Importance Score: 65 / 100 🔴
Europe’s Most Overcrowded Tourist Hotspots Revealed
A new study by Which? has identified the ten most overcrowded tourist destinations in Europe, with the Greek island of Zante leading the list. The study highlights areas struggling with overtourism, ranking destinations based on the ratio of overnight tourist stays to the local population.
Zante Tops the List as Capital of Overtourism
Zante was designated the ‘capital of overtourism‘ with an overwhelming 150 overnight stays per resident, according to the study’s analysis of European Commission (EC) data. This data compares the volume of overnight tourist visits to the number of individuals residing in the area.
While Zante has around 40,000 residents, it hosted a substantial six million overnight visits in 2023. Several other Greek locations also appear on the list, along with two Canary Islands, three Austrian destinations, and one Croatian.
Top 10 Most Overcrowded Destinations
Here’s a look at some other destinations struggling with the impact of tourism:
- Second on the list, Istria in Croatia, recorded 133 overnight tourist stays for each resident.
- Fuerteventura in the Canary Islands secured the third spot. It had 118 overnight stays for every resident.
Alternative Destinations for a Quieter Experience
Travelers seeking a more tranquil Greek vacation might consider Dytikos Tomeas Athinon (western Athens), which registered a lower ratio of 64 visits per resident.
Majorca’s High Volume of Overnight Stays
The EC also assesses overtourism by measuring the total number of overnight stays. Majorca led in this metric, recording over 51 million overnight stays in 2023, while having a population of just 966,000.
Least Visited Destinations in Europe
On the opposite end of the spectrum, the study revealed that Lille, in the Nord region, experienced roughly two overnight stays per resident.
- Teleorman, Romania, emerged as the least frequented locale in Europe, reporting a mere 20 overnight stays per 1,000 residents in 2023.
Exploring Alternatives to Overcrowded Locations
According to Which? Travel, the influx of tourists has overwhelmed some of Europe’s most beloved locales. Instead of following the crowds, seek out destinations where there are fewer tourists and the locals are not overwhelmed.