As someone who loves to travel but struggles with anxiety, I have found that some places are not all that they appear. Whether it’s chaotic crowds, sneaky pickpockets, booming noise, or evil monkeys, stressful tourist destinations are not for the faint of heart.
Do you ever feel overwhelmed while traveling? If so, this list is for you. From navigating the busy streets of Vietnam to leeches in Sri Lanka, here are 10 of the most stressful tourist destinations I’ve ever visited, and a few honest tips on how to survive them.
1. Times Square, New York City, USA
Why It’s Stressful: Crowded, overstimulating, and aggressively loud
Growing up in New Jersey, trips to New York City were a regular occurrence. While I was in high school, my friends and I would seek out the bright lights of Times Square, but as an adult, I realize it’s an overstimulating hell disguised as a tourist hotspot.
If you are over the age of 18 and either live or frequent the city, you know that Times Square should be avoided at all costs. The blaring horns, flashing billboards, and questionable street performers serve as an ultimate anxiety trap.
Everything is loud. No one knows how to walk correctly. There is always someone trying to take your photo, sell you something, or make you feel uncomfortable.
Tip: Snap a few photos of the area and then head out to less overstimulating, calmer areas, like Hudson Yards and Central Park, which are both close by. They definitely have a more genuine New York City vibe.
2. Trevi Fountain, Rome, Italy
Why It’s Stressful: Extreme crowds, oppressive heat, and elusive pickpockets
Rome may be timeless, but so is its overwhelm. In terms of stressful tourist destinations, no place compares to Rome’s iconic Trevi Fountain.
If you’re anything like me and get anxious in massive crowds, even watching the crowd gathered in front of the fountain raises my blood pressure. In the past, trying to walk through it has had me ready to yell at people.
Imagine it’s July or August -Rome is a sweltering sauna, you’re sweaty and irritable, so is everyone around you. You’re dodging pickpockets, sunburn, and selfie sticks all at once. Now that surely isn’t La Dolce Vita.
It was only while I worked in Rome during the pandemic that I saw the fountain empty. With overtourism on the rise, crowds will inevitably grow in unison.
Tip: Visit before 8 AM or after 11 AM to avoid the crowds, or consider traveling during the offseason, late winter to early spring
3. Khao Sao Road, Bangkok, Thailand
Why It’s Stressful: Sensory overload, harassment, loud
In all of my travels, I have never experienced a place quite like Khao San Road in Bangkok. And I don’t mean that as a compliment.
Walking down this infamous backpacker street in Bangkok felt like crawling through sensory hell. Street vendors shove impaled fried tarantulas in my face as 5 bars blare the same song at different times, like a cursed rendition of Gangman Style.
It isn’t just the noise; the whole atmosphere is chaotic: Club promoters physically touch you, women lure tourists into exploitative live shows, and the illicit drug culture is hard to ignore.
It can be stressful for anyone, not only anxious people. For highly empathetic travelers who feel emotionally drained by the over-exploitative nature of Khao San Road.
Tip: If you feel that visiting is going to raise your blood pressure, consider skipping it entirely. Also, try exploring less touristic areas, such as Ari and Thonglor. Both have more laid-back, calmer vibes.
4. Street Crossings in Vietnam
Why It’s Stressful: Lawless traffic nightmare
Driving in Vietnam is a ballet of chaos—motorbikes swarming in all directions, horns blaring like a language of their own. It’s loud, fast-paced, and weirdly harmonious. But don’t be fooled, the seemingly organized madness can seriously spike your travel anxiety.
One of the most stressful experiences in Southeast Asia has to be crossing streets in cities like Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh. Never-ending hordes of Motorbikes fly at you, there is a severe lack of street signs, and traffic lights are merely suggestions.
Really, all you have to do is walk with your hand out, and the drivers will go around you. It sounds so simple in theory, but tricky in practice. Where I’m from, you can get a hefty fine for even driving through a crosswalk while someone is using it. Vietnam’s traffic was nothing I’ve seen before.
Tip: Never run; walk slowly and confidently – or cross with a local, they’ll show you how to cross Vietnam streets safely.
5. Tokyo Metro During Rush Hour, Japan
Why It’s Stressful: Panic-inducing, with extreme crowding and physical pressure
Tokyo is the most populous city in the entire world; with so many people, it’s one of the world’s most stressful tourist destinations, especially on the city’s metros.
Yes, the rumors are true – Tokyo’s metros during peak times are just as nightmarish as the internet claims. After work, people pile in, eager to get home. Soon, every car is filled to the brim with humans, turning into pressure cookers ready to steam.
Crammed in like sardines, everyone is stuck between bodies. Good luck trying to move, breathe, or even scratch your nose. It’s not common for commuters to miss their stops despite pushing frantically, sending people toppling over one another.
When I visited Tokyo with my friend in 2024, we made the mistake of traveling during rush hour. At one point, the train car was so tight that my friend didn’t have to hold onto anything, as the weight of the crowd kept her standing.
Tip: Avoid rush hour at all costs (7:30 am – 9 am & 5 pm- 6:30 pm), especially on the JR Yamanote Line and Tozai Line.
6. Batu Caves, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
Why It’s Stressful: Aggressive monkeys with no boundaries
The Batu Caves are magnificent to see, but the monkeys? Ruthless.
The caves are not only beautiful but sacred, with many Hindus making pilgrimages to the site every year. Next to a 140-foot-tall statue of the god Murungan is the entrance to a cave complex, a vibrantly colored, 272-step staircase.
One feature of the complex is the masses of macaque monkeys that linger around the premises. They may look cute at first glance, but don’t be fooled – They’ll scavenge through trash, snatch ice cream from children, and even bite unsuspecting tourists if food is involved.
When tourists feed the monkeys, they begin to associate humans with food. This, in turn, causes them to act violently towards people when they do not get something to eat. In some places, these clever macaques will steal people’s belongings in order to be coaxed with food.
I literally watched a monkey bite a little girl, drawing blood. Another one snatched in ice pop out of a kid’s hand and proceeded to eat it like a toddler.
Tip: Stay alert, don’t bring food, and avoid eye contact with the monkeys. And whatever you do, DO NOT feed the Monkeys!
7. Hollywood Walk of Fame, Los Angeles, USA
Why It’s Stressful: Unsafe atmosphere, visible drug use, and emotionally draining
Once a fun tourist spot for movie buffs, Hollywood Boulevard is now part of the list of stressful tourist destinations for empathetic travelers. The unhoused population, drug use, and lack of support systems make it a difficult place to navigate as an empathetic traveler.
Los Angeles, California, has some of the highest homelessness rates in the United States. Unfortunately, this area of the city has seen a rise in massive homeless and drug issues, with unhoused individuals settling on Hollywood’s Walk of Fame.
It is unsettling to see the impact of the drug epidemic firsthand. From sleeping on sidewalks to struggling with addictions openly in front of businesses, a walk down Hollywood Walk of Fame can even be dangerous in some situations. as a
It’s not about judgment, it’s about emotional overload. With a clear lack of housing and mental health resources, the crisis will only get worse as the city struggles to keep up, leaving tourists at a crossroads.
Tip: Visit only during daylight hours and take a short walk down Hollywood Boulevard. If you feel called to it, you can even support local programs that directly support LA’s unhoused population.
8. Hiking in Ella, Sri Lanka (During Rainy Season)
Why It’s Stressful: Leeches, muddy trails
Ella, Sri Lanka, is easily one of the most beautiful places in the country, famous for incredible nature, tea fields, and scenic hikes to sites like the Ella Rock and the Nine Arches Bridge.
While Ella’s trails are mostly easy to walk, in the rainy season (June – December) they turn into muddy messes. The worst part? This attracts many, many leeches.
As someone who is easily stressed out by hikes, this was a living nightmare for me.
Guests at the hostel I stayed at would come back a hike to discover a leech or two latched onto their feet and ankles. Removing them resembled a murder scene, thanks to the anticoagulant in leech saliva that causes heavy bleeding.
Tip: Visit during the dry season (January to May) for safer trails and hike with leech socks when near active leeches. You can purchase some on Amazon here.
9. Boat Rides Between Bali and the Gili Islands, Indonesia
Why It’s Stressful: Seasickness, long delays, and potentially rough seas
I took many boats on my travels across Asia, but nothing destroyed me like the voyage between Gili Trawangan and Padang Bai, Bali.
What was supposed to be two hours turned into four hours on across gray, choppy seas. I had taken a seasickness pill, but it didn’t stand a chance. Reading led to nausea, which led me to pop in my headphones and sit with my eyes closed until it was over.
By the end of it, the cabin smelled suspiciously of gasoline, many people had become sick, and those with front-row seats were soaked as large waves crashed through a cracked front hatch.
The best part is that the engine caught fire as soon as we left the boat. The crew said we were lucky it didn’t happen at sea or we would have had to wait 2-3 hours.
Had that happened, I would have swum to Bali, joke
Tips: Double up on motion sickness medication and sit in the middle of the middle since it’s the most stable. Additionally, avoid screens and always pack water and Dramamine.
10. Naples, Italy
Why it’s Stressful: Intense, gritty, chaotic and overstimulating
It is hard to deny that the people, food, and culture of Naples are vibrant. But the city itself is an urban nightmare. I usually love cities, but even Naples is too much for me.
Back in 2011, Naples was the first Italian city I had ever been to, and it was nothing close to the polished Italy I had always imagined.
For an anxious traveler, it’s easy to become overwhelmed in Naples. There are always traffic jams, it’s a little smelly (though what city isn’t?), and certain areas can be less safe for women. Talk about stressful tourist destinations.
Naples also faces sanitation issues, with entire streets piled high with garbage bags. There are infrastructure issues, as well as a visible presence of organized crime.
However, Naples is a very polarizing place. Some people genuinely love it and appreciate its raw, authentic feel. Neapolitans are a very proud group with a deep passion for their city, don’t let this deter you from visiting!
Tip: If you want quiet, stay in neighborhoods like Chiaia and Vomero. Limit time in the center, and always be aware of your surroundings without being fearful!
Stressful Tourist Destinations are Everywhere.
While travel is always worth it, it’s not always easy, especially when you struggle with anxiety. But anxiety isn’t a dealbreaker. In fact, it might make your travel experience more mindful and intentional, as it teaches us our limits and to appreciate the quiet moments. I will always continue to travel despite my stress – but I’ll do it on my own terms.
These ten overwhelming destinations may have stressed me out, but they also tested my boundaries and fear of missing out. Honestly, tourist traps aren’t the only things that can make a trip memorable.
I’ll always continue to travel the world, just more on my own terms – with backup plans, early mornings, and google maps ready to go.
Your Turn:
Have you ever been somewhere that totally overwhelmed you?
Drop a comment down below or DM me, I’d love to hear your stories, and we can even swap travel stress tips!
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