Overtourism in Europe: Where should I visit to avoid the crowds this summer?

Planning a summer holiday but don’t want to be caught in huge crowds? A new analysis from the European Commission has revealed the quietest places to visit this year, and which destinations have been worst affected by overtourism.

Top European destinations continue to grapple with visitor numbers

To create the study, the commission analysed various metrics to determine whether a holiday destination suffers from overtourism. This includes, among others, the number of tourists relative to the population, the number of tourists per square kilometre and whether tourism numbers fluctuate by season.

They noted that while overtourism can be highly inconvenient for locals, high visitor numbers can also have negative effects on the tourists themselves. Alongside the stress caused by overcrowding, the study noted that hotels, restaurants and bars change their prices based on demand, meaning visitors to the most overwhelmed places are not getting value for money.

Which parts of Europe suffer the most from overtourism?

According to the study, Mallorca is the place worst affected by overtourism in Europe. On average, the island, home to just under a million people, sees 51 million overnight stays a year, more than the likes of London, Rome and Berlin. The density of visitor numbers and the fact that the island's tourist season is relatively short propelled it to the top of the list.

The Greek island of Zakynthos or Zante took second place, with the local population of 40.000 having to accommodate 6 million overnight stays a year. When it comes to cities, Paris was the most swamped with tourists - not surprising given its bounty of historical sites and museums - with Athens and Copenhagen completing the remaining places.

The study also found several places that have seen visitor numbers soar in recent years. Copenhagen, Cork, and the province of Limburg in the Netherlands have all seen tourism numbers increase by between 3 and 5 million overnight stays since 2019.

Where are the best places in Europe for a quiet holiday?

So, where should people jet off to from Swiss airports if they want to avoid the crowds gripping most of Europe? For the quietest time off, the study recommended the Estonian seaside resort of Haapsalu. The town, famous for its old town, castle and beach, only boasts 120 tourists per square kilometre a year.

The Baltic island of Wolin in Poland took second place, with its pristine beaches often completely empty during the off-season. The hidden gem of Tropea is a quiet haven of calm in the very busy Calabria region of Italy, which is why it took third.

The Alentejo region between Lisbon and the Algarve in Portugal, the city of Murcia in Spain and the underrated mini-Parisian city of Lille were also solid options. For more information about the study, check out the official website.