Amsterdam

The Dutch capital has started to say ‘nee dank je’ to British holidaymakers, but Utrecht is a city that’s just as good for a night out and is just as easy to get to

The Netherlands’ fourth city, Utrecht, has emerged as a must-visit destination and an ideal spot for a night out.

In recent years, Amsterdam has started to say ‘no thank you’ to British holidaymakers, along with tourists from other countries.

Fed up with its labyrinthine streets being congested by non-clog-wearing visitors, Amsterdam’s authorities have begun cracking down on unruly tourists.

Despite being home to only about 800,000 people, the Dutch capital attracts up to 20 million tourists a year. In response, it has banned alcohol-fuelled tours, prohibited cannabis in the Red Light District, and initiated a digital “stay away” campaign targeting young British men.

For those who’ve received the message loud and clear but still crave a stroopwafel and a taste of Dutch nightlife, Utrecht is the place to be.

READ MORE: Island 2 hours from UK that banned cars is one of ‘Europe’s most underrated’READ MORE: The charming ‘abandoned’ village with car ban that’s been brought back to life

Located right in the heart of the country, this city of 400,000 has been named one of Lonely Planet’s Best in Travel destinations for 2026, reports the Express. It’s easy to understand why Utrecht made the list for 2025, given its central location and the fascinating layout of its waterways.

“Easily accessible from Amsterdam by train, Utrecht is a brilliant destination for a weekend break. You’ve got a compact medieval centre, gabled houses that belong in a Vermeer painting and a bounty of bookshops, restaurants and museums to dig into,” says Lonely Planet.

“One of the most charming aspects of Utrecht is its canals. Canals are a common sight in the Netherlands, but Utrecht’s stand out due to their two-tier design, creating an almost subterranean world beneath the bustling streets above. While bikes clatter over the cobblestones at street level, descend the stone steps to tranquil walkways at water level, flanked by trees and 13th-century vaulted cellars.”

Utrecht is steeped in history, with the iconic Domtoren, a 14th-century bell tower, standing tall opposite the Gothic Cathedral of St. Martin in the central Domplein square.

The city also pays homage to its most famous offspring, Miffy. The creator of the cartoon rabbit, Dick Bruna, was born and died in the city, which now boasts the Miffy Museum, Miffy Square, and a special Miffy walk that allows pedestrians to discover more about the globally renowned character.

While this side of the city is delightful and family-friendly, those seeking an alternative to Amsterdam are likely after something a bit more raucous. Fortunately, Utrecht has a thriving nightlife scene that’s as edgy and European as you’d expect.

The area around Nijverheidsweg, west of Juliana Park and behind the Zuilen train station, is Utrecht’s newest party hotspot.

A number of entrepreneurs have launched nightlife venues in the area, also known as Werkspoorkwartier, named after a former train equipment factory that once stood there.

DUB magazine reveals how entrepreneurs have cleverly utilised the industrial charm of the buildings, with Club WAS offering a unique dancing experience in the former washing rooms of the Werkspoor Cathedral, where the old bathroom tiles and faucets are still visible.

The creative hub De Nijverheid offers a festival-like atmosphere with an art studio, creative spaces, a café, and a mini museum, ensuring there’s always something new to discover. The newly opened nightclub Kabul à GoGo also capitalises on its raw warehouse setting, boasting high ceilings and oriental rugs adorning the walls.

Student Lennart, 22, shared his fondness for the area with the publication, stating: “When I feel like a spontaneous night out or singing along to some music, the city centre is more accessible, it’s close by. You just show your ID and you’re in. But the Werkspoor area is much more fun than the pubs in the centre. It feels like going to a festival.”

Just like Amsterdam and Rotterdam, Utrecht is easily accessible from the UK, being only around 30 minutes away from Schiphol Airport, with connections approximately every 15 minutes. Utrecht Central Station is the busiest in the Netherlands, providing easy links to the rest of the country and Europe.

Rough Guides suggests that the best way to explore Utrecht is by hiring a bike, with boating the historic canals coming a close second. You can even combine the two with a pedalo and tour the waterways that encircle the city centre.

Lonely Planet’s Best in Travel 2026 – The Full Rundown

1. Barbados
2. Botswana
3. British Columbia, Canada
4. Cádiz, Spain
5. Cartagena, Colombia
6. Finland
7. Ikara-Flinders Ranges & Outback, South Australia
8. Jaffna, Sri Lanka
9. Jeju-do, South Korea
10. Liberdade, São Paulo, Brazil
11. Maine, USA
12. Mexico City, Mexico
13. North Island, New Zealand/Aotearoa
14. Peru
15. Phuket, Thailand
16. Quetzaltenango (Xela), Guatemala
17. Quy Nhon, Vietnam
18. Réunion
19. Sardinia, Italy
20. Siem Reap, Cambodia
21. Solomon Islands
22. Theodore Roosevelt National Park, USA
23. Tipperary, Ireland
24. Tunisia
25. Utrecht, Netherlands

Hundreds of thousands across Europe and the Middle East marched against Israel’s ongoing genocide in Gaza.

Hundreds of thousands of people have poured onto the streets across Europe, demanding an end to Israel’s two-year war on Gaza that has killed more than 67,000 Palestinians and left the enclave on the brink of famine.

The largest protest took place in the Netherlands, where around 250,000 people filled Amsterdam’s Museum Square on Sunday before marching through the city centre. Draped in Palestinian flags and dressed in red, demonstrators demanded that their government take a harder line against Israel and stop arms exports to the occupying power.

“The bloodshed must stop – and that we unfortunately have to stand here because we have such an incredibly weak government that doesn’t dare to draw a red line. That’s why we are here, in the hope that it helps,” said protester Marieke van Zijl, the Associated Press reported.

The protest came less than a month before national elections, adding pressure on Dutch leaders who have long backed Israel. Foreign Minister David van Weel said on Friday that it was “unlikely” the government would approve the export of F-35 fighter jet parts to Israel amid mounting public anger.

Amnesty International, one of the protest organisers, urged European governments to act decisively. “All economic and diplomatic means must be used to increase pressure on Israel,” said spokesperson Marjon Rozema.

‘Gaza is the biggest graveyard of children’

While the Netherlands saw the biggest turnout in Western Europe, Turkiye hosted one of the most striking shows of solidarity.

In Istanbul, vast crowds marched from the Hagia Sophia mosque to the banks of the Golden Horn, where boats decorated with Turkish and Palestinian flags awaited them.

Demonstrators, many fresh from midday prayers at the mosque, called for Muslim unity in confronting Israel’s assault.

In Ankara, protesters waved flags and held banners denouncing Israel’s actions. “This oppression, which began in 1948, has been continuing for two years, turning into genocide,” said Recep Karabal of the Palestine Support Platform in the northern city of Kirikkale.

Support for Palestine runs deep in Turkiye, where President Recep Tayyip Erdogan has emerged as one of Israel’s fiercest critics, accusing Tel Aviv of committing war crimes in Gaza.

On Saturday, Turkish journalist and Gaza Sumud Flotilla participant Ersin Celik told local media outlets he witnessed Israeli forces “torture Greta Thunberg”, describing how the Swedish activist was “dragged on the ground” and “forced to kiss the Israeli flag”.

Similar rallies were held across the region. In Sofia, Bulgarians carried placards reading “Gaza: Starvation is a Weapon of War” and “Gaza is the Biggest Graveyard of Children”. Protester Valya Chalamova said, “Our society – and the world – needs to hear that we stand with the Palestinian people.”

In Morocco’s capital Rabat, crowds burned an Israeli flag and called on their government to reverse its 2020 decision to normalise ties with Israel. Protesters also demanded the release of Moroccan human rights defender Aziz Ghali, detained by Israel after joining the flotilla aiming to break the blockade on Gaza.

Across Spain, smaller rallies followed massive demonstrations in Madrid, Rome, and Barcelona a day earlier, with marchers carrying white bundles symbolising the bodies of Gaza’s children.

Hamas said it had accepted parts of a ceasefire plan proposed by US President Donald Trump, though much of Gaza remains in ruins and under siege.

You may dash for your morning commuter train, but you won’t want to rush for the sleeper to Vienna. The Nightjet train to the Austrian capital is the most illustrious departure of the day from Amsterdam. There is an art to conducting the perfect departure and the perfect arrival, the bookends of a thrilling overnight journey.

There are four major hubs for sleeper services across western and central Europe: Amsterdam, Berlin, Vienna and Zurich. Then there are secondary nodes at Budapest, Brussels, Milan, Munich, Paris and Prague. Most of the region’s night trains start or end in one of these 10 cities. Whatever your departure point, savour the moment by going for an aperitif and a relaxed dinner before boarding. And upon arrival, don’t just dash on – linger over a coffee and let the morning, and the city, develop around you.

Amsterdam Centraal

For ÖBB Nightjets to Basel, Innsbruck, Munich, Vienna and Zurich; and European Sleeper to Berlin, Dresden and Prague

Don’t miss the excellent Grand Café Restaurant 1e Klas in the former first-class waiting room (entrance via platform 2B). It opens at 9.30am, so the perfect spot for breakfast after decanting from a Nightjet (or an early-morning Eurostar from London), and stays open till late evening, so also ideal for pre-departure supper. It serves fairly priced Dutch staples in a space that oozes retro flair. The Guardian, no less, has called it one of the “finest station eateries in Europe”.

An alternative pre-departure option for drinks and dinner is Bistro Berlage in the undercroft of the former Beurs (stock exchange), seven minutes walk from the station.

This can be a frustrating station, with fierce ticket barriers guarding platform access (luggage lockers in the east wing from €10 per day). It gets another black mark for the lack of showers for passengers arriving on overnight trains, but a big plus for being at the very heart of the city it serves – its enchanted canal network is right outside the station.

Just head south from the station to hit the main sights. If, like me, you prefer to cut away from the crowds, then leave the station on the north side and hop on the F4 ferry for a free 15-minute ride to the NSDM Wharf, an old shipyard that is now a creative and cultural hub with many alt-vibe cafes.

Berlin Hauptbahnhof

For ÖBB Nightjets to Basel, Graz, Paris, Vienna and Zurich; SJ/RDC or Snälltåget to Stockholm; MÁV Euronight to Bratislava, Prague and Budapest; European Sleeper to Amsterdam and Brussels; and, from later this year, PKPIC night sleepers to Chelm and Przemyśl in eastern Poland

A multi-level essay in glass with a striking vaulted roof, the station is on five levels, with level 0 in the middle and trains departing/arriving on levels -2 and +2 – all utterly confusing for a first-timer. The station isn’t the most relaxing spot to linger, but for the exalted few, Deutsche Bahn’s premium (first-class) lounge is an oasis of calm.

For an extraordinary breakfast in a stunning setting, book a table at Käfer on the roof terrace of the Reichstag (900 metres from station, open daily from 9am). For a posh pre-departure dinner, Paris-Moskau at Alt-Moabit 141 (open from 6pm) is a traditional Berlin restaurant in a half-timbered building just 400 metres away.

With time on your hands, catch the vibe of the German capital by wandering along the banks of the River Spree, passing the Reichstag en route to the Brandenburg Gate.

Leave luggage at the DB Gepäck lockers (levels -1 and +1, from €2 for two hours or €4 a day). Shower for a fee at the “rail and fresh” facility on level 0.

Vienna Hauptbahnhof

For ÖBB Nightjets to Amsterdam, Berlin, Bregenz, Brussels, Cologne, Dresden, Hamburg, Hanover, Milan, Paris, Venice and Zurich (also until late September, additionally with ÖBB Nightjets to Florence, Rome and Verona); for Euronight to Kraków, Stuttgart and Warsaw; and other operators to Bucharest, Braşov, Kyiv and Lviv, plus summer-season overnight trains to Rijeka and Split

Fully opened 10 years ago, Vienna’s Hauptbahnhof rates as one of Europe’s most efficient transport hubs and boasts a greater range of destinations than any other station in Europe.

For a relaxed breakfast, skip the fast-food options in the station and head for Café Goldegg, with its elegant wood panelling and art nouveau style (on corner of Goldeggasse and Argentinierstrasse). Ask nicely and they’ll even knock you up a full English.

For evening eats, I recently followed the advice of Mark Smith, the legendary Man in Seat 61, and tried the excellent Ringsmuth at Johannitergasse 1 (closed Sun and Mon), a traditional Viennese restaurant with schnitzel galore as well as fish and veggie options.

Vienna Hauptbahnhof is south of the city centre. Three stops north on the U1 metro is Stephansplatz, where you can cleanse your soul at the lovely St Stephens Cathedral. Or go two stops south on the U1 to Reumannplatz to cleanse the body in art deco elegance at the wonderful Amelienbad indoor pool – a triumph of progressive socialist design. A visit will help make up for the lack of showers at the railway station for those arriving on night trains (but there are luggage lockers aplenty, from €2).

Zurich Hauptbahnhof

For ÖBB Nightjets to Amsterdam, Berlin, Bremen, Cologne, Graz, Hamburg and Vienna; and Euronight to Budapest, Dresden, Ljubljana, Prague and Zagreb

Zurich’s main station is a place for grand arrivals – check out the colourful flying angel pivoting over the concourse. Then freshen up with a shower (mezzanine level, €12). And now it’s time for breakfast …

My go-to spot is Roots on Lintheschergasse, just two minutes from the platforms. Power porridge and avocado toast go down a treat after a night on the rails, as do all sorts of shakes and juices. For pre-departure supper, try Maru, a little oasis of Japan on level 2 of the shopping complex under the station serving matcha and “Japanese comfort food”.

I love Zurich for its small-town feel. Having arrived on a night train and lingered over breakfast, I usually wander down pedestrianised Bahnhofstrasse and make for St Peterhofstatt, a haven of calm in the historic heart of the city.

London

Paddington station for the GWR Night Riviera for 11 destinations in Cornwall; Euston station for Caledonian Sleeper trains to 40-plus stations in Scotland

Let’s not forget London. The last direct night sleeper service to the continent stopped 45 years ago (that was the Night Ferry to Brussels and Paris, which for a spell even conveyed a through sleeping car to Switzerland) but you can slip between crisp, clean sheets in sleepers departing the UK capital for the Cornish coast or Scottish Highlands.

Arriving passengers can benefit from posh arrival lounges with free showers at both Paddington and Euston, although the facilities at the latter are only for those who booked en suite accommodation on the train.

Passengers departing Euston should board early and head straight to the Club Car (seats are limited) for dinner for a taste of Scotland and a wee dram as they head north. Those departing from Paddington to Cornwall should take a chilled bottle of champagne to enjoy in the GWR lounge (the former royal waiting room) on Platform 1.

Nicky Gardner is co-author of Europe by Rail: The Definitive Guide. The 18th edition is available from the Guardian Bookshop for £20.99 (additional postage charges may apply)

The evening sun glints across the quiet marina, and the wooden gable ends of the houses lean gently into a street whose silence is broken only by the trundle of an occasional bicycle. I’m having a glass of inexpensive, decent wine in a waterside bar: and even on this picture-perfect night it’s quiet, with every customer around me speaking Dutch.

This can’t be Amsterdam, can it? A city that’s overpriced, heaves with tourists, and is awash with busy canals and traffic. It feels a million miles away. In fact, the city centre is just 20 minutes up the road, because this is Nieuwendam, whose houses date from as long ago as the 16th century, built atop the dyke that kept the sea at bay from the pasture land that grew the crops to feed the city. I’m drinking in Cafe ’t Sluisje, which for the last decade has been run by local residents. This is the most scenic quarter of Noord, the Amsterdam on the other side of the water from Centraal station.

Noord is my home for the summer: my daughter and her Dutch partner live in Nieuwendam and I’m here to help with their baby, my first grandson. My childcare days are spent in leafy Noorderpark, or pushing the buggy through the shady woodland of Vliegenbos to the canal.

A century ago this was Amsterdam’s industrial heartland, and the streets are lined with the uniform, steep-roofed houses built for the workers. Today, almost in response to the excesses on display down the road, the area is flexing its hippy, alternative, laid-back side: my walks take me past floating homes, the occupants of one of which keep goats and chickens in a repurposed fire engine. In summer, lives spill out onto the pavements: most houses have tables, chairs, even sofas outside their front doors, and a sunny evening quickly becomes a convivial street party. Down by the water, sculptures by local artists peek through the long grass, and you can jump into the canal for a swim.

For visitors, nowhere sums up the vibe of Noord better than Cafe de Ceuvel, a former shipyard, now a collection of shabby-chic vintage houseboats permanently moored around a meandering boardwalk; they’re now artists’ workshops and a yoga studio. The cafe is a glorious, colourful hotchpotch of recycled furniture, with some tables right at the water’s edge – it’s the perfect place to while away an afternoon drinking organic beers and wine. And if you need somewhere to stay, the Ceuvel has rooms in moored boats – its Hotel Asile Flottant has doubles from about €150 a night.

Noord’s best-known area is another shipyard called NDSM, an open space larger than 10 football pitches that is home to myriad art galleries, museums and outdoor sculptures and installations. A free ferry transports you there in 15 minutes from Centraal Station – on the way, you get a good view of the futuristic, swan-like Eye Filmmuseum. This, along with the Nxt Museum of technology, are among the most-visited attractions in Noord. Also popular is Pllek, a collection of repurposed shipping containers where you can eat anything from a laid-back brunch to dinner, with meditation and yoga sessions and live music also on the menu. Movies are screened on its beach, which has stunning views over to the city.

My advice, though, would be to venture a little further afield, to a street such as Johan van Hasseltweg, which stretches across the peninsula in the opposite direction from NDSM. This is the locals’ Noord, with its corrugated iron warehouses. Tourism is beginning to make its mark here, but only just: wedged between the long-established family businesses and garages are places such as Oedipus brewery, where you can try the citrusy, bestselling Bride, or the Pais Tropical, and which serves a melt-in-the-mouth smash burger. Nearby is Chateau Amsterdam, an urban winery and restaurant (open Wednesday to Saturday) where grapes from across Europe are used to make sauvignons and chardonnays, pinots and fizz. And at the very end of the street, where you’re again at the water’s edge, is another beach restaurant – De VerbroederIJ, with its own food garden and pigsty.

If you want to push the boat out, you won’t need a boat at all: it’s a few minutes’ walk to Hangar, my favourite Noord restaurant. The food – mostly burgers and salad – and the wine are great. But it’s the ambience that makes it spectacular, with tables right by the water, and meals punctuated by giant barges cruising slowly by. Best of all, unlike many of the eateries in the “centrum”, it’s never packed.

And beyond the area’s cool restaurants and vibe is the countryside – surprisingly close since 2018, when the metro’s line 52 expanded, making Noord station just a four-minute journey from Centraal. Take your bike (you can do this at off-peak times) and within a few minutes of arriving, you’ll be pedalling through lush fields and picturesque villages. Pack a picnic, because there isn’t much in the way of bars and cafes out here. But as an antidote to the overcrowded city, it’s unbeatable.

A picturesque underrated city rivals Amsterdam with its gorgeous canals and waterfront cafés but has the added bonus that you won’t have to face the tourist crowds

Brits may flock to Amsterdam for its picturesque canals, waterfront bars and bicycle tours, but there’s one tiny underrated town that’s giving the holiday hotspot a run for its money.

I headed to Papenburg, Germany, to watch Disney Cruise Line float out its newest ship, but I wasn’t expecting to find a direct Amsterdam dupe. Pretty canals? Check. Plenty of restaurants and bars? Check. Tourist attractions? Check.

Sure, Papenburg doesn’t quite have the buzz and nightlife to rival the Netherlands’ capital, but it definitely had the advantage of offering up the gorgeous scenery without the crowds of tourists. (Although it’s worth mentioning that Amsterdam is taking some major steps to combat overtourism).

The German city has a population of just under 40,000 so there’s quite a laidback vibe. The main stretch of canals in the centre is where you’ll find the bulk of the attractions, all of which pay tribute to its 230 years of maritime history. Cars aren’t allowed alongside the canal so it’s purely cyclists and pedestrians, which only contributes to the quieter, calmer atmosphere to the region.

If you walk up what I’d describe as the ‘touristy’ bit of the canal, you can do the whole stretch in about an hour. A nice touch is that there’s a little walking trail with signs along the way to point out any historic buildings or quirky spots that are well worth a photo opp. For example, there are plenty of historic bridges, while the canal banks are lined with colourful flowers and lush green trees that make for a backdrop which wouldn’t be out of place on a postcard.

One highlight is also the number of historic ships that are still moored in the canals, with boards explaining their significance and the role they played. One of these is the impressive Friederike replica which looks like it belongs on the set of any pirate film, with its impressive masts and stern. There are plenty more nods to the maritime ties of this city, including statues and large anchors to be found along the walk.

Meanwhile when it comes to restaurants and shops, I was pretty impressed with the wide array on offer considering it’s such a small patch of the city. There are heaps of boutiques selling plenty of nautical-themed souvenirs, including one shop in a restored windmill where you can get plenty of merch.

The quirky Alte Drostei – the oldest standing historic building in the city of Papenburg – is also worth a stop as it’s filled with historic artefacts, and hosts plenty of events such as readings, exhibitions, and guided tours.

Meanwhile if all of the exploring leaves you with an appetite, there are plenty of restaurants and cafés serving up local fare from currywurst to salads. Just make sure to leave space for the all-important Spaghettieis – ice cream that is made to look like spaghetti. Think vanilla ice cream for the ‘pasta’, strawberry sauce for the ‘tomatoes’ and white chocolate shavings for the ‘parmesan’.

One of the members of our group was German and assured us that this isn’t a tourist dish but rather one that everyone in Germany has from childhood. It’s not difficult to understand why – it was ridiculously tasty!

For cruise fans, one of the big draws of Papenburg is that it’s a short drive from the Meyer Weft shipyard. You can book tours of the shipyard and get a sneak peek at what goes into actually building these huge cruise ships. This means that there are buses of tourists that stop off at Papenburg as part of wider coach holidays, but even when there were a few coaches in the city it still didn’t feel too crowded.

Where Papenburg doesn’t rival Amsterdam is the nightlife. There are a handful of pubs – Jameson’s Pub was popular with locals and tourists alike – but the vibe here is more relaxed.

Book the holiday

Get there: The nearest airport is Hanover which is about a 2.5-3 hour drive away. British Airways offers direct flights with a flight time of approximately an hour.

Stay there: We stayed at the Best Western Plus Hotel Papenburg which is right by the canals. Rooms start from £132 a night based on an August weekend break with two adults sharing a room.

You can find out more about Papenburg on niedersachsen-tourism.com.

Europe can become incredibly busy during the peak holiday season and according to a travel expert, one of Italy’s top attractions is among those that have become too overcrowded

Europe’s top holiday spots are becoming unbearably crowded during peak season, warns a travel expert, with Italy’s most popular attractions among the worst offenders. World-renowned destinations like Barcelona have even hiked up their tourist taxes in an attempt to curb visitor numbers.

Research by Holidu reveals that Dubrovnik takes the crown as the world’s most overcrowded tourist hotspot, boasting 30 visitors for every local resident. But which other locations are bursting at the seams come summertime?

Speaking previously to Express.co.uk, Sara Rodriguez, a seasoned traveller and blogger at Madrid Travelling, revealed four places she found overwhelmingly busy.

Positano, Italy

Considered a gem of southern Italy’s Amalfi Coast, the picturesque landscape in Positano is nothing short of iconic. Colourful buildings are perched on cliffs that overlook the Mediterranean, giving Positano its name as the “vertical village”.

Despite its reputation as one of the most picturesque seaside villages on the coastline, Sara described the atmosphere as far too “hectic”. She elaborated: “While undeniably beautiful with its colourful buildings and seaside views, the narrow streets were packed shoulder to shoulder with other sightseers.”

She added: “The atmosphere felt more hectic than idyllic, and prices were inflated for tourists. I left feeling like I never got to experience the real Positano beyond the chaotic surface.”

Paris, France

The ‘City of Love’ is one of Europe’s most sought-after destinations, but Sara is just one of many visitors who are left less than impressed by the iconic French city.

She detailed: “The congested boulevards of Paris and the never-ending lineups at attractions like the Eiffel Tower and Louvre strained my patience. I didn’t really enjoy the atmosphere as much as I was waiting to take shots.”

TripAdvisor reviewers are in agreement, with one Louvre Museum visitor stating: “The art is crazy, but the queues are insane. Two hours to access the museum and then you can barely walk due to the quantity of tourists. They should regulate this.”

Excessive tourism has been widespread this year, with the Olympics and Paralympics taking place in the city. This occurs despite Paris City Hall’s decision to triple the tourist tax by 200 per cent for 2024.

The move was implemented to assist Île-de-France Mobilités, which oversees public transport, including the metro and bus services, in managing the increased passenger numbers anticipated for the international sporting spectacle.

Mykonos, Greece

The busy tourist period in Mykonos is generally from Greek Easter (April) to the end of October, with peak season from mid-July to late August. During this time, the island attracts visitors of all ages.

Holidaymakers fork out top prices for accommodation on the picturesque Greek isle, which costs considerably more than neighbouring spots such as Syros. However, the masses prove disappointing, according to Sara.

She explained: “When I finally went to the Greek island, I thought it would be a tranquil haven. Even while it was breathtakingly gorgeous, I felt that partygoers and inebriated vacationers overshadowed it. The restaurants were expensive and the beaches were noisy.”

Amsterdam, Netherlands

Amsterdam is renowned for its lively culture, fascinating heritage and stunning waterways, with the 17th-century canal network having developed into one of the most distinctive cityscapes globally. That said, its hordes of visitors make it incredibly busy considering the city is only an eighth of the size of London.

In addition to overnight stays, Amsterdam welcomed 15.1 million day visitors last year, with approximately 60 percent of them coming from within the Netherlands, according to the European Travel Information and Authorisation System.

Sara’s own experience was marred by congested streets, claiming: “The city centre was overrun with rowdy bachelor parties riding bikes through crowded streets. The museums were packed, and reservations at restaurants were impossible to get.”