Overtourism is changing Europe forever: 8 places to avoid (and the beautiful alternatives)

Europe is facing an overtourism crisis—but your holiday doesn’t have to. Here are eight overcrowded hotspots and the beautiful, underrated places where you’ll actually enjoy the view.

If you’ve travelled through Europe recently, you’ve probably felt it: the squeeze. The selfie sticks on the Rialto Bridge. The endless queues at the Louvre. The tour groups in narrow Prague lanes moving like slow-motion traffic jams. Overtourism isn’t a future threat anymore — it’s already reshaping the continent. Cities built centuries ago for horse carts and fishermen are now expected to handle millions of visitors, year after year. Locals are tired. Infrastructure is cracking. And some of Europe’s most beloved places are losing the very magic that made us fall in love with them. But here’s the quieter truth: Europe is still full of gorgeous, culturally rich destinations that have somehow stayed under the mainstream radar — places where you can breathe, wander, and still feel like you’re discovering something. Here're eight overtouristed hotspots and the places you should go instead if you truly want to travel Europe well.

1. Venice, Italy — Instead, Try TriesteVenice doesn’t need more introduction — or more tourists. With fewer than 50,000 locals left, the city is slowly slipping into a museum version of itself. Homes turn into rentals, neighbourhoods empty out, and the crowds never stop coming.Go instead to Trieste.Sitting quietly on the Adriatic, Trieste is atmospheric, intellectual, and full of faded Habsburg charm. You still get canals, sea views, and café culture — just without stepping on 800 pairs of feet while crossing a bridge.

2. Barcelona, Spain — Instead, Try ValenciaBarcelona is spectacular, yes, but it’s also bursting at the seams. Locals are pushed out of their homes, beaches feel more like festivals, and the old town is permanently gridlocked.Valencia is the slower, saner alternative.Golden beaches, futuristic architecture, leafy parks that run through the city like a green river — and enough culture and food to keep you busy for days. Plus, you can actually hear yourself think.

3. Amsterdam, Netherlands — Instead, Try UtrechtAmsterdam’s beauty hasn’t faded, but its calm certainly has. Prices have soared, neighbourhoods have tilted toward tourism, and cyclists now battle crowds instead of canalside serenity.Utrecht brings back what Amsterdam lost.Romantic canals, gabled houses, candlelit bars, and a youthful vibe — all wrapped into a far more relaxed, local-feeling city.

4. Dubrovnik, Croatia — Instead, Try ŠibenikDubrovnik’s medieval drama and “Game of Thrones” fame have turned it into a cruise-ship magnet. On some days, you’ll find more tourists than locals inside the city walls.Šibenik is Dubrovnik’s underrated cousin.Two UNESCO sites, stone alleys, sea views, strong coffee, and far more space to actually enjoy any of it. You get the Mediterranean magic without having to elbow your way through it.

5. Santorini, Greece — Instead, Try NaxosSantorini’s sunsets are worth writing stories about — but the island is straining under the seasonal rush. Water shortages, waste issues, traffic, and a growing disconnect from its traditional roots make it a tough experience for both locals and visitors.Naxos is a breath of fresh island air.Wide beaches, rustic tavernas, mountain villages, and a rhythm of life that still feels Greek — not staged. It’s spacious, beautiful, and quietly confident.

6. Prague, Czech Republic — Instead, Try BrnoPrague’s fairytale architecture draws millions, but the historic centre has become a maze of crowds, souvenir shops, and inflated prices. Locals often avoid their own most iconic spots.Brno has everything Prague lovers crave — with personality.A quirky food scene, student energy, medieval lanes, and a creative pulse that Prague lost the moment tourism exploded.

7. Paris, France — Instead, Try LyonParis will always be Paris — but it’s also becoming more expensive, more crowded, and increasingly commercial around its major sights. For many Parisians, the city they love feels like it’s slipping away.Lyon gives you culture with room to breathe.Renaissance neighbourhoods, river views, museums, and the kind of food scene that Paris envies. It feels like a city that’s lived in, not performed for tourists.

8. Bourton-on-the-Water, UK — Instead, Try Stow-on-the-WoldBourton’s charm is undeniable… until the weekend influx hits. Traffic, parking chaos, and selfie-hunting crowds have made this sweet village feel more theme park than countryside.Head to Stow-on-the-Wold instead.Antique shops, pretty lanes, quiet cafés, and long walks through rolling fields — all the things people love about the Cotswolds, minus the gridlock.

A kinder way to explore EuropeThe continent isn’t closing its doors — it’s just asking travellers to rethink their choices. And the wonderful thing? Choosing alternative destinations doesn’t mean compromising on beauty or culture. In many cases, it means discovering places you’ll wonder why you hadn’t heard of earlier.