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Daily Mail
12-08-2025
- Daily Mail
Travel blogger reveals the beautiful European destination that's too overcrowded to holiday in
As millions of tourists continue to flock to Europe each summer, one seasoned traveller is urging holidaymakers to think twice before booking trips to some of the continent's most beloved destinations. Sara Rodriguez, a travel expert and blogger behind Madrid Travelling, has revealed four European hotspots she believes travellers should avoid due to severe overcrowding. She cites long queues, inflated prices, and a loss of authentic charm as key issues - and among them is a once-hidden gem that she describes as 'more hectic than idyllic.' Europe is undeniably rich in history, culture, and natural beauty, but without restrictions on visitor numbers, millions of tourists descend on cities every summer, which leads to congestion and diminished tourist experiences at iconic spots. According to data from travel platform, Holidu, Dubrovnik leads as Europe's most overcrowded city - with a staggering 27 tourists per local resident. But Dubrovnik isn't the only place struggling to manage its popularity. Here are the four cities Rodriguez says are overwhelmingly busy. Positano, Italy Once a serene seaside village on Italy's Amalfi Coast, Positano has exploded in popularity thanks to social media and travel influencers. Despite its beautiful scenery and iconic colourful buildings, Rodriguez says its narrow streets and steep staircases are now packed with tourists, leading to a 'hectic' atmosphere rather than an idyllic one. Speaking to The Express, she also noted inflated prices for tourists, adding: 'I left feeling like I never got to experience the real Positano beyond the chaotic surface.' During peak season, between Easter and October, Positano sees an average of 12,000 tourists per day - despite having only 4,000 residents, as reported by Rick Steves' Europe. Paris, France The City of Light remains one of the world's top travel destinations - but according to Rodriguez, it's also one of the most frustrating to visit during the summer months. She described the Eiffel Tower, the Louvre, and even a simple walk along the Seine as having 'never-ending lineups' that 'strained her patience,' which overall impacted her enjoyment of the city. According to Visit Paris Region, approximately 48.7 million tourists visited Paris in 2024, including both domestic and international visitors. Amsterdam, Netherlands Rodriguez found Amsterdam's city centre overrun with rowdy stag parties, weekend revellers, cyclists and crowded streets. She also highlighted the difficulty in getting museum reservations, as well as overpriced restaurants. Considering the city is an eighth of the size of London, its sheer number of visitors can make Amsterdam overwhelmingly busy. According to the European Travel Information and Authorisation System, the popular Dutch destination welcomed a whopping 15.1 million day visitors in 2024 - with over half travelling in from within the Netherlands. Mykonos, Greece A long-time favourite for luxury travellers and beach lovers, Mykonos now feels overrun, according to Rodriguez. She admitted she felt that the island's charm was overshadowed by partygoers and 'inebriated vacationers' during the peak season. Rodriguez added: 'When I finally went to the Greek island, I thought it would be a tranquil haven. 'Even while it was breathtakingly gorgeous, the restaurants were expensive and the beaches were noisy.' In 2024, Mykonos welcomed 1.29 million tourists and 768 cruise ships, according to the Hellenic Ports Association.
Daily Mirror
07-08-2025
- Daily Mirror
'Four most overcrowded places in Europe I won't return to - no matter how beautiful'
Europe can become incredibly busy during the peak holiday season and according to a travel expert, one of Italy's top attractions is among those that have become too overcrowded Europe's top holiday spots are becoming unbearably crowded during peak season, warns a travel expert, with Italy's most popular attractions among the worst offenders. World-renowned destinations like Barcelona have even hiked up their tourist taxes in an attempt to curb visitor numbers. Research by Holidu reveals that Dubrovnik takes the crown as the world's most overcrowded tourist hotspot, boasting 30 visitors for every local resident. But which other locations are bursting at the seams come summertime? Speaking previously to Sara Rodriguez, a seasoned traveller and blogger at Madrid Travelling, revealed four places she found overwhelmingly busy. Positano, Italy Considered a gem of southern Italy's Amalfi Coast, the picturesque landscape in Positano is nothing short of iconic. Colourful buildings are perched on cliffs that overlook the Mediterranean, giving Positano its name as the 'vertical village'. Despite its reputation as one of the most picturesque seaside villages on the coastline, Sara described the atmosphere as far too "hectic". She elaborated: "While undeniably beautiful with its colourful buildings and seaside views, the narrow streets were packed shoulder to shoulder with other sightseers." She added: "The atmosphere felt more hectic than idyllic, and prices were inflated for tourists. I left feeling like I never got to experience the real Positano beyond the chaotic surface." Paris, France The 'City of Love' is one of Europe's most sought-after destinations, but Sara is just one of many visitors who are left less than impressed by the iconic French city. She detailed: "The congested boulevards of Paris and the never-ending lineups at attractions like the Eiffel Towe r and Louvre strained my patience. I didn't really enjoy the atmosphere as much as I was waiting to take shots." TripAdvisor reviewers are in agreement, with one Louvre Museum visitor stating: "The art is crazy, but the queues are insane. Two hours to access the museum and then you can barely walk due to the quantity of tourists. They should regulate this." Excessive tourism has been widespread this year, with the Olympics and Paralympics taking place in the city. This occurs despite Paris City Hall's decision to triple the tourist tax by 200 per cent for 2024. The move was implemented to assist Île-de-France Mobilités, which oversees public transport, including the metro and bus services, in managing the increased passenger numbers anticipated for the international sporting spectacle. Mykonos, Greece The busy tourist period in Mykonos is generally from Greek Easter (April) to the end of October, with peak season from mid-July to late August. During this time, the island attracts visitors of all ages. Holidaymakers fork out top prices for accommodation on the picturesque Greek isle, which costs considerably more than neighbouring spots such as Syros. However, the masses prove disappointing, according to Sara. She explained: "When I finally went to the Greek island, I thought it would be a tranquil haven. Even while it was breathtakingly gorgeous, I felt that partygoers and inebriated vacationers overshadowed it. The restaurants were expensive and the beaches were noisy." Amsterdam, Netherlands Amsterdam is renowned for its lively culture, fascinating heritage and stunning waterways, with the 17th-century canal network having developed into one of the most distinctive cityscapes globally. That said, its hordes of visitors make it incredibly busy considering the city is only an eighth of the size of London. In addition to overnight stays, Amsterdam welcomed 15.1 million day visitors last year, with approximately 60 percent of them coming from within the Netherlands, according to the European Travel Information and Authorisation System. Sara's own experience was marred by congested streets, claiming: "The city centre was overrun with rowdy bachelor parties riding bikes through crowded streets. The museums were packed, and reservations at restaurants were impossible to get."
