The 10 Worst Countries To Visit: Where To AVOID! (Plus Alternatives)

Alright, so we all know places like the Maldives and New Zealand are shit hot destinations to visit. Ya know, you’ve got beaches, you’ve got hikes, you’ve got coconuts on tap, yada yada. But no one tells you where to avoid!

Well here at The Roaming Renegades I’m keeping it real because honestly, there have been some places out there we’ve NOT loved. And that’s ok!

But when travel bucks are short and you’ve only got a couple of opportunities to travel a year. Why pick somewhere full of mongrels trying to rip you off or food that’s as tasty as Ghandi’s flip flop!? 

So let’s check out our top 10 worst countries to visit. Because I like to get a bit controversial at times! Let’s see if you get triggered!? 

Anyway, I’ve provided some alternatives to the worst places in the world to keep things positive!

1. Morocco

I can already sense the incoming comments from locals just begging to prove me right! Morocco might be insta famous, and honestly with good reason, but out of almost 70 countries I’ve visited, this was by far the most hostile environment I’ve faced as a visitor. 

It’s the only place I’ve been screamed and shouted at for resisting a scam. And it’s not just the odd person either. Walk down the street in Fes or Marakesh and it’s every five minutes! It might just be the worst country for tourists ever!

In Morocco, it feels like as a visitor you’re only tolerated as long as you can be sucked dry of all your money. Plus, it’s one of the worst countries to visit as a woman in the world. 

Cities are overcrowded and the fumes of the two-stroke bikes hang in the air of the medinas. Aggressive touts prowl the souks attempting to get you hopelessly lost and the cuisine is overhyped, bland and most likely going to give you food poisoning.

Good Things:

• Amazing architecture especially in Chefchaouen
• An unexpected culture shock 
• Cheap and affordable 
• Good intercity rail network/ bullet trains 
• Riad are cool to stay in

Best Alternative to Morocco: Granada & Seville

If you’re looking for all the best bits about Morocco, such as the impressive architecture and sunny weather, then head down to Granada and Seville in Andalusia instead. 

This area of Spain was occupied by the Moors for many years and is home to some impressive Islamic architecture like Alhambra and The Alcázar. Plus, Spain has some of the best food in the world. It’s fresh, full of flavour and healthy … everything a salmonella tagine is not!

2. Spain

Okay okay, so those of you who are paying attention here might have spotted that I’ve lowkey just told you to visit Spain!

Now let’s have some context here. When I say “worst countries to visit” I don’t always mean those that give you the ol runny bum or where you’ll be chased through a market like Aladdin! 

In fact, Spain is one of my favourite countries, but man, as a Brit, it’s just overdone. When I say Spain I kinda mean certain parts of it, but that doesn’t really cover the brief of “worst countries to travel to”. Think Ibiza, Benidorm and Magaluf to name a few.

As anyone from the UK will tell you, as a kid this is where we went on holiday. Sure, I’ve got many happy memories here, but I would visit places absolutely devoid of Spanish culture and essentially just a British colony! As I’ve got older I’ve realised this is the exact opposite of what travelling is and should be. 

Plus, it’s kinda gone expensive!

Good Things:

• Some of the best food in the world. 
• The culture here is so passionate and diverse, especially in places like Toledo.
• The architecture is unique, beautiful and varied 
• Lots of English spoken 
• Good year-round weather with plenty of sun 
• Some of the best beaches in Europe

Best Alternative to Spain: Portugal

If you’re looking for a similar travel distance with those Mediterranean vibes, then Portugal ticks all the boxes. 

Despite Lisbon becoming more popular over the last decade and there being a few holiday spots popular with Brits, the country as a whole is much more authentic, cheaper and has a more edgy ambience. The coastline here tends to be also much more dramatic (which is even one of the coolest things you can do from Lisbon) and Portugal is home to some of the best surfing in Europe.

3. China

China would have at one time been top of my 10 worst places to visit in the world, but I’ve since been to Morocco and India, so there’s that! In all honesty, I think I was too inexperienced when I visited China to deal with the challenges it poses to travellers.

Pushing and shoving, hell even downright scrummages when it comes to queuing, then there’s the selfie stick wars. Full-on hocking up in public spaces, animal cruelty, Mcdonalds on top of a mountain, complex scams… it certainly ticks all the boxes for being one of the world’s worst places! 

Oh yeah, plastic rice and counterfeit eggs! Don’t even ask! At least I’ve heard the smog we experienced isn’t as bad these days. I’ll be honest, I’ve seen some of the most incredibly beautiful places on earth in China, but it just feels like they want to commercialise everything, including nature. For that, it’s one of the worst tourist countries in the world.

Good Things:

• Amazing ancient culture and history. 
• Dotted with beautiful and diverse landscapes including the incredible Zhangjiajie.
• It’s a super affordable 
• Transport is cheap, reliable and covers a large amount of ground
• Unique and beautiful architecture

Best Alternative to China: Vietnam

Vietnam is Southeast Asia’s version of China, just smaller and cheaper! The weather here is much more diverse than the rest of Southeast Asia. You’ve got rice paddies, mountains, and communism… but without the pain in the arse visa process. 

There’s a lot of cultural crossover with China including similar style temples and celebrating the lunar new year.

4. India

India has to be one of the worst countries to visit in Asia or even the world! Someone once told me “India isn’t for beginners” and I honestly had no idea what they meant until I stepped into the cauldron of chaos, overstimulation and constant noise that is India. I’ve never seen a place so polluted, poverty-stricken, chaotic, dirty or overwhelming. 

There is very little break from the sheer intensity of India, for better or for worse. Accommodation options can be marginal, the water is literally poison and in many places, the scammers are just lining up waiting for you to fall into their trap. Our hostel in Delhi even tried to scam us! 

India, outside of a resort in Goa at least, is for the experienced traveller and one who has sufficiently psyched themselves up to run the gauntlet. Nothing prepares you for it! But,  it does feel like proper travel and if you get off the beaten track you’ll be rewarded with some of the most wonderful experiences.

Good Things:

• Amazing architecture which is great for photography
• Friendly locals who love to have a chat
• Stunning landscapes that are vast and varied 
• Amazing beaches in the south 
• Great for veggies and generally amazing food all around.

Best Alternative to India: Sri Lanka

If you want subcontinent culture without the smog, cold winters, vast distances and sheer volume of people, then head to Sri Lanka. This small island nation offers an unbelievable amount of variety for its size boasting tea plantations, jungles, colonial towns, ancient structures and pristine beaches. 

Whilst India might be one of the world’s worst countries to visit as a beginner, Sri Lanka offers a nice easy intro into the region.

5. United Arab Emirates

For whatever reason, many people seem to have Dubai on their travel list. But for me, it might just be the worst place to visit in the world! 

The place is all top show, with no real culture and just basically rich people exploiting others whilst parading it all around in a neverending circus. It doesn’t even feel like it has any class to go along with the money either, it’s all just tacky and feels like a fake pop-up city. It’s the definition of superficial. 

If you’re on a budget in Dubai then your money isn’t going to go far here, although at least Uber is cheap! It’s a good job too because it’s not pedestrian friendly at all, forget walking anywhere, even Dubai itself is spread out over 20-30km. If you’re looking for culture with easy access, this has to be one of the worst countries in the world to visit.

Good Things:

• Feels very safe, clean and well-maintained 
• Great for a stopover when transiting through 
• People leave you alone
• Cool landmarks such as the tallest building in the world

Best Alternative to the UAE: Qatar

If the UAE might be one of the most horrible vacation spots I’ve been to, I was actually pleasantly surprised by its close neighbour, Qatar. Whilst still feeling a bit plasticy and Truman Show-esque, it did feel like it retained much more Qatari culture rather than just being all about shiny, flashy things. 

There are also far fewer tourists and things just feel much more chilled out. Many attractions are either close by with good walking routes or next to a metro too. Qatar Airlines also does a stopover package which makes it a very cost-effective layover location.

6. Egypt

Egypt has to be one of the worst countries to visit in Africa, well, after Morocco that is. It’s only further down the list because it’s got The Pyramids and a heap of incredible temples I was lowkey obsessed with as a kid! Other than that, I am afraid it’s Marakesh vibes all over again. 

It’s hot, dirty, dusty and once again, everyone is out to make a buck out of you in the most aggressive and unsavoury ways they can possibly come up with. God forbid you just want to take a walk down the street minding your own business, soaking in all the culture. Hell nah, you’ll find yourself with a trail of knock-off tracksuit-wearing young men. 

It’s scam-central, hella busy and you’re more than likely going to end up shitting your back out over the porcelain throne… if you make it there on time! If you’ve got a sensitive stomach, it’s definitely the worst country in the world to visit!

Good Things:

• Unmissable landmarks such as Karnak Temple, The Pyramids and Abu Simbel. 
• Hella cheap and super affordable 
• A cruise along The Nile is a good option to see a lot of the sights

Best Alternative to Egypt: Turkey

If you’re looking for Middle Eastern vibes with all the souks, aesthetic piles of spices and ancient history, then consider Turkey. The Turkish people are ridiculously friendly, wayyy more laid back and for the most part have learnt that visitors don’t like being pestered. 

There are just as many landmarks to visit plus some of the best beaches in the world, one of which you can even paraglide off a mountain onto. (LINK) Then you’ve got the unique landscapes of Cappadocia and Pamukkale, plus the food is actually legit delicious.

7. United States of America

The USA might not be the first place that springs to mind when you think of the worst countries in the world, but let’s think about it for a moment. Gun crime is rife, Trump and Elon are running amok and it’s bloody expensive… plus, it’s full of Americans! 

Not only that but have you also noticed when you take out your travel insurance that it shoots up to almost double if you’re travelling there? It’s one of the most unsafe countries to visit in the Western world. Whether it’s gangbangers or a redneck with a rifle, someone’s got a gun and they ain’t afraid to use it! 

Ok, so I do love New York City, but man that place is NOT backpacker-friendly any more. Plus, it might be massive, but despite what the Yanks say, the culture doesn’t change like it does in Europe!

Good Things:

• English speaking 
• Diverse landscapes and climates which is good for year-round travel
• Wonderful landmarks all around the country including both man-made and natural. 
• An amazing amount of beautiful national parks
• Amazing cities such as NYC, LA, Boston and Chicago.

Best Alternative to the USA: Australia

If you want vast open spaces, wide roads and a mixture of modern cities and remote country towns, then try Australia instead. Here people are friendlier and the culture is much more social with a laid-back and down-to-earth vibe. The scenery is just as incredible with tropical jungles, world-class beaches, plenty of national parks and even a ski resort! Plus, Australia is backpacker heaven!

Also – less gun crime!

8. Italy

Ah ha, right then, let’s go because this one is going to be controversial! Is Italy the worst country to visit in Europe? Probably not, but it’s one of the worst vacation spots in the world when it comes to overcrowding, heat and expense. 

If you happen to be one of those foolish people who hit up places like Rome, Florence and Venice in the summer months (hey, we’re speaking from experience here but one time it was unavoidable because, Rammstein!) then RIP! These cities are literally heaving sweatboxes with nowhere to escape and nothing else to eat but warm carbs on carbs! 

I love a good creamy pasta, but carbonara on a busy street in 40c heat isn’t it for me! Thank god for gelato! Oh and with the overcrowding comes jumped up prices for just about everything. 

Do yourselves a favour and avoid Italian cities in the middle of the summer because they’re just about the worst place to go on holiday unless your only other option is of course the burning pits of hell!

Good Things:

• Popular tourist sights are still worth seeing 
• The food is still some of the best in the world
• The history and culture here is almost unmatched 
• There are amazing mountains, lakes and beaches if you want to escape the cities.

Best Alternative to Italy: Albania

If you want a summer beach holiday on the med, then hop over the water and try out Albania instead. The off-the-beaten gem is quickly heating up in popularity due to its unbeatable prices and pristine coastline. Plus, just like Italy, it’s got plenty of great hiking and stunning lakes to explore as well as historic and cultural towns and cities.

9. The Philippines

Okay, I feel need to add a caveat when it comes to this entry on the top ten worst countries to visit. The Philippines is kinda amazing, I’m not going to lie. But it’s also a bit shit in other ways! 

Whilst there are plenty of things to love in The Philippines. Things here are not exactly perfect and those good things can often paper over the cracks of a country with a high rate of corruption, inequality, poverty and crime. 

Manila and areas in the south of the country can feel super unsafe and it’s common to see babies living rough on the streets just a few metres from a gated community. The food here is weird AF for the most part, it’s super sweet, unhealthy and junk food is king… I guess you can blame the US for that! 

If you hate flying like I do, then getting around on janky planes hopping from island to island is a logistical nightmare. Give me a rickety boat any day! Wifi is super slow and patchy anywhere outside of Metro Manila and yeah, there are a fuck ton of jellyfish without adequate provisions on the islands… just ask Shorty’s left leg!

Good Things:

• People are very friendly and welcoming 
• Beaches and Islands are stunning
• Very cheap
• English is widely spoken

Best Alternative to The Philippines: Indonesia

If you’re looking for island vibes without propeller planes and spaghetti covered in sugary tomato sauce, then head over to Indonesia. Here things are still relatively affordable (especially outside of Bali) and many islands can be reached by ferry. Plus, you’ve got nasi goreng (or avo on toast if you’re in Bali) on tap.

10. Sweden

Ahhh Sweden! I mean look, I have nothing actually against Sweden, it’s perfectly nice and all, but that’s kinda the problem. It’s not the worst country in the world, but honestly, it’s a little bit boring! It’s just cold, wet and expensive! 

We visited Gothenburg one winter and found it to be a pleasant city. But it didn’t blow us away and when it comes to bang for your buck, it’s probably one of the worst places to vacation in the world. I mean, at least India is cheap and you get a proper culture shock! 

I can’t even think of anything more to say about it, it’s that bland and unoffensive. Ok, so it gave us IKEA and their meatballs, and for that, I am forever grateful, but beyond that, I’m not too sure!

Good Things:

• The people are super friendly and easygoing  
• Great for veggies with plenty of options everywhere 
• Cheap flights are common from within Europe 
• Lots of people speak good English

Best Alternative to Sweden: Estonia

If you’re looking for Scandinavian culture without busting your wallet in the process, then Estonia is the perfect place. Here you’ll find saunas a plenty, open-minded people and an old town that looks like it’s straight from a fairytale. 

Estonia is super affordable and has some great visa options if you’re a digital nomad, in fact, it’s recently become one of the best places in the world to base yourself.

Plus, if you do want to head over to Finland, it’s easy to do on the ferry and there are even some great beaches for the summertime.

Our Personal Best Countries To Visit (and a Note on the Worst)

Right then, let’s add in a little positivity plus a word on why somewhere is the worst country for tourism in my eyes.

Why We Chose These Places As Our Worst Countries to Visit

Look, this is kinda like a disclaimer! I mean, why did I write this post in the first place? Was it for the clicks and rage bait, was it for a bit of fun, or was it to warn people about countries not to travel to? 

Maybe a mixture of all three. 

But these are my opinions and even when I add somewhere to a list of the worst places in the world, I probably didn’t actually hate it… I don’t hate anywhere! 

I suggest getting out there and seeing them for yourself. 

Because some places I added not because they are in fact the “worst country to visit” per se, but because they’re not beginner-friendly or they didn’t live up to our expectations. 

The moral of the story – Check a place out for yourselves and always be willing to give it another go under different circumstances. 

So hey, if there are any Swedish folks out there who want to show me why your county isn’t the worst place in the world, please let us know! 

Plus. Let’s be honest, there are plenty of far worst countries to visit than these, but I’ve not been to ya know, Somalia or any other super unsafe countries to visit, so I’m not going to give them shit before going! 

So maybe I should have named the article, worst holiday destinations, but it’s too late now!

Our Favourite Countries To Visit – Top 10

• Thailand 
• Australia
• New Zealand
• Vietnam
• Malaysia 
• Spain (Because actually, it’s just as good as it is shit, choose the right area!) 
• Indonesia 
• Croatia
• Albania 
• India (Yes, we included this too because sometimes bad countries to visit are also great places to travel to at the same time!)

No Matter Where You Go, Stay Safe on the Road!

So as it happens, some of the worst countries to visit can be a little unsafe! 

Even in boring old Sweden, you might find yourself choking on a meatball, which is why you should always travel with good-quality insurance. 

We always recommend using SafetyWing due to their comprehensive cover and rolling monthly plans which are perfect for backpackers, long-term travellers and digital nomads.

Here are some tips for staying safe in countries that are unsafe to visit –

• Never have valuables on show in sketchy areas and take steps to avoid pickpockets and muggings.
• Keep your wallet, phone and cards in a money belt
• Use a travel safe, wires and good quality locks on transport and in your accommodation.
• Check travel advisories from your government
• Research what the common scams are where you’ll be travelling 
• Avoid unlicensed taxis 
• Never accept drinks from strangers and avoid getting drunk in unfamiliar areas 
• Have an Esim set up before you travel
• Never walk alone at night

Final Thoughts On The 10 Worst Countries to Visit

Well there you have it, the worst travel destinations, as chosen by me! 

And that’s the most important thing to remember here before you go getting your knickers in a twist. This post is intended with a hint of jest and is just my opinion. 

I would love to know your (civilised!) views on what your worst countries to visit are and where you reckon the worst countries for tourism are! 

Equally, I am fully open to being told why you love anywhere on this list and why I got it wrong when it comes to the worst places to visit.

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