trap. It is very small, crowded and expensive. Long lines at the popular museums is annoying. Yes, the church is beautiful, the museums are good. But, it is not worth it. Venice is better, at least it has enough space to explore, walk around and getting lost only to be able to find your way back in two minutes. Rome is great. I would spend more time in Rome and skip the Florence/Pisa.

[@fernweh3726]

If you define Pisa "A tourist trap", that simply mean sthat you do not anything of History. Go back to school , mate.

[@seanivery]

Quit making so many Italy videos expand your horizon

[@Flymetothemah]

Another italy video lol 😂😂😂 just name this channel “tips for Italy” 🇮🇹

[@dropview7013]

Yeh I sense Mark is repeating himself here ?!

[@coolpiraterapstar]

Whatever gets views

[@Fra42below]

That's because we are the most beautiful country in the world

[@quelodequelo]

He loves food and good company 🤷🏻‍♂️

[@TMD3453]

@@Fra42belowand most visited! Cheers Grazie

[@directorofcats3283]

Pisa is beautiful. You are so wrong about Pisa, is not even funny

[@alessandrom7181]

Pisa a tourist trap?? Are you for real?? LOL Imagine calling a city who made the history of mediterranean with its sea Republic, dating back to Etruscans , with Roman buildings, the place where Galileo was born and close to the sea, "a tourist trap" ..Muricans..