A TikTok user shared his thoughts on the European country he wouldn’t recommend visiting, despite many others taking to social media to share their love for the spot
Europe has long been celebrated as a jewel among continents for travellers. In 2023, the continent saw an impressive surge in international tourists, with numbers reaching 707 million – a significant increase of nearly 100 million from the previous year.
France, Italy and Spain are among the most frequented destinations in Europe, thanks to their rich history, stunning architecture, diverse landscapes, delectable cuisine and wine, and generally agreeable weather. However, not all European locations are considered gems.
One TikTok user shared his least favourite spot, which many classify as part of Asia, but it has European roots, so it counts.
TikTok user olliepotts07 discussed his least preferred European location on his channel, Ollie Potts Travel Documentaries.
According to him, his least favourite country in Europe is Armenia. He stated: “I didn’t like my time there at all.
“The capital Yerevan is very, very dull. The food wasn’t great and we didn’t feel safe generally.”
Armenia is located in Transcaucasia, south of the Caucasus mountains in southwestern Asia.
The country borders Turkey to its west, Azerbaijan to the east, Georgia to its north and Iran to its south.
“What kind of sums up Armenia very well is the mountain which overlooks the city. It’s their national treasure, it’s worshipped and it’s also allegedly the place where Noah’s Ark landed from the bible,” he added.
A TikTok user shared his less-than-stellar experience in Armenia, stating: “For me that really summarises my experience in Armenia. We did have a great time driving around the countryside visiting the ruins.”
He added: “If you want to visit yourself, I really wouldn’t recommend it and it was my least favourite country on the continent.”
Yet, not all social media users echoed his sentiments about the country.
One person countered: “Did we visit the same Armenia? I loved it.”
Another chimed in: “The capital is so beautiful and the food excellent.”
Despite its rich history and a population of nearly three million, Armenia faces safety concerns due to tensions and potential conflict along its border with Azerbaijan, especially in the Nagorno-Karabakh region, leading to intermittent military skirmishes and making travel near the border quite perilous.
Moreover, Yerevan, the capital city of Armenia, occasionally witnesses protests that can escalate into violence, alongside minor crimes like pickpocketing.