Irish monastery crowned 2nd most 'worth it' tourist attraction in the world
· IrishCentralA new study has analyzed three million travel reviews to reveal the tourist attractions around the world most likely to be described as being 'worth it', with Skellig Michael Monastery in Kerry ranking in the world's top three.
With more than 1.6 million posts on TikTok alone for travel tips, there’s no shortage of recommendations online for where to go when you land in a new city. But which attractions do real visitors say are genuinely worth it?
To help travelers overwhelmed with itinerary choices, travel insurance specialist, InsureandGo, analyzed more than 3 million traveller reviews, revealing which attractions travelers consistently say are worth the time, effort and money to visit.
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The result of the new research reveals a global ranking of the tourist attractions that real visitors say are worth the trip, and those that fall short of the hype.
Across the top 10, a pattern is clear: no matter where you go, the experiences travelers often describe as ‘worth it’ are those that ask something of you first, whether that’s a long journey, a physical challenge, an expensive ticket, or all three.
Skellig Michael Monastery in County Kerry ranked second globally on the list with a 'Worth It' score of 26.3%, but is Europe's most worthy attraction.
While reaching the monastery means climbing 600 uneven stone steps in unpredictable Atlantic weather, reviewers consistently say it is worth every step, the remote island summit a genuinely once-in-a-lifetime experience that photographs can't capture.
The top spot on the list was claimed by Kings Canyon Lookout in Australia, with more than one in four reviews describing the visit as ‘worth it’. Located roughly 330km from Alice Springs, this spot is accessible only by a long drive through Australia’s remote outback. Travelers rave about the Rim Walk which is a 6km loop along the sandstone rim, with the colours of the rock at sunrise as the moment that makes the journey all worthwhile.
New Zealand’s Franz Josef Glacier Viewpoint landed in third place, followed by The Great Wall of China in the fourth spot. Egypt’s Abu Simbel Temples rounded out the top five most 'worth it' attractions in the world.
The Top 10 Most 'Worth It' Attractions in the World
- Kings Canyon Lookout, Australia
- Skellig Michael Monastery, Ireland
- Franz Josef Glacier Viewpoint, New Zealand
- Great Wall (Jinshanling Section), China
- Abu Simbel Temples, Egypt
- Batad Rice Terraces, Philippines
- Twelve Apostles, Australia
- Jungfraujoch - Top of Europe, Switzerland
- Quiraing, UK
- Moraine Lake, Canada
Meanwhile, the attractions reviewers deemed the least 'worth it' are not remote or obscure; in fact, they are among the most visited and most recognisable sites in the world, yet each of the top five earns fewer than 1% of ‘worth it’ mentions in reviews and travelers explain why.
Between long queues, high costs, and busy shopping areas that distract from the experience, the Sagrada Familia, Rome’s Colosseum and Paris’s iconic Eiffel Tower all make the top 10 least worthwhile according to reviewers.
Read more
- Exploring Co Kerry's Skellig Islands - on the edge of the world
- What it's truly like living on Skellig Michael
To make the most of any attraction you visit, Letitia Smith, Head of Communications at InsureandGo, says: “Travelers today are more discerning than ever about where they spend their time and money, and our research reflects that.
“That being said, what shapes a bad experience for one person might be enjoyable for you. So, whatever you decide to tick off your travel list, research beforehand: check the busiest times, take advice from locals, and embrace the challenge, whether that comes in the form of a lengthier queue or a hike in unstable terrain."
For the full ranking of the most ‘worth it’ attractions in the world and more details about the research, click here.