10 Most Hated Tourists in Europe (According to the Locals)

Naturally, not all tourists are a walking disaster. Most are polite, curious, and just thrilled to be somewhere far away from home. But every country seems to have a travel stereotype attached to it; some a lot less flattering than others. We’re talking mostly small but very annoying stuff like public drunkenness, stealing from hotel rooms, or acting out about the local cuisine, but certain nationalities keep climbing to the top of this list year after year.

If you ask locals or anyone who’s ever worked a summer season in a tourist hotspot, complaints about these tourists will usually come up right away.

American tourists

You didn’t think the glorious Americans would skip this elite party, did you? They basically have the founder’s privileges at this point. American tourists are often criticized for being loud, oblivious, and thinking the USA is the best country, so all others should be like it. Additionally, there are the more trivial complaints: the coffee portions are too small, the ice has an unusual taste, and, of course, the perennial question, “Why won’t they widen these streets?” American tourists are not always the worst-behaved, but they are rarely subtle.

British tourists

British tourists are famous for one magical phrase: “It’s just a laugh.” Unfortunately, that “laugh” often involves a lot of booze, loud singing at 2 AM, and potential public urination. This reputation got so bad that some cities have openly tried to discourage certain British party tourists from showing up just to turn the historic center into one giant open-air pregame. When locals hear a pack of matching T-shirts singing badly in the distance, they already know to avoid them.

Italian tourists

Italian tourists have a reputation for traveling all the way across the world only to spend much of the trip complaining that the food and coffee failed to live up to their famously high standards. They always need to ask a billion questions to make sure their food was prepared the “correct” way. Offer them a weird twist on a classic recipe, and you may watch a person experience spiritual pain in real time. Italian tourists are not always rude about it, but they are often visibly distressed by mediocre pasta, bad espresso, or anything pretending to be authentic while committing crimes against olive oil.

Israeli tourists

Currently, the Israelis and the rest of the world are not on good terms, but their tourists are often characterized as impatient, demanding, argumentative, and determined to win every conversation. Some destinations have become so wary of these rowdy travelers that they try to avoid hosting them altogether. Stories involving aggressive behavior, refusal to take no for an answer, and clashes with staff have kept this stereotype alive for decades. Some call them the “Karens of the world,” and it’s challenging not to agree with them.

Australian tourists

If you’re going out with Aussies abroad, it may be one of those parties where things might go too far, and you’ll end up in the morning newspaper. Complaints often mention loud phone calls, drunken behavior, harassment, reckless driving, and treating ancient or sacred places like the backdrop for a prank video. “It’s just boys being boys” is not an excuse to do reckless things. Most Australians are chill, but the rotten seeds give them a bad reputation.

Indian tourists

Indian tourists often are stereotyped as relentless bargain hunters. And the one thing they love more than a good discount is getting stuff for free. This stereotype makes hotel owners sweat profusely. Apparently, some Indian tourists treat hotel amenities like a clearance event with no cashier. Shampoo, soap, towels, slippers—if it can fit into a suitcase, it’s gone.

French tourists

The French tourists are usually stereotyped to be stylish, unimpressed, and not especially thrilled by your service. In surveys and hospitality complaints, French travelers often get labeled rude, fussy, and stingy with tips. Add in a reputation for being blunt, and you get a traveler type that hotel workers often describe with one exhausted sigh and a thousand-yard stare.

Russian tourists

Russians in general are a pain, especially to their neighboring countries, but Russians abroad can be ten times as bad. Not only are they difficult to talk to and very hard to cut off at the bar, but they’ve also made headlines over disrespecting sacred sites and behavior that turns a relaxing holiday into a diplomatic incident. Thankfully, there aren’t many of them abroad these days. In Egypt, Germany, and Scandinavian countries, they are often called the worst tourists, surpassing the Americans and the Chinese.

Chinese tourists

A small minority of Chinese tourists have drawn international attention for incidents such as damaging historic sites, ignoring local rules, or entering restricted areas for photos. However, it is important to remember that millions of Chinese travelers visit destinations around the world respectfully every year, and these isolated cases should not define an entire nation of tourists.

German tourists

German tourists are usually well-organized and ultra-demanding about every single detail in their hotel rooms. If the hotel staff folds the towels incorrectly or delays breakfast by three minutes, you can expect them to immediately call room service. On the positive side, German tourists are generally punctual and have a strong appreciation for order. On the minus side, they’re usually a pain in the butt, so you may not get any tips.