VIDEO COȘMARA on vacation: the top of the cities where tourists go beyond the locals. Record: 36 to 1

We are in the middle of July, and the season of leave is in full swing. It is the period of summer escapes, when we all dream of that corner of the world where to disconnect completely. If you have not done your luggage yet, you are not the only one: thousands of people still look for their perfect holiday destination. However, before reserving your ticket to the most popular places on the map, it may be good to stop for a moment.

Because not all dream destinations will give you the peace, beauty and relaxation you dream of. Before filling your feed with idyllic images on Instagram, it would be good to know the reverse of the medal: the collapse against the background of overcrowding. Socked, full of tourists, with increasingly dissatisfied locals and exploded prices, these overvalued destinations are becoming more and more difficult to enjoy.

The truth is that many of these places are infinitely more pleasant in the extra-season-autumn, spring or even winter. Then you can discover them in your rhythm, without chaos, without nerves, without inderable heat or queues and thousands of selfie sticks around you.

The ranking took into account the tourist density, not the total number of visitors – that is, the ratio between tourists and inhabitants in the peak season. A city with 100,000 inhabitants receiving 1 million tourists in summer can become much more suffocating than a metropolis with millions of inhabitants that attract the same number of visitors. Therefore, in the top below you will not necessarily find the most visited cities in the world, but those that feel the most powerful tourism pressure in relation to their size.

Let’s see what destinations would be better to leave them for another season – or even replace them with more friendly alternatives.

1. Dubrovnik, Croatia – from “Game of Thrones” to the Kingdom of Mediterranean Surprise

In the first place in the crowd chapter is Dubrovnik, a leader when it comes to supraturism with a record of 36 tourists for each local. The city became even more popular after it appeared in “Game of thrones”but in the summer months (July -August), the atmosphere is overwhelming, and the prices, exaggerated.

If you want to enjoy its Mediterranean charm without stress, choose to go in April, the end of September or the first part of October.

2. Venice, Italy – the city of channels and love scattered by the crowds of ephemeral admirers

Venice, with its narrow bridges and labyrinthine alleys, has become almost synonymous with supraturism. The city has imposed mandatory taxes and reservations for one -day visitors, especially those who come from the cruise ships, because they crowd the city without significantly contributing to the economy (report 22: 1).

If you want a romantic and breathable Venice, go between September and November.

3. Bruges, Belgium – the medieval jewel caught in the summer supraturism

Belgian medieval jewel, Bruges attracts tourists from all over the world due to impeccable architecture and romantic channels. Unfortunately, between May and August, the center of the city becomes overwhelming, especially since the population is small and the report also reaches 21 tourists per local.

Autumn is the best time to walk in peace on the cobbled streets of the city.

4. Rhodes, Greece – the paradise of history and beaches swept by seasonal flow

The largest of the Dodecanese islands, Rhodos, Greece, perfectly combines the beautiful beaches with the historical vestiges. No wonder it reaches a report of 21 tourists in the local peak. But with the agglomeration come and high prices.

For a more pleasant (and cheaper) stay, choose to visit the island in April or May.

5. Reykjavik, Iceland – dramatic landscapes, invaded by northern visitors

The capital of Iceland ranks 5th in the top of the busiest destinations in Europe in summer, with a report of 17 tourists at each local. The dramatic landscapes, the blue lagoon and the spectacular glaciers attract tourists especially between June and August, when the weather is the mildest.

However, if you want a more authentic and quiet experience, May and September are ideal.

6. Florence, Italy – the rebirth of art under the siege of summer agitation

Florence is, without exaggeration, one of the busiest European cities in the summer season. Famous for its Renaissance architecture, for the imposing dome and legendary art galleries, attract millions of visitors every year. In summer, the narrow streets around the old bridge and historical attractions become suffocating. In full season, it is estimated to return 17 tourists to a single local.

Do you want to enjoy the Renaissance masterpieces quietly? Program your visit to the end of autumn, when the city breathes again, so you can enjoy traditions that seem detached from the movies, for example. And if you love Italy, remember that you lose a lot of the charm of this country if you visit only Rome, Florence and Venice.

7. Heraklion, Crete – victim of his own history

You may expect Athens to be the busiest destination in Greece, but Heraklion, with a population of only 180,000 inhabitants, attracts a huge flow of visitors due to the approach to the Kossos Palace. In summer, 15 tourists are reached for each local.

If you want to enjoy the archaeological sites and the Cretan atmosphere, avoid June-August and opt for April or October.

8. Amsterdam, the Netherlands-beautiful, but over-solicitated

Amsterdam attracts through channels, famous museums and a unique vibe, but the popularity has a price: in the summer months, there are 12 tourists for each resident. Tails to attractions like Anne Frank’s house or Van Gogh Museum are huge, and the city seems suffocated.

Do you want to really enjoy the Dutch charm? Choose the months of spring or autumn when the city breathes again.

9. Dublin, Ireland-the city of pubs, captured by parties from all over the globe

Dublin is famous for history, cheerful pubs and friendly people, but summer, iconic places like temples bar become extremely crowded. It is estimated that in the peak season there are 11 tourists for each inhabitant. In addition, the city is facing major social challenges, such as massive migration, which creates tensions and affects the tourist experience.

If you want Ireland, try the regions quieter or visit Dublin in May or September.

10. Tallinn, Estonia – another medieval jewelry co -owned by the curious crowds

The capital of Estonia, with its old beautifully preserved city, attracts a huge number of tourists in relation to the population. In the summer months, 10 visitors come for each local. The narrow streets with cubic stone become impractical, and the medieval charm is lost in agglomeration.

For an authentic experience, plan the visit in April or October.

11. Prague, Czech Republic – fairy tale, prey to the popularity trap

Prague is charming, but summer becomes impractical. The Carol Bridge or the Old City are tickled by visitors, and the agglomeration has returned to pre-pandemic levels. In addition, the large number of tourists has attracted pocket thieves, so the vigilance must be at maximum levels.

A quieter version? Visit Prague in September or March, when the city is as beautiful, but much more breathable.

12. Rome, Italy – the eternal city, suffocated in the hot season

Colosseum, Vatican, Fontana di Trevi – Rome is a living treasure, but in summer it becomes a logistics nightmare. Endless queues, suffocating heat, narrow streets blocked by tourists and exploded prices. Instead of enjoying history, you will get to pray for a splash of shadow and a free place at a ice cream.

If you want to discover the charm of Rome, go in the cooler months, such as April or November.

13. Barcelona, Spain – the city fighting with its own attractions

Beach, architecture, Tapas – Barcelona seems ideal for an urban getaway. But in recent years, the city has become the epicenter of anti-tourism protests. The locals, exasperated by agglomeration, have come to sprinkle, with water guns, the customers of the terraces, as a form of protest. The city is overwhelmed, the prices are increasing, and the relaxed atmosphere is increasingly difficult to find.

If you want a more friendly and peaceful Spanish city, Valencia could be the perfect alternative: the same beautiful beaches, top gastronomy, but without suffocating waves.

14. Kyoto, Japan – spiritual paradise overwhelmed by global cultural waves

Once an oasis of peace and culture, Kyoto has become a victim of his own popularity, one of the most desired travel destinations in the world due to his varied range of attractions. The gardens, the Buddhist temples and the Shinto altars, some included in the UNESCO heritage, attract a huge number of tourists. Places like Arashiyama or Fushimi Inari are now hard to explore without being caught up in a sea of people.

The situation became so serious that tourists were interzed on some private streets in the historical district. Locals have come to be watched and practically harassed by hungry visitors “Authentic”in a generalized chaos.

15. Tokyo, Japan – the city that no longer cope with one’s own success

Tokyo is the dream of any traveler: vibrant lights, agitated markets, historical temples. But in the peak season, the city becomes suffocating crowded. The season of cherry blossoms attracts thousands of visitors, which led to some neighborhoods to appear in stores that prohibit the access of foreign tourists.

The emblematic objectives, such as Shibuya Crossing (Shibuya intersection) or temples in Asakusa, become quite suffocating, difficult to access because of the crowds. In addition, accommodations for tourists greatly increase the prices of hotels, affecting local business travelers.

Therefore, if you dream of Tokyo, Japan, the wisest thing is to visit it in the off-season.

Conclusion

Mass tourism does not just mean higher queues and prices – it also means affected local communities, diluted experiences and sometimes a holiday that becomes more stressful than relaxing.

So, perhaps the true dream destinations are not the best known, but those that give you time, space and quiet to discover them.