Europe’s most popular cities are being overrun, as record-breaking tourist numbers turn once-scenic streets into overcrowded, chaotic hotspots.
Videos show locals and visitors alike struggling to navigate packed squares, endless queues, and overwhelming crowds across Greece and Italy – as selfie-hunting holidaymakers ignore mounting anti-tourism protests.
In the Italian capital of Rome, tourists are crammed shoulder-to-shoulder as they try to take in the city’s famous architecture, with one likening the experience to being ‘part of one big sweaty herd’.
Meanwhile, in Athens, known for its ancient ruins and historic streets, the crowds are so dense that visitors can barely squeeze past each other.
And in Florence, the tourist crush has reached such extremes that some travellers are siding with protesters, with one saying the situation is ‘out of hand’.
Disappointed sunseekers have taken to social media to share how their dream city breaks fell far short of expectations.
Europe’s most popular cities are being overrun, as record-breaking tourist numbers turn once-scenic streets into overcrowded, chaotic hotspots
Alarming videos show how locals and visitors alike are struggling to navigate packed squares, endless queues and overwhelming crowds across Greece and Italy
Disappointed sunseekers have taken to social media to share how their dream city break didn’t quite match reality
In the Italian capital of Rome, tourists are crammed shoulder-to-shoulder as they try to take in the city’s famous architecture, with one likening the experience to being ‘part of one big sweaty herd’
One woman posted a video showing a huge queue of people waiting to see the Parthenon in Athens. The caption simply read: ‘This was painful’.
Meanwhile, a tourist in Rome filmed a busy square and asked, ‘why is it so crowded?’
Viewers shared their thoughts in the comments section, with one person complaining that when they visited the city was so busy they couldn’t even find a place to eat.
Another said: ‘I don’t understand why people decide to visit Rome in the summer that’s insane.’
And, a tourist in Florence shared footage of a huge crowd and wrote across it, ‘I don’t blame the locals for wanting to protest against tourists’.
The caption read: ‘This has gotten out of hand ..as a fellow tourist right now.. I’m so sorry I’m annoyed for y’all.’
Some areas have introduced special measures in an attempt to crack down on overcrowding following anti-tourism protests across Europe.
Portofino has banned walking barefoot, picnics and drinking booze on the streets among a swathe of other prohibitions.
Tourists risk being fined for carrying out a variety of actions typically enjoyed abroad.
From July 15, travellers in Portofino will no longer be able to walk through the town barefoot, in swimwear, or topless – or sit in the piazza in such attire.
One woman posted a video showing a huge queue of people waiting to see the Parthenon in Athens. The caption simply read: ‘This was painful’
Some areas have introduced special measures in an attempt to crack down on overcrowding. Pictured: Crowds in Athens
Consuming alcohol on public streets has also been prohibited, with only restaurants, bars and designated areas left to booze in.
Begging, sitting, or lying on the streets, walls, sidewalks and parks has also been banned along with having picnics.
The new ordinance, signed by Mayor Matteo Viacava, will take effect during the summer season and temporarily expire on September 30.
Anyone who is caught violating the regulations before then will be subject to a fine of between £22 and £433.
The goal of the latest crackdown is to protect the ‘peace and quiet of residents and tourists’ in the exclusive coastal resort which brings in up to 100,000 tourists during peak season – despite the town only having a population of 400.
The municipality had already attempted to combat troublesome tourists in 2023.
During that period, stopping at particularly popular viewpoints across the picturesque town was prohibited.
In Florence, the tourist crush has reached such extremes that some travellers are siding with protesters – with one saying the situation is ‘out of hand’
Pictured: Crowds in the Tuscan city of Florence, Italy
Santorini has also introduced new rules and measures to manage the influx of tourists.
These include a tourist tax, restrictions on access and parking, and a proposed ‘saturation law’ limiting daily visitor numbers.
Meanwhile, Spain’s Balearic Islands have stopped using influencers to promote holiday hotspots and warned that ‘selfie tourism’ is ruining the region’s most beautiful beaches.
The move comes a year after jeering Mallorcan protestors descended on an Instagram-famous beach and blocked visitors from entering in a bid to combat mass tourism.
Local authorities had originally hoped social media stars would help relieve the strain on some locations frequented by tourists by encouraging visitors to explore less popular sites.
But the strategy has seemingly backfired, as some of these remote locations have now become flooded with selfie-snapping visitors, causing even more overcrowding and sparking further fury from locals contesting ‘over tourism.’
‘It has had the complete opposite effect to what was intended and runs contrary to government policy on containing tourism,’ a spokesman for the Balearic tourism department admitted over the weekend.
Last month, thousands of locals marched across Spanish Islands to tell Brits to ‘go home’ as part of widespread protests against so-called ‘over tourism’. Pictured: Majorca anti-tourism protests in June
Holidaymakers were visibly stunned by the dramatic demonstrations in Palma de Mallorca and Ibiza on June 15. Activists claimed more than 30,000 people attended the June protest
As Covid-19 restrictions lifted in recent years across Europe, tourism has returned close to the levels seen before the pandemic – but some locals have had enough.
This return to normalcy has seen a rise in anti-tourism sentiment amongst locals living in the continent’s travel hotspots, many of whom are urging officials to implement measures that limit the influx of visitors.
Complaints range from a lack of affordable housing for locals (with dwellings instead being used as holiday accommodation), vast crowds making cities and towns unbearable during the busiest months, or simply the wrong type of tourists.
While residents understand that tourism is vital for local economies, patience is wearing thin, and although such tensions have always existed between locals and visitors, this appears to have become particularly pronounced in recent years.
Angry protests and demonstrations against tourism have sprung up across Europe this year.
Last month, thousands of locals marched across Spanish Islands to tell Brits to ‘go home’ as part of widespread protests against so-called ‘over tourism’.
Holidaymakers were visibly stunned by the dramatic demonstrations in Palma de Mallorca and Ibiza on June 15.
Thousands of fed-up locals were seen banging their drums and chanting slogans while marching by tourists enjoying their evening meals.
The demonstration began at Plaza de España, in the heart of the tourist city, shortly after 6pm.
Activists claim more than 30,000 people took to the streets to voice their frustrations about the impact of tourism on the island.
Placards held up by marchers read: ‘Tourists go home’, ‘Mallorca is not for sale’ and ‘Mallorca is not your cash cow… go home.’
Footage shows Brits visibly shocked by the demonstrations, while some tourists were seen taking refuge on their accommodation balconies.
Other signs read: ‘Your vacations, our anxiety.’
Dozens of placards read ‘tourists go home… refugees welcome’, while a group of teenagers could be heard chanting ‘tourists go home!’ as they marched through the city.
Children taking part in the protest were seen carrying water pistols, with plans to spray holidaymakers as they pass on by.
Protesters were heard chanting slogans against Airbnb and ‘guiris’ – the Spanish slang term used to describe Brits and other foreigners.
One placard read: ‘Rich foreign property buyers go to hell’, while another said: ‘Enough is enough.’
