20 Popular Travel Destinations That — For Better Or For Worse — Are Nothing Like The Way They're Portrayed On Social Media

20 Popular Travel Destinations That — For Better Or For Worse — Are Nothing Like The Way They're Portrayed On Social Media

Social media has a profound impact on how we perceive and plan our travels. Platforms like TikTok and Instagram often shape our expectations of destinations, sometimes setting them unrealistically high. Redditor u/Amphotoxic recently asked, "What travel destination is nothing like how it’s portrayed on social media?" Here’s a curated list of responses from various contributors, including members of the BuzzFeed Community, highlighting how some of the world's most popular travel spots differ from their social media personas.

1. Ibiza: Known as a party island, Ibiza is actually a serene and beautiful place with many quieter towns to explore. It offers more than just the DJ scene.

2. Arashiyama Bamboo Forest, Kyoto: This iconic forest is much smaller and more crowded in real life than it appears in photos.

3. Bali: While stunning, Bali has become a huge Instagram destination. Popular spots like Lempuyang Temple are often just photo ops with staff holding mirrors to create illusions of reflections.

4. Chicago: Often portrayed as a warzone, Chicago is actually a vibrant and cool city that many love and can’t wait to revisit.

5. The Leaning Tower of Pisa: This historic landmark is surrounded by touristy stores and packed with people doing the iconic ‘holding it up’ photos, making it feel more like Disneyland.

6. Iguazu Falls: An all-out assault on the senses, Iguazu Falls is a place you have to experience in person. Photos and videos don’t do it justice.

7. Plitvice Lakes National Park, Croatia: One of the most beautiful places on earth, Plitvice Lakes is even more stunning in person, with cascading waterfalls and clear blue lakes.

8. Ha Long Bay, Vietnam: Far more beautiful than portrayed on social media, Ha Long Bay’s natural beauty and wildlife are breathtaking.

9. Tulum: Once a natural paradise, Tulum has been built up and commercialized, with overpriced amenities and crowded beaches.

10. Cappadocia: While stunning, the typical influencer photo of someone enjoying breakfast with hot air balloons is often staged, with people taking turns in the same spot.

11. Lake Tahoe: The lake is even bigger and more beautiful in person, with stunning natural scenery that surpasses social media portrayals.

12. The Grand Canyon: More magnificent than any photo can capture, the Grand Canyon is a vista that leaves visitors breathless.

13. Amsterdam: Often portrayed as a seedy city, Amsterdam is actually a gorgeous place with much more to offer than just its cannabis culture.

14. Livraria Lello, Porto: This famous bookstore is often crowded, making it more of an attraction to walk through rather than a serene place to browse books.

15. Iceland: While spectacular on good weather days, Iceland’s unpredictable climate means that stunning vistas are not always guaranteed.

16. Times Square, NYC: Less impressive in real life, Times Square is filled with giant screens and advertisements, and the novelty shops are underwhelming.

17. Venice: Overrun with tourists, Venice can be so crowded that it’s hard to enjoy the city’s unique charm and beauty.

18. Santorini: The island’s beauty is real, with stunning white-washed buildings and blue-domed churches that look just like the photos.

19. The Amalfi Coast: While charming, the towns are small and the views from the drive along the coast are often more impressive than the towns themselves.

20. The Alhambra, Granada, Spain: Despite its stunning appearance in photos, the Alhambra is often crowded with tour groups, making it hard to enjoy the serene beauty of the palace.

These destinations show that while social media can inspire travel, it often doesn’t capture the full reality of a place. Whether for better or worse, experiencing these spots in person can be a vastly different experience from what’s portrayed online.