When I visited the Roman piazza, I was shoulder-to-shoulder with so many people I couldn’t even see the fountain I’d traveled to admire.
It felt less like a cultural experience and more like a crowded commute. And this feeling is becoming common. It’s a symptom of overtourism.
Now, some of the world’s most beloved overtourism destinations are pushing back. We’re seeing a rise in anti-tourism protests across the globe.
It’s not that locals hate visitors. They are simply trying to save their homes and heritage. The list of countries that don’t want tourists under the current conditions is growing.
Let’s explore 12 of these places and understand their very valid reasons.
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Europe’s Top Overtourism Destinations: When Welcome Signs Fade
This is where the battle against overtourism is most visible. Historic cities are struggling to breathe under the weight of their own popularity.
1. Venice, Italy
Venice is the ultimate cautionary tale. The fragile city, with just 50,000 residents, groans under the weight of 30 million annual visitors.
For years, massive cruise ships damaged the delicate lagoon ecosystem. Most visitors are day-trippers. They add to the crowds but contribute little to the local economy.
The city is fighting back. It has banned large cruise ships from its historic center. Venice also introduced a trial entry fee for day visitors on peak days. If you swim in the canals or sit on monuments, expect hefty fines.
Venice is drawing a line in the sand. It wants visitors who respect its fragility.
2. Barcelona, Spain
I had a friend visit Barcelona recently. She said the local animosity was intense.
It’s not surprising. The city is in open revolt against overtourism. A housing crisis, fueled by short-term rentals, has priced locals out of their own neighborhoods.
This frustration has boiled over into vocal anti-tourism protests. Some protestors have even sprayed tourists with water guns.
Barcelona’s government has responded with some of Europe’s toughest measures. The city plans to eliminate all short-term tourist rentals by 2028. They are also capping cruise ship numbers and raising tourist taxes.
3. Amsterdam, Netherlands
Amsterdam got tired of being Europe’s party central. The city became famous for “nuisance tourism,” especially rowdy stag parties in the Red Light District.
This behavior disrupted daily life for residents. It strained city services and created a tense atmosphere. So, Amsterdam launched its clever “Stay Away” campaign.
It uses online ads to target people searching for stag parties. The ads show the real consequences of misbehavior, like fines and arrest records.
The city also banned new hotel construction and is cutting back on river cruise ships.
These cities are becoming prime examples of places that don’t want tourists if it means sacrificing their soul.
4. Lisbon, Portugal
Lisbon’s charm became its curse. A boom in tourism, partly driven by “golden visa” schemes, created a severe housing crisis.
In historic areas like Alfama, up to 70 percent of homes are now short-term rentals. Long-time residents have been pushed out. The very culture that visitors come to see is vanishing.
As a result, Lisbon has also seen anti-tourism protests as locals are priced out. The government is trying to regulate rents, but the fight continues.
Lisbon shows how quickly a city’s character can be eroded when investment priorities ignore the local community.
5. Santorini, Greece
Santorini is the “Instagram Island.” Its famous blue-domed churches are a magnet for tourists. But the small island, with only 20,000 residents, can see up to 18,000 cruise passengers in a single day.
This puts an incredible strain on water, energy, and waste systems. The narrow streets become impassable.
To cope, authorities have capped daily cruise visitors at 8,000. They are also using a scoring system to prioritize higher-quality, more sustainable ships. It’s a necessary move to protect the island’s resources from being completely overwhelmed.
6. Dubrovnik, Croatia
Dubrovnik was already popular. Then Game of Thrones turned it into King’s Landing. The “GoT effect” caused a tourism explosion.
The ancient, walled Old Town, a UNESCO World Heritage site, was suddenly at risk. The sheer number of people threatened the city’s historic structures.
The city’s mayor took action. He capped the number of people allowed on the city walls each day. Dubrovnik also regulates cruise ship arrivals to prevent massive crowds from descending all at once.
It’s a stark lesson in how pop culture can turn a destination into a victim of its own fame.
Must-Read: 15 Colorful Places Around the World Most Tourists Miss (But You Shouldn’t)
Fragile Frontiers: Where Nature Is Pushing Back
It’s not just cities feeling the pressure. Some of the world’s most stunning natural landscapes are also saying “enough.” It’s a stark reminder that even wild places can join the list of countries that don’t want tourists.
7. Iceland
Iceland’s otherworldly landscapes have made it a top travel destination. But its fragile ecosystem can’t handle the crowds.
The delicate moss can be scarred for decades by a single footprint off the path. Illegal off-road driving causes irreversible damage. Popular sites have been temporarily closed just to let nature recover.
The government has brought back a tourism tax to help pay for conservation. They are also investing in better infrastructure, like marked trails and viewing platforms.
Iceland’s challenge is to save its main attraction—pristine nature—from the people who come to see it.
8. Bali, Indonesia
Bali is often called paradise, but it’s a paradise with a problem.
The island is drowning in plastic. It produces 1.6 million tons of waste each year. Worse, the tourism industry uses about 65% of the island’s water. This has led to a severe water crisis, drying up rivers and hurting local farmers.
The government has banned single-use plastics, but it’s a tough battle. The island’s beauty is being threatened by the very industry that sells it.
Without major changes, Bali’s tourism model is simply not sustainable.
9. Maya Bay, Thailand
Remember the perfect beach from the movie The Beach? That was Maya Bay.
Its fame nearly destroyed it. At its peak, 5,000 tourists crowded its small shore every day. Boat anchors and sunscreen chemicals destroyed over 80% of its coral reefs.
In 2018, Thailand made a bold move. They closed the bay completely. After nearly four years of recovery, it reopened with strict new rules. Only 375 people can visit at a time, and swimming is forbidden.
10. Machu Picchu, Peru
Protecting an ancient wonder is a heavy burden. At Machu Picchu, millions of footsteps every year cause erosion on the delicate stone structures and trails.
The site also struggles with the 14 tons of garbage left by visitors each day.
Under pressure from UNESCO, Peru now enforces strict limits. Visitor numbers are capped, time slots are mandatory, and you must have a guide.
It’s a constant balancing act between sharing this incredible place with the world and preserving it for the future.
The Deliberate Gatekeepers: Tourism by Invitation Only
Finally, there are places that have always been wary of mass tourism. These are some of the original countries that don’t want tourists without strict rules.
11. Bhutan
The Himalayan kingdom of Bhutan has a unique approach. It prioritizes “Gross National Happiness” over gross domestic product. Its tourism policy has always been “High Value, Low Volume”. It never wanted to become a crowded backpacker destination.
To visit, most foreigners must pay a daily Sustainable Development Fee of $100. This fee supports healthcare, education, and conservation.
The cost ensures that visitors are genuinely invested in the country. It’s a model that protects culture and nature by design, not by emergency measures.
12. Kyoto, Japan
Kyoto is a city steeped in tradition and respect. So when tourists began harassing the city’s geishas (geiko) and their apprentices (maiko), the community acted.
Visitors were chasing them for photos, touching their expensive kimonos, and trespassing on private property.
The response was surgical. Authorities in the historic Gion district banned tourists from its narrow private alleyways. Fines are in place for those who don’t comply.
This isn’t about banning tourists entirely. It’s about enforcing cultural respect. It’s a reminder that we are guests in someone else’s home.
Becoming a Better Traveler
The world is changing. The age of unchecked tourism is coming to an end. The rise of anti-tourism protests and restrictive policies is a clear signal.
The challenge for these overtourism destinations is finding a balance between economy and livability. For us travelers, the message is also clear.
We need to be more mindful. We must be more respectful. Seek out less crowded places, support local economies directly, and travel with a lighter footprint. The future of travel depends on it.