Top 3 Dirtiest Cities in the World

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The Dirty Reality: A Closer Look at the World’s Most Unsanitary Cities in 2025

Finding a vibrant city filled with culture, history, and activities is thrilling, but travelers and residents alike should be aware of the sanitation standards in these bustling metropolises. Recent data from 2025 reveals some of the world’s most unclean cities, as determined by traveler reviews highlighting cleanliness issues. Here’s a detailed list of the top spots that need urgent attention for sanitation.

Budapest, Hungary

Budapest, famed for its stunning architecture and thermal baths, surprisingly ranks as one of the world’s dirtiest cities this year. Travelers frequently complain about overflowing trash bins along the Danube promenade and poor waste management in popular districts like the Jewish Quarter. Local authorities are under pressure to enhance sanitation infrastructure, but tourists still face littered streets and inadequate public disposal facilities.

Rome, Italy

Rome’s breathtaking ruins and vibrant street life continue to attract millions annually. However, the city’s narrow alleys and historic sites struggle with waste disposal. Tourists have voiced concerns about garbage overflowing in streets like Trastevere and near the Colosseum, often citing unclean public restrooms and littered sidewalks. The city’s rich history seems overshadowed by its struggles with maintaining cleanliness.

Las Vegas, USA

While known as an entertainment mecca, Las Vegas faces significant challenges with waste management. Reviews suggest that the city’s neighborhoods and certain tourist hotspots are plagued by litter, including cigarette butts, food wrappers, and discarded beverage containers. Limited waste receptacles in busy areas and high volumes of visitors contribute to the unsanitary conditions.

Florence, Italy

Famous for Renaissance art and architecture, Florence’s aging infrastructure is struggling to meet sanitation demands. Many travelers report unpleasant odors and street debris, particularly in crowded plazas like Piazza della Signoria. Efforts are being made to improve cleanliness, but the influx of tourists continues to impact sanitation.

Paris, France

The City of Light remains enchanting but grimy in some districts. Traveler reviews highlight issues like street litter, uncleaned dog waste, and overflowing trash bins in neighborhoods such as Montmartre and near major landmarks. The challenge of maintaining Paris’s historic streets in pristine condition remains a work in progress.

Milan, Italy

Italy’s fashion capital hasn’t escaped the glare of cleanliness concerns. Reports document dirty streets, particularly around busy shopping districts and transportation hubs. Public waste bins often overflow, and some alleys are marked by unsightly trash accumulation, detracting from Milan’s chic image.

Verona, Italy

This romantic city, famous for Shakespeare’s “Romeo and Juliet,” battles with litter and limited sanitation facilities in high-traffic zones. Tourists complain about trash along cobblestone streets and inadequate restroom hygiene during peak seasons.

Frankfurt, Germany

While Frankfurt is a major financial hub, cleanliness isn’t its strongest suit according to recent traveler feedback. Reports cite trash and cigarette butt litter on sidewalks, especially in busy financial districts and transport stations. City officials acknowledge the need to bolster waste collection efforts.

Brussels, Belgium

As Europe’s political and cultural hub, Brussels faces sanitation issues in its historic core. Reviews point out street debris and insufficient public trash cans in areas like Grand Place. Civic initiatives are underway, but progress remains slow amid the city’s heavy tourism.

Cairo, Egypt

Ancient Cairo’s streets often present stark contrasts—rich history intertwined with visible trash and sanitation challenges. Tourists note unclean public spaces, crowded markets with waste, and inadequate waste disposal infrastructure in popular bazaar districts.

Source: Radical Storage, 2025

Methodology: Using a comprehensive review analysis of over 70,000 traveler comments from Google reviews collected between October 2024 and November 2025, the study rated cities based on mentions of cleanliness. These reviews focused solely on tourist experiences and publicly accessible landmarks.

As these cities continue to attract millions of visitors, addressing sanitation issues becomes crucial not only for tourism but also for public health. Many governments and local authorities are now taking bold steps to improve waste management systems, increase the number of trash receptacles, and promote cleaner urban environments. Until these efforts fully materialize, travelers should remain vigilant and prepared for the realities of sanitation in these popular destinations.

Disclaimer: This list reflects recent reviews and subjective traveler opinions, and not official pollution or hygiene ratings. The information aims to inform travelers and residents about current sanitation challenges across some of the world’s most visited cities in 2025.