15 Places to AVOID in Europe This Summer 2025 ❌ | Overcrowded Destinations Plus Japan

[@dansouth2088]

We've been fortunate to visit many of the famous tourist destinations. They are wonderful, for sure. But the older I get the less tolerance I have for big and overcrowded cities. If you can, always travel off-season. Cheers!

[@LifestyleHal]

i agree

[@morudesouza5533]

This was so insightfull. I'm no fan of crowded places , and this gives me better planning to places I have yet to go see, so thank you much. 👍

[@old.not.too.grumpy.]

Anyone else see the irony of this post? Social media has made these places far more popular. Everywhere you go today you see people dressed up young the cliché onstsngram poses. Yet now the same people are now telling others to avoid these places🤣

[@300rivers7]

Absolutely love your very informative posts. Keep them coming ❤

[@KarlBonner1982]

One place you definitely should visit? BELGRADE! Lower prices, great food and nightlife, plus amazing fortresses and Orthodox churches. And the rest of Serbia has incredible natural beauty too. Brno, Budapest & Belgrade are the three great B's of Europe...

[@LifestyleHal]

great food in belgrade definitely

[@Sabrina.LC17]

Belgrade is the best. The hospitality is amazing, so much fun!

[@nixter888]

Santorini should be number one...Everywhere jam-packed’: mayor of Santorini warns of overtourism crisis.25,000 residents and they receive more than 3.4 million tourists every summer...only in that island

[@bdacostap]

I visited a few of these cities during April - May and found it less crowded. Great travel information to keep in mind.

[@muravi8167]

Ooooops ! am off to Dubrovnik !

[@ruichorao]

Porto, Portugal. An amazing city where now tourists seat lokking just to other tourists.

[@sharonbennett3318]

I was in Prague last Sept.It crowded but not bad

[@valerieroberts8241]

Dubrovnik is amazing!🥰

[@liz.j6822]

Great info. Imagine living here in the Caribbean where we deal with the tourists all year round. Not that I'm complaining😉

[@ForaNakit]

As a Croatian from the seaside who worked on Cruise -ships in the Caribbean for 5 years, I know well what it looks like when there are 6 ships in St. Maarten or 9 in Cozumel. The thing is that Caribbean infrastructure is different than old European cities. Streets are wider, towns are more spread, a big part of tourists go on tours instead of staying in the city or simply go on a beach. Unlike Old European cities where everybody wants to be in the same place at the same time. A crowded day on a Caribbean island looks like Dubrovnik in October.

[@Thomas-fu8vp]

All of this is true. The heat, the unruly tourists, the lines , the prices, the nasty locals all together makes for a nightmare.

[@DanaS-b8d]

I would like to add USA national Parks to this list. As an American traveling abroad, I am charged higher entry fees to various sites in Europe, compared to locals. However, foreigners in America are charged the same entry fees as Americans whose tax dollars pay for the sites they are visiting. The U.S. does not have many historical sites in the west, but we revere our national parks as national treasures. I was absolutely shocked this last summer when touring parks in Arizona, that I was turned away, parks were full capacity, while European foreigners who get six weeks of vacation a year flooded the parks my taxes pay for. I get two weeks vacation a year. When I did get entry, I was even more shocked by French tourists TikToking themselves to loud music and loud other Europeans scaring away the wildlife and going off trails. Chinese tourists pushed and defaced petroglyphs. Just pointing out that it’s a global post pandemic phenomenon.

[@patoneill4431]

Why are you people in the USA content to tolerate two weeks vacation a year. We in Europe fought for our working conditions despite opposition from Employers and governments.

[@paulteelen4285]

I never saw any sign that says that Americans have to pay more than a local? In most European countries we have fixed prices. Museums, attraction parks etc. Prices can differ by age (kid, student or elderly can have a discount), by time (more popular times are more expensive) but by nationality?

[@DanaS-b8d]

@@paulteelen4285 I paid more as a non EU resident all over Spain. And It’s just been announced many other EU countries, the Louvre and British Museum will charge foreigners double. This is easy to look up, and you may not notice it, but I have, as I have been the one paying more.

[@paulteelen4285]

@ strange story as the British Museum is for free???? Only if you want a tour you have to pay a fixed price. Prices can be found on line or at the entrance and there is NO sign that gives different prices for locals and foreigners. Only thing I can think about is buying tickets at a tourist office and not at the place itself. Also forbidden by law if a price is set at €10,- to make it €15,- for a foreigner without displaying it in a clear way. And I haven’t seen this.

[@costasichaelrokkoudes938]

Mykonos and Santorini in particular should feature in the first 3 places. During the summer months there’s not enough space to squeeze a sozzled fly!

[@bestplaces_to_visit]

The content is so detailed

[@fannybenavides2853]

Yo Voy donde quiera❤❤

[@erzsebetnilsson580]

IN YOU COUNTRY |" but others NOT! THEY COULD GET YOU OUT OF THE PLACE !

[@kaymilstead4374]

Heraklion and the Palace at Knossos are on the island of Crete !

[@lisadiver5253]

This video has some good advice. Unfortunately for those of us who are in the teaching profession, there is limited opportunity for holidays other than those peak times.. The cruise industry with its mega ships, and the tour providers keep over using the same sites and they are part of this problem. They don’t always offer lesser known areas in the European countries. More people since Covid have wanted to travel, making up for time lost, and more people from different parts of the world are able to travel than before. All of this has added to what is now the increasing over tourist situation.

[@ForaNakit]

Leave during winter holidays. Better 3 propper days in winter than a week in summer. Use summer to cool down at home and do some projects you postponed for a while. Also, most of those destinations are in the Mediterranean. I don't think people realize how hot is recently in August on the Mediterranean thanks to Global warming. I'm so excited to leave in 3 weeks for Malta, 4 days vacation. You couldn't pay me to go there in August.

[@stephenhampson1577]

Depends when you consider summer. I'd still go to the European cities just at different times. Also the more videos that people upload, more people become aware of them.

[@teotik8071]

Yep and recommanding second and third cities is going to spread overtourism to even more places. The top cities will become less crowded and as soon people notice they will go there again and the circle starts again.

[@Mabel461]

In many places May is even more packed than summer

[@BradFletcher-sg8ft]

Thanks for the video, would you consider mid to end of May in Rome or Venice a mistake this year?

[@camiller4916]

It’s Jubilee in Rome this year. It’s going to be packed, maybe less in May. Estimated 35 mil tourists in Rome in 2025. Hotels r prob already booked

[@westwindsailer]

Bang on with your spots. Personal experience = Rome and Florence , 2 years ago in mid October,== both overloaded . Florence being smaller was jam packed and no fun. Not into museums skip Florence , seriously . In Rome According to a local Vatican guide there is now NO low season at the Vatican a very bad sign. Barcelona 3 years ago was showing signs of severe tourist fatigue and local pushback, saw this in Girona as well. Amsterdam 5 years ago in fall , busy can’t imagine the summer.

[@Pocockable]

I've been in Dublin in July and didn't have problems with crowds.

[@keinname629]

Dublin is boring

[@Destinations2see]

Go to small towns in Switzerland instead 😉

[@brownell.landrum]

The problem with Rome in the cooler months is that you will likely experience what I did in October of 2023. Everything was under construction or restoration. There was scaffolding all over the Coliseum and equipment and supplies all around the other ruins. There wasn't a decent picture to take anywhere. And the Vatican was still shoulder to shoulder.

[@LifestyleHal]

yes i understand what you mean i hope i did mention spring time...

[@westwindsailer]

Did the Vatican museums 2 years ago and 12 years ago. Wished I had not gone the second time , total waste due to overcrowding. After a crowded Florence it was demoralizing.

[@sgioba]

Renovations in Rome were leading up to the Jubilee Year, 2025. All done now (except for Piazza Venezia where they are excavating a new Metro line - which is plannedd to take ten years!) The fountains have been refurbished, new open spaces laid out. Well worth a visit. But not in high summer.

[@JenShea]

Great list, but I am surprised Lisboa didn't make the list.

[@CindyBussiere]

glad I went when I did.....1984

[@janhutson4186]

Has Japan moved?

[@usakousa]

Yeah, and Tokyo is actually not the worst. Kyoto, yes, but there are tonnes of other places in Japan suffering from over tourism, esp, around Mt Fuji. And Iceland is actually full of tourists all year round, even in winter.

[@ascotberks2018]

When did Japan become part of Europe?

[@tess7798]

Thank God I traveled the world in the 80s and 90s, when Americans didn’t even know where Santorini or Prague or Tallin were. If I were just beginning to travel… I would travel in off-season months if possible. April and early November for Europe or South America.

[@rodstone9189]

Who cares? If you only can travel in the summer then GO!

[@Topboy32]

Basically just avoid the peak tourist season! 😂

[@LifestyleHal]

bingo haha!

[@Demetri450]

I've been to mostly all of those cities but at off peak visits.

[@darrellmahoney4071]

Over tourism is indeed becoming ever more problematic, but locals who verbally assault, or attack with water pistols, are pathetic and should grow up and take their frustrations to local councils

[@ForaNakit]

They did, and nothing happened. Barcelona is trying to avoid the fate of Venice and Dubrovnik.

[@darrellmahoney4071]

@ So the solution is to assault innocent tourists who are simply trying to enjoy their holiday? When one plans a holiday, it is rarely with malice - they do not intend to disrupt the lives of locals. They are unaware that thousands of others are descending upon the same location at the same time.

[@camiller4916]

I read that Barcelona increased the tourist tax and parking fees. They also said that short term holiday rentals would be banned by 2028. They removed an overpacked bus route from Google and are getting rid of tacky souvenir shops.

[@melaniebrinson2365]

I went to Tallinn last June. It was EMPTY.

[@sballantine8127]

If Venice bans cruise ships, why is it on the itinerary of so many cruise ships?

[@ForaNakit]

It has been forbidden to dock IN VENICE since that incident in 2019 when MSC Opera crushed into the peer and slammed onto a small boat. Now they still dock in Venice, but on most of the western part of the Island which is modern-built, to protect Historic parts of the city. There are even talks to move the cruise port to Lido Island, or to Punta Sabbioni, which is the closest land to the city of Venice. People don't realize how fragile Venice is. It's tons of bricks and stone stacked on top of the 700-year-old wooden poles. Any strong current can do big damage to the foundations of the buildings.

[@deejay8892]

They go to places a few hours away, like Trieste.

[@camiller4916]

Plus, it costs 5-10 eu per person for day trippers from cruise ships

[@tanjaw9569]

Valencia is beautiful to visit during winter months. The problem is, there is more ond more people on this planet who can afford traveling.

[@keinname629]

Sorry - but you cannot compare Brno to Praha. Praha is a real gem and you should really visit it off-season. It's outstanding and unique!

[@Lahorimakeupstudio]

❤❤

[@WealthyChronicle]

Florence with 17 tourists per local?! No wonder I couldn’t even see the David statue without fighting through a crowd. Any hidden gems in Italy to escape the madness?

[@kdclothes]

Abruzzo, Italy. less crowded. friendlier. Medieval villages, beaches. sea food,

[@AroundTheWorldWithEase]

Anywhere in Umbria.

[@keinname629]

Puglia

[@loriestey272]

Montova, a beautiful old city. I would hate it to become too crowded, though. 🙄

[@AroundTheWorldWithEase]

@loriestey272 I know what you mean. I was nervous mentioning Umbria! There are undiscovered gems everywhere, sometimes simply less-touristed neighborhoods in big cities. And on the east coast, midway down the boot. Pristine, clean, stunning quiet places to escape to with the same great food, same stunning sites.

[@ewelinaswindon9340]

I think people should stop visiting places where they are not welcome. I would not go to Barcelona again, and Tenerife is on my blacklist too. The anti-tourist protests should be anti-government protests-they are blaming the wrong party. A few years without tourism would help them open their eyes. It's the government that should create restrictions and put more thought into housing. It's not a random tourist's fault that you can't afford a flat.

[@foreveryoung999]

You can't give la sagrada a miss. It would be a waste.

[@TeresaCook-de6jo]

It is an anti government protest for the most part and while I feel the same and don’t want to go where I’m not welcomed I think we should be careful not to punish all the people dependent on tourism that continue to welcome tourism just because of a small group of very misbehaving group. Good lord, at those standards who would EVER want to come to the US as we have become unbearable to everyone everywhere!

[@patborecky900]

Last year I was in Rome & Venice in mid Oct - both were very crowded

[@lioneldemun6033]

I visited Rome as a singleton in January 40 years ago - it wasn't crowded back then and that week the weather was fabulous

[@LifestyleHal]

40 years ago !!! might have changed now mate !

[@youngyhasard3219]

Le mois de novembre personne

[@michellebowers8652]

Peak season in Rome lasts through October

[@mtoporovsky]

U need to specify which kind of tourists..there are two main groups : organized and self-guided

[@lynnsee730]

Don’t forget the millions flocking to Rome for jubilee.

[@LifestyleHal]

yes this year is going to be crazy

[@willlorenzi7244]

I wa surprised no mention of jubilee in the video. It will be so busy

[@sharonbennett3318]

I don’t want to go any places when they don’t want tourist there .

[@sharonbennett3318]

I don’t go anywhere during the summer season

[@blondstallion]

You show images of Old Amsterdam and there doesn't appear to be a single tourist there? All I see is empty streets and some Amsterdammers on bikes... Looks to me like you chose the right time of year, but I doubt these are your own images.

[@cpdooley1]

Add Malta to the list.

[@johnnyboyvan]

I have been 6 times to many of those cities but I go with cruise 🛳 ships. So much better and never had an issue with too many tourists. Us Canadians are very adaptable.

[@nemesis1482]

Cruise tourism is the worst for European locatios. Not bringing any benefits to the local economy...just leaving smog behind and harming the climate. Hope people with stop choosing cruise travel more and more.

[@ricardaseifert427]

​@@nemesis1482korrekt genau so ist es. Ich war schockiert über die Ahnungslosigkeit und Naivität von @ johnnyboyvan - auf dessen Kommentar Sie ganz richtig geantwortet haben

[@kimmyksbro3116]

I dont travel in the summer, its too hot to enjoy, and do anything

[@paisleypeach44]

I think I will spend my money in the good ole USA 🇺🇸

[@phillippalmejar9548]

So Prague is my #1 European bucket list. As it's been over touristed for decades, when is the best time to go? I live in San Diego, about 3 million people. We had 32 million tourist in 2024 so also 10 to 1 ratio. I'm fine with it, I don't hate on tourists unless they act the fool like the lady chasing the Geisha.

[@Jace28142]

I was in Prague in July 2023. Not too crowded in my opinion m. I love Prague!

[@jryan9547]

I’m going the first week of June. From what I’ve gathered, it’s only super busy in a few select areas. Once you leave those areas, it’s not bad.

[@foreveryoung999]

Go in February to avoid crowds

[@cq4600]

I'm from Tokyo. YES. better to avoid JAPAN in Summer. too humid and too many people! we can get sick under the sun waiting in a queue in 35 degree...every summer I see some news people died because of the heat.

[@deejay8892]

You lost us with Tokyo.

[@vincenzocherubini2424]

I can't imagine many Romans complaining about tourists in Rome as, ironically, most of the sods bugger-off to their holiday homes in Abruzzo, Marche and other areas, particularly in August, and annoy the locals there, taking up a lot of the parking and pushing up prices.

[@cherrytraveller5915]

So I am not supposed to go anywhere or see anything because I might upset the locals? Do these people not want my money then

[@shaunwarren8042]

Surprised that Ankor Wat or Siem Reap did not make your list

[@TitanUp-d3b]

Because the video focuses on crowded European cities perhaps?

[@jenmar9428]

Angkor Wat is in Asia, not Europe. 😅

[@shaunwarren8042]

@@jenmar9428but the video itself includes both Tokyo and Kyoto, neither of which are in Europe last time I checked

[@shaunwarren8042]

@@TitanUp-d3bTokyo and Kyoto are not in Europe

[@treespirit2000]

They're not in Europe. Come on.

[@maryanncraft4044]

If there are more tourists than locals, there are too many tourists. I stopped traveling in other countries due to the anger of locals in many countries. Show some respect people. When you know the locals are upset and you go anyway that is very disrespectful.

[@murtila4456]

Maybe you should get a map before making a video about Europe.

[@lioneldemun6033]

The Balearics ( save Menorca maybe ) -Most of Greek Cyclades islands-the French Riviera -Dubrovnik-Split-Venice-Rome-Florence-the Spanish Costas-the SW Turkish coast near Antalya- Malta-those are the worst of the worst

[@AS-rx3yk]

Hating on tourists is the latest fad. Just avoid these places and make them go poor.

[@robbie2447]

Spain has never been on my list of places to go serve them right if nobody went there see how many shops close due to lack of tourists . At least us Britt's only visit for a few days and dont turn up on the beach and expect a free hotel room like the illegal immigrants coming to the uk.

[@steveee2511]

Im going to Dublin in March after horror of mass migrations in my Italy trip where I was serious afraid of African groups and get pickpocketed of a group Roma gy**** in Rome of the places in the video I woud never more Go Prague or Dubrovnic

[@WaltANelsonPHD]

Travel is demanding and expensive. Put yiur feet up and stay home.

[@mr6sg]

Lisbon, Oporto, Algarve ...full of tourists all year round 😢

[@LifestyleHal]

i agree on the lisbon one - i felt that

[@JenShea]

I just mentioned is Lisboa too. Agree... Algarve, Porto... I only visit in the winter and it's perfect!

[@carl8659]

DANGER Barcelona robos, robos y robos 🤦‍♂️🤦‍♂️🤦‍♂️🤦‍♂️🤦‍♂️

[@LifestyleHal]

definitely

[@mypointofview1111]

Avoid Spain and Venice

[@foreveryoung999]

That's settling for starters and missing the main dish.

[@MrHorse-by3mp]

I'm staying away from Denmark for at least the next four years. Honestly would not blame them for spitting in an American's food at this point. And I thought we deserved to be treated like crap already.

[@Benito-lr8mz]

Tourist GO home from Valencia 🇪🇦

[@LifestyleHal]

a bit harsh

[@gerardmackay8909]

Just make sure you never visit anywhere and stay in Valencia permanently (then you wont be a hypocrite)

[@lisarand9701]

As an American I say you couldn't pay me enough to ever go to Europe! I went once and saw up close it's a sad, old worn down amusement park long past its day. The only thing it has going for it is tourism and if people stopped going to Europe it would collapse completely.

[@tess7798]

Oh my. Where did you go? I go 4 times per month (as a flight attendant) to Germany, Switzerland, Ireland and Scotland, and all of these places are magical !!

[@JenShea]

As a North American I LOVE Europe. I'm not looking for American style amusement parks or lifestyle. I love that Europe is full of history and historic buildings and monuments. I love and appreciate the different way of life. I would have to disagree... tourism is far from the only thing in Europe. Perhaps you had one bad experience or it's just not for you.

[@paulteelen4285]

I don’t know where you went but Europe is very diverse. The north, west, east and south are very different from each other. Many countries are a mixture of old and historic and brand new modern style. Some countries are reliant on tourism, most countries are not! What you say is the same as people saying that the US is the same everywhere. That there’s no difference between the east and west, that Florida is the same as Ohio. New York the same as Kansas City. Better planning in the future perhaps?

[@wokenessiscancer2176]

Fair enough if this is what they want . But believe Me they will regret it .

[@kalelargaa]

Nah,most destinations mentioned here are already fully booked.