Overtourism: 7 Better Alternatives 2026

Venice introduced a day-tripper fee. Barcelona fines tourists for certain behaviors. Santorini battles cruise ships that unload thousands of people daily into a tiny village. This is no longer an isolated case.

The good news: for almost every overtourism hotspot there’s an alternative that’s equally beautiful, without the crowds, without the price premium, and without the guilty feeling of being part of the problem.

Why is overtourism a real problem for travelers?

Overtourism makes travel more expensive, more unpleasant, and less authentic. In Venice, a glass of prosecco on St. Mark’s Square costs 15 euros. Hotels on Santorini cost three times the pre-pandemic rate in summer. And the experience itself? Often a disappointment. Queues everywhere, souvenir shops instead of local restaurants, stressed locals who moved to the suburbs long ago.

The alternatives work differently. Smaller cities often have the same historical substance, genuine culinary culture, and affordable accommodation. You’re a guest, not a visitor in a theme park.

Which alternatives replace the most famous overtourism destinations?

Instead of Venice: Lecce

Lecce in Salento is called the “Venice of the South,” not for its canals but for its Baroque style. The entire old town is built from golden limestone. Cathedrals, palazzi, narrow alleys. Tourists? Far fewer. Hotel prices? A boutique hotel costs 80 to 110 euros per night where Venice charges three times as much.

Then there’s the food. Orecchiette, friselle, pasticciotto. Puglia is by far the best destination in Italy for food lovers. More in the Puglia travel guide.

Instead of Barcelona: Bilbao

Barcelona is overwhelming, saturated with tourism, and unbearably crowded in summer. Bilbao in the Basque Country has a Guggenheim Museum, one of the best pintxos scenes in Spain, and an old town that still feels real.

The city transformed itself from an industrial hub to a cultural metropolis through what’s known as the “Bilbao Effect.” Flights from many European cities start at 70 to 100 euros. Hotels in good locations around 90 euros. For comparison: Barcelona charges 180 to 250 euros for the same quality in summer. If you still want to visit Barcelona, our 48 Hours Barcelona guide helps you get the most out of the city.

Instead of Amsterdam: Ghent

Amsterdam is beautiful, expensive, and flooded with day-trippers in summer. Ghent in Belgium is what Amsterdam was 30 years ago. Medieval architecture, canals, a lively pub scene, university atmosphere.

The official Visit Flanders tourism website describes Ghent as one of the best-preserved medieval city centers in Europe. Rooms in the center from 85 euros. Amsterdam charges double. If you prefer Amsterdam, our Where to Stay in Amsterdam guide covers the best neighborhoods.

Instead of Santorini: Milos or Naxos

Santorini has become an Instagram cliché. The prices are absurd. A simple hotel room with sea view costs 350 euros per night or more. Milos has the same volcanic landscape, colorful fishing houses, and white villages. Sarakiniko, the lunar beach, is unique in the entire Aegean.

Naxos is larger, greener, has better beaches, and a mountain that allows hiking. Prices on both islands: 60 to 120 euros for good accommodation in summer. Half the Santorini rate. For a full comparison of the Greek islands, our article on Europe’s best beaches covers all the key options.

Instead of Prague: Brno or Olomouc

Prague has long since exceeded its limits. Stag party groups dominate the old town. Beer is expensive, accommodation is expensive, the atmosphere suffers.

Brno is the Czech Republic’s second-largest city. Castle complex, underground catacombs, excellent beer. Prices noticeably lower. Olomouc is a UNESCO World Heritage candidate with impressive townscape, six Baroque fountains, and almost no western tourists. If you’re still going to Prague, our Where to Stay in Prague guide helps with accommodation choices.

Instead of Dubrovnik: Kotor

Dubrovnik introduced entry fees for its city walls and limited cruise ship numbers. Rightfully so: in summer it’s barely tolerable.

Kotor in Montenegro is a fortified old town directly on a fjord. Similar Venetian architecture, far fewer tourists, far lower prices. The hinterland with Lovćen National Park is a bonus. Accommodation in the center from 70 euros per night.

Instead of Kyoto: Kanazawa

Kyoto is Japan’s most-visited destination after Tokyo. Temples, geishas, bamboo forests. All there, but shared with millions of tourists simultaneously.

Kanazawa on Japan’s west coast has the country’s third-most beautiful landscape garden (Kenroku-en), a historic samurai district, an authentic geisha quarter, and one of the best seafood markets outside Tokyo. Very few international tourists. Closer to the reality of traditional Japan than almost anywhere else. For more on the country, our Japan travel guide covers the full picture.

Why do alternatives also make financial sense?

The price differences are substantial. Less-known cities mean cheaper hotels, cheaper restaurants, and often cheaper flights because there’s no mass-tourism hub premium.

A weekend in Ghent instead of Amsterdam: 40 percent savings on accommodation. A week on Naxos instead of Santorini: 50 to 60 percent less for lodging. That’s not a marginal difference. That’s budget for another destination.

The principle applies to booking strategy too. Plan early, compare platforms, and consider alternative neighborhoods. The article Airbnb vs. Hotel: Which is Actually Worth It? breaks this down in detail.

How do you travel more consciously without giving anything up?

Slow travel is the framework. Fewer cities, more time per place. Less checklist tourism, more genuine encounters. Buses and trains instead of rental cars, markets instead of souvenir shops.

The concept is explained in our article Slow Travel: What It Really Means. The core idea: the quality of travel experience increases when the number of destinations decreases.

Want more lesser-known destinations? Our Hidden Gems Europe guide goes deeper into off-the-radar spots.

Zercy builds live flight prices into every travel plan. Enter your destination and get instant comparison links for outbound and return flights. Save your shortlist in your Zercy Logbook so you have all options handy when booking.

Frequently Asked Questions

What makes a city an overtourism hotspot?

Overtourism occurs when visitor numbers permanently exceed a city’s capacity. Indicators include rising rental prices, displacement of locals, overcrowded attractions, and a qualitative decline in tourist infrastructure (more souvenir shops, fewer authentic restaurants). Venice, Barcelona, and Amsterdam have all introduced visitor restrictions and special taxes in recent years.

Why are alternatives like Lecce or Bilbao still not as overcrowded?

They’ve received less international marketing, no direct mass charter flights, and no Hollywood productions as backdrops. That’s slowly changing. Bilbao became known through the Guggenheim, Lecce through food bloggers. The window for relaxed travel is still open.

When is the best time to visit alternative destinations in southern Europe?

May and June or September and October. The famous destinations are already crowded by then, but the alternatives are still quiet. Prices run 20 to 30 percent below peak summer rates, and temperatures are more pleasant. This applies especially to Lecce, Bilbao, and Kotor.

How do you find more hidden gems in Europe?

Read content from local bloggers rather than big travel magazines. Check Google Maps for cities with 4.5-star ratings but few reviews. Those are often places that are genuinely good but not yet discovered. Our Hidden Gems Europe article lists more options.

Overtourism: The Best Alternatives to Overcrowded Cities