We get it—some places are hyped for a reason. But when you’re shoulder to shoulder with a thousand selfie sticks, it kind of kills the magic. Over-tourism is real, and it’s wrecking local communities, hiking up prices, and making travel way less fun. It’s worth noting, even in the most popular places over-tourism is controversial because tourism = $ for the local economy. Come tourist season during the summer the crowds, prices, and dirty looks from the locals in these popular places can be crushing.
But maybe there’s a way to support local economies and still have the feeling you’re visiting someplace special, without all the crowds. We did a little homework so you don’t have to.
Here’s your ultimate guide to dodging the tourist traps and finding alternative spots where you can actually enjoy the experience, support responsible travel, and feel like a local instead of a walking dollar sign.
1. Venice, Italy → Go to Ljubljana, Slovenia
Why Venice is the top of the Over-Tourism hit list:
Venice is drowning (literally) in tourists. Cruise ships, selfie crowds, and overpriced gondola rides make it hard to enjoy the actual city. Plus, the locals? They’re over it. Many are leaving because they can’t afford to live there anymore. Venice recently upped their tourist tax to 10 euros (which, let’s face it, probably isn’t dissuading anyone).
Where to Go Instead:
Ljubljana (pronounced Lyoob-lee-ah-nah) is a dream. The city has canals, charming cobbled streets, and fewer crowds. Bonus: It’s one of Europe’s most eco-friendly capitals with car-free zones and a serious commitment to sustainable travel.
Plus if you like pastries Slovenia is heaven. Our personal favorite is Kremna rezina, a beautifully soft cream-cake impossibly balanced on flakey pastry.
👉 Read more on why Ljubljana is a hidden gem
2. Santorini, Greece → Go to Milos, Greece
Why Santorini is a Tourist Circus:
Santorini is Instagram’s sweetheart, which means cruise ship chaos, overpriced everything, and elbow battles for sunset views. Also, those iconic blue and white buildings? Not so charming when covered in influencers. Santorini isn’t that big, so over-tourism here is suffocating. That iconic IG shot you always see – it’s not actually that easy to get. Let’s find you something authentic and special to photograph instead.
Where to Go Instead:
Milos has the same white-washed architecture, turquoise waters, and jaw-dropping beaches, but with way fewer tourists. Plus, you can actually get to know the locals and find beach spots all to yourself.
3. Bali, Indonesia → Go to Lombok, Indonesia
Why Bali is Overrun:
Bali’s beauty is real, but so are the traffic jams, digital nomad crowds, and plastic waste problems. Over-tourism is pricing locals out, and overdevelopment is putting serious strain on resources.
Where to Go Instead:
Lombok is like Bali before it blew up. You’ll find untouched beaches, killer surf spots, and way fewer smoothie-bowl influencers. Plus, staying here supports regenerative travel—investing in local communities without overwhelming them.
👉 Lombok vs. Bali: Which One Should You Visit?
4. Barcelona, Spain → Go to Valencia, Spain
Why Barcelona Feels Like a Theme Park:
Locals are protesting mass tourism because it’s making rent insane and local culture harder to find. Las Ramblas? It’s more souvenir shops than authentic Spain now.
This is one we know particularly well because Cerca Travel is partially based in Barcelona – we’ve seen this mess first-hand, including buckets of water being splashed down on the heads of tourists in La Barceloneta. We love this city, but we recommend visiting in the off-season when the crowds are lighter and the locals appreciate your business more.
Where to Go Instead:
Valencia is just as cool, with stunning beaches, epic paella, and fewer crowds. Plus, it’s investing in sustainable tourism with green spaces and bike-friendly streets.
👉 Valencia’s Sustainable Travel Initiatives
5. Machu Picchu, Peru → Go to Choquequirao, Peru
Why Machu Picchu is Suffering:
Millions of tourists are eroding the site, and Peru has had to limit visitor numbers. The crowds? Unreal. And the over-tourism is damaging local ecosystems.
Where to Go Instead:
Choquequirao is a larger, equally stunning Incan site, considered the “twin sister” to Machu Picchu, and almost nobody goes there. You have to trek to get there (no train or bus), but that’s what keeps it authentic. Plus, there’s a fantastic Insta opportunity – 23 llamas built into the stone walls, a cultural icon that tells a story about Incan history – learn it and share it.
👉 Choquequirao: Peru’s Best Kept Secret
6. Kyoto, Japan → Go to Kanazawa, Japan
Why Kyoto is Overcrowded:
Kyoto is crawling with tourists. Some geisha districts are banning photos because people won’t stop shoving cameras in their faces. Not cool.
Where to Go Instead:
Kanazawa is a castle town which has traditional tea houses, samurai districts, and stunning gardens, but without the crazy crowds. Plus, the seafood here is next level. The population here is under 500k whereas Kyoto is upwards of 1.5 million. This gives Kanazawa a “small town in a big city” vibe, which are some of our favorite places to visit.
Get there via the bullet train, order the Kanazawa curry (which is deep with caramel notes), and for dessert – gold leaf ice cream. Gold leaf is a traditional art and Kanazawa produces over 90% of it in Japan. There are several shops that let you decorate with gold leaf – your own chopsticks, mirrors or dishes – so you can bring home gifts for your family that are truly unique.
7. Phuket, Thailand → Go to Koh Lanta, Thailand
Why Phuket is a Hot Mess:
Phuket is basically party-central, full of resorts and packed beaches. It’s also struggling with serious environmental damage.
Where to Go Instead:
Koh Lanta is chiller, cleaner, and way more authentic. You’ll get gorgeous beaches, epic sunsets, and friendly locals who actually want you to be there. And if you’re looking to relax you can choose from truly spectacular resorts at truly reasonable prices.
8. Dubrovnik, Croatia → Go to Kotor, Montenegro
Why Dubrovnik is Overrun:
Ever since Game of Thrones, this place is flooded with tourists. Cruise ships bring thousands of people at once, turning the city into a medieval Disneyland. It IS great, but not in the summer.
Where to Go Instead:
Kotor has the same stunning old town vibes but without the madness. Plus, it’s a UNESCO site and surrounded by epic fjord-like mountains. This is one of our favorite European hidden gems, but in the dead of summer tourist season it can still be busy, so we recommend hitting it in early summer or after the August rush.
Kotor has that medieval old town to wander through but also some wonderful opportunities for outdoor adventure – like climbing the 1,350 steps up Kotor Fortress, canyoning 2000m in Skurda, or biking through Lovćen National Park.
👉 Why Kotor is Croatia’s Cooler Neighbor
9. Paris, France → Go to Lyon, France
Why Paris Feels Overdone:
Paris is iconic, but also packed. The lines for the Louvre are legendary, and locals aren’t exactly welcoming (Bonjour, but don’t talk to me vibes). For us, Paris in the spring or the fall is far more attractive – the spring flowers, the fall breezes, the tourists head home and the locals fill the cafés. That’s when you get to enjoy Paris as it should be seen.
Where to Go Instead:
Perhaps the only place in France that can rival Paris for the best food in the world is Lyon, which boasts a stunning old town and is far more affordable. The city is covered in outdoor murals which enhance one of our favorite ways to explore a new place – walking. On your walk be sure to hit the Marché Saint-Antoine, one of the oldest markets in France and the largest in Lyon, it’s open 6 days a week (closed Monday) and you’ll find everything from cheese to flowers.
👉 Lyon: France’s Best-Kept Secret
10. The Maldives → Go to Raja Ampat, Indonesia
Why the Maldives is Unsustainable:
The Maldives are postcard-perfect, but climate change and unsustainable tourism are threatening its future.
Where to Go Instead:
Raja Ampat has equally dreamy islands, insane coral reefs, and way fewer tourists. Plus, it’s a leader in eco-friendly travel, protecting marine life. This is great news because diving and snorkeling is truly spectacular here as the water is teeming with biodiversity – sea turtles, clown fish, 16 different species of dolphins and whales – enjoy them without bumping into a fleet of other travelers all trying to get the same photo.
👉 Raja Ampat’s Conservation Efforts
Final Thoughts: Travel Smarter, Not Harder
Ditch the crowds, support local communities, and choose destinations that actually want you there. Sustainable travel isn’t just about where you go—it’s about how you go.
#TravelTips #HiddenGems #SustainableTravel
