In recent years (following the COVID years of limited travel), several European cities have pushed back against overtourism — a phenomenon where an influx of visitors strains local infrastructure, disrupts daily life, and inflates housing prices. Imagine if your hometown was overrun with foreigners who cared little for the impact they were making on your daily life. You might be tired from it also. From Venice to Barcelona, the frustration of residents has led to protests, new regulations, and a growing “anti-tourism” sentiment. Perhaps you have seen these protests on the news. While these cities remain culturally rich and worth visiting, travelers need to approach them with heightened awareness and respect.

Here’s a closer look at some of the European cities where anti-tourism sentiment has grown, and how to visit them responsibly. Bear in mind that these are some of my favorite places, but I sympathize with the locals’ frustrations.

1. Barcelona, Spain

Why the backlash?

Barcelona has long struggled with crowds, especially in the Gothic Quarter and along Las Ramblas. Locals face rising rents due to short-term holiday rentals like Airbnb. Protests have targeted mass tourism, cruise ships, and the sense that the city is being "Disneyfied."

How to visit responsibly:

• Stay in licensed accommodations away from the overcrowded center. Consider quieter districts like Gràcia or Poblenou.
• Avoid party tourism. Loud behavior and street drinking are major points of contention.
• Support local businesses instead of international chains.
• Visit off-season (October–April) for fewer crowds.

2. Venice, Italy

Why the backlash?

With fewer than 50,000 residents in the historic city but millions of annual visitors, Venice’s infrastructure is under severe strain. Cruise ships have caused environmental damage, and tourists often (almost always) outnumber locals.

How to visit responsibly:

• Avoid day trips: Stay overnight so you contribute economically beyond a coffee and a selfie.
• As of 2024, pay the entrance fee if visiting for the day (part of Venice’s new visitor control system).
• Skip the cruise ship—come by train or bus instead.
• Respect signage and don’t picnic in restricted areas like church steps or bridges.

3. Amsterdam, Netherlands

Why the backlash?

Amsterdam has tried to shake its image as a party capital. Locals have protested "nuisance tourism" tied to stag parties, weed tourism, and canal-side Airbnb takeovers. The city has launched campaigns discouraging unruly visitors.

How to visit responsibly:

• Book hotels in neighborhoods like De Pijp or the Eastern Docklands rather than the Red-Light District.
• Skip the weed-tourism clichés; visit museums, bike the canals, and explore local food.
• Use public transport and respect quiet hours in residential areas.

4. Dubrovnik, Croatia

Why the backlash?

After becoming a Game of Thrones hotspot, Dubrovnik saw visitor numbers spike. The walled city became so crowded that UNESCO threatened to revoke its heritage status unless crowd control measures were taken.

How to visit responsibly:

• Avoid visiting during peak cruise hours (10 am–4 pm).
• Stay overnight and explore outside the Old Town, including nearby Lokrum Island or the Elaphiti Islands.
• Limit social media behavior (no climbing walls for selfies, please).

5. Lisbon, Portugal

Why the backlash?

Lisbon’s popularity has led to gentrification and an exodus of locals from historic neighborhoods. Rents have risen steeply, and many communities feel they've become tourist playgrounds.

How to visit responsibly:

• Choose to stay in areas like Campo de Ourique or Alcântara to avoid pressure on the historic center.
• Avoid noisy late-night gatherings in residential areas.
• Support small Portuguese-owned businesses.
• Consider visiting other parts of Portugal like Évora, Coimbra, or the Azores.

6. Reykjavík, Iceland

Why the backlash?

Iceland saw a tourism boom after its 2010 volcanic eruption and popular Game of Thrones locations. Infrastructure and wilderness sites have been overwhelmed. Some residents feel Iceland is being loved to death.

How to visit responsibly:

• Stick to marked trails and respect all environmental guidelines.
• Rent a car and stay in lesser-known areas like the East Fjords or Westfjords.
• Don’t camp illegally.
• Use local tour guides who know how to protect natural sites.

7. Palma de Mallorca, Spain

Why the backlash?

Mallorca, especially its capital Palma, has introduced strict vacation rental bans in central areas. Locals are concerned about losing housing and the influx of partygoers.

How to visit responsibly:

• Visit in the shoulder seasons (May–June, September–October).
• Choose eco-certified accommodations.
• Explore inland towns like Sóller or Valldemossa.
• Don’t participate in party cruises or disruptive nightlife activities.

Tips for Visiting Any High-Tourism City Respectfully

• Travel off-season. You’ll ease the burden and have a better experience.
• Stay longer. Slow travel has less environmental impact per day and contributes more to the local economy.
• Avoid short-term rentals unless they are properly licensed and not displacing locals.
• Learn a few words in the local language. Simple greetings go a long way.
• Respect local customs and laws. Don't assume the rules don’t apply to tourists.
• Leave no trace. Whether you’re in nature or a historic square, take your trash and leave the space better than you found it.

Final Thought

Travel enriches our lives, but it should never diminish the lives of the people who call our destinations home. If you’re determined to visit these iconic European cities, you still can, but tread lightly, spend wisely, and travel thoughtfully. Don’t be an ugly, rude, and obnoxious tourist.