Rick Steves Says To Forget One Of Europe's Biggest Tourist Traps (And What To See Instead)

Travel pro Rick Steves has been warning travelers about tourist traps for years. While you can find them all over Europe, Steves says on his website that parts of England are a minefield of tourist traps, and there is one in particular that he thinks travelers should avoid. While you've likely heard of the White Cliffs of Dover — whether it's from the World War II song "(There'll Be Bluebirds Over) The White Cliffs of Dover" or because you've taken a boat from there to France — Steves prefers a different set of white cliffs, around 73 miles southwest in Eastbourne, called Beachy Head. In a post, Steves writes, "Forget the White Cliffs of Dover...I love the white cliffs of Beachy Head. Beachy Head is the scenic high point of the popular South Downs Way — a hiking path an hour or two south of London...and a world away from the big city."

In fact, the town of Dover doesn't do it for him either, and in another post, he says, "The hardscrabble port town lacks charm," and called it "a godforsaken little town" in yet another blog post. While Steves does enjoy Dover Castle, the Dover cliffs suffer in comparison. "[Dover's] famous cliffs can't hold a candle to those at Beachy Head," he argues. Plus, less than 4 miles away from Beachy Head are the Seven Sisters, which are more soaring white cliffs that grace the shoreline. Beyond the cliffs, there are some great things to do in the surrounding area, too.

The chalk cliffs at Beachy Head and Seven Sisters (so named, according to Rick Steves, because they resemble several lifted petticoats) are just as dramatic — if not more so — to see in person as the cliffs at Dover. These cliffs that rise 500 feet above the water are, however, just the beginning. They're breathtaking in photos, but exploring them and the surrounding area is worth a trip down from London, if that's where you're starting out. As Steves says in the episode of his show on the area, Beachy Head is a great location for hiking. You can take the moderate 5.4-mile circular trek along Beachy Head's edge. This hike gains nearly 1,000 feet of elevation as you walk along the cliffs. You can see the local lighthouse, and the route conveniently passes a restaurant so you can fuel up or have a drink afterward. Though this hike is kid- and dog-friendly, keep the wind in mind as you go.

On the Seven Sisters side, you can take the Seven Sisters and Seaford trail, though this hike is for expert hikers, as AllTrails classifies the route as a hard one. It's 25.4 miles out and back if you take the entire route, and it has over 3,000 feet of elevation gain. It takes you through the South Downs National Park, and the views are spectacular. There are some dangerous areas, so make sure you're prepared. If you want to go down to the beach afterwards, or skip the hike and go straight there, note that the only way down to the shore by the Seven Sisters is a set of stairs in the adjacent town, Birling Gap. While you're there, and especially if you have kids along, Steves says to check out the tide pools to search for sea life.

Beachy Head and the Seven Sisters are part of a public trail called the South Downs Way, which is a long-distance, self-guided trail from Winchester to Eastbourne, and you can set up hotel or bed-and-breakfast stays along the 100-mile route. (You don't have to do the entire thing, of course.) If you want to try this out, you'll pass sites like the Long Man of Wilmington, a chalk figure carved into a hill; the Devil's Dyke, the widest dry valley in the United Kingdom; the scenic Old Winchester Hill; and the Seven Sisters Country Park. You can get more information here if this sounds like your version of a perfect trip — and if so, it's worth checking out the hiking recovery routine that Rick Steves is religious about.

A mile from the town of Birling Gap, right by the Seven Sisters, you can book a stay at the Belle Tout Lighthouse. This 1832 restored lighthouse-turned-hotel has great views of the area and some pretty and unique rooms. In the summer, swimming is an option at Birling Gap's beach, and you can even do some surfing. Another Steves-recommended nearby town, East Dean, has the charming, 15th-century Tiger Inn, where you can find dinner and drinks or stay the night. It's right on the pretty medieval village green.

The closest major airport to Beachy Head is London Gatwick International Airport (LGW) at 33 miles away. While you might like to have a car along to explore the surrounding areas, there is also a regular train from Gatwick to Eastbourne, and the trip takes roughly an hour. Finally, here are some other tourist traps that Steves says you should avoid in Europe.