A new survey has revealed the world's most challenging tourist destinations for capturing the perfect, crowd-free photograph, with iconic landmarks like Times Square and the Eiffel Tower topping the list due to persistent photobombers.
The Global Struggle for the Perfect Shot
Research commissioned by Samsung, involving 2,000 adults, highlights a common travel dilemma: securing an Instagram-worthy image without unwanted visitors in the frame. The study found that 27 percent of travellers admit to waking before 6am specifically to beat the crowds at popular sites, demonstrating the lengths people will go to for that pristine shot.
Queues and Frustrations
The data shows that one in five travellers have queued for longer than an hour at certain locations just to take a photograph. The Taj Mahal in India was identified as the site requiring the most patience, with significant waiting times reported. Furthermore, 21 percent of respondents have returned to a major tourist attraction solely because they failed to get a satisfactory picture during their initial visit.
Annika Bizon from Samsung, commenting on the findings related to the Galaxy S25 Series and its AI features, stated: "Everyone wants to travel home with a photo that represents their incredible trip to some of the wonders of the world, but capturing the perfect snap can sometimes be near impossible." She highlighted how technological solutions like Generative Edit can assist time-pressed tourists by digitally removing unwanted elements from photos with a simple tap.
Social Media Pressure and Editing Woes
The pursuit of the perfect social media post is a significant driver, with 42 percent of travellers stating that obtaining an ideal photo for platforms like Instagram is a priority during their trips. However, many struggle with post-capture editing; 46 percent wish they were more skilled at photo editing, and 55 percent find it particularly difficult to remove random people from their images.
Photobombing remains a major annoyance, with 21 percent expressing outright dislike when strangers inadvertently appear in their background shots. This frustration sometimes escalates, as one in five people who have taken photos at famous landmarks have actually reprimanded someone for obstructing their view, with 70 percent reporting feelings of irritation in such situations.
The Top Ten Most Challenging Locations
According to the poll, the following tourist hotspots are deemed the hardest to photograph without crowds:
- Times Square – New York City, USA
- Eiffel Tower – Paris, France
- Trevi Fountain – Rome, Italy
- The Mona Lisa – Louvre Museum, Paris, France
- Buckingham Palace – London, UK
- Taj Mahal – Agra, India
- The Colosseum – Rome, Italy
- Great Wall of China (Badaling section) – Beijing, China
- Niagara Falls – USA
- Shibuya Crossing – Tokyo, Japan
Other notable mentions from the study include the Colosseum, the Great Wall of China, and Niagara Falls, all cited as nearly impossible to capture without numerous passersby intruding on the scene. This research underscores the modern travel experience, where documenting visits visually often becomes as important as the visit itself, leading to new challenges and technological adaptations in the age of social media.
