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Most boring places you've visited

snowstorm445

While we're all reminiscing about places we'd like to go back to after COVID subsides, is there anywhere you've been to that you found totally forgettable?

My own contender is Hannover in Germany - stopped there once out of curiosity on the way from Amsterdam to Berlin and I was pretty familiar with the name from history etc. Apart from an impressive city hall, and some nice palace gardens outside the city (pretty modest by German standards though), it was basically just filled with shopping streets. A few Germans I've talked to since told me it's a big hub for people travelling around Germany by train, but there's pretty much nothing there. And like a lot of German cities, it's historic parts were gutted by bombing in the war, and only some reconstructed facades remain.

Closer to home, I was in Sligo for the first time about two years ago. The county is lovely (Ben Bulben, Strandhill etc.) but Sligo town is pretty unremarkable tbh. Not shockingly boring, but not very memorable either. Plenty of Midland towns have a reputation for being fairly forgettable as well, but then that's fairly well known. :pac:

Any other nominations?

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[Deleted User]

onrail wrote: »

As a Wexford person, I have to agree. That whole courtown-riverchapel area used to be pleasant until it became the dumping ground of a certain council

Let me guess.

Wexford council?

GT89

orangerhyme wrote: »

"Demographics are destiny"

People complain about immigrants in Italy, but they've no choice to accept them, otherwise their economy suffers.

Our birth rate is slowly dropping but still 3rd highest in Europe I think.

The only work I've seen immigrants in Italy is selling selfie sticks and other bits of tourist tat so I wouldn't say immigration has benefitted their economy. Nearly all the service staff in restaurants, bars and hotels are Italian.

Most train stations in Italy are full of African migrants loitering and intimidating tourists.

onrail

Giggsy19 wrote: »

Courtown in wexford, horrendous place. No amount of alcohol can help make this place good.

As a Wexford person, I have to agree. That whole courtown-riverchapel area used to be pleasant until it became the dumping ground of a certain council

orangerhyme

chosen1 wrote: »

Literally no where on that post did I say Berlin was boring in general. There is tons to do during the day and sights to visit.

I was simply stating that the famous nightlife can easily be missed if it weren't for some local knowledge. It's no fun at night time being refused into the more we'll known nightclubs, something that has happened to me no where else in the world except when I was a teenager in Ireland and had a few too many.

Was the underground scene that saved night life for us.

There seems to be a culture of "in the know" and also locals only.
I went to one "secret" pub in back of a shop that you enter through a phone box I think, it was completely empty, but apparently up til recently it was the place to be.
It's a strange/interesting city overall.
Lots of dereliction and squatting in the city centre also

Brian?

EmptyTree wrote: »

You've just discredited your entire post.

Agreed. Berlin is many things, but boring definitely isn’t one of them.

hahashake

Exactly, Irish pubs are fine, it's more complaining that a city/country is dead when what you really mean is you travelled across the world and only wanted what you could have had at home and then complained it wasn't as good. Like the kid on safari who spends his time playing games and complaining he's bored, except no one dragged you there.

Giggsy19

Courtown in wexford, horrendous place. No amount of alcohol can help make this place good.

orangerhyme

Hamachi wrote: »

There’s a grain of truth in this. Germany has had an abysmally low birth rate since the 1970s. The same is also true of Italy. The populations are simply older and aren’t likely to be heading out on a session.

In Ireland, we take our relatively youthful demographics for granted. It’s a real asset to this country, giving it a certain vibrancy lacking in much of continental Europe. Long may it continue.

Two German friends visited me in Dublin in the summer of 2019. We spent a lot of time in town and heading out at night. They couldn’t get over how youthful the city is with one of them asking if there are any old people in Ireland at all.

"Demographics are destiny"

People complain about immigrants in Italy, but they've no choice to accept them, otherwise their economy suffers.

Our birth rate is slowly dropping but still 3rd highest in Europe I think.

The Nal

humberklog wrote: »

I pop into Irish pubs when abroad now and again especially when in a city (as opposed to a Resort).

Sometimes you just want to go to the bar and get served. Ireland does pubs well and often "Irish Pubs" abroad are pretty well run along the manner of a pub in Ireland.

I don't associate Irish Pubs with being full of Irish people. It's a term (and theme) of a type of pub that for the most part didn't exist in other countries until the Irish pub arrived.

What's the difference? Bar service and seating, longer unashamed drinking, often live music, more informal service and mixing with other customers. General atmosphere. Sure you can get crappy ones abroad but you can get crappy Irish pubs in Ireland too.

I see "Irish Pub" in the same way I see "French Restaurant" or "German Beer Hall" or "Thai Massage". It's just something we do well that at this stage has developed an international understanding.

It's not everyone's cuppa but I for one love popping into an Irish pub after a few days and nights (weeks even) of being in a foreign city.

It can be oasis of familiarity in world of strange. But you could be a Dutch man in Guatemala and see the sign for Reilly's and feel "oh thank fukc for that, un grande cervaze, signor" and roughly know what you going to get, or at least what you expect to get.

Indeed and have been in Irish pubs myself to watch a match or whatever.

I'm really referring to it as a first (and sometimes only) port of call. ie lads on a stag or whatever for 2 days spending all 2 days in the Irish bar.

And then saying they didn't really like the city.

Strumms

i aways make it my business on the second day to pop into an Irish bar , you can get great tips and recommendations on what to do, where to go, what not to do and where not to go..... great also if you are tired of sightseeing and just fancy for a couple of hours a break from the heat, four pints, a sit down and the match..a bite maybe too.

chosen1

[Deleted User] wrote: »

So the entire city would have been boring if you didn’t find a techno nightclub in an industrial centre? You were there a week. Berlin is spread out but for tourists those hop on hop off buses are a good way to get around.

Literally no where on that post did I say Berlin was boring in general. There is tons to do during the day and sights to visit.

I was simply stating that the famous nightlife can easily be missed if it weren't for some local knowledge. It's no fun at night time being refused into the more we'll known nightclubs, something that has happened to me no where else in the world except when I was a teenager in Ireland and had a few too many.

Was the underground scene that saved night life for us.

humberklog

The Nal wrote: »

Theres a special place in the fiery pits of hell for Irish people who go to Irish pubs on holiday.

I pop into Irish pubs when abroad now and again especially when in a city (as opposed to a Resort).

Sometimes you just want to go to the bar and get served. Ireland does pubs well and often "Irish Pubs" abroad are pretty well run along the manner of a pub in Ireland.

I don't associate Irish Pubs with being full of Irish people. It's a term (and theme) of a type of pub that for the most part didn't exist in other countries until the Irish pub arrived.

What's the difference? Bar service and seating, longer unashamed drinking, often live music, more informal service and mixing with other customers. General atmosphere. Sure you can get crappy ones abroad but you can get crappy Irish pubs in Ireland too.

I see "Irish Pub" in the same way I see "French Restaurant" or "German Beer Hall" or "Thai Massage". It's just something we do well that at this stage has developed an international understanding.

It's not everyone's cuppa but I for one love popping into an Irish pub after a few days and nights (weeks even) of being in a foreign city.

It can be oasis of familiarity in world of strange. But you could be a Dutch man in Guatemala and see the sign for Reilly's and feel "oh thank fukc for that, un grande cervaze, signor" and roughly know what you going to get, or at least what you expect to get.

IsosKramer

I see sheep wrote: »

Every thread about places to live/visit ends up in Galwsy bashing. A lot of jealous people here who've never had the pleasure of living in Galway.

Absolutely.
Whenever I see these threads I feel they should just change the title to:
"What do you hate most about Galway?"

breezy1985

GT89 wrote: »

When it comes to places in the UK. This is actually so accurate. They're literally all like this.

Is that from Poundland Bandit ?

Redderneck

This thread should be bookmarked so that in future years, when the past twenty years will be viewed as THE golden era of never had it so good until it was gone, relatively affordable, readily organised, straightforward and widespread international travel, the folks on here bitchin' about being bored overseas can have a good cringe for themselves...

...boredom comes from within lads. You can find divilmint/distraction/fascination/wonderment anywhere.

Except Staines.

[Deleted User]

iamwhoiam wrote: »

Kreuzberg has changed so much . In the days before the Wall fell it was run down , huge unemployment and dirty and disheveled . It was re born when young Germans moved in and regeneration took place .

Yeah, it can still be a bit rough around the edges, but overall a very interesting area.

The juxtaposition of the hipsters in the bars and restaurants with the hijab-wearing women shopping in the streets creates a unique vibe.

[Deleted User]

orangerhyme wrote: »

I think I heard a German economist saying that theres many small cities in Germany with a population over 100,000 and they wouldnt have a cinema even. I think this is due to the small birthrate since the 70s.
Apparently Germanys native population peaked in the 70s and any growth since then is due to immigrants.

There’s a grain of truth in this. Germany has had an abysmally low birth rate since the 1970s. The same is also true of Italy. The populations are simply older and aren’t likely to be heading out on a session.

In Ireland, we take our relatively youthful demographics for granted. It’s a real asset to this country, giving it a certain vibrancy lacking in much of continental Europe. Long may it continue.

Two German friends visited me in Dublin in the summer of 2019. We spent a lot of time in town and heading out at night. They couldn’t get over how youthful the city is with one of them asking if there are any old people in Ireland at all.

fryup

GT89 wrote: »

When it comes to places in the UK. This is actually so accurate. They're literally all like this.

just like Ireland then :cool:

[Deleted User]

Anyone who thinks Berlin is boring hasn’t done their research. Such a vibrant and exciting city for people of all ages. Germans tend to be dead sound as well. And the kebabs are class.

iamwhoiam

Hamachi wrote: »

Good call. You can’t go far wrong staying nearing Alexanderplatz. Most of the u-bahn lines intersect there, meaning you can get anywhere pretty quickly.

Not sure why people found it hard to track down nightlife in Berlin. It’s virtually impossible to miss it in Kreuzberg. Speaking of Kreuzberg, it’s an interesting place right in the shadow of where the wall once stood. The people are a curious mix of German hipsters and multi-generational Turkish families, who seem to co-exist relatively happily.

Kreuzberg has changed so much . In the days before the Wall fell it was run down , huge unemployment and dirty and disheveled . It was re born when young Germans moved in and regeneration took place .

[Deleted User]

The Nal wrote: »

Stay in Mitte around Alexanderplatz and work from there.

Berlin is one of the greatest cities in the world. Can't wait to go back.

Good call. You can’t go far wrong staying near Alexanderplatz. Most of the u-bahn lines intersect there, meaning you can get anywhere pretty quickly.

Not sure why people found it hard to track down nightlife in Berlin. It’s virtually impossible to miss it in Kreuzberg. Speaking of Kreuzberg, it’s an interesting place right in the shadow of where the wall once stood. The people are a curious mix of German hipsters and multi-generational Turkish families, who seem to co-exist relatively happily.

[Deleted User]

[Deleted User] wrote: »

A museum, I rest my case

We are talking about trips to cities. Museums matter to many people.

It looks like it’s horses for courses. If you can write Berlin off because it doesn’t have an easily accessible techno dance scene, Vienna for reasons unknown, Howth because you just walked to the fish n chips restaurant and back, then it’s clearly subjective.

In terms of boredom re things to do I’m quite happy ambling about. I like smaller pretty cities like Bruges or Bath but when we visit we just walk around and enjoy rather than visit all the museums etc. Weather is the thing that drives me to museums in any city. The Roman baths in Bath are great, but I’ve done that now so I don’t need to do it again.

In short, cities for me just need to look good. And a good restaurant or two. Different horses for different courses.

The Nal

hahashake wrote: »

No wonder there are so many Irish pubs globally, people travel the world then don't want what the place has to offer, they just want to drink in a different location.

Theres a special place in the fiery pits of hell for Irish people who go to Irish pubs on holiday.

GT89

When it comes to places in the UK. This is actually so accurate. They're literally all like this.

iamwhoiam

keano_afc wrote: »

Surprised to see this. Spent two days there and would go back. The arsenal museum was a particular highlight.

All down to personal preference I guess.

This thread has turned into a thread about the nightlife in places !
How can anyone find Vienna or Berlin boring is beyond me . But if someone bases their opinion in the nightlife only then I guess I have no clue why they need to travel to do that !!!
Vienna is stunning , my only regret was it was in a heatwave of 40degrees and so we couldn’t walk around too much . I would love to go back in less intense heat to see it again .

[Deleted User]

chosen1 wrote: »

I spent a week in Berlin and couldn't find much night life the first couple of nights we were there. Looked up a few highly rated clubs but were refused entry on dresscode as everyone wearing blazers going in. Some door men not too keen on tourists either.

Wasn't till the third night when we got chatting to some locals that we found the underground techno clubs in what looked like abandoned industrial estates. Had great nights after that but we met several tourists who hadn't found any of it in their entire stay.

It's lacking a proper city centre and massively spread out in smaller districts. Probably due to the damage caused by the bombings in the war.

So the entire city would have been boring if you didn’t find a techno nightclub in an industrial centre? You were there a week. Berlin is spread out but for tourists those hop on hop off buses are a good way to get around.

tdf7187

Knocklyon. The most boring suburb in the world. I'd honestly rather live in Darndale. At least they're near the coast and the DART.

hahashake

No wonder there are so many Irish pubs globally, people travel the world then don't want what the place has to offer, they just want to drink in a different location.

luketitz

breezy1985 wrote: »

Vancouver is like that. Hated the place

Koa Tao in Thailand is similar too, boring as **** if you're there for the nightlife as everyone's up early for diving in the morning.

But if you're there for the diving, it's far from boring! Horses for courses!

breezy1985

onrail wrote: »

Kiwis just have a different set of values and would rather be in bed early to give them a full day or skiing, hiking or surfing the next day

Vancouver is like that. Hated the place