Summer trip – two phrases that conjure photos of sunshine, rest, and journey. We completely love hitting the highway (or the skies!) when the climate heats up. But let’s be actual: summer season 2025 is shaping as much as be probably chaotic in sure hotspots. Record journey numbers are predicted, costs are climbing, heatwaves have gotten extra intense, and admittedly, some common locations are simply bursting on the seams.
As the skilled group of editors and writers right here at Travel Off Path, we have seen all of it. We’ve navigated shoulder-to-shoulder crowds, paid eye-watering costs for mediocre meals, and felt the stress when tourism pushes native infrastructure – and endurance – to the brink. So, drawing on our collective data and present journey developments, listed below are 7 locations we’re advising warning on for this summer season. It doesn’t suggest they are not fantastic locations, however visiting throughout peak summer season 2025 would possibly take a look at your sanity (and your pockets). We’ve additionally included a possible different for every, simply in case!
1. Venice, Italy: The Floating City is Sinking Under Tourists
Ah, Venice. Gondolas, canals, beautiful structure… and folks. So. Many. People. Venice has been grappling with overtourism for years, and summer season is absolutely the peak. Imagine attempting to navigate slim alleyways that really feel extra like a packed subway automobile, shuffling throughout bridges in a slow-moving human tide, and ready in lengthy strains underneath the blazing Italian solar. The metropolis has even applied an entry charge on sure days to try to handle the circulation, which tells you the way critical the state of affairs is. While lovely, the sheer quantity of holiday makers in July and August can dilute the magic, making it really feel extra like a theme park than a dwelling metropolis.
Instead, take into account: Treviso. Just a brief prepare journey away, this charming walled metropolis additionally options picturesque canals and medieval structure however with out the overwhelming throngs of vacationers, providing a extra relaxed ambiance.
2. Barcelona, Spain: Protests and Packed Promenades
Barcelona is vibrant, inventive, and undeniably cool. Unfortunately, it is also turn out to be a poster baby for tourism fatigue. Locals have been more and more vocal, with protests popping up towards the adverse impacts of mass tourism – rising rents, crowded public areas, and a perceived lack of neighbourhood character. While you may doubtless nonetheless have an excellent time, be ready for probably large crowds at main sights like Sagrada Familia and Park Güell. You may additionally encounter demonstrations or a normal feeling of rigidity in some areas. Add within the sticky summer season warmth, and navigating town can really feel overwhelming.
Instead, take into account: Valencia. Spain’s third-largest metropolis presents a improbable mix of historic attraction, futuristic structure (the City of Arts and Sciences), nice seashores, and superb meals (it is the birthplace of paella!), typically with fewer crowds and a extra laid-back vibe than Barcelona.
3. Santorini, Greece: Instagram vs. Reality
Those iconic blue domes and whitewashed villages cascading down cliffs are breathtaking, little question. But Santorini in July or August? Brace your self. It’s arguably essentially the most well-known Greek island, and the crowds mirror that. Cruise ships disgorge 1000’s of passengers every day, clogging the slim streets of Oia and Fira, particularly round sundown. Prices for lodging, meals, and even fundamental transport skyrocket. Getting across the island generally is a gradual, scorching, and irritating expertise. The sheer density of individuals could make it really feel much less like a tranquil escape and extra like a really scenic queue.
Instead, take into account: Naxos. The largest island within the Cyclades, Naxos boasts unimaginable sandy seashores, conventional mountain villages, historic ruins, and a extra genuine, much less frantic ambiance. It presents selection and wonder with out the intense crowds and costs of its well-known neighbor.
4. Amalfi Coast, Italy: Bumper-to-Bumper Beauty
Driving the Amalfi Coast is on many bucket lists, however in summer season, it may be extra of a nightmare than a dream. The famously slim, winding coastal highway turns into choked with visitors. The picturesque cities like Positano and Amalfi are beautiful however turn out to be extremely congested. Beaches are sometimes small and jam-packed. Accommodation is booked months prematurely and comes at a premium. While undeniably attractive, the logistical challenges and intense crowds throughout peak season can severely detract from the dolce vita vibe.
Instead, take into account: The Cilento Coast. Located simply south of the Amalfi Coast in the identical area (Campania), Cilento presents miles of lovely shoreline, charming villages, historic Greek ruins at Paestum, and much fewer crowds. It’s a chosen nationwide park and UNESCO website, identified for its clear seashores and genuine really feel.
5. Amsterdam, Netherlands: Trying to Calm Down the Crowds
Amsterdam has been actively working to handle its reputation, implementing measures to curb occasion tourism and enhance livability for residents. While nonetheless a improbable metropolis, visiting in excessive summer season means navigating packed streets, probably lengthy waits for museums, and canals busy with tour boats. The metropolis is consciously attempting to shift its picture, and whereas that is optimistic long-term, it means peak summer season guests would possibly discover sure points much less permissive than anticipated, alongside the standard high-season crowds and costs.
Instead, take into account: Utrecht. Often described as a “mini Amsterdam,” Utrecht boasts beautiful canals (with distinctive wharf cellars lined with cafes), a historic metropolis middle dominated by the Dom Tower, and a full of life pupil ambiance. It presents a lot of Amsterdam’s attraction with considerably fewer worldwide vacationers.
6. Canary Islands, Spain: Feeling the Strain
Similar to Barcelona, elements of the Canary Islands (like Tenerife and Lanzarote) have seen important native protests lately. Residents are elevating issues in regards to the pressure on assets like water, the influence of mass tourism on the atmosphere, and the impact on housing availability and affordability. While these islands supply improbable climate and numerous landscapes, visiting this summer season would possibly imply encountering some native friction or discovering that infrastructure is stretched skinny as the controversy over the present tourism mannequin intensifies.
Instead, take into account: Madeira, Portugal. This Portuguese archipelago presents dramatic volcanic landscapes, unimaginable mountaineering alongside levadas (irrigation channels), lush botanical gardens, and a novel tradition. While additionally common, it typically presents a unique vibe and hasn’t seen the identical degree of current anti-tourism protests because the Canaries.
7. Rome, Italy: Sweating with Caesar’s Ghost
The Eternal City is magnificent, however visiting Rome in July and August can really feel like your navigating in an oven. The warmth may be oppressive, radiating off the traditional stones with restricted shade close to icons just like the Colosseum or Roman Forum. Combine that intense warmth with colossal crowds – shuffling elbow-to-elbow in direction of the Trevi Fountain or ready in sweltering queues for the Vatican Museums – and the expertise can turn out to be exhausting. Appreciating millennia of historical past is hard when battling dehydration and crowds.
Instead, take into account: Bologna. As the capital of the Emilia-Romagna area (Italy’s foodie heartland), Bologna presents wealthy historical past, beautiful structure (together with miles of shady porticoes excellent for escaping the solar), and arguably Italy’s greatest meals scene, all with a extra native really feel and usually much less overwhelming vacationer crowds than Rome in peak summer season.
The Takeaway? Travel Smarter, Not Harder
Avoiding these particular locations throughout peak summer season doesn’t suggest boycotting them eternally! They are common for good causes. But this summer season, you would possibly discover extra pleasure (and respiration room) by exploring the steered alternate options, contemplating shoulder seasons (late spring/early autumn) for the large names, or just being very ready for the realities of peak-season journey in the event you do select to courageous the crowds. Happy (and strategic) summer season travels!
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This article initially appeared on TravelOffPath.com
Opinions expressed listed below are the creator’s alone, not these of any financial institution, bank card issuer, lodge, airline, or different entity. This content material has not been reviewed, accepted or in any other case endorsed by any of the entities included throughout the submit.