Rick Steves' Travel Guide Calls These Cities The Most Overrated In Europe

To say best-selling author and travel guru Rick Steves has made galavanting around the world a successful career would be a gross understatement. Author of more than 500 works, Rick Steves is among the most famous travel writers in the world. Throughout his long and storied career, he's worked with several team members and co-writers to bring his thoughts, stories, and related business ventures, including guided tours to his favorite destinations, to life. 

One such writer, Cameron Hewitt, has worked with Steves in multiple capacities and even writes his own well-received travel blog, Cameron's Travels, which is featured on the Rick Steves' Europe website. Like Steves, Hewitt spends at least 100 days in Europe each year, traveling, researching, and experiencing all the rich and diverse culture the continent has to offer. While Hewitt holds Europe in high regard, he has never shied away from giving his blunt, honest opinions about the destinations he's visited, even when those takes are unpopular.

In that spirit, Hewitt freely discusses the good, the bad, and the all-too-overrated European travel destinations he's visited, with his top three for the latter being Salzburg and Vienna, both in Austria, and Milan, Italy. Don't take Hewitt's word as gospel, however. If you're headed to any of these cities in your upcoming travels, take the time to explore and enjoy each vibrant, unique, and dynamic destination through your own lens and on your own terms.

Featured on more than one "Most Beautiful Cities in Austria" list, and even considered by some to be one of the most romantic cities in the world, according to a blog post by Cameron Hewitt, Salzburg belongs squarely on the top of your "don't even bother visiting" list. Most known to the outside world as the birthplace of Mozart and the visual backdrop to "The Sound of Music," Hewitt describes Salzburg as "sterile," "polished" (in the worst sense of the word), and all-around too perfect, making the Austrian city feel cold, manufactured, and even unhappy.

While Hewitt attributes part of his disdain for Salzburg to its typical lack of sunshine, he doesn't write it off completely. For those willing to brave the crowds, gloomy skies, and theme park-esque vibes, Salzburg still has pockets worth exploring. And, with the majesty of the Alps seemingly just steps away, relegating your vacation to lower elevations could be considered a cardinal sin.

While Salzburg's Old Town is steeped in history, Hewitt recommends trading in the usual tourist destinations, including the Hohensalzburg Fortress, Mirabell Gardens, and the Salzburg Cathedral, for a more active destination instead. Get a breathtaking dose of both Salzberg's man-made and natural phenomena by hiking the Mönchsberg, a ridge that runs atop the Old Town and offers spectacular panoramic views of both Salzburg and the Alps. The easy-to-traverse path is lined with numerous green spaces and lush forest greenery, and is home to the Museum der Moderne, which offers a peek into Salzburg's artistic past, stunning views of the city below, and, at Restaurant M32, award-winning Austrian and Mediterranean cuisine.

How could anyone consider one of the fashion capitals of the world overrated? Especially one located in a country as steeped in history and splendor as Italy? While Cameron Hewitt doesn't completely dismiss the magic of Milan, he notes in a blog post that Italy's economic capital lacks the quintessential Italian charm found in many of the country's less-populated cities. Like Salzburg, Hewitt finds part of Milan's historic center sterile, over-hyped, and overcrowded, reinforcing his view that the city is overrated.

To escape the crowds, congestion, and commercialization of Milan's heavily touristed areas, head to pocket neighborhoods offering more traditional charm, including the small neighborhoods around the Brera Gallery and those near Via Montenapoleone, home to one of Milan's key fashion streets. If you're looking for a different vibe altogether, visit Milan's Naviglio Grande district for canal-front vibes, an exciting nightlife, and a dose of "tacky tourism". As long as you don't have high expectations for the food offerings in the area, you should enjoy the lively and youthful break from Milan's more sophisticated city center.

One timeless tradition that Hewitt recommends participating in, however, is the happy hour custom Milan claims as its own invention, aperitivo. When 5 p.m. hits, locals leave work and flood Milan's cobblestoned streets and secluded alleyways to sip specialty cocktails, muse about the happenings of the day, and nosh on complimentary antipasti. While countless local establishments participate in this time-honored tradition, head to Bar Basso at Via Plinio 39 to experience happy hour at the birthplace of aperitivo. For a laid-back vibe, the highly rated Straf Bar, located just steps from the iconic Duomo, offers an art gallery-esque atmosphere coupled with a plethora of custom-curated cocktails. Finally, for a more fashionable haunt with a potential celebrity sighting, Radetzky Café offers a mix of traditional Italian cocktails, terrace seating, and fiercely fashion-forward regulars.

Sitting near the very top of many "most beautiful cities in Europe" lists, Vienna is unfortunately the second Austrian city to receive Cameron Hewitt's overrated distinction. Doubling down on his take on Salzburg, even in the face of harsh criticism from readers, Hewitt discusses his dislike of Vienna in much the same way, mentioning that Austria in general is one of his "Countries I've Had Enough of" on the Rick Steves website. Regardless of Hewitt's opinions, Vienna is a remarkable city that must be experienced firsthand to be fully understood and appreciated.

Consistently ranked among the world's most livable cities, Vienna is replete with historically significant buildings, diverse and walkable neighborhoods, and more food options than one could possibly enjoy during a single stay. Museums like Naturhistorisches Museum Vienna and the Kunsthistorisches Museum are among the best to visit in Vienna and must-see destinations on any history buff's itinerary. Active adventurers can slide down Vienna's tallest structure, float down the iconic Danube, or pack their vacation with thrilling rides and games at the Würstelprater amusement park.

Vienna's quaint and welcoming neighborhoods are home to diverse street markets and award-winning local restaurants serving everything from traditional Austrian fare to Michelin-starred international delights. To round out your Viennese getaway, Hewitt's counterpart, Rick Steves, recommends experiencing Vienna's unforgettable wine culture by visiting the wine gardens of nearby Nussdorf.