This week, TripAdvisor announced that Barcelona’s Sagrada Familia is the first place in the world to hit 100,000 reviews on the site. A total of 107,017 people and counting have weighed in; 38,594 of the reviewers rated it “Excellent”. To celebrate, TripAdvisor has compiled a list of its 10 most reviewed spots, from the Eiffel Tower at number two (99,302 reviews) to the London Eye at number 10, with a paltry 57,395 reviews.

But if you’re the kind of person who blanches at the idea of sharing a site with hordes of other people, we’ve picked out some alternatives to TripAdvisor’s top 10 list.

Instead of the Sagrada Familia, try Palau Guell

It’s one of the first Art Nouveau buildings in the world yet Palau Guell is often bypassed by tourists on the Gaudi trail. One of the architect’s first works, it shows off Moorish influences in the main hall, while the mass of coloured chimneys on the rooftop prefigures his signature style.

Alternative tourist hotspots Show all 9 1 /9 Alternative tourist hotspots Alternative tourist hotspots Climb the Arc de Triomphe instead of the Eiffel Tower AFP/Getty Images Alternative tourist hotspots Forget the Top of the Rock - see Manhattan from a helicopter instead Getty Images Alternative tourist hotspots Why spend for a London Eye ticket when you can put that money towards a cocktail at The Shard? The Shard/Facebook Alternative tourist hotspots Palau Guell is a rarely visited part of the Gaudi trail in Barcelona Facebook/Palau Guell Alternative tourist hotspots Palau Guell is where Gaudi tried out what would become his signature style Facebook/Palau Guell Alternative tourist hotspots The Circus Maximus has long been abandoned, but recent renovations make it worth a visit AFP/Getty Images Alternative tourist hotspots Red Rock Canyon is far more impressive than the Bellagio Fountains Getty Images Alternative tourist hotspots Ditch the Louvre for the Petit Palais Facebook Alternative tourist hotspots Gantry Plaza at Long Island City gives you astonishing views of Manhattan Facebook

Instead of the Eiffel Tower, try the Arc de Triomphe

It’s not exactly hidden, of course, but while tourists flock to ascend the Eiffel Tower, few people climb the Arc de Triomphe. It may not be as high, but it’s a much calmer experience, and the photo opportunities – with boulevards spiralling out from the roundabout which the Arc anchors, and a straight-shot view down the Champs Elysées – are myriad.

Long Island City’s shoreline is a calm alternative to Central Park (Joe Mabel/Wikimedia Commons) (Facebook)

Instead of Central Park, try Hunter’s Point

The New York you didn’t know existed – Hunter’s Point and adjacent Gantry Plaza State Park make up the shoreline of Long Island City, across the East River from Manhattan. Old piers have been renovated with greenery, benches and a small dog park, facing Manhattan (the UN headquarters are directly opposite, while the Empire State Building is just off to the left) and it’s the perfect place to watch the sun set behind the skyscrapers.

Instead of the Colosseum, try the Circus Maximus

Abandoned for centuries, the Circus Maximus – Rome’s first stadium, which could once hold 250,000 spectators – has finally been shown a little love, with the southern end opening last November after a seven-year excavation. Seats, shops and latrines are among the sights here now – and you’ll enjoy them without the Colosseum crowds.

Gaudí's Barcelona Show all 11 1 /11 Gaudí's Barcelona Gaudí's Barcelona Eat in Gaudi's own surroundings at Casa Calvet Casa Calvet Facebook Gaudí's Barcelona Palau Güell is one of Gaudi's early works Facebook Gaudí's Barcelona The roof at Palau Güell is an early example of his famosu style Facebook Gaudí's Barcelona The Sagrada Familia is set to be completed in 2026 Sagrada Familia Gaudí's Barcelona It's possibly the most famous incomplete building in the world Sagrada Familia Gaudí's Barcelona Inside the Sagrada Familia it's all about the light AFP/Getty Images Gaudí's Barcelona Park Güell was originally intended as a residential district Park Guell Gaudí's Barcelona Park Güell sees nine million tourists a year Getty Images Gaudí's Barcelona Casa Calvet's set lunch menu means you can afford to eat in style Casa Calvet Facebook Gaudí's Barcelona The staircase at Casa Battló Casa Battló Gaudí's Barcelona Casa Battló is an essential stop on the Gaudí trail Casa Battló

Instead of the Louvre, try the Petit Palais

The Louvre, the Musée d’Orsay, the Pompidou Centre: Paris’ must-see galleries are numerous, which means few people make it to the Petit Palais. They miss out on a glorious mix of works including an Impressionist section, a collection of Art Nouveau jewellery as well as work by big names like Poussin and Courbet.

Red Rock Canyon’s petrified sand dunes are surely better than dancing fountains (Getty) (Getty Images)

Instead of the Bellagio Fountains, try Red Rock Canyon

Vegas is full of spectacle, of course, but not even dancing fountains can match up to the knockout delights of Red Rock Canyon, on the western edge of Sin City, about half an hour’s drive from the Strip. Prehistoric sand dunes have petrified into flame-coloured, billowing stone, there are various hikes from a half-hour easy trek along an ancient seabed amid Joshua trees to experienced climbs, and there’s a 13-mile scenic drive – with views of the Strip – for those too hungover to leave the car.

Instead of the 9/11 Memorial, try a September 11 Families’ Association tour

Tours led by families of those who died in the attacks, survivors and first responders leave every day from the Tribute WTC building, and take in not just the site of Ground Zero, the World Financial Centre and the lesser known 11 Tears memorial (remembering American Express employees), but also talk about the guides’ own experiences of 9/11, in a bid to keep the memory alive.

Instead of the Trevi Fountain, try the Fonte di Anna Perenna

This one takes some planning, since visits book up months in advance, but tours (in Italian only) on the first and third Sunday of the month visit this fountain that was, in classical times, a place of worship. Nowadays it’s located under a car park.

What's better than Top of the Rock? A view of Top of the Rock and the Empire State Building from a helicopter (Getty ) (Getty Images)

Instead of the Top of the Rock, try a helicopter tour

You think you’ve seen Manhattan from the observatory on top of the Rockerfeller Centre, and then you board a helicopter and see the city as never before. For once, this is an expensive activity that’s worth every penny – Liberty Helicopters whisk you up from their Downtown heliport, around the Statue of Liberty and up the Hudson River, past skyscrapers and as far as Central Park. It costs $214 (£171) for 10 minutes, but it’s genuinely worth every cent.

Instead of the London Eye, try Gong Bar