A new study has crowned the destinations tourists believe deliver the biggest dose of good fortune, and millions of travelers are already booking flights based on it. But before adding any of these spots to next year’s itinerary, there is a part of the story the viral headlines are leaving out.
Researchers at Casino Khajana combed through more than 16,000 TripAdvisor reviews, alongside search volumes and Instagram hashtag counts, to work out which landmarks travelers most associate with luck, wealth and blessings. The result is a ranked list of ten sites that pull in staggering crowds every single year, chasing rituals that range from coin tosses to statue rubbing.
The trouble is, the very popularity that earns these places their “lucky” reputation is also what makes them some of the most chaotic, overcrowded and pickpocket-heavy stops on the planet.
The Number One Spot Comes With a 100,000-Person Crowd Every Day
Topping the list is the Golden Temple in Amritsar, India, scoring an almost perfect 9.29 out of 10. Its langar, the free community kitchen, serves nearly 100,000 meals daily. That scale of devotion is remarkable, but it also means travelers arriving without understanding the site’s customs, dress codes and etiquette can find themselves overwhelmed, or worse, unintentionally disrespectful in a deeply sacred space.
Rome’s Most Famous Fountain Is Also a Pickpocket’s Favorite Workplace
Trevi Fountain claimed second place, drawing in more than a million dollars in tossed coins every year. What the ranking does not mention is that Trevi has become notorious among Italian police for exactly the kind of distracted, phone-out, coin-in-hand crowds that pickpockets love to work. Travelers hoping for a moment of luck often leave with an empty wallet instead.
The coin ritual itself carries risk too. Tossing with the right hand over the left shoulder means turning your back to a packed piazza, which is precisely the moment thieves count on.
A 14th Century Bridge That Buckles Under Modern Crowds
Charles Bridge in Prague ranked third, largely thanks to the legend of St John of Nepomuk, whose statue plaque is rubbed by hopeful visitors hoping to guarantee a return trip. But Prague’s Old Town has struggled for years with overtourism, and Charles Bridge is often named as one of the worst bottlenecks in the city. Anyone expecting a peaceful stroll with a view of the Vltava River may instead find themselves shoulder to shoulder with tour groups from sunrise to well after dark.
Japan’s Torii Gates Look Serene in Photos, Less So in Person
Fushimi Inari Taisha in Kyoto rounded out the top five, its endless run of red torii gates driving over a million Instagram posts. The reality on the ground during peak season is a very different picture, with narrow paths jammed with visitors trying to get the same empty shot everyone else already has. The famous quiet climb up the mountain has become anything but quiet.
Even Stonehenge and Blarney Castle Aren’t Immune
Stonehenge placed seventh, prized for its solstice alignments and ancient atmosphere, while Blarney Castle in Ireland came in eighth thanks to its centuries-old tradition of leaning backward over the battlements to kiss the Blarney Stone. That particular ritual, done for luck and eloquence, involves visitors dangling upside down above a stone ledge while a stranger holds their legs. It is exactly the kind of moment that sends more than a few travelers to the nearest first aid station each year.
What Travelers Should Actually Do Before Chasing Luck Abroad
The safest approach to any of these sites is preparation, not spontaneity.
Research the busiest hours in advance. Most of these landmarks have predictable crowd patterns, and arriving even an hour earlier than the tour buses can make the difference between a meaningful visit and a shove-filled one.
Keep valuables secured, not accessible. Anywhere coins are being tossed or wishes are being made, distraction is high and so is theft.
Understand the ritual before performing it. Some of these traditions, from the Blarney Stone kiss to temple prayer customs, carry real physical or cultural risk for visitors who do not know what they are doing.
The rankings make for a great scroll, but the fine print matters just as much as the final score.
Source: study conducted by Casino Khajana.
Amanda O’Brien is the creator and editor of The Boutique Adventurer. She has visited 80 countries and is a member of the British Guild of Travel Writers as well as the IFTWTA. She is passionate about wine had has just completed Level 3 of the WSET. Born in Australia, she lives in London.