29 European Cities Destroyed by Overtourism (Try These 58 Secret Spots Instead!)

Overtourism is a rising issue in Europe. In this video I share how heavy tourism has affected popular cities and their people.

I also reveal 58 secret spots where you can enjoy a more authentic and peaceful experience.

If you're looking to avoid the crowds this guide is perfect for you. Escape the overtourism chaos and find your next favorite destination!

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#overtourism #sustainabletourism #tourism #visiteurope #europetravel #europetravelguide

=== Chapters ===
0:00 - Intro
0:29 - City number 29
1:38 - City number 28
2:50 - City number 27
3:50 - City number 26
5:07 - City number 25
6:37 - City number 24
8:19 - City number 23
9:30 - City number 22
11:16 - City number 21
12:22 - City number 20
13:50 - City number 19
16:13 - City number 18
17:14 - City number 17
18:43 - City number 16
19:57 - City number 15
21:21 - City number 14
22:51 - City number 13
24:24 - City number 12
25:30 - City number 11
27:16 - City number 10
28:35 - City number 9
30:22 - City number 8
31:43 - City number 7
33:20 - City number 6
34:53 - City number 5
36:24 - City number 4
37:34 - City number 3
39:21 - City number 2
40:42 - City number 1

[thadtuiol]

So glad I visited these places in the 70s in a beat-up Mini Cooper with a tent, and in the 80s in a beat-up Fiat Panda with a tent. I'll never forget driving through Yugoslavia in 1984 and local people actually came out and took pictures of themselves standing next to my Fiat Panda! Often, in return, they would invite me into their homes to share a meal. We will never see such times again...

[jfrancobelge]

Hi from Belgium. Now that our children are young adults my wife and I enjoy the luxury of vacationing off season. As ex-city dwellers now "refugees" in a rural area (Belgian Ardenne) we also now avoid cities at all cost, especially the highly touristic ones, we prefer to experience the real countries; we've never regretted it so far.

[enriquesanchez]

I am SO LUCKY - to have visited MANY of these places - 40 YEARS AGO! I may not go back to many of them,
but I will go back to PARIS !

[wildbill]

Most of those tourist traps I avoid.. especially in summer.. people need to think outside the box.. it's a beautiful world out there.

[jd]

This is one of the best travel videos I have seen on YouTube. I especially appreciated the fact that you gave some well-thought-out alternatives to these overcrowded cities.

I have been to 26 of the 29 places you mention. There is certainly something to be said for all of their unique characters that distinguish them from other cities, even in their own country.

I can tell you one alternative to Paris that I could suggest: it is Arras, located less than a one-hour train ride on the TGV from Paris. I have been there ten times and love it!

[RobertaMuccioli]

Go to Vilnius instead of Tallin??! Bratislava instead of Budapest??! They're incomparable, totally different architecture, eras, even countries and languages. What about go wherever but do it with respect and behave

[ermengard]

The problem with the "try this city instead" idea is that people often go to particular cities to see very specific things there and nowhere else, especially sites of historical & cultural importance. That certainly applies to Athens and Florence. I visited Portugal recently and my itinerary included Guimaraes, which was a nice day trip from Braga, but it's hardly a substitute for Lisbon, which is a totally different place and I spent five + packed days in that city alone, plus day trips from it. When I made my plans, I didn't yet realize how heavily touristed it had become, but I found out soon after arriving (in April), and I felt slightly guilty for being part of the problem.

[ragneto]

I went to several of these "alternatives" cities and they are ALSO overtouristed, just not SO as the most ones. People should try other regions of the world - one example is Brazil, which Rio apart receives almost no tourists at all, is huge and full of attractions and not as dangerous for travelling as people often say - I´ve travelled extensively there in the past 3 years, costs are low, people VERY welcoming, and if it´s true that you must avoid some areas, it´s FAR from what is described, if one take into account what many people say it seems like if you step on the street you´ll be killed, which is simply ridiculous (and you feel this clearly after weeks travelling there).

[tarantellalarouge]

3 or 5 days holidays is not traveling, it is hard core tourism at his worst, plus traveling by plane which increase the consequences on climate changes. Please consider taking longer traveling time, in winter or spring time, moving with train and going in different places ... and don't forget that there are beautiful places and cities around in your own country.
I am a Parisian Girl, Paris is a big city and can absorb many visitors but considering the conditions during the Olympics games, almost every Parisians people who can afford it are quitting during this period, however for personal reasons and also because I love Paris in august, I stay at home !
Considering the impact of YT channels, giving alternative destinations could be damaging also for those "alternative cities" in France I can recommend Strasbourg, Caen or Périgueux ....

[Art-kzzf]

Berliners, like residents in any other large city in Europe, are complaining about rising rents and living costs, but the times i've heard anyone complaining about tourists can be counted on the fingers of one hand. Personally i love the good energy they bring to this city.

[france]

You send the tourists to other places. But you’re not afraid that the tourists will wreck the new places, are you?

[ursuladeubel]

London should be in your list. A lot of tourists, we went end of May 2024, it was crowded at all the famous sights and down town.

[Analyticalinadream]

It is crazy how popular traveling has become. Because people have more money, I guess. Or maybe because of social media, everyone things it is the thing to do. I am definitely going to stop traveling internationally, and I think cities need to restrict short term stay homes. Homes should be for residents not for frequent flyers.

[sanderdeboer]

Cruiseschips need to go! Because they deliver a lot of short stay visitors who hardly contribute to the local economy. Plus it is the most polluting way to take a holiday.

[npe]

I'm amazed that London isn't in the list.

[TTraveller]

Tourism is destroying many cities across Europe. Street Crime is exploding across Europe. No where is safe. Tourists suffer appalling expensive goods and services. €60 for 2 coffees and 2 waters in Paris!!!! Sadly things will only get worse.

[lmusima]

I went to Rome in March this year. It was my second time in 16 years going there. It was so overwhelming. My hotel was near the Termini station. Noisy 🗣️ and overcrowded. I’m from London and I know of certain areas that are overcrowded like London Bridge, Tower Bridge areas

[michaelattia]

I bet the locals hate the tourists.
But they love the tourist dollars.

[barborablaskova]

I lived in Prague for 5 years, my sister still live there and I was visiting her during pandemic and I must say, that was the best time for visit despite covid, so little tourist, the most were from Slovakia and Poland, I never see Karl´s bridge so empty and also I was always avoiding Prague castle and jewish town, cause it was so full, but that time I go there it was so empty and peaceful

[masterblasterofdisaster]

"Tourism is destroying these area, but let's suggest less known towns that tourists can destroy instead" 😂