Conventional wisdom says tourist traps should be avoided,but some are worth visiting,and we should surrender to the silliness. After all,we can’t always be serious. Tourist traps are often colourful and noisy,tacky and predictable,and there are times when that’s just what we need.

Don’t like tourist traps? Maybe there’s something wrong with you,rather than the millions of other people who are clearly getting enjoyment out of them. Maybe you’re the one out of step,rather than thinking the band is out of tempo.

Besides,consider this:aren’t all tourist destinations essentially traps? They provide the narrative and razzle-dazzle we want,and allow us to ignore the realities. Beaches are always pristine,European castles romantic,Africa giraffe-filled. All travel is escapism,and nowhere does escapism better than a tourist trap.

Anyway,such places became traps for a reason. Often,behind all the superficiality and souvenir shops,they have an interesting history and culture,or gorgeous looks,for anyone who cares to notice. Shelve your inner Grinch,plunge in,and enjoy.

LA BOCA,BUENOS AIRES,ARGENTINA

This working-class harbour district on the River Plate,six kilometres south of downtown,was a first port of call for early 20th-century Italian immigrants.

They sayLa Boca is inconveniently located,impoverished,tacky,a terrible experience and a complete waste of time,according to some TripAdvisor tongue-waggers.

We sayLa Boca is best known for brightly painted houses along El Caminito tourist drag,where street artists paint and buskers perform the tango. Frescoes depict 1950s life and tango scenes. A street market offers cheerful crafts and paintings. The colours are Instagram-ready,the atmosphere lively,and the kitsch so unabashed you’ve got to love it.

See + doLa Boca retains grittiness beneath the manufactured charm,and has more than meets the eye. Check out the provocative contemporary art at Fundacion Proa and works at Museo Benito Quinquela Martín,former home and studio of a leading Argentine painter.

EssentialsDon’t visit at night,be alert to pickpockets,and avoid the overpriced restaurants,which often have a cover charge in tiny menu small print. See turismo.buenosaires.gob.ar

SANTORINI,GREECE

A superbly photogenic volcanic island with whitewashed,cliff-clinging villages located in the Aegean Sea,halfway between mainland Athens and Crete.

They sayReddit whingers say they couldn’t be paid to go back to this underwhelming,overrated and overcrowded destination. In short:“Santorini sucks!”

We saySantorini is one of the world’s most beautiful places. You’ll forgive the crowds for a glimpse of its caldera,blue-domed churches and cubist buildings swathed in bougainvillea. Sunsets are astonishing. Besides,if you head to Imerovigli or Skaros you’ll find far less congestion,and more bewitching views everywhere.

See + doThe Museum of Pre-Historic Thira has Minoan pottery and frescoes dating back 4000 years,and the Ancient Thira archaeological site has 9th-century BCE tombs,Roman baths and Byzantine churches. Pretty villages across the island include Pirgos,crowned by a Venetian-era fort. Santorini is also a wine region with several cellar doors.

EssentialsSantorini is well connected by plane to many European destinations,and by ferry to the Greek mainland and other islands. Aim for April-May or October shoulder seasons. See visitgreece.gr

GRAND BAZAAR,ISTANBUL,TURKEY

A 15th-century covered market with 4000 shops along 61 streets. With 40 million annual visitors,it’s one of the world’s busiest tourist attractions.

They sayReviewers collated by Google suggest you should keep walking and avoid the tourist tat and overpricing. Others whinge about getting lost,or the unbreathable air.

We sayTake a chill pill. This is an Ali Baba fantasy,with everyone a pantomime player. Surrender to the hilarious patter of shop owners,cheeky shoeshine boys and 40 thieves. Meet ordinary Turkish people and stuff your suitcase with brassware,lamps,kilims,leather goods,organza wedding dresses and kitchen sinks.

See + doAdmire the architecture behind the hanging carpets and Galatasaray soccer shirts. You’ll find two mosques,hidden courtyards,coffee shops,magnificent vaulted ceilings and marble fountains. Wander down the side streets to find artisans at work.

EssentialsThe bazaar is in Fatih district and Gate 1 is the most convenient entrance. Shops start opening at 9am and close by 7pm. The whole bazaar is closed on Sundays and religious holidays. See goturkiye.com

NEUSCHWANSTEIN CASTLE,BAVARIA,GERMANY

Ludwig II’s 19th-century,pseudo-medieval folly – on a crag in the Bavarian Alps’ foothills – was inspiration for Disney’s Sleeping Beauty castle.

They sayAn exhausting experience,a total disaster,not as good as Disneyland,and not worth a cent,say 370 “totally disappointed” visitors on Tripadvisor.

We sayGive in to the romance. The castle couldn’t be more scenically located,and its interior is a theatrical explosion of angels,dragons,swans,stars and hairy warriors from Germanic legend. The throne room erupts in Byzantine-style mosaics. What’s not to like about this madness?

See + doDon’t make it all about Neuschwanstein’s interior. Marien Bridge spans a gorge above the castle for great outlooks,while hiking and cycle paths crisscross the verdant countryside below. The nearby town Fussen is a gem of medieval alleys and baroque squares,with a fraction of the castle’s visitors.

EssentialsOpen year-round by guided tour only at a specific time;on opening is best. Book well in advance. Tickets are €18 ($30). Late autumn is off-season and the mountain colours magnificent. See neuschwanstein.de

NIAGARA FALLS,CANADA

This once-classic honeymoon destination spans the Canadian-American border south-east of Toronto. The series of falls has immensely powerful water flows.

They sayCorny,kitschy,low-budget trashy,a weird carnival and the worst place I’ve ever been to,say commentators on Reddit.

We sayThis is one of the world’s great sights,stunning both by day and illuminated at night. The roar and slide of the water is mesmerising,and boat tours beneath are a spray-drenching,frightening delight. None of the nearby kitsch – waxworks museums,arcades,tatty shops – detract from the Falls’ power.

See + doTable Rock and Cave of the Winds are top viewing spots. The old-fashioned Skylon Tower has immense outlooks over the whole falls and as far as Toronto. Head out along beautiful Niagara Parkway for bird and butterfly conservatories,botanic gardens and historical town Niagara-on-the-Lake.

EssentialsNiagara Falls Pass bundles together five classic viewpoints and costs $C84 ($94). Springtime showcases terrific displays of daffodils and tulips. If you can endure the big freeze,winter is much quieter. See niagarafallstourism.com

GRUYERES,SWITZERLAND

A fortified medieval village north of Montreux,set in verdant rolling countryside in the alpine foothills,this is where Gruyere cheese is produced.

They sayThere are dozens of better Swiss villages;Gruyeres is merely “nice” – and that’s only if you like tourist traps,say gratuitous advice-givers on Reddit.

We sayOne of Europe’s best-preserved fortified villages is extra lovely thanks to careful Swiss upkeep,flower boxes and surrounding cow-chewed meadows and mountains. Beyond,visit Maison de Gruyere factory for the cheese-making process explained through interactive displays. Sentier des Fromageries,a scenic five-kilometre pathway,passes Fromagerie d’Alpage,a 1686 chalet where cheese is made more traditionally.

See + do Expect two surprises,often overlooked – the Tibet Museum for Buddhist art,and HR Giger Museum dedicated to a Swiss special-effects artist best known forAlien. The chateau has lovely outlooks and paintings by Corot.

EssentialsA combined ticket to Gruyeres Castle and Maison du Gruyere costs CHF17 ($25). Both are open daily. Avoid the July-August high season;the scenery is at its finest in May or late October. See myswitzerland.com

FRENCH QUARTER,NEW ORLEANS,US

The city’s oldest neighbourhood,founded by the French in 1718,has abundant cultural,architectural and musical history,and a very lively party scene.

They sayDon’t waste your time,Tripadvisor reviews intone,which pummel the French Quarter for being a “junk dump”,a waste of time and full of dodgy-looking folk.

WesayEmbrace the Big Easy,which blends French and Spanish architecture with African cultural influences and Caribbean cuisine. The jazz and blues heritage is fabulous,the nightlife notorious. Who doesn’t like a bit of steamy decadence? As the locals say:Let the good times roll!

See + doWander residential streets,duck into voodoo shops and quirky museums,eat beignets (doughnuts) in Jackson Square. By night,quaff cocktails in jazz lounges along Frenchman Street,and beer from plastic Go-Cups on bacchanalian Bourbon Street.

EssentialsJune-August is hottest and rainiest. Mardi Gras is in February,but festivals fizz all year. Watch for phone snatchers,and be cautious at night. Public drunkenness can get you arrested,despite New Orleans’ party reputation. See neworleans.com

PENANG HILL,PENANG,MALAYSIA

A series of hills overlooking George Town,developed as a retreat by the British,with colonial-era buildings and modern tourist attractions set in a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve.

They sayThis is Asia’s worst tourist trap and one of the most overrated attractions worldwide,according to newspaperUSA Today.

We sayOh come on. Local tourists are so obviously enjoying themselves that it’s catching. The views are marvellous,the breezes and altitude a welcome antidote to humidity,and colonial architecture combines with a mosque and Hindu temple for interest. Besides,have you ever seen a Rabbit Garden?

See + doWalking tracks (and the boardwalks of The Habitat) lead through 130-million-year-old rainforest replete with monkeys,giant squirrels,flying lemurs and fabulous birds and insects. Further along the hillside,Kek Lok Temple is South-East Asia’s largest Buddhist complex,topped by a seven-tiered pagoda.

EssentialsA funicular operates daily from 6.30am to 11pm and costs MYR12 ($3.80) return. Avoid school holidays in late December,February,early March and mid-September. The wet season runs May-October. See penanghill.gov.my

HALLSTATT,AUSTRIA

A 16th-century village of pastel-painted houses,72 kilometres south-east of Salzburg,set in an achingly picturesque alpine landscape.

They sayHallstatt’s 700 residents are increasingly unhappy with their own town,which they say is overcrowded,noisy,polluted and too full of selfie-takers.

We sayYes,the summer tourist stampede is extraordinary,but so is the chocolate-box perfection of this town that dips its toes in a mirror-calm,swan-paddled lake and is backed by cliffs. The terrace of little St Barbara’s Chapel has a particularly heavenly view.

See + doTour through Salzwelten Hallstatt salt mines and inspect Iron Age graves at its entrance. Hallstatt is one of the oldest continuously inhabited places in Europe:get the history at Weltkulturerbe Museum,then hit hiking trails such as the easy one-hour Panoramic Trail or less-visited path to Bad Goisern.

EssentialsSteer clear of summer;autumn brings out magnificent colours in the surrounding forests. Saltzwelten Hallstatt is open daily,9.30am-4pm,with shorter winter hours,and costs €40 ($65) including funicular and audio guide. See austria.info

MALL OF THE EMIRATES,DUBAI,UAE

A vast shopping mall with more than 630 shops,100 restaurants,two adjoining hotels and various entertainment venues,visited by 40 million visitors annually.

They sayTripadvisor ranters call out the mall for being traumatic,sad,extremely pretentious and a completely overpriced tourist trap and gaudy nightmare.

We sayShopaholics unite! Wander until you collapse,or your credit card expires. Give in to the spectacle of unabashed commercialism and indulgence. Goggle at $20 million necklaces,a gold-plated Porsche,and improbable price tags on handbags and chocolates. But don’t fret,there are lots of ordinary shops,too.

See + doPlay arcade games,tackle the obstacle course and hit the rides at Magic Planet. Give in to the absurdity of Ski Dubai. Stickybeak on the habits of Emiratis,Kuwaitis and Saudis in cafes and supermarkets,and check out the Fashion Dome.

EssentialsThe mall is open daily from 10am to 1am,but times are shorter for individual attractions such as Ski Dubai. The mall has its own metro station and free shuttle buses from some hotels. See malloftheemirates.com

Not tourist traps? Yes,they are

Eiffel Tower,Paris,France
Somehow the great tourism icons are never considered tourist traps. True,Eiffel Tower sightings never fail to produce a romantic thrill. But at the point you pay for tickets,what do you get? Views over Paris that you have for free elsewhere,without the queues. See toureiffel.paris

Noosa,Queensland,Australia
How did this become one of Australia’s most fashionable seaside towns? It has a good beach and lovely hinterland,but many more across the continent are better and lovelier. Other than that – the same-same upmarket boutiques and restaurants you can find anywhere else. Snore. See visitnoosa.com.au

Osaka Castle,Osaka,Japan
Although it looks the part,this samurai castle is a concrete replica built in 1931 to resemble the 16th-century original. Better stick to admiring the exterior and springtime cherry blossoms. The interior is hot,overcrowded and gloomy,and presents only the usual dusty armour. See osaka-info.jp

Grand Canyon,Arizona,US
Can an outsized wonder of nature be a tourist trap? Well,yes,when you queue for hours at the national-park entrance,overpay for hotels and restaurants,and listen to rangers talking about aliens. And when you build a skywalk and IMAX theatre,where will it end? See nps.gov

Great Wall,Badaling,China
This 21,000-kilometre defensive structure can’t escape trap-dom at its most-visited section,close to Beijing. Prepare yourself for a high-speed railway station,fast-food joints,souvenir stalls and a daily cap of 65,000 visitors that fails to provide you with any elbow room. See beijing.gov.cn

Five tourist traps you really should avoid

Checkpoint Charlie,Berlin,Germany
Kitschy recreations are always tourist traps. The infamous Cold War crossing point between Berlin’s American and Soviet sectors is devoid of history but swarms with camera-toting tourists off coaches. If you’re looking for that moody old-time spy-movie atmosphere,you won’t find it here. See visitberlin.de

Fisherman’s Wharf,San Francisco,US
If you want to see the phrase “heaving with tourists” defined,head to what has essentially become a long shopping and entertainment mall where you can dine at overpriced restaurants or eat overpriced seafood chowder from street stalls;good luck finding the seafood within. See fishermanswharf.org

Kuta,Bali,Indonesia
This once-tranquil fishing village fronting a gorgeous beach has turned into a hellhole thanks largely to Australian tourists. Attractive only if you like cheap drinks,offensive T-shirt slogans,aggressive vendors,motorbike fumes and loud music. No wonder the legendary smiles of the Balinese waver here. See indonesia.travel

Times Square,New York,US
No tourist hotspot is so poorly named:it isn’t square and you won’t want to spend time here. It’s haunted by eccentrically unpredictable people and scammers,and packed with tourists gawking and taking photos of … well,nothing much. The subway station is awful. See timessquarenyc.org

La Rambla,Barcelona,Spain
This long,leafy boulevard is,like much of Barcelona,lined with wonderful architecture,but you’ll be too distracted by busking statues,pickpockets and crowds to enjoy it. Locals avoid this promenade now – unless they’re out en masse protesting against tourist overcrowding. See barcelonaturisme.com