Why This City Is The Biggest Disappointment in My Travel Journey – And Here’s Why

• Visitors have shared the least appealing cities they've visited.
• EXPLORE FURTHER: Catriona Rowntree enthusiastically praises an Australian city for an unexpected reason

Not every travel tale features evening drinks at sundown or self-portraits against stunning backdrops.

For each idyllic postcard-worthy scene, there are instances where journeys turn sour, cities fail to meet expectations—or worse still, fall drastically short of them.

Now, experienced travelers have embraced Reddit To share complaints about the most terrible destinations they've been to — their unfiltered tales could make you reconsider snapping up that cheap ticket.

Cairo, Egypt

Egypt 's capital might be famous for its ancient wonders, but for many visitors, the reality of modern Cairo was less history and more horror.

One visitor started off politely by saying they enjoyed the historical aspects but felt let down by certain individuals. They then confessed that overall the city seemed quite untidy, had poor driving habits, and encountered constant harassment from vendors at every turn.

Others were much harsher in their criticism.

'A non-existent waste management system. Complete traffic jam. Not a single spot of greenery. Hardly any sidewalks at all,' a disgruntled visitor noted.

'Intense heat coupled with smog. Massive highways and flyovers extending directly to the windows of run-down concrete tower blocks. Many of these apartments remained partially constructed without proper window installations yet continued to be inhabited.'

The locals' treatment of women also came under fire.

'I am a tall blonde and the harassment was insane. And I dressed like a nun,' one user revealed.

'We ended up literally running back to the hotel. Not a particularly nice experience…'

Another addition was made: 'The contamination levels make one desire to smoke a cigarette just for the supposed health advantages of filtering the air we breathe.'

Dhaka, Bangladesh

Dhaka, Bangladesh's vibrant metropolis, also appeared frequently, with one user likening it to 'pure Mad Max-style chaos.'

'Packed with people, open sewers lining the streets, terrible weather — extremely hot and humid — giving off an overwhelming smell throughout the entire city,' they penned down.

'Foreigners often get stared at as if they were aliens here. Also, a lady unexpectedly offered us her baby and screamed hysterically when neither I nor my coworker agreed to accept it.'

Another addition reads: "The traffic situation was unbelievable. It was utter pandemonium. In Dhaka, driving isn’t about commuting; it’s simply an attempt at survival."

Dijbouti City, Dijbouti

Certain cities remain largely unnoticed by tourists – and occasionally, there’s good cause behind this.

A visitor to Djibouti City in East Africa characterized it as 'a dump,' yet they also mentioned, 'certain parts of the desert were genuinely stunning.'

Other people were less forgiving when discussing the nation situated between Ethiopia and Eritrea at the Horn of Africa.

'Djibouti. Flew in there from Dubai. Shantytowns everywhere, burning trash, absolutely brutal poverty,' one post read.

'Every single one of those plastic bags from your shopping trip... EVERY SINGLE ONE... ends up here.'

The straightforward critiques depict a city grappling with the burden of ecological harm and economic hardship.

Addis Ababa, Ethiopia

Addis Ababa, the capital of Ethiopia, turned into an unexpected layover for certain travelers — unfortunately leading to experiences filled with unimaginable terror.

One simply stated: ' Ended up getting stranded there when returning from Tanzania. The airline accommodated me at a hotel in the city center. Not something I would suggest.'

Another shared a chilling description: 'Being in Addis was something I'd prefer not to go through again. The hotel advised me against carrying anything valuable when I ventured outside.'

I saw individuals covered in dirt with evident mental health issues relieving themselves on the sidewalk. The taxi heading to the airport was encircled by men who began violently shaking it from side to side as we had inadvertently driven over their soccer ball.

I genuinely got goosebumps.

Although these stories capture individual encounters, they also reveal a larger reality: some cities just aren’t designed with tourists in mind.

Be it through hazardous amounts of contamination, disorganized facilities, or alarming interactions in the streets, these places have made lasting impressions on their travelers – none of which you'd want as a souvenir hanging on your walls.

The next time you find yourself fantasizing about far-off destinations, consider taking a look at the comment section before confirming your reservation.

As one traveler succinctly expressed it: "Certain cities are better appreciated when seen through the window of an outgoing airplane."

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