Top 10 European cities that will see the most tourists this summer 2023

This summer will be a big year for travel, especially to Europe, as you probably already know. While many places are avoiding potential risks to plan for the deluge of post-pandemic tourists they hope to get these coming summer months, almost certainly, travelers will in any case feel the crush of congestion on their trips to popular destinations.

Overtourism is a problem in and of itself, and a growing number of places around the world are beginning to realize the negative effects that too many visitors can have on the environment.

Even though laws and regulations are being enacted to help reduce over-tourism, the data suggest that this is a problem that will affect everyone’s plans for the holidays because of the record number of people traveling this year.

Due to their low residential population or narrow old town streets, some cities are more affected by summer crowds than others. When people arrive, this causes a much more congested effect than in larger cities with more open spaces.

The most “over-touristed” European cities have been listed by the vacation home rental agency Holidu recently, giving travelers a sense of where the most people will be this summer in Europe. The cities on this list have the highest number of tourists per person, so you’ll feel the most crowds and over-tourism this year in those places.

It is essential to keep in mind that these places are not the ones with the highest number of visitors, but rather the ones with the highest concentration of visitors compared to the number of residents.

Using this data, you can get a better idea of how overcrowding affects each location and how to best plan your vacation to avoid the problems that huge crowds can cause. The study compares the number of residents to the number of tourists in 2019, which is the last normal year before the pandemic.

The following are six European cities that will see the most tourists this summer:

1. Dubrovnik, Croatia

36 Tourists per Inhabitant

Croatia’s beloved Dubrovnik has forever been famous with tourists who come to partake in its dazzling old town, walk the ancient walls, and look among the orange-tiled roofs out into the Adriatic Sea. This popular destination on the Dalmatian coast has seen a significant rise in visitors in recent years, primarily as a result of the animated series Game Of Thrones.

Due in part to its narrow, winding old town streets, where diners, drinkers, and daytrippers compete for the best views, Dubrovnik is the most crowded destination on this list.

Tip: To fully appreciate Dubrovnik’s charms without having to fight your way through the back alleys, visit during shoulder season. You can still enjoy the beach and nearby islands in October, but you won’t have to deal with the crowds of cruise ships as much as you would in the summer.

2. Venice, Italy

21 Tourists per Inhabitant

Venedig’s high ranking on this list shouldn’t come as a surprise to anyone who has been keeping up with travel news lately. This summer will be no exception to the trend of online images of overcrowded narrow streets and canals jam-packed with gondolas.

Even though Venice has been one of the hotspots that have done the most to combat over-tourism, its popularity means that record numbers will continue to be seen there.

Tip: Regardless of the season, Venice is always popular. Visit this unique city in November before the holiday crowds arrive to take advantage of the cool, foggy mornings and fewer crowds.

3. Bruges, Belgium

21 Tourists per Inhabitant

As one of Europe’s safest cities, Bruges has recently gained international attention. What was once a popular vacation spot for Europeans is now becoming increasingly popular with Americans and other international vacationers.

In the summer, Bruges, also known as the “Venice of the North,” experiences massive crowds, traffic jams, rising costs across the board, and rapid accommodation booking.

Tip: Bruges is lovely in the summer, however, if you are trying to keep away from the crowds, a visit in the late spring is a good idea. when the city is blossoming and warming up, but there aren’t yet many tourists there.

4. Rhodes, Greece

21 Tourists per Inhabitant

Rhodes, the largest of Greece’s Dodecanese islands, is popular for its beautiful beaches and historic towns. There are a lot of amazing Greek islands to choose from, some of which may end up being much less crowded than others, which is good news for anyone planning to visit one of them.

Tip: If you visit Rhodes in September or October, you can avoid the summer crowds while still taking advantage of the warm weather and swimming conditions. Even if you don’t plan to swim, going in the spring is nice!

5. Reykjavik, Iceland

The majority of visitors to Iceland’s quirky and colorful capital use the charming, small city as their base for exploring the island’s natural wonders. Because the city isn’t very big and the streets fill up quickly, crowds can be a problem here.

Another factor is that, during the summer months, the main ring road around the island tends to move slowly when it is full of camper vans and tourist buses.

Tip: The majority of visitors come to Iceland during the summer, but those who come during the shoulder months of May or September will still experience pleasant (though not particularly Icelandic) weather and nearly 24 hours of daylight without the summer crowds.

6. Florence, Italy

13 Tourists per Inhabitant

Florence, Italy’s second city on this list of Europe’s most crowded cities, has also been affected by over-tourism in recent years. Many people come here for the beautiful architecture, historic art, and Italian food and wine. Remember that you could continuously save Italy for one more year when the crowds of post-pandemic tourists thin out a little, and look at a few comparable places instead.

Or, perhaps this summer’s visit to one of Italy’s up-and-coming cities will be more enjoyable due to the absence of crowds and the presence of more hidden treasures.

Tip: During the slower winter months of November and February, a trip to Florence can be less expensive and less crowded.

The following cities complete our top 10 list of Europe’s most crowded cities:

7. Heraklion, Greece
8. Amsterdam, Netherlands
9. Dublin, Ireland
10. Tallinn, Estonia