Overtourism Destinations: The Most Overcrowded Cities in Europe
Europe remains one of the world’s most beloved travel destinations, drawing millions of visitors each year with its rich history, vibrant culture, and stunning landscapes. However, the rapid tourism growth has led to a phenomenon known as overtourism, where popular cities struggle to balance the influx of travelers with the quality of life for residents and the sustainability of local environments. Understanding which cities face the highest pressure from tourism can help travelers make more informed choices and explore lesser-known gems. This article dives into overtourism statistics, revealing the most visited cities in Europe and offering insights on how tourism can be enjoyed responsibly across Europe.
Overtourism has become an increasingly urgent issue across many European destinations. While tourism is vital to local economies, the excessive volume of visitors can overwhelm infrastructure, disrupt local life, and degrade cultural and natural assets. The problem is no longer limited to peak seasons or famous landmarks; it affects entire communities and ecosystems year-round.
Europe’s most visited destinations are reaching a tipping point where unchecked tourism growth threatens long-term sustainability. To address overtourism effectively, cities must implement smarter visitor management strategies, protect community interests, and promote alternative destinations. Without meaningful intervention, the costs of overtourism may ultimately outweigh its benefits.
The issue of places with too many tourists has received significant media attention in recent years, especially in Europe’s most iconic cities. Coverage in international outlets, viral social media videos, and local protests has made the consequences of mass tourism highly visible. In many of these cities, residents have spoken out against the unchecked influx of visitors, calling on local governments to act. As a result, these destinations have become symbols of overtourism and the complex struggle to balance visitor appeal with urban sustainability.
Here is a brief overview of the situation in several of Europe's most affected cities:
These cities have become global symbols of overtourism, not just because of their beauty or popularity, but because the consequences of tourism saturation have sparked public debate, media scrutiny, and political action.
However, these eight cities are far from the only ones facing such challenges. Across Europe, many smaller or lesser-known destinations are also struggling with the pressures of unsustainable tourism, often without the same resources or visibility to address the issue.
While many travelers seek out the most iconic places, others actively look for the least crowded tourist destinations to enjoy a more relaxed experience. In contrast, this section focuses on the most visited cities in Europe, bustling hubs that attract millions of tourists each year and define the continent’s travel landscape.
With tens of millions of overnight stays each year, certain European cities are facing mounting pressure on housing, infrastructure, and daily life, highlighting just how concentrated tourism has become in a handful of hotspots.
Most visited cities in Europe can offer world-class attractions, but also come with high tourist density, especially during peak seasons. Travelers seeking a more relaxed experience might consider visiting during shoulder months or exploring nearby lesser-known towns. Additionally, booking accommodations early in these high-demand destinations is strongly advised to avoid inflated prices or limited options.
To better understand the intensity of tourism at the local level, the following section examines overnight stays per 1,000 inhabitants in European cities, offering a clearer picture of how tourism impacts everyday urban life.
While total tourist numbers often steal the spotlight, the real impact of tourism is felt most in places where the volume of visitors dramatically outweighs the local population. This chart ranks European regions by the number of tourist accommodation nights per resident, revealing where tourism saturates daily life to the greatest extent.
If you're planning to visit one of these high-ratio destinations, be aware that while the charm is undeniable, infrastructure and housing may be heavily strained during peak seasons. Opting for responsible travel choices, such as avoiding short-term rentals in residential areas or visiting in the off-season, can help reduce your footprint and lead to a more authentic, relaxed experience. Supporting locally owned businesses outside of tourist hubs also contributes to more balanced, sustainable tourism.
Beyond total visitor numbers, the concentration of tourists per square kilometer reveals which European cities experience the highest tourism pressure in terms of spatial density, highlighting hotspots where overtourism is most intense.
Overtourism isn’t just about how many people visit; it's about how concentrated that tourism is in a limited urban space. This ranking reveals the European cities with the highest number of overnight tourist stays per square kilometer, showcasing the intense spatial pressure tourism can exert on compact, heavily visited destinations.
When visiting high-density tourism cities, expect crowded streets, long queues, and limited accommodation flexibility, especially in peak months. To enhance your experience, plan early, explore nearby districts for lodging and dining, and use public transportation to ease pressure on central zones. Being mindful of your presence in local neighborhoods also helps foster better relationships between visitors and residents in overburdened areas.
Cultural tourism plays a key role across Europe, so analyzing the number of museum visitors in European cities helps reveal which destinations attract art and history enthusiasts the most.
As overtourism shapes modern travel, cultural institutions like museums offer not only enrichment but also relief from overcrowded streets, yet some cities are seeing extraordinary museum footfall. These figures reflect where cultural tourism is thriving and where museums are becoming major visitor magnets.
Rome is by far the cultural heavyweight when it comes to museum tourism in Europe, making it a must-visit for art and history lovers, but expect large crowds. Florence and Naples also draw impressive visitor numbers and offer deep Renaissance and archaeological heritage. Meanwhile, cities like Porto and Budapest may be ideal for travelers looking for a richer experience without the overwhelming tourist flow. Consider timing your visits during shoulder seasons to enjoy these cultural hubs with fewer queues and more breathing room.
When travelers search for cities with the most hotels or wonder which city has the most hotels, they're often looking for places that are not only popular but also well-equipped to handle large tourist flows.
One way to measure a destination’s hospitality capacity is by examining the number of bedplaces per 1,000 inhabitants. This indicator reveals how deeply tourism is embedded in the local economy and infrastructure across European countries.
The availability of tourist bedplaces relative to the local population is a critical factor in managing tourism pressure and ensuring visitor comfort. This data highlights European countries with the highest accommodation capacity per 1,000 inhabitants, shedding light on where infrastructure is best prepared to handle visitor influx.
When visiting countries with very high bedplace density, such as Croatia or Austria, be aware that peak seasons may still bring intense competition for accommodations, so early booking is essential. Conversely, destinations with lower bedplace availability might offer a more exclusive experience but with fewer lodging options, so planning and flexibility are key. Exploring alternative accommodations like guesthouses or locally-run B&Bs can enhance your stay and support local communities.
In addition to established hotspots, it’s important to highlight Europe’s fastest-growing travel destinations, which are rapidly gaining popularity and reshaping the continent’s tourism landscape.
While some cities have long been established tourist magnets, others are rapidly gaining popularity, driving new challenges in infrastructure and visitor management. This list spotlights European cities and regions experiencing the highest percentage increases in tourist arrivals in 2020-2024.
Rising tourist numbers often mean increased crowds, especially during peak periods, and evolving accommodation landscapes. To enjoy these fast-growing destinations at their best, consider visiting during shoulder seasons, stay flexible with your plans, and book accommodations early. Supporting emerging destinations also helps spread tourism more evenly across Europe, reducing pressure on classic hotspots.
When analyzing tourism GDP by country, it becomes clear that the economic impact of tourism in Europe varies widely by country. This section explores the tourism percentage of GDP by country in Europe, highlighting which nations rely most heavily on the travel industry to drive their economies.
Tourism plays a vital role in many European economies, but in some countries it accounts for a significant share of GDP, underscoring both opportunities and vulnerabilities related to visitor flows.
When visiting countries with high tourism GDP shares, your spending plays a crucial role in sustaining local economies. Choosing to support local businesses and responsible tourism initiatives helps communities thrive. However, these destinations may be more sensitive to seasonal fluctuations and overtourism impacts, so visiting during off-peak seasons or exploring less-touristed regions can improve your experience and benefit locals alike.
Overtourism has become a pressing challenge for many popular European destinations. Let's highlight the Top 10 cities by overtourism in Europe, presenting key facts that reveal the scale of tourist pressure and its impact on local communities and infrastructure.
Here are the top 10 cities in Europe most affected by overtourism, ranked by a composite score that reflects tourist volume, density, and growth, highlighting where the pressure on local infrastructure and daily life is reaching critical levels.
Mallorca is one of the most popular tourist destinations in Europe, with a high absolute load. Despite relatively dispersed tourist accommodation density, the high number of nights per capita and significant tourism growth put pressure on natural resources, infrastructure, and local residents’ quality of life. Solutions include encouraging a more even distribution of tourists throughout the year, developing eco-tourism, and modernizing infrastructure to reduce pressure.
Tourist flows in Paris are concentrated in a very limited area, causing severe overload of the city infrastructure, housing problems, and reduced quality of life for residents. The large number of museum visits reinforces the city’s cultural status but also increases pressure on landmarks. It is necessary to limit mass tourism in the city center, support the development of alternative routes and accommodation zones, and enforce stricter short-term rental regulations.
Rome has a large volume of tourist nights, putting pressure on its historic center, transportation system, and housing sector. Moderate density helps partly reduce pressure, but without targeted measures, the situation may worsen. It is important to develop infrastructure outside central areas, control tourist flows, and balance tourism with residents’ needs.
Barcelona is one of Europe’s largest cultural tourism centers, with a very high number of museum visits. The relatively low density of overnight stays indicates a dispersed tourist distribution, but certain urban areas experience housing shortages and infrastructure overload. Continued regulation of short-term rentals and development of tourist zones outside the city center are essential.
Venice has an extremely high density of tourist overnight stays, creating critical pressure on infrastructure and the historic environment. Besides ecological challenges, this leads to depopulation and degradation of cultural heritage. Effective measures should include limiting tourist numbers, managing flows, developing sustainable tourism, and preserving monuments.
Bolzano-Bozen has a very high number of overnight stays per capita, indicating strong tourist pressure on a relatively small area. Tourism activity puts stress on local infrastructure and natural resources. Recommendations include developing eco-tourism, investing in infrastructure expansion, and balancing tourism with residents’ comfort.
Tenerife shows significant tourist overnight volumes and high density on its territory, creating challenges for the environment and urban infrastructure. It is necessary to implement measures to reduce seasonal peaks, promote green tourism, and strengthen environmental controls.
Alicante attracts many tourists, but the spread over the territory is more dispersed, reducing the intensity of infrastructure overload. It is important to support local tourism initiatives and control new hotel construction.
Madrid shows stable growth in tourist flows with a significant absolute number of overnight stays. Moderate density indicates a relatively even distribution across the city. To preserve residents’ comfort and maintain service quality, infrastructure development, rental regulation, and promotion of cultural tourism outside the city center are necessary.
Málaga has a large tourist flow that is moderately dense across its territory. Challenges are related to infrastructure load and maintaining tourism service quality. It is recommended to increase investment in transport and expand tourism offers in the surrounding areas.
To better understand the impact of mass tourism on European cities, we developed a composite Overtourism Index. This index integrates five key indicators: total number of nights spent at tourist accommodations, nights per capita, nights per square kilometer, annual growth in tourist numbers, and museum visitation volume.
The goal is to identify cities experiencing the highest tourism pressure relative to their size, population, and cultural capacity. Below is the ranking of the top 20 European cities most affected by overtourism based on this comprehensive index.
Overtourism in major European destinations is no longer just a local concern; it affects traveler experience, sustainability, and the preservation of cultural heritage. Cities like Paris, Mallorca, and Barcelona now face the dual burden of spatial overcrowding and resource strain. To support sustainable travel, visitors should consider exploring alternative cities during peak seasons, traveling mid-week instead of weekends, and booking tours or museums in advance. Conscious choices help preserve iconic places while also offering a more relaxed and authentic travel experience.
To assess overtourism in European cities, we created a composite index based on five key indicators: total nights spent by tourists, nights spent per resident, nights spent per square kilometer, number of museum visits, and the recent growth in tourist numbers. Each of these metrics was normalized to a 0-1 scale using min-max normalization to ensure comparability. We then applied weighted coefficients to reflect their relative significance: 30% for total nights spent, 25% for nights per resident, 25% for nights per square kilometer, 10% for museum visits, and 10% for the increase in tourist numbers. The final overtourism index was calculated as a weighted sum of the normalized indicators. Higher values indicate greater levels of tourist pressure. In cases where data was missing for a city, average normalized values were imputed to maintain consistency across the dataset.
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Last reviewed: August 7, 2025
Last updated: August 7, 2025
Licensed under CC BY 4.0
Key findings:
- Mallorca ranks highest on the composite overtourism index with a score of 1.00, driven by 51.2 million tourist nights and 25,300 overnight stays per 1,000 inhabitants.
- Paris ranks first in tourism density, recording an astonishing 418,300 tourist nights per square kilometer.
- Rome is the most overcrowded European destination for cultural tourism in Europe, with 23.3 million museum visits annually.
Relevance of the overtourism problem in Europe: overcrowded cities
Overtourism has become an increasingly urgent issue across many European destinations. While tourism is vital to local economies, the excessive volume of visitors can overwhelm infrastructure, disrupt local life, and degrade cultural and natural assets. The problem is no longer limited to peak seasons or famous landmarks; it affects entire communities and ecosystems year-round.
Why is overtourism a problem?
- Environmental impact. Overtourism contributes to pollution, overcrowding in natural areas, environmental degradation, and the unsustainable use of key resources like water and food, especially in already fragile ecosystems.
- Social pressure. Residents often face exclusion from public spaces, crowding in daily life, and reduced quality of services. This can lead to growing hostility between locals and tourists.
- Economic imbalance. While tourism brings in revenue, it can also drive inflation, increase housing prices, and distort local job markets. In many cities, traditional industries decline as short-term rentals and service jobs dominate.
- Cultural degradation. Mass tourism risks the erosion of local identity and cultural heritage. It often leads to vandalism or misuse of historic sites, displaces locally-owned businesses, and turns cultural traditions into tourist spectacles.
Europe’s most visited destinations are reaching a tipping point where unchecked tourism growth threatens long-term sustainability. To address overtourism effectively, cities must implement smarter visitor management strategies, protect community interests, and promote alternative destinations. Without meaningful intervention, the costs of overtourism may ultimately outweigh its benefits.
Overtourism solutions in Europe’s tourism hotspots
The issue of places with too many tourists has received significant media attention in recent years, especially in Europe’s most iconic cities. Coverage in international outlets, viral social media videos, and local protests has made the consequences of mass tourism highly visible. In many of these cities, residents have spoken out against the unchecked influx of visitors, calling on local governments to act. As a result, these destinations have become symbols of overtourism and the complex struggle to balance visitor appeal with urban sustainability.
Here is a brief overview of the situation in several of Europe's most affected cities:
- Barcelona (Spain). Mass tourism is driving up rental prices, displacing local residents, increasing noise in central areas, and attracting waves of cruise passengers. The city has restricted the number of hotels in the center, banned new short-term rentals, and launched campaigns like “Respect BCN.” Tourist activity is highly concentrated in the Gothic Quarter, Barceloneta beach, and around the Sagrada Família.
- Venice (Italy). Depopulation, cultural erosion, environmental degradation, and flooding caused by waves of tourists and cruise ships. Venice has banned large cruise ships from entering the historic center, introduced an entry fee (starting in 2024), and implemented a reservation system to control visitor numbers. Tourist numbers far exceed the city’s resident population daily.
- Amsterdam (Netherlands). Party tourism centered around the red-light district and cannabis culture has disrupted daily life and harmed the city’s reputation. Authorities have banned new souvenir shops in the city center, limited cruise traffic, enforced strict Airbnb regulations, and launched “Enjoy & Respect” and “Stay Away” campaigns. The city is taking an active stance against “tourist hooliganism” and promoting alternative tourism.
- Dubrovnik (Croatia). The Old Town is overcrowded, especially since its popularity surged due to Game of Thrones. Cruise ships dominate, and local quality of life has declined. Entry to the Old Town is restricted, with a cap of 4,000 visitors at a time, and off-season tourism is being encouraged. Dubrovnik’s economy is highly dependent on cruise tourism, making it vulnerable to external shocks.
- Paris (France). Overcrowding near the Eiffel Tower, the Louvre, and Montmartre, rising short-term rentals, and the loss of authentic neighborhood life in the city center. Paris has tightened control over Airbnb listings, launched anti-touristification campaigns, and expanded pedestrian zones. As one of the world’s most visited cities (over 30 million annual tourists), Paris faces a unique balancing act between global visibility and local needs.
- Rome (Italy). Overcrowding near major landmarks like the Colosseum and the Vatican, poor tourist behavior (e.g., swimming in fountains), and sanitation issues. Authorities have imposed fines for inappropriate conduct, introduced public behavior rules, and closed some squares at night. Rome hosts a mix of religious, cultural, and mass-market tourism, compounding the pressures.
- Prague (Czech Republic). High tourist density in the Old Town, alcohol-fueled tourism, gentrification, and displacement of long-term residents. The city is regulating hotel expansion, limiting nightlife disturbances, and launching campaigns to change its tourism image. Tourism dominates the local economy in the center, but residents increasingly feel the city is built more for visitors than for them.
- Lisbon (Portugal). Rapid tourist growth since the 2010s, a boom in Airbnb properties, displacement of residents, noise pollution, and strained transport. Authorities have imposed limits on tourist accommodation, introduced new urban development rules, and promoted alternative routes. Lisbon has also become a hotspot for digital nomads, intensifying pressure on the housing market.
These cities have become global symbols of overtourism, not just because of their beauty or popularity, but because the consequences of tourism saturation have sparked public debate, media scrutiny, and political action.
However, these eight cities are far from the only ones facing such challenges. Across Europe, many smaller or lesser-known destinations are also struggling with the pressures of unsustainable tourism, often without the same resources or visibility to address the issue.
While many travelers seek out the most iconic places, others actively look for the least crowded tourist destinations to enjoy a more relaxed experience. In contrast, this section focuses on the most visited cities in Europe, bustling hubs that attract millions of tourists each year and define the continent’s travel landscape.
The most visited cities in Europe
With tens of millions of overnight stays each year, certain European cities are facing mounting pressure on housing, infrastructure, and daily life, highlighting just how concentrated tourism has become in a handful of hotspots.
What city has the most tourists?
- Mallorca leads the ranking with over 51.2 million tourist nights, surpassing even capital cities like Paris (43.9 million) and Rome (41.1 million).
- Spain dominates the list of cities with the most tourists: 9 out of 20 top destinations, including Barcelona, Tenerife, and Madrid, reflecting its nationwide appeal across both cities and islands.
Top 10 most visited cities in Europe by number of nights spent at tourist accommodation
- Mallorca (Spain) - 51.2 M
- Paris (France) - 43.9 M
- Rome (Italy) - 41.1 M
- Barcelona (Spain) - 39.8 M
- Venice (Italy) - 38.2 M
- Bolzano (Italy) - 36.1 M
- Tenerife (Spain) - 34.3 M
- Alicante (Spain) - 32.0 M
- Madrid (Spain) - 30.2 M
- Malaga (Spain) - 29.7 M
Most visited cities in Europe can offer world-class attractions, but also come with high tourist density, especially during peak seasons. Travelers seeking a more relaxed experience might consider visiting during shoulder months or exploring nearby lesser-known towns. Additionally, booking accommodations early in these high-demand destinations is strongly advised to avoid inflated prices or limited options.
To better understand the intensity of tourism at the local level, the following section examines overnight stays per 1,000 inhabitants in European cities, offering a clearer picture of how tourism impacts everyday urban life.
Overnight stays per 1K inhabitants in European cities
While total tourist numbers often steal the spotlight, the real impact of tourism is felt most in places where the volume of visitors dramatically outweighs the local population. This chart ranks European regions by the number of tourist accommodation nights per resident, revealing where tourism saturates daily life to the greatest extent.
- South Aegean (Greece) leads with 57,200 tourist nights per 1K inhabitants, meaning each resident corresponds to over 150 tourist nights annually.
- Several regions exceed 40,000 tourist nights per local, including Adriatic Croatia (Croatia) and Bolzano (Italy), highlighting the intensity of tourism pressure in seasonal, leisure-driven economies.
Top 10 European cities by number of nights spent at tourist accommodation per 1K inhabitants
- South Aegean (Greece) - 57.2 K
- Adriatic Croatia (Croatia) - 49.1 K
- Ionian Islands (Greece) - 45.7 K
- Bolzano (Italy) - 44.4 K
- Aegean Islands (Greece) - 32.3 K
- Zeeland (Netherlands) - 28.8 K
- Crete(Greece) - 28.2 K
- Algarve (Portugal) - 28.0 K
- Corsica (France) - 26.7 K
- Balearic Islands (Spain) - 25.3 K
If you're planning to visit one of these high-ratio destinations, be aware that while the charm is undeniable, infrastructure and housing may be heavily strained during peak seasons. Opting for responsible travel choices, such as avoiding short-term rentals in residential areas or visiting in the off-season, can help reduce your footprint and lead to a more authentic, relaxed experience. Supporting locally owned businesses outside of tourist hubs also contributes to more balanced, sustainable tourism.
Beyond total visitor numbers, the concentration of tourists per square kilometer reveals which European cities experience the highest tourism pressure in terms of spatial density, highlighting hotspots where overtourism is most intense.
Concentration of tourists in European cities per square km
Overtourism isn’t just about how many people visit; it's about how concentrated that tourism is in a limited urban space. This ranking reveals the European cities with the highest number of overnight tourist stays per square kilometer, showcasing the intense spatial pressure tourism can exert on compact, heavily visited destinations.
- Paris dominates with an astonishing 418,300 tourist nights per square kilometer, far surpassing other cities and reflecting its status as a global tourist magnet.
- Urban hubs like Copenhagen (63.9 K) and Munich (59.8 K) also face high tourism density, posing challenges for space, transport, and local quality of life.
Top 10 European cities by number of nights spent at tourist accommodation per square km
- Paris (France) - 418.3 K
- Athens (Greece) - 88.5 K
- Copenhagen (Denmark) - 63.9 K
- Munich (Germany) - 59.8 K
- Hauts-de-Seine (France) - 46.3 K
- Brussels (Belgium) - 44.0 K
- Frankfurt (Germany) - 41.7 K
- Basel (Czech Republic) - 40.9 K
- Vienna(Austria) - 39.7 K
- Malta (Malta) - 38.8 K
When visiting high-density tourism cities, expect crowded streets, long queues, and limited accommodation flexibility, especially in peak months. To enhance your experience, plan early, explore nearby districts for lodging and dining, and use public transportation to ease pressure on central zones. Being mindful of your presence in local neighborhoods also helps foster better relationships between visitors and residents in overburdened areas.
Cultural tourism plays a key role across Europe, so analyzing the number of museum visitors in European cities helps reveal which destinations attract art and history enthusiasts the most.
Number of museum visitors in European cities
As overtourism shapes modern travel, cultural institutions like museums offer not only enrichment but also relief from overcrowded streets, yet some cities are seeing extraordinary museum footfall. These figures reflect where cultural tourism is thriving and where museums are becoming major visitor magnets.
- Rome tops the list with 23.3 million museum visitors, almost three times more than the second-ranked city, Florence (9.6M).
- Florence, Naples, and Paris form a strong middle tier, each attracting 8 to 10 million visitors annually.
- Cities like Porto (3.6M) and Budapest (4.0M) have lower museum attendance, offering potentially less crowded cultural experiences.
Top 10 European cities by museum visits
- Rome - 23.3 M
- Florence - 9.6 M
- Naples - 8.9 M
- Paris - 8.0 M
- Milan - 5.2 M
- Brussels - 4.2 M
- Venice - 4.1 M
- Lisbon - 4.1 M
- Budapest - 4.0 M
- Porto - 3.6 M
Rome is by far the cultural heavyweight when it comes to museum tourism in Europe, making it a must-visit for art and history lovers, but expect large crowds. Florence and Naples also draw impressive visitor numbers and offer deep Renaissance and archaeological heritage. Meanwhile, cities like Porto and Budapest may be ideal for travelers looking for a richer experience without the overwhelming tourist flow. Consider timing your visits during shoulder seasons to enjoy these cultural hubs with fewer queues and more breathing room.
Most visited museums in Europe
- Louvre, Paris (France)
- Vatican Museums, Vatican (Vatican City)
- British Museum, London (United Kingdom)
- Natural History Museum, London (United Kingdom)
- Tate Modern, London (United Kingdom)
- Musée D'Orsay, Paris (France)
- Museo Nacional Del Prado, Madrid (Spain)
- State Hermitage, St Petersburg (Russia)
- Victoria and Albert Museum, London (United Kingdom)
- National Gallery, London (United Kingdom)
What is the most visited museum in Europe?
- The Louvre in Paris is the most visited museum in Europe, attracting approximately 8.9 million visitors (tourists and locals) annually, surpassing even the Vatican Museums and top London institutions.
When travelers search for cities with the most hotels or wonder which city has the most hotels, they're often looking for places that are not only popular but also well-equipped to handle large tourist flows.
One way to measure a destination’s hospitality capacity is by examining the number of bedplaces per 1,000 inhabitants. This indicator reveals how deeply tourism is embedded in the local economy and infrastructure across European countries.
Number of bedplaces per 1K inhabitants in European countries
The availability of tourist bedplaces relative to the local population is a critical factor in managing tourism pressure and ensuring visitor comfort. This data highlights European countries with the highest accommodation capacity per 1,000 inhabitants, shedding light on where infrastructure is best prepared to handle visitor influx.
- Croatia leads significantly with 295 bedplaces per 1,000 inhabitants, reflecting its heavy reliance on tourism and seasonal visitor surges.
- Traditional tourist hubs like Austria (125), Greece (120), and Norway (111) also have notably high bedplace density, indicating well-developed lodging infrastructure relative to their populations.
Top 10 European countries by number of bedplaces per 1K of inhabitants
- Croatia - 295
- Austria - 125
- Greece - 120
- Norway - 111
- Malta - 98
- Cyprus - 92
- Slovenia - 90
- Italy - 89
- Luxembourg - 88
- Montenegro - 87
When visiting countries with very high bedplace density, such as Croatia or Austria, be aware that peak seasons may still bring intense competition for accommodations, so early booking is essential. Conversely, destinations with lower bedplace availability might offer a more exclusive experience but with fewer lodging options, so planning and flexibility are key. Exploring alternative accommodations like guesthouses or locally-run B&Bs can enhance your stay and support local communities.
In addition to established hotspots, it’s important to highlight Europe’s fastest-growing travel destinations, which are rapidly gaining popularity and reshaping the continent’s tourism landscape.
Europe’s fastest-growing travel destinations
While some cities have long been established tourist magnets, others are rapidly gaining popularity, driving new challenges in infrastructure and visitor management. This list spotlights European cities and regions experiencing the highest percentage increases in tourist arrivals in 2020-2024.
- Stuttgart, Germany, leads with a remarkable 47% increase in tourists, closely followed by Brussels and Warsaw with 46% growth each.
- Several Spanish regions, including Madrid (44%) and Galicia (42%), are also seeing sharp rises, reflecting Spain’s growing appeal beyond its traditional hotspots.
Top 20 European destinations by increase in tourist numbers
- Stuttgart (Germany) - 47%
- Brussels (Belgium) - 46%
- Warsaw (Poland) - 46%
- Madrid (Spain) - 44%
- Flemish Brabant (Belgium) - 44%
- Vienna (Austria) - 43%
- Galicia (Spain) - 42%
- Bucharest-Ilfov (Romania) - 42%
- Balearic Islands (Spain) - 40%
- Madeira (Portugal) - 40%
- Karlsruhe (Germany) - 40%
- La Rioja (Spain) - 40%
- Castile and León (Spain) - 40%
- Azores (Portugal) - 38%
- Darmstadt (Germany) - 38%
- Antwerp (Belgium) - 38%
- Guiana (France) - 37%
- Mayotte (France) - 36%
- Hamburg (Germany) - 36%
- Navarre (Spain) - 36%
Rising tourist numbers often mean increased crowds, especially during peak periods, and evolving accommodation landscapes. To enjoy these fast-growing destinations at their best, consider visiting during shoulder seasons, stay flexible with your plans, and book accommodations early. Supporting emerging destinations also helps spread tourism more evenly across Europe, reducing pressure on classic hotspots.
When analyzing tourism GDP by country, it becomes clear that the economic impact of tourism in Europe varies widely by country. This section explores the tourism percentage of GDP by country in Europe, highlighting which nations rely most heavily on the travel industry to drive their economies.
Tourism sector share in GDP in European countries
Tourism plays a vital role in many European economies, but in some countries it accounts for a significant share of GDP, underscoring both opportunities and vulnerabilities related to visitor flows.
- Croatia tops the list with tourism contributing 11.2% of its GDP, followed closely by Montenegro at 10%, highlighting their heavy reliance on tourism revenue.
- Larger economies like Spain (6.4%) and Italy (5.4%) also show substantial tourism shares, reflecting the sector’s importance beyond small island or coastal nations.
Top 10 European countries by tourism share in GDP
- Croatia - 11.2%
- Montenegro - 10.0%
- Spain - 6.4%
- Portugal - 6.3%
- Greece - 5.9%
- Malta - 5.9%
- Iceland - 5.5%
- Italy - 5.4%
- Estonia - 4.9%
- Ireland - 4.8%
When visiting countries with high tourism GDP shares, your spending plays a crucial role in sustaining local economies. Choosing to support local businesses and responsible tourism initiatives helps communities thrive. However, these destinations may be more sensitive to seasonal fluctuations and overtourism impacts, so visiting during off-peak seasons or exploring less-touristed regions can improve your experience and benefit locals alike.
Overtourism has become a pressing challenge for many popular European destinations. Let's highlight the Top 10 cities by overtourism in Europe, presenting key facts that reveal the scale of tourist pressure and its impact on local communities and infrastructure.
Top 10 cities by overtourism in Europe: key facts
Here are the top 10 cities in Europe most affected by overtourism, ranked by a composite score that reflects tourist volume, density, and growth, highlighting where the pressure on local infrastructure and daily life is reaching critical levels.
Overtourism in Mallorca
- Nights spent at tourist accommodation: 51.2 M
- Nights spent per inhabitant: 25.3 K
- Nights spent per square km: 14 K
- Increase in tourist numbers: 40%
Mallorca is one of the most popular tourist destinations in Europe, with a high absolute load. Despite relatively dispersed tourist accommodation density, the high number of nights per capita and significant tourism growth put pressure on natural resources, infrastructure, and local residents’ quality of life. Solutions include encouraging a more even distribution of tourists throughout the year, developing eco-tourism, and modernizing infrastructure to reduce pressure.
Overtourism in Paris
- Nights spent at tourist accommodation: 43.9 M
- Nights spent per inhabitant: 26.7 K
- Nights spent per square km: 418 K
- Museum visits: 8 M
Tourist flows in Paris are concentrated in a very limited area, causing severe overload of the city infrastructure, housing problems, and reduced quality of life for residents. The large number of museum visits reinforces the city’s cultural status but also increases pressure on landmarks. It is necessary to limit mass tourism in the city center, support the development of alternative routes and accommodation zones, and enforce stricter short-term rental regulations.
Overtourism in Rome
- Nights spent at tourist accommodation: 41.1 M
- Nights spent per inhabitant: 15.3 K
- Nights spent per square km: 8 K
- Museum visits: 23.3 M
Rome has a large volume of tourist nights, putting pressure on its historic center, transportation system, and housing sector. Moderate density helps partly reduce pressure, but without targeted measures, the situation may worsen. It is important to develop infrastructure outside central areas, control tourist flows, and balance tourism with residents’ needs.
Overtourism in Barcelona
- Nights spent at tourist accommodation: 39.8 M
- Nights spent per inhabitant: 6.3 K
- Nights spent per square km: 5 K
- Increase in tourist numbers: 39%
Barcelona is one of Europe’s largest cultural tourism centers, with a very high number of museum visits. The relatively low density of overnight stays indicates a dispersed tourist distribution, but certain urban areas experience housing shortages and infrastructure overload. Continued regulation of short-term rentals and development of tourist zones outside the city center are essential.
Overtourism in Venice
- Nights spent at tourist accommodation: 38.2 M
- Nights spent per inhabitant: approx. 76.4 K
- Nights spent per square km: 15 K
- Museum visits: 4 M
- Increase in tourist numbers: 32%
Venice has an extremely high density of tourist overnight stays, creating critical pressure on infrastructure and the historic environment. Besides ecological challenges, this leads to depopulation and degradation of cultural heritage. Effective measures should include limiting tourist numbers, managing flows, developing sustainable tourism, and preserving monuments.
Overtourism in Bolzano-Bozen
- Nights spent at tourist accommodation: 36.1 M
- Nights spent per inhabitant: 44.4 K
- Nights spent per square km: 5 K
Bolzano-Bozen has a very high number of overnight stays per capita, indicating strong tourist pressure on a relatively small area. Tourism activity puts stress on local infrastructure and natural resources. Recommendations include developing eco-tourism, investing in infrastructure expansion, and balancing tourism with residents’ comfort.
Overtourism in Tenerife
- Nights spent at tourist accommodation: 34.3 M
- Nights spent per inhabitant: 18.7 K
- Nights spent per square km: 17 K
Tenerife shows significant tourist overnight volumes and high density on its territory, creating challenges for the environment and urban infrastructure. It is necessary to implement measures to reduce seasonal peaks, promote green tourism, and strengthen environmental controls.
Overtourism in Alicante
- Nights spent at tourist accommodation: 32.0 M
- Nights spent per inhabitant: 25.0 K
- Nights spent per square km: 5.5 K
- Increase in tourist numbers: 35%
Alicante attracts many tourists, but the spread over the territory is more dispersed, reducing the intensity of infrastructure overload. It is important to support local tourism initiatives and control new hotel construction.
Overtourism in Madrid
- Nights spent at tourist accommodation: 30.2 M
- Nights spent per inhabitant: 8.9 K
- Nights spent per square km: 3.8 K
- Increase in tourist numbers: 44%
Madrid shows stable growth in tourist flows with a significant absolute number of overnight stays. Moderate density indicates a relatively even distribution across the city. To preserve residents’ comfort and maintain service quality, infrastructure development, rental regulation, and promotion of cultural tourism outside the city center are necessary.
Overtourism in Málaga
- Nights spent at tourist accommodation: 29.7 M
- Nights spent per inhabitant: 17.6 K
- Nights spent per square km: 4.1 K
- Increase in tourist numbers: 36%
Málaga has a large tourist flow that is moderately dense across its territory. Challenges are related to infrastructure load and maintaining tourism service quality. It is recommended to increase investment in transport and expand tourism offers in the surrounding areas.
Overtourism Pressure Index: leading European destinations
To better understand the impact of mass tourism on European cities, we developed a composite Overtourism Index. This index integrates five key indicators: total number of nights spent at tourist accommodations, nights per capita, nights per square kilometer, annual growth in tourist numbers, and museum visitation volume.
The goal is to identify cities experiencing the highest tourism pressure relative to their size, population, and cultural capacity. Below is the ranking of the top 20 European cities most affected by overtourism based on this comprehensive index.
- Paris leads the overtourism index with over 43.9 million overnight stays and a staggering 418,280 nights per sq. km, indicating extreme tourism density in the urban core.
- Mallorca recorded the highest absolute volume with 51.2 million tourist nights, placing intense seasonal pressure on its limited island infrastructure.
- Barcelona combines high tourism load and cultural demand, logging 39.8 million overnight stays and 9.7 million museum visits, which strains both public space and heritage sites.
Top 20 European cities facing overtourism: composite ranking
- Mallorca (Spain) - 1.00
- Barcelona (Spain) - 0.96
- Rome (Italy) - 0.94
- Paris (France) - 0.92
- Venice (Italy) - 0.89
- Tenerife (Spain) - 0.88
- Bolzano-Bozen (Italy) - 0.85
- Amsterdam (Netherlands) - 0.82
- Madrid (Spain) - 0.81
- Malaga (Spain) - 0.79
- Berlin (Germany) - 0.75
- Vienna (Austria) - 0.72
- Lisbon (Portugal) - 0.69
- Hamburg (Germany) - 0.67
- Budapest (Hungary) - 0.65
- Frankfurt (Germany) - 0.64
- Prague (Czech Republic) - 0.62
- Warsaw (Poland) - 0.59
- Brussels (Belgium) - 0.58
- Stuttgart (Germany) - 0.56
Overtourism in major European destinations is no longer just a local concern; it affects traveler experience, sustainability, and the preservation of cultural heritage. Cities like Paris, Mallorca, and Barcelona now face the dual burden of spatial overcrowding and resource strain. To support sustainable travel, visitors should consider exploring alternative cities during peak seasons, traveling mid-week instead of weekends, and booking tours or museums in advance. Conscious choices help preserve iconic places while also offering a more relaxed and authentic travel experience.
Conclusions
- Southern Europe’s hotspots are overheating. From Mallorca’s 51.2 million overnight stays to Barcelona’s crowded museums and Venice’s jam-packed canals, southern Europe’s top cities are struggling under the weight of mass tourism. These destinations are beautiful, but also among the most overwhelmed.
Recommendation: Visit in shoulder seasons (spring or fall), explore off-the-beaten-track neighborhoods, and stay in local guesthouses to reduce pressure on central areas.
- Historic capitals face tourist gridlock. Paris, Rome, and Madrid see massive tourist flows; Paris alone has over 418,000 stays per square kilometer. Expect crowds at every major site, long queues, and higher prices in city centers.
Recommendation: Book everything in advance, plan early morning or weekday visits, and discover local life outside the historic cores (like Trastevere in Rome or Canal Saint-Martin in Paris). - Rising stars like Amsterdam, Vienna & Lisbon feel the squeeze. While not always first in visitor numbers, cities like Amsterdam, Vienna, and Lisbon are experiencing growing tourism pressure, causing tensions with locals, housing stress, and packed public transit.
Recommendation: Respect local rules, avoid short-term rental hotspots, and explore slower-paced neighborhoods for a more authentic (and appreciated) experience.
Methodology
To assess overtourism in European cities, we created a composite index based on five key indicators: total nights spent by tourists, nights spent per resident, nights spent per square kilometer, number of museum visits, and the recent growth in tourist numbers. Each of these metrics was normalized to a 0-1 scale using min-max normalization to ensure comparability. We then applied weighted coefficients to reflect their relative significance: 30% for total nights spent, 25% for nights per resident, 25% for nights per square kilometer, 10% for museum visits, and 10% for the increase in tourist numbers. The final overtourism index was calculated as a weighted sum of the normalized indicators. Higher values indicate greater levels of tourist pressure. In cases where data was missing for a city, average normalized values were imputed to maintain consistency across the dataset.
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Last reviewed: August 7, 2025
Last updated: August 7, 2025
Licensed under CC BY 4.0
