There is a certain type of vacation photo that many travelers prefer not to admit to. These are pictures taken in front of a famous landmark, where the person smiles too enthusiastically, and dozens of other tourists are in the background.
Perhaps you posed next to a huge sign, bought a magnet shaped like a monument, or joined an excursion you swore you would never use. You might even have asked a stranger to take the same photo three times because the first two shots didn't capture the view properly.
We have become surprisingly good at pretending that such things do not bother us. In an era when travel inspiration often praises hidden gems, quiet corners, and wonderfully undiscovered experiences, being an obvious tourist can feel a little awkward.
A trip shouldn't turn into a competition to see who can discover the least known place or post photos that no one else has taken. Sometimes the most enjoyable part of a trip is simply doing what everyone else has done before you.
At some point, the idea of being a good traveler became associated with avoiding the obvious. Popular attractions were dismissed as tourist traps, organized tours as unoriginal, and souvenir shops as places to quickly pass through.
Instead, we were encouraged to look for unknown cafes, crowds-free neighborhoods, and viewpoints that haven't yet appeared in everyone's social media feed.
There is much value in traveling beyond the main attractions. Exploring a place at a slower pace can lead to unexpected discoveries, meaningful encounters, and a better understanding of local life. However, the pursuit of authentic experience can become a kind of performance, where we spend more time proving how different our vacation is from someone else's than actually enjoying it.
A famous landmark does not become any less interesting just because it is popular. The Eiffel Tower remains an extraordinary sight, Table Mountain remains a wonderful natural landmark, and Victoria Falls is no less impressive because of thousands of visitors.
There is a reason why people continue to take pictures in front of famous landmarks, even if they can easily find a better picture online. A photograph doesn't necessarily have to capture the original image. It serves as documentary proof that you were there.
A picture of the Eiffel Tower might look very similar to someone else's, but the story behind it belongs to you. Perhaps it was taken during your first foreign vacation, a long-awaited anniversary, or a family adventure whose planning took months. The background may be familiar, but the memory is personal.
Research confirms the idea that photography can enhance the enjoyment of an experience. In 2016, researchers Christine Diehl, Gal Zauerman, and Alexandra Barasch published a study of nine field and laboratory experiments in the Journal of Personality and Social Psychology. The researchers found that taking photos can increase enjoyment by prompting people to interact more closely with what they are experiencing. In other words, taking a photo doesn't automatically mean you are missing the moment. Choosing what to photograph can make you pay more attention to it.
Of course, there is a difference between taking a few shots and spending an entire day trying to get the perfect shot. You can put away your phone after taking a picture, look around, and appreciate your location.
The best souvenir might be the photo you laughed about, not the perfectly composed landscape shot you spent half an hour setting up.
Not every popular attraction will live up to expectations, and some may be overcrowded, expensive, or less pleasant than expected. Nevertheless, there is something satisfying about finally seeing a place you have heard about for years.
You might have dreamed of seeing the Pyramids of Giza, walking under the Eiffel Tower, or climbing to the observation deck of the Empire State Building. You have seen these places in movies, books, travel guides, and photos, but being there is a different experience.
The scale, sounds, atmosphere, and surrounding landscape are difficult to fully appreciate on a screen. Even if your photo looks like a million others, the experience of seeing the landmark with your own eyes belongs only to you.
A famous viewpoint might be crowded, and the path or queue to it might test your patience. But a well-known viewpoint can still offer a breathtaking perspective of the city, coast, or mountain range.
The view from the top of Table Mountain in Cape Town is popular for a reason. Viewing the city, the coast, and the surrounding mountains is an experience worth having, whether you arrive with a professional camera or just snap a quick picture on your phone.
You can always explore a quieter trail or a lesser-known viewpoint later. Enjoying the main attraction doesn't prevent you from discovering something new.
Some places are popular because they offer something truly special. A waterfall, a historical monument, wildlife encounter, or unusual natural formation can be worth the trip, even if the experience is accompanied by crowds and well-developed tourist infrastructure.
There is no need to apologize for wanting to see a place that has captured the imagination of generations.