For any newly married couple or soon-to-be-married couple, one of the most important tasks is to choose the perfect honeymoon destination. There are many places that are known to be popular as honeymoon destinations, but they are also overcrowded. This is the one thing that every newlywed couple certainly wishes to avoid. As they say, knowing what not to do helps in knowing what exactly to do. We thought of listing all the overrated honeymoon destinations in India that you must avoid!
Overrated Honeymoon Destinations
1. Shimla
Shimla in Himachal Pradesh is undoubtedly one of the most classic destinations in India. But one cannot deny the fact that it is filled with severe traffic congestion, overcrowding, and heavy commercialization, especially during peak seasons. These are the reasons the “Queen of Hill Stations” no longer feels like a quiet, romantic getaway destination with romantic charm. The prices for accommodation, food, and other activities are always up because of its popularity. Hence, many couples term it as one of the most disappointing honeymoon destinations.
Alternative: Auli, Narkanda, Dharamshala
Also Read: 5 Less Crowded Honeymoon Destinations In India For Couples
2. Manali
Thanks to extreme commercialization, massive overcrowding and severe holiday traffic, Manali is slowly losing its quiet, romantic charm. Newly married couples looking for a quiet getaway seldom find themselves stuck in the commercial hubs here that are far away from romantic. The iconic spots here like Rohtang Pass and Mall Road are heavily saturated all-year around with tourists. In the past years, Manali can be termed as a youth and backpacking destination with loud party culture. Hence many couples tend to term Manali as one of the overrated honeymoon destinations in India.
Alternative: Kasol, Mandi
3. North Goa
Newly wed couples who like beaches or wish to choose a beach destination for honeymoon in India tend to choose Goa. They decided to explore North Goa specifically because of its popularity. But today, North Goa is one of the most touristy honeymoon destinations in India. It is known for its overwhelming party culture, loud music, extremely crowded beaches, constant sales pressure, impersonal commercialization and Frustrating traffic during peak hours. This ruins the expectations of a classic, intimate tropical getaway which affects the entire experience.
Alternative: Varkala, South Goa, Gokarna
Also Read: Planning A Honeymoon In Rajasthan? Here’s Where To Go & What To Do
4. Darjeeling
What comes to your mind when you think of Darjeeling? Himalayan mountains, cool climate, and quiet, cozy retreat, right? Well, that is the reason why many newly weds decide to go to Darjeeling for their honeymoon but end up getting scammed. It is one of the most overrated places in India because of severe town congestion, slow-moving traffic during peak seasons and unpredictable weather conditions. The biggest scam is the 3AM Tiger Hill view where thousands of tourists rush to Tiger Hill to catch sunrise resulting in massing traffic jam and chaos.
Alternative: Majuli Island, Garbhanga, Gangtok
4. Mussoorie
Popularly known as the “Queen Of Hills,” Mussoorie is chosen as a honeymoon destination by couples expecting romantic atmosphere, tranquil environment and beautiful views of the Himalayas. While you can still witness the gorgeous Himalayan views, the town offers severe weekend gridlock with chaotic tourists and extreme commercialization. The town generally gets flooded with weekend crowds as it is near Delhi and Dehradun. Commercialization has snatched away the untouched natural beauty with shops, stalls, concrete buildings and more. Hence couples term it as one of the overhyped honeymoon destinations.
Alternative: Chakrata, Dhanaulti, Kanatal
Also Read: Top 10 Best Honeymoon Destinations In South India For A Romantic Getaway
5. Ooty
Ooty has been one of the most dreamy and loved honeymoon destinations for years. With lush greenery, romantic cool climate, and Nilgiri hill views, this town has welcomed a huge number of newly wed couples for years. But today, the situation here, with heavy urbanization and commercialization, doesn’t seem the same. Hotels and restaurants here do not offer value for money, Ooty lake is crowded with tour groups while getting a ticket for toy train gets chaotic. Hence it is tagged as one of the most crowded honeymoon destinations.
Alternative: Coorg, Wayanad
Also Read: Best Honeymoon Destination: Goa Vs Andaman
Summing Up
Here we come to the end of this list where we have listed some of the most overhyped or overrated honeymoon destinations in India. These destinations today are not worth the hype and probably are the ones you can easily avoid. We have also mentioned alternative destinations for you which are less-crowded and offer a serene and romantic atmosphere.
FAQs
Which Honeymoon Destinations Are Overrated?
Ooty, Shimla, Manali, Mussoorie, Darjeeling and North Goa are some of the overrated honeymoon destinations.
What Honeymoon Destinations Should Couples Avoid?
Couples must avoid honeymoon destinations that are overcrowded, mass-commercialized and suffering from overtourism.
Which Honeymoon Places Are Too Crowded?
Shimla, Goa, and Manali are some of the honeymoon destinations that are too crowded.
What Are The Worst Honeymoon Travel Mistakes?
Some common and worst honeymoon travel mistakes are:
- Boarding train or flight on the next day of the wedding.
- Not prioritizing accommodation budget
- Making a fast-paced itinerary filled with a packed checklist.
- Not mentioning that you are on a honeymoon trip to the hotels.
- Choosing a destination based on Instagram reels by influencers.
- Not checking the local weather season of the destination
What Are Better Alternatives To Popular Honeymoon Spots?
Here are some better alternatives to popular honeymoon destinations:
- Manali: Mandi
- Shimla: Auli
- Goa: Varkala
- Mussoorie: Chakrata
- Ooty: Wayanad
- Darjeeling: Gangtok
