Do I really need to show you pictures of Dubrovnik when a cruise ship is in town or of the Trevi Fountain in Rome on a hot day to prove that travel has never been as crowded as it is this summer?
Probably not. A recent Global Rescue survey found that 73 percent of travellers are worried about overtourism, and more than half are actively avoiding popular destinations like France, Spain, Italy, and Thailand.
“Overtourism weakens destinations by straining infrastructure and depleting resources,” says Dan Richards, CEO of Global Rescue. “It leaves them ill-equipped to handle crises, whether it’s a natural disaster or a surge in crime.”
But are overcrowded destinations dangerous? And what places should you avoid — or not avoid?
Are crowded summer travel destinations more dangerous?
Travelling to a popular and overcrowded destination can be risky. A combination of political tensions, environmental challenges, and crime concerns requires more diligent planning, says Frank Harrison, regional security director for the Americas at World Travel Protection.
“Many destinations that were once considered relatively safe now face multiple interlinked problems that heighten the risks for travelers,” he adds. “Travel is certainly more complex.”
Even with all the crowds, you might be perfectly safe. But that doesn’t mean you’ll have a positive experience. There’s a growing backlash against mass tourism in some destinations so that you might feel unwelcome.
“This backlash results in new restrictions on tourism or a less welcoming atmosphere for travellers,” explains John Rose, the chief risk officer at ALTOUR, a global corporate travel management company. “It makes some traditionally popular destinations less appealing or more challenging to navigate.”
One way to avoid the chaos is to ask a professional for advice. A competent travel advisor will help ensure you don’t end up standing in a long line this summer. But what does your travel advisor know that you don’t?
Places you should skip this summer
Some destinations are just too hot — literally and figuratively — to handle this summer. Here’s where experts say you should think twice before booking:
Thailand
Thailand’s tropical islands have long been a magnet for travellers looking for sun, sand, and affordability. But now there are too many tourists. Experts advise their clients to avoid places like Phuket, Pattaya and Krabi. “Prices are inflated, pollution is rising, and the quality of life for locals is declining,” says Alonso Marly, a travel advisor at Skylux Travel.
Alternate: Try Chiang Mai, in the northern part of Thailand, which is less touristy and calmer, or Bangkok, which has more room — and better shopping.
Croatia
Dubrovnik has become one of Europe’s most overcrowded cities thanks to its starring role in Game of Thrones and its popularity among cruise passengers. With just 41,000 residents, it’s struggling to handle the influx of tourists, who have caused traffic jams and made the city almost completely inaccessible on busy days.
Alternate: Check out Split, which has an impressive historical inner city (with fewer walls), or head to Zagreb, which is less crowded but still offers a classic Croatian experience.
Greece
Santorini’s brilliant white houses and blue-domed churches have become a bucket-list destination. But with over 3.4 million visitors annually, the island is buckling under the pressure. Locals are protesting the throngs of tourists, which are making the city unlivable during high season. Other Greek islands, including Mykonos and Corfu, have also been hit hard.
Alternate: Athens and Thessaloniki are always safe bets. They can get busy during the summer, but a little less frenzied than the Greek islands.
Europe’s tourism capitals
You know what I’m talking about: Amsterdam, Barcelona, Lisbon, and Venice. These European cities grapple with anti-tourist sentiment fueled by rising housing costs and overcrowding. Add record-breaking heat waves, and you have a recipe for a miserable trip.
Alternate: Get off the beaten path—even just a little—and you could have a much saner experience. I spent last July in Berlin and was impressed with how uncrowded it was. I also spent time in Helsinki and northern Sweden and managed to escape the crowds. Even August in Stockholm isn’t so bad because many residents leave town for a month.
This is by no means a complete list. It might be too full if you want to go somewhere popular. For example, if you’re considering visiting Rome this summer, remember that it’s a Jubilee year so that it will be extra crowded.
Safer bets: Where to go instead
So where should you go? The safest destinations are those marked in the U.S. State Department Travel Advisory system as Level 1 or Level 2, says John Gobbels, chief operating officer of Medjet, an air medical transport and travel security program.
“But even then, be wary,” he adds. “Be careful where you go and whom you trust. Do research on the safest and least safe parts of town, because every town has parts you probably should not be walking alone in at night.”
Berkshire Hathaway Travel Protection (BHTP) releases a report of the safest destinations every year, and it’s widely considered the gold standard for travel safety. BHTP’s research is based on factors such as terrorism, environmental issues, and flight delays. This year, Iceland, Australia, Canada, Ireland, Switzerland, and New Zealand are on this list.
“After years of conducting this research, patterns have emerged and certain countries and cities, like Switzerland and Singapore, have become mainstays,” said Carol Mueller, BHTP’s head of marketing.
But you don’t have to be a security expert to know that some places are riskier than others. I’ve been travelling worldwide for years, and the BHTP list is my go-to for a safe and relatively uncrowded place, even during the summer.
Why? Well, for a variety of reasons. For example, it’s winter in Australia and New Zealand, which means it’s low season, unless maybe you’re going skiing on the South Island. Switzerland and Singapore are too expensive to attract the kind of mass tourism you find in Barcelona or Santorini. Iceland is beautiful, but isolated.
Be a contrarian this summer.
The takeaway is the same: If you want to avoid overcrowded destinations this summer, be a contrarian. When everyone else goes north, head south. When they flock to popular destinations, they stray off the beaten path.
And yes, I will be in Europe this summer, but my itinerary is taking me to places where fewer tourists go: Reykjavik, Prague, Luxembourg, Munich, and my ancestral hometown of Amykles, Greece. It’s close to the chaos, but not too close. Maybe I’ll see you out there.
By Christopher Elliott – (c) 2025
Read time: 7 Minutes
BIO
Christopher Elliott is an author, consumer advocate, and journalist. He founded Elliott Advocacy, a nonprofit organisation that helps solve consumer problems. He publishes Elliott Confidential, a travel newsletter, and the Elliott Report, a news site about customer service. If you need help with a consumer problem, you can reach him here or email him at [email protected].
