Europe’s ‘terribly overcrowded’ holiday destinations where tourists face rising taxes

is home to an array of , from bustling Spanish cities like to beach havens that populate coastlines and small islands such as . But a global team of experts at has warned tourists to consider the impact of on European hotspots before taking advantage of cheap flights.

Overtourism, as defined by Sustainable Travel International, occurs when too many visitors flock to a destination, exceeding its ability to manage it sustainably and leading to negative impacts such as , environmental degradation, strained infrastructure, reduced quality of life for residents, and a diminished visitor experience. Spain is among the most impacted on the continent and cracked down on Airbnb and holiday rentals last year. At the same time, locals in Barcelona took it upon themselves to soak visitors with water guns while chanting, “tourists go home”. According to Fodor’s Travel, the is joined by , the Canary Islands, , and in their list of places in Europe that are “where locals don’t want you.”

Barcelona

Fodor’s Travel team reported: “Barcelona currently has over 10,000 licensed vacation rentals on platforms like Airbnb, and the average home now rents for 68% more than a decade ago.”

While the local government there has pledged to remove all short-term rental licenses by 2028 and take a stand against illegal tourist apartments throughout the city, locals, including a Barcelona activist group Assembly of Neighborhoods for Tourism Degrowth member, say it’s too little too late.

On , local residents have shared their thoughts on the city’s tourism problem. One person said, “Barcelona has become an amusement park made for tourists. Everything’s overpriced. When you go to class or work, you have to avoid distracted tourists who randomly stop to take a picture at any time of the day, week, or year.”

Another person added: “Locals have been pushed out of their own cities by tourists. Local businesses shut down because tourist businesses are more profitable.”

Barcelona’s historic Gothic Quarter is one of the worst affected areas, as many tourist apartments and attractions are located there.

Majorca

The beautiful Spanish destination has been popular among Europe’s inhabitants for decades and is a repeat offender on Fordor’s “No List.” Previously listed in 2019, it is still common to find flights from UK airports for less than £50 return and very affordable package holidays, reports Responsible Travel.

However, its increasing visitor numbers mean some of its most popular beaches and towns have become “terribly overcrowded,” according to Tripadvisor reviews. One person remarked: “Cala Deia is so overcrowded, police stand at the top of the road to regulate traffic, not my idea of a quiet holiday. Everything is overpriced, and the beach smells of sewage. Folks, keep away. This is not the best value for money: full of Instagramming airheads. What a disappointment.”

The Balearic government fought against overtourism by introducing a tourism tax in 2016, which will increase in 2025 for June, July, and August. The tax also applies to Menorca, Ibiza and Formentera. Restrictions thought up by the the British embassy and the Balearic government also exist in some resorts, banning overnight alcohol sales to combat the “tourism of excess”.

Canary Islands

Last summer, tensions boiled over as protests erupted across Europe. Tens of thousands of people gathered on beaches in Majorca and the Canary Islands, reports Fodors, holding signs that read: “Your luxury, our misery,” and “The Canaries have a limit.”

The travel experts branded it “a jarring change” for tourists, considering years of “aggressive marketing to visitors for years” which have come with obvious economic advantages. In the Canary Islands, the tourism industry makes up 35% of the GDP and generated €16.9 billion in 2023.

However, British tourists in Tenerife and Gran Canaria have been highlighted by locals who argue that the benefits of tourism are not trickling down to the local population.

Nestor Marrero Rodríguez, secretary of the Tenerife Association of Friends of Nature, previously told EuroNews: “British tourists are undoubtedly the worst behaved and show dramatic reactions in person and the media when their behaviour and rejection by the local population is exposed.”

Meanwhile, a local guide in Gran Canaria emphasized the need for respectful tourism, noting that while many British tourists are respectful, a significant number come solely for the sun and cheap alcohol, leading to disruptive behaviour.

Lisbon

Locals in Lisbon, which in recent years has seen the number of overseas arrivals soar, have voiced concerns that it will become the next Venice.

With around 546,000 residents, Portugal’s capital welcomes 30,000 to 40,000 tourists daily. A journalist and resident of the capital told the Telegraph in 2018: “In both Lisbon and Porto, the central downtown areas have become more or less only for tourists. Lisbon’s Baixa district, for example, which covers an area of 1.5 square kilometres, now has more than 70 hotels, while tourist-oriented restaurants, souvenir shops and big international brands have displaced local businesses.”

Fodor’s travel experts said that an estimated 60% of dwellings in Lisbon are now vacation accommodations, reducing the inventory of long-term rental units and driving up costs. They said: “The city, which recently ranked as the third least financially viable place to live globally, has lost approximately 30% of its population since 2013.”

Venice

Renowned for its canals, the Italian city is a hub for history, art, and culture. However, its global reputation as a romantic city break destination means it is constantly busy with visitors.

In fact, according to a recent Holidu study, the iconic city hosts 21 tourists for every resident. Venice has attracted attention with its daytripper tax and a ban on cruise ships entering its lagoon, but the Italian hotspot remains severely overcrowded—so much so that UNESCO has included it on its list of endangered cities.

The city reportedly plans to double its controversial tourist tax as mass tourism and overcrowding remain significant problems. The €5 (£4.20) levy was introduced in 2024 to crack down on day trippers but has now been upped to €10 (£8.30) for holidaymakers who book less than four days in advance.