5 European Cities Buckling Under the Weight of Overtourism

In recent years, the term "overtourism" has entered our vocabulary as certain destinations struggle with the sheer volume of visitors flooding their streets. While tourism brings essential economic benefits, excessive crowds can damage fragile environments, strain infrastructure, drive up housing costs, and fundamentally alter the character of historic cities. Here's a look at five European cities grappling with the challenges of becoming victims of their popularity.

1. Venice, Italy: Drowning in Tourists, Not Just Water

Venice perhaps epitomizes overtourism more than any other city in Europe. With approximately 30 million visitors annually descending upon a resident population of just 50,000, the math tells a troubling story. The impact is undeniable: soaring rents have driven locals out, converting residential buildings into tourist accommodations and leaving the historic center increasingly devoid of actual Venetians.

The city's fragile ecosystem faces additional stress from massive cruise ships, though recent legislation has banned the largest vessels from entering the lagoon. In 2019, Venice introduced an entrance fee for day-trippers—a controversial move reflecting desperate measures for desperate times. The city's struggle highlights the delicate balance between preserving cultural heritage and accommodating tourism demand.

2. Barcelona, Spain: From Olympic Darling to Protest Hotspot

Barcelona's transformation from industrial port to tourism powerhouse accelerated after the 1992 Olympics. Today, the Catalan capital receives over 30 million visitors yearly, with locals increasingly vocal about the consequences. The Gothic Quarter and La Rambla have become tourist corridors where traditional businesses have been replaced by souvenir shops and international chains.

The housing crisis has reached critical levels, with Airbnb and similar platforms converting an estimated 20% of Barceloneta neighborhood apartments into tourist accommodations. Local protests featuring slogans like "Tourists go home" reflect growing frustration. In response, the city has halted licenses for new tourist accommodations and increased regulation of short-term rentals, setting an example for tourism management strategies.

3. Amsterdam, Netherlands: Beyond the Red Light District

Amsterdam's compact historic center, famous for its canals, museums, and liberal attitudes, has become overwhelmed by tourism. The city of 870,000 receives over 20 million visitors annually, with many concentrated in the small central district. The red-light district and coffee shops draw party tourists whose behavior often clashes with residential life.

The Dutch capital has taken bold steps to reclaim balance, including banning new tourist shops, relocating the iconic "I Amsterdam" sign that attracted crowds for photos, and launching the "Enjoy and Respect" campaign targeting problematic visitor behavior. Most recently, the city has considered relocating the red-light district and banning cannabis sales to tourists—clear signals that Amsterdam is prioritizing livability over tourism revenue.

4. Dubrovnik, Croatia: Game of Thrones' Real-World Consequences

Dubrovnik's pristine medieval walls and stunning Adriatic setting made it the perfect filming location for "King's Landing" in Game of Thrones—but this fame came at a price. The UNESCO World Heritage site, home to just 42,000 residents, now receives over 1.5 million visitors yearly, with cruise ships disgorging up to 10,000 people daily during summer.

The walled Old Town becomes virtually unnavigable during peak season. In response, Dubrovnik has implemented a visitor cap of 4,000 people within the city walls at any time and reduced cruise ship arrivals. The city has also installed crowd counters at entrances and uses camera surveillance to manage visitor flows—necessary interventions for a small city with outsized appeal.

5. Santorini, Greece: An Island at Capacity

Santorini's iconic white buildings with blue domes perched on volcanic cliffs create one of the Mediterranean's most recognizable and Instagram-worthy landscapes. However, this small island of just 76 square kilometers and 15,000 permanent residents now receives up to 2 million visitors annually, with up to 17,000 cruise ship passengers arriving on a single day.

The infrastructure strain is evident in water shortages, traffic congestion, and waste management challenges. Donkeys, traditionally used for transportation on the island's steep paths, have suffered abuse from overwork carrying tourists. Authorities have now capped cruise arrivals at 8,000 daily visitors and are promoting off-season tourism to spread the impact more evenly throughout the year.

Finding a Sustainable Path Forward

These five cities represent the sharp end of a broader European challenge. The solution isn't eliminating tourism—which provides livelihoods for millions—but managing it sustainably. Strategies like visitor caps, tourist taxes, promotion of alternative destinations, and seasonal dispersal of visitors are becoming essential tools.

As travelers, we can contribute by considering less-visited alternatives, traveling in shoulder seasons, staying longer in destinations rather than city-hopping, and respecting local communities. The future of Europe's most beloved cities depends on finding this balance—preserving what makes these places special while ensuring they remain living cities rather than open-air museums.