7 Destinations You Should Not Visit This Summer According To Travel Experts
Summer season trip – two phrases that conjure photographs of sunshine, leisure, and journey. We completely love hitting the highway (or the skies!) when the climate heats up. However let’s be actual: summer season 2025 is shaping as much as be doubtlessly chaotic in sure hotspots. File journey numbers are predicted, costs are climbing, heatwaves have gotten extra intense, and admittedly, some common locations are simply bursting on the seams.
Because the skilled staff of editors and writers right here at Travel Off Path, we have seen all of it. We have navigated shoulder-to-shoulder crowds, paid eye-watering costs for mediocre meals, and felt the stress when tourism pushes native infrastructure – and persistence – to the brink. So, drawing on our collective data and present journey traits, listed here are 7 locations we’re advising warning on for this summer season. It doesn’t suggest they are not great locations, however visiting throughout peak summer season 2025 would possibly check your sanity (and your pockets). We have additionally included a possible various for every, simply in case!
1. Venice, Italy: The Floating Metropolis is Sinking Below Vacationers
Ah, Venice. Gondolas, canals, beautiful structure… and folks. So. Many. Individuals. Venice has been grappling with overtourism for years, and summer season is absolutely the peak. Think about making an attempt to navigate slim alleyways that really feel extra like a packed subway automotive, shuffling throughout bridges in a slow-moving human tide, and ready in lengthy traces underneath the blazing Italian solar. The city has even implemented an entry fee on sure days to try to handle the circulation, which tells you ways severe the scenario is. Whereas lovely, the sheer quantity of tourists in July and August can dilute the magic, making it really feel extra like a theme park than a residing metropolis.
- As a substitute, take into account: Treviso. Only a brief prepare experience away, this charming walled city additionally options picturesque canals and medieval structure however with out the overwhelming throngs of vacationers, providing a extra relaxed environment.
2. Barcelona, Spain: Protests and Packed Promenades
Barcelona is vibrant, creative, and undeniably cool. Sadly, it is also change into a poster little one for tourism fatigue. Locals have been more and more vocal, with protests popping up against the negative impacts of mass tourism – rising rents, crowded public areas, and a perceived lack of neighbourhood character. Whilst you’ll doubtless nonetheless have a very good time, be ready for doubtlessly large crowds at main sights like Sagrada Familia and Park Güell. You may also encounter demonstrations or a common feeling of rigidity in some areas. Add within the sticky summer season warmth, and navigating town can really feel overwhelming.
- As a substitute, take into account: Valencia. Spain’s third-largest metropolis presents a unbelievable mix of historic attraction, futuristic structure (the Metropolis of Arts and Sciences), nice seashores, and wonderful meals (it is the birthplace of paella!), usually with fewer crowds and a extra laid-back vibe than Barcelona.
3. Santorini, Greece: Instagram vs. Actuality
These iconic blue domes and whitewashed villages cascading down cliffs are breathtaking, little doubt. However Santorini in July or August? Brace your self. It is arguably essentially the most well-known Greek island, and the crowds mirror that. Cruise ships disgorge 1000’s of passengers day by day, clogging the slim streets of Oia and Fira, particularly round sundown. Costs for lodging, meals, and even fundamental transport skyrocket. Getting across the island could be a sluggish, sizzling, 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.
- As a substitute, take into account: Naxos. The largest island in the Cyclades, Naxos boasts unimaginable sandy seashores, conventional mountain villages, historical ruins, and a extra genuine, much less frantic environment. It presents selection and sweetness with out the acute crowds and costs of its well-known neighbor.
4. Amalfi Coast, Italy: Bumper-to-Bumper Magnificence
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 site visitors. The picturesque cities like Positano and Amalfi are stunning but become incredibly congested. Seashores are sometimes small and jam-packed. Lodging is booked months upfront and comes at a premium. Whereas undeniably beautiful, the logistical challenges and intense crowds throughout peak season can critically detract from the dolce vita vibe.
- As a substitute, take into account: The Cilento Coast. Situated simply south of the Amalfi Coast in the identical area (Campania), Cilento presents miles of lovely shoreline, charming villages, historical Greek ruins at Paestum, and much fewer crowds. It is a designated nationwide park and UNESCO website, recognized for its clear seashores and genuine really feel.
5. Amsterdam, Netherlands: Attempting to Calm Down the Crowds
Amsterdam has been actively working to handle its reputation, implementing measures to curb party tourism and improve livability for residents. Whereas nonetheless a unbelievable metropolis, visiting in excessive summer season means navigating packed streets, doubtlessly lengthy waits for museums, and canals busy with tour boats. The town is consciously making an attempt to shift its picture, and whereas that is optimistic long-term, it means peak summer season guests would possibly discover sure features much less permissive than anticipated, alongside the same old high-season crowds and costs.
- As a substitute, take into account: Utrecht. Typically 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 environment. It presents a lot of Amsterdam’s attraction with considerably fewer worldwide vacationers.
6. Canary Islands, Spain: Feeling the Pressure
Just like Barcelona, components of the Canary Islands (like Tenerife and Lanzarote) have seen important native protests lately. Residents are elevating considerations in regards to the pressure on sources like water, the impression of mass tourism on the setting, and the impact on housing availability and affordability. While these islands offer fantastic weather and diverse 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.
- As a substitute, 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. Whereas additionally common, it usually 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 Everlasting Metropolis 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 Discussion board. Mix that intense warmth with colossal crowds – shuffling elbow-to-elbow towards the Trevi Fountain or ready in sweltering queues for the Vatican Museums – and the expertise can change into exhausting. Appreciating millennia of historical past is hard when battling dehydration and crowds.
- As a substitute, take into account: Bologna. Because 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 finest meals scene, all with a extra native really feel and usually much less overwhelming vacationer crowds than Rome in peak summer season.
The Takeaway? Journey Smarter, Not Tougher
Avoiding these particular locations throughout peak summer season doesn’t suggest boycotting them endlessly! They’re common for good causes. However this summer season, you would possibly discover extra pleasure (and respiratory room) by exploring the prompt 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 if you happen to do select to courageous the crowds. Joyful (and strategic) summer season travels!
Prepared For Your Journey? Check The Latest Entry Requirements For Your Destination Here
↓ Elevate Your Journey↓
Sign Up Now For Travel Off Path Premium! No advertisements, VIP Content material, Private Journey Concierge, Enormous Financial savings, Day by day Offers, Members Discussion board & Extra!
Join Our Travel Off Path Community Forum: The place vacationers unite, ask questions, share experiences and even discover like-minded journey buddies!
SUBSCRIBE TO OUR LATEST POSTS
Enter your e mail tackle to subscribe to Journey Off Path’s newest breaking journey information, straight to your inbox.
This text initially appeared on TravelOffPath.com
Opinions expressed listed here are the writer’s alone, not these of any financial institution, bank card issuer, resort, airline, or different entity. This content material has not been reviewed, authorized or in any other case endorsed by any of the entities included throughout the submit.