Spain Tourist Traps

 
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Most Viewed Tourist Traps in Spain

51.

Places To Avoid   Barcelona

Places To Avoid, Barcelona

 35 Reviews  Poble Espanyol (touted as a "one hour" way to get to know Spain) is just a couple of fake buildings, some with painted on windows, and fake artisan workshops. There is one interesting contemporary art... 

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52.

Eating & drinking   Madrid

Eating & drinking, Madrid

 15 Reviews  When you are at the Plaza Mayor you may find it nice to have a bite at one of the many terraces they have, they all look so nice and you can be in the sun... beware however that these restaurants are... 

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53.

Flamenco   Sevilla

Flamenco, Sevilla

 5 Reviews  Even though the flamenco show is meant for tourists, it features excellent bailaores, guitarists, and cantaores. The food is acceptable. What is not acceptable is that our camera with more than 300... 

 See All 29 Tourist Traps in Sevilla

54.

Reality check   Palma de Mallorca

Reality check, Palma de Mallorca

 5 Reviews  There's some really irritating thing about Mallorca: "People see tourists as walking wallets". There are lots of really hard to reach beaches, that after some almost suicinding driving experiences... 

 See All 29 Tourist Traps in Palma de Mallorca

55.

The West End, San Antonio.   Ibiza

The West End, San Antonio., Ibiza

 1 Review  Great if you like hoards of drunken Brits marauding around the streets looking for members of the opposite sex in a drunk enough state not to reject them, puddles of vomit and urine (I'm not... 

 See All 13 Tourist Traps in Ibiza

56.

Beaches   Majorca Island

Beaches, Majorca Island

 2 Reviews  Beware of the very tall man 6ft 4" who slowly walks round the three beaches of Palma Nova pretending to look at the ladies when in fact he is looking for the ladies bags. He carries a towel over his... 

 See All 19 Tourist Traps in Majorca Island

57.

Las Ramblas   Barcelona

Las Ramblas, Barcelona

 39 Reviews  My fiance wanted to eat on las ramblas.....as it was his birthday I gave in....I so wish I hadn't and so does he! We ate at an over-priced mediocre restaurant where they obviously just piled your... 

 See All 227 Tourist Traps in Barcelona

58.

Monuments & highlights   Madrid

Monuments & highlights, Madrid

 11 Reviews  It's just a big square plaza with very expensive restaurants, nothing to see, nothing to do. Only 'nice' thing is the Casa de la Panederia, wich is 400 years old, with nice fresco's. walk though the... 

 See All 70 Tourist Traps in Madrid

59.

Cathedral and Giralda   Sevilla

Cathedral and Giralda, Sevilla

 6 Reviews  Giralda is an attraction for itself, in the marvel of the cathedral. It's easy to climb, because it has inclines instead of stairs, and they seem not too steep. That's right. But they are...... 

 See All 29 Tourist Traps in Sevilla

60.

Dodgy deals / scams   Palma de Mallorca

Dodgy deals / scams, Palma de Mallorca

 7 Reviews  The Inca Market is something the tourist board advertizes as something to see. We went. It was nothing more than a large flea market at best. Nothing of real interest was sold here - leather purses,... 

 See All 29 Tourist Traps in Palma de Mallorca

61.

Caves   Majorca Island

Caves, Majorca Island

 2 Reviews  Wonderful flyer pictures and descriptions which are overrated. Nice enough for those that like caves but very large groups are ushered through the cave system on hard on the feet paths. Very crowded... 

 See All 19 Tourist Traps in Majorca Island

62.

Overrated Sites   Barcelona

Overrated Sites, Barcelona

 34 Reviews  Poble Espanyol was built for the 1929 International Exhibition as an open air museum that was meant to showcase different Spanish architectural styles and crafts. Today, you pay an admission fee to... 

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63.

Flamenco   Madrid

Flamenco, Madrid

 4 Reviews  This is supposed to be one of the best places to watch flamenco. Unfortunately, the service, food and view were so bad (as well as the stage) that it took the enjoyment right out of the evening. Not... 

 See All 70 Tourist Traps in Madrid

64.

Gypsies and Pickpockets   Sevilla

Gypsies and Pickpockets, Sevilla

 5 Reviews  Around the touristic places there use to be people (usually gypsis) looking for tourist to read the hand or tell them any other story with the aim only of asking you for money. As everywhere, just... 

 See All 29 Tourist Traps in Sevilla

65.

Overpricing   Palma de Mallorca

Overpricing, Palma de Mallorca

 5 Reviews  Don't go to the Nu-parc bar / cafe beside the lake opposite the Cathedral unless you want to order the most expensive beer or coffee in Palma. The waitresses need a lesson in customer service and the... 

 See All 29 Tourist Traps in Palma de Mallorca

66.

Soller & Puerto de Soller   Majorca Island

Soller & Puerto de Soller, Majorca Island

 1 Review  In my opinion Soller is almost a tourist trap. It is not an ugly town, but it's not a nice place. Do some shopping, have a rest or a stroll. You coud go to Biniaraix; a small village 1,5 km far from... 

 See All 19 Tourist Traps in Majorca Island

67.

High Prices   Barcelona

High Prices, Barcelona

 20 Reviews  Although we liked walking along the promenade at Barceloneta beach the target group of all the cafes there is the tourists. This means high prices, bad service (we were waiting 25 minutes to order in... 

 See All 227 Tourist Traps in Barcelona

68.

Security   Madrid

Security, Madrid

 5 Reviews  Madrid is very safe and not a place to get violently robbed, but pick pockets problem remains. The fast city has certain locations where you should watch out. These are Sol, Plaza Mayor and El Rastro... 

 See All 70 Tourist Traps in Madrid

69.

More tourists than inhabitants   Palma de Mallorca

More tourists than inhabitants, Palma de Mallorca

 2 Reviews  Overall we really enjoyed our holiday to Majorca but we did find it very british and lacking in culture in the resorts.There were british pubs,amusements and everything was in english so it sometimes... 

 See All 29 Tourist Traps in Palma de Mallorca

70.

People to Avoid   Barcelona

People to Avoid, Barcelona

 20 Reviews  Be aware of anybody walking close to you and/or behind you. Always keep a strong hold of your valuables. We witnessed people trying to open purses on pedestrian crossings, in railway stations or... 

 See All 227 Tourist Traps in Barcelona

71.

Shopping   Madrid

Shopping, Madrid

 5 Reviews  Wealth Warning: Avoid using Chequepoint to change money in Madrid or anywhere else for that matter. Some of my British and American friends have told me horror stories of the rip-off rates charged by... 

 See All 70 Tourist Traps in Madrid

72.

Bullfights   Barcelona

Bullfights, Barcelona

 9 Reviews  The great majority of people from Barcelona and rest of Catalonia not only are against bullfight but also hate it. In fact the Catalan law of Animal Protection will quite probably be modified next... 

 See All 227 Tourist Traps in Barcelona

73.

Nightlife   Madrid

Nightlife, Madrid

 3 Reviews  Like all con merchants and charlatans, these Chinese street masseurs can be found at popular tourist spots in Madrid such as Plaza de Santa Ana and Plaza Mayor. My wife and I got conned by them.... 

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74.

Purchases to Avoid   Barcelona

Purchases to Avoid, Barcelona

 9 Reviews  Barcelona is without doubt the city of Gaudi and his many works. You will also find many people trying to sell you Gaudi items, souveniers, photos, whatever. And you will see copies of his works, most... 

 See All 227 Tourist Traps in Barcelona

75.

Bullfighting   Madrid

Bullfighting, Madrid

 2 Reviews  In Madrid there are 2 places where you can see the bullfighting. The most importand in all Spain is Plaza de Toros Monumental de las Ventas . The another is called Plaza Vista Alegre and is next to... 

 See All 70 Tourist Traps in Madrid

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Reviews from VirtualTourist Members

El Corte Ingles

by Faracy

This is the giant department store that you will find at least one of in any city throughout Spain. It is well stocked, you can buy anything from clothing to food, to bathroom products, but it is more expensive. It isn't a bad place to buy a mantilla or peineta if you really want one.. my mother-in-law bought mine for my wedding there! Just know that for most things, if you can get to Carrefoure, they will be much cheaper. This is a good place to buy designer clothes, especially if they have the "bargain basement" type of store. Its a great place to buy makeup and perfume, they have EVERYTHING!! It isn't a bad place to buy flamenco dresses either, as they have a range of prices and styles to choose from.. Just know that it isn't the be all and end all to all stores... Carrefour.. giant grocery/discount chain found as abundantly throughout Spain as El Corte Ingles.Go there for basic...

Barrio Santa Cruz in Sevilla

by Faracy

This is the Sevilla of postcards, or travel books, and what you came to see. Yes, do this, but during the day. Pick pockets are waiting for you!Buy your souveniers in other areas, they are much cheaper anywhere else. Watch your purse, and your wallet.

Pay attention in taxis

by SirRichard

It doesn't happen all the time, but sometimes, mainly in the taxis from the airport in Madrid, the taxi drivers (specially if you don't speak spanish) "get confused" when giving you back the change.So, pay attention on what the taximeter says, of what bill you give them and of what do you get back.As a rule I always ask for a paper bill of the ride. This way, if you forget something in the cab you can easily identify it when try to recover it...

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Bargain, Bargain, Bargain!

by etherspy

In several of the markets, leather markets especially, never go with the first price offered on leather goods. It is almost expected that you haggle.This does not mean try to gouge the sellers, just try to get a good bargain for yourself. You can always go to one of the malls, but where is the fun in that? Fixed prices and limited selection.

Spain is... (not)

by milugares

Spain is not always 365 days sunshine everywhere.Not only small white-houses villages.Not every Spanish woman is flamenco dancer like Bizet´s "Carmen".Not every Spanish boy dreams of being torero (bullfighter)...... disapointed????DON´T ! There are still many others lovely things to be discovered. Just have a try!

Do your own thing....

by Beach_dog

So many people from Europe go to the Costa's. The package holidays, to crowded and busy resorts. The beaches crammed person to person, baking in the sun, like sausages in a frying pan. Tacky bars, where no Spanish person would normally drink, singing Kareoke, and becoming inebriated. Now I'm not knocking this at all, it can be fun, I have enjoyed it myself, in fact Spain very much depends on it as a source of income.All I'm saying is that You deserve much more from your visit...... Try to get away on a few daytrips... along the coast just out of town you may well find a small beach, quiet and secluded, with just a few people there, that are in the know. Visit a few inland towns, see the day to day life of the people, visit some of the many historical and architectural wonders of the country. If any cultural events are taking place during your visit, such as Fiesta's or Feria's try to...

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The Medina Az-Zahara

by Paul2001

The Medina Az-Zahara is the ruins of a 10th century Moorish palace. The palace was apparently quite opulent but really little remains of it today. This was probably because of considerable looting by the locals over the past thousand years. I was somewhat disappointed in the Medina Az-Zahara. This is probably because compared to the other Moorish monuments in Andalucia, the palaces and mosques that used to be here have been largely destroyed. There are some fine examples of Moorish artwork and architecture here but they are not enough to justify a trip out from Cordoba to see them. The Medina Az-Zahara is about 7km west of Cordoba. I reached the site by bus first and then a 3km walk from the road. After that I was expecting more when I got there and was disappointed. Fortunately somebody drove me back to Cordoba after my visit. I will say the Medina Az-Zahara is very pretty if small. As...

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What are They trying to Sell us???

by naruto

There are a bunch of women standing around at the major tourist sites in most cities in Spain. They have stalks of plants (someone on VT said it's rosemary) which they try to sell to tourists. I don't think they cost much, but still........ why fall into the trap and buy something that you won't know what to do with and much less has any magical powers. Ignore them, no eye contact and don't express interest or the slightest hint of curiosity. A firm NO will suffice. That or walk away. There are many souvenir shops in Spain. Buy the ones of the famous Spanish landmark - the big black bull - which you see along major Spanish highways.

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Nerja

by Paul2001

I do not know why but Nerja rubbed me the wrong way. I guess if you just want to hang out on a beach for a few days it is alright. However do not expect to experience much in the way of Spanish atmosphere here. The town seems to be saturated with British, German and Dutch retirees and few Spaniards at all. The town is full of English and German pubs. Everything here such as directional signs is in English instead of Spanish. I also felt that the much talked about Nerja caves were highly overrated and not worth the bother. The beaches might be one of the redeaming factor about Nerja. They are covelike beaches that a snuggled against Nerja's bluffs. However there are better beaches in Spain too.

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SIESTA TIME

by Adelia

Spain commercial establishments close around 13:30-14:00 and open around 17:00-17:30. It's such a pain in the ass!!! Please, watch out for the opening times for restaurants, shops, visitor attractions, etc. There're some exceptions, like big department stores and others, so, find out about them.

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Tourist Traps: Cities in Spain
  1. Barcelona Tourist Traps
  2. Madrid Tourist Traps
  3. Sevilla Tourist Traps
  4. Palma de Mallorca Tourist Traps
  5. Granada Tourist Traps
  6. Benidorm Tourist Traps
  7. Ibiza Tourist Traps
  8. Isla de Tenerife Tourist Traps
  9. Málaga Tourist Traps
  10. Majorca Island Tourist Traps
  11. Torremolinos Tourist Traps
  12. Isla de Gran Canaria Tourist Traps
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  19. Córdoba Tourist Traps
  20. Benalmádena Tourist Traps
  21. Nerja Tourist Traps
  22. Alicante Tourist Traps
  23. Santiago de Compostela Tourist Traps
  24. Jerez de la Frontera Tourist Traps
  25. Isla de Fuerteventura Tourist Traps
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Q:  Hi everyone, I really need some help to decide where to bring my young family this year for holiday. I am keen on going to the... 

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A: all there is child friendly catering to families like yours. Great area indeed. y ou can check on destination above tips by posters like us or the tourist office... 

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