Overtourism

A new ranking compares international tourist numbers to locals in European cities – and one tops the list with a staggering 16,250 visitors for every 100 residents

Summer is on the horizon, and folks are starting to map out their holiday plans. Being based in the UK, we’re fortunate to have some of the world’s most stunning destinations within easy reach, with iconic cities just a short flight away.

However, many of these sought-after spots are now swamped with tourists – in fact, some now host more visitors than locals. DiscoverCars.com has compiled a new ranking that contrasts the number of international tourists with the local population in European cities. Five of the top holiday hotspots now boast more tourists than residents.

Topping the list is Dubrovnik in Croatia. This breathtaking historical city gained even more fame after serving as the backdrop for King’s Landing in the HBO series Game of Thrones.

Last year, this fortified city welcomed 6.5 million tourists – an astounding figure compared to its 40,000 inhabitants. That equates to 16,250 tourists for every 100 locals.

Taking second place is Reykjavik in Iceland, reports the Express. This Arctic city attracted even more tourists than Dubrovnik, with 7.4 million visitors compared to its 140,000 residents, resulting in 5,286 tourists per every 100 locals.

The city is renowned for its Blue Lagoon thermal baths and, of course, the opportunity to witness the Northern Lights illuminating the sky.

Securing third place is the floating city of Venice in Italy. Arguably one of the most famous cities globally, Venice played host to 10.6 million tourists last year.

Compared to its population of 250,000, that’s a whopping 4,240 international visitors per 100 residents. The city is a hit with tourists for its stunning architecture and the opportunity to glide along its canal streets by gondola.

Switzerland’s Geneva secured fourth place on the list, welcoming 7.8 million tourists in 2025. With a local population of 200,000, this equates to 3,900 visitors per 100 residents.

Renowned for its breathtaking views of the Alps, Geneva serves as an excellent base for day trips into the mountains and exploring the picturesque villages scattered throughout them.

Porto in Portugal claimed fifth place. The city attracted seven million international tourists in 2025, against its population of 250,000.

With 2,800 tourists for every 100 residents, it’s a highly sought-after destination. The narrow streets are adorned with beautiful architecture and striking Portuguese tiles, providing a perfect backdrop for photos.

With the river slicing through the city, you can discover both sides of the city in a day – just remember to bring your walking shoes.

The most tourist-dense cities worldwide

1. Dubrovnik, Croatia
2. Reykjavík, Iceland
3. Venice, Italy
4. Geneva, Switzerland
5. Porto, Portugal
6. Phuket, Thailand
7. Florence, Italy
8. Lisbon, Portugal
9. Edinburgh, United Kingdom
10. Athens, Greece

Planning your summer holiday but want to avoid crowded tourist hotspots? These three stunning European destinations offer beautiful beaches and coastal charm without the crowds.

Spring has finally sprung, meaning summer is just round the corner. Britain is fortunate to have countless stunning countries within easy reach, and if you’re pondering where to head this year, you’re in for a treat.

One of the most frustrating aspects of arranging a holiday is deciding on a destination – and with hordes of tourists flocking to all the popular spots, finding somewhere peaceful and relaxing can prove even more challenging.

If you’re after coastal beauty without thousands of holidaymakers crowding the beaches with towels and parasols, these are the three European locations you need to consider, reports the Express.

La Gomera, Canary Islands

In contrast to Tenerife or Lanzarote, this stunning island remains relatively undiscovered and experiences fewer crowds during peak season than the British favourites.

Laura Evans-Fisk from eurochange commented: “It’s the perfect tranquil, peaceful alternative to the more popular islands. You could stay here for a restful few days or make a day trip from Tenerife by hopping on the ferry.

“La Gomera is also a great spot for hikers and nature lovers, home to the lush UNESCO-listed Garajonay National Park.

“Its beaches are much more secluded than the ones you’ll find on the other islands, and you’ll encounter no large-scale resorts or nightlife.”

“Like other islands in the region, La Gomera benefits from pleasant temperatures throughout the year too. And, its low light pollution means it’s an excellent spot for stargazing.”

Ksamil and Porto Palermo, Albania

Renowned for its breathtaking turquoise waters and pristine sand beaches, this stretch of Albania is known as the “Albanian Riviera”. It’s becoming increasingly popular with holidaymakers, yet sections of it remain largely undiscovered.

Laura explained: “Ksamil, an area often coined the ‘Maldives of Europe’, is one of the most beautiful and popular beaches, with white sands and strikingly clear waters.

“For a more relaxed vibe, visit Porto Palermo – this stunning bay has a small peninsula connecting it to the mainland, and an impressive 19th-century castle, Ali Pasha.”

Alentejo, Portugal

The Algarve is frequently packed with tourists, but further north in Alentejo there’s a far more laid-back atmosphere. With its picturesque coastal landscapes and gorgeous beaches it provides the ideal summer getaway.

Laura commented: “Further North than the Algarve, this coastline surrounds the city of Lisbon, making charming towns like Cascais, Estoril and Azenhas do Mar perfect day excursions from the capital.”

The village has been crowned the world’s most beautiful by Forbes and receives 20,000 visitors on weekends – but overtourism has caused serious problems

A UK village crowned the most beautiful in the world has moved forward in the fight against overtourism, with a huge cash boost and a raft of new potential measures.

Bibury, nestled in the Gloucestershire Cotswolds, is an undeniably charming spot. It boasts honey-hued stone cottages, a gently winding river, and a historic, fairytale-like atmosphere. Its allure led Forbes to name it the world’s most attractive village for 2025, approximately 150 years after poet William Morris declared Bibury “the most beautiful village in England.”

The cottages of Arlington Row are often hailed as the most photographed and breathtaking cottages in Britain. Built in 1380 as a monastic wool store, it was later converted into a row of weavers’ cottages in the 17th century.

It’s easy to see why Bibury garners such accolades, with accommodation options like the Swan Hotel and The Catherine Wheel pub both welcoming inside and festooned with climbing plants outside. The village’s charm has put Bibury firmly on the tourist trail. And now, some locals say, things are getting out of hand.

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Chairman of the local parking action group, Mark Honeyball, who has resided in Bibury for a decade, has had some rather unpleasant experiences with visitors. He revealed to the Express that he asked a coach driver to move on from some double yellow lines before drama unfolded.

He said last year: “I’ve been physically attacked four times now, but once really quite badly two weeks ago, I was kicked in the chest and stomach and kneed and punched in the face full force by a driver that I’d just asked simply to move on from double yellows at the top of the village.

“The coach drivers themselves are being pushed here by their coach companies, they don’t really want to be here, they find it really difficult to park. The tour operators are the key behind this, the coach operators are doing what the tour operators ask them to do, primarily with people from China, India, and South Korea at the moment.”

Up to 20,000 tourists flood into Bibury over weekends in the high season, with as many as 50 coaches arriving daily. That’s a staggering number for a village home to merely 600 residents.

This week, Gloucestershire County Council announced it was investing £175,000 in a project to combat ‘overtourism’ in Bibury, Punchline Gloucester reports.

Following the period of consultation, the county council is considering a series of measures to control the impact of tourism. They include:

• Permanent removal of coach parking bays and implementation of on-street parking restrictions.
• Additional enforcement of parking restrictions.
• Introducing pay-and-display parking.
• Restricting coach parking/waiting using enforcement officers to support traffic flow.
• Exploring if there are improvements that can be made to local bus services including options such as park and ride.

Restrictions on coaches entering the village were implemented in May last year. At that point, parking bays in the heart of the village were shut and new public bus stop clearways were established. The objective was to put a stop to “unsafe coach manoeuvres.” Following the summer trial period, Gloucestershire County Council decided to implement permanent restrictions on coaches entering the area.

Cllr Lisa Spivey, leader of the county council, said: “Hopefully we are getting somewhere. We did a trial last year which has been extended where we essentially removed the coach parking bays in the centre of the village and created drop off and pick up points for coaches, so we are now going to make that a more permanent solution.

“They have currently got some red and white plastic barriers which don’t look very nice in a historic village so we want to make that look nice. We are going to introduce pay and display parking so we can pay for more enforcement to make sure people aren’t parking where they shouldn’t be and causing an issue.

“We’ve been working alongside the coach operators and other stakeholders to really encourage the use of smaller vehicles to come into the village. There’s been a huge amount of engagement with the coach operators, Cotswold Tourism, the parish council, businesses, the police etc. Lots of people have been involved.”