Share the article
Summer vacation – Two words that evoke images of sunshine, relaxation and adventure. We absolutely love to go on the road (or the air!) When the weather warms up. But let’s really be: summer 2025 it is possible to be potentially chaotic in certain hotspots. Record travel numbers are predicted, the prices climb, heat waves are becoming more intense and to be honest, some popular places just burst on the seams.
As the experienced team of Editors and Schrijvers here at Travel Off Path, we have seen it all. We have navigated shoulder-to-shoulder, eye-water prices paid for mediocre meals and have felt the tension when tourism pushes the local infrastructure and patience to the edge. Thus, based on our collective knowledge and current traveling, here are 7 destinations for which we are careful this summer. It does not mean that they are not beautiful places, but during Peak Summer 2025 you can test common sense (and your wallet). We have also recorded a potential alternative for each, in case!
1. Venice, Italy: the floating city sinks among tourists
Ah, Venice. Gondolas, canals, stunning architecture … and people. So. A lot of. People. Venice has been struggling with overtourism for years and summer is the absolute peak. Imagine you try to navigate to navigate narrow alleys that feel more like an overcrowded metro car, shuffles over bridges in a slowly moving human tide and wait in long lines under the blazing Italian sun. The city has even implemented a registration fee on certain days to try to manage the power, what you tell how serious the situation is. Although beautiful, the huge number of visitors can dilute the magic in July and August, making it feel more like a theme park than in a living city.
- Instead, consider: Treviso. Only a short train ride removed, this charming walled city also has picturesque canals and medieval architecture, but without the overwhelming crowd of tourists, who offer a more relaxed atmosphere.
2. Barcelona, Spain: protests and packed promenades
Barcelona is lively, artistic and unmistakably cool. Unfortunately, it has also become a poster child for tiredness of tourism. The local population has increasingly pronounced, with protests that are popping up against the negative effects of mass tourism – rising rental prices, busy public spaces and a observed loss of neighborhood character. Although you will probably still have a good time, be prepared for potentially huge crowds at important sights such as Sagrada Familia and Park Güell. In some areas you can also encounter demonstrations or a general sense of tension. Add the sticky summer heat and navigating through the city can feel overwhelming.
- Instead, consider: Valencia. The third largest city of Spain offers a fantastic mix of historical charm, futuristic architecture (the city of art and sciences), great beaches and great food (it is the birthplace of Paella!), In general with fewer crowds and a more relaxed atmosphere than Barcelona.
3. Santorini, Greece: Instagram vs. reality
Those iconic blue domes and whitewashed villages that are cliffs that are cliffs are without a doubt breathtaking. But Santorini in July or August? Delete yourself. It is perhaps the most famous Greek island, and the bustle reflects that. Cruise ships dismiss thousands of passengers every day, hide the narrow streets of Oia and Fira, especially around sunset. Prices for accommodation, food and even base distress. Dealing through the island can be a slow, hot and frustrating experience. The pure density of people can make it feel less like a calm escape and more like a very picturesque queue.
- Instead, consider: Naxos. The largest island in the Cyclades, Naxos has incredible sandy beaches, traditional mountain villages, old ruins and a more authentic, less hectic atmosphere. It offers variety and beauty without the extreme bustle and prices of his famous neighbor.
4. Amalfi Coast, Italy: Bumper-to-Bumper Beauty
Driving the coast of Amalfi is on many bucket lists, but in the summer it can be more a nightmare than a dream. The famous narrow, winding coastal road is suffocated with traffic. The picturesque cities such as Positano and Amalfi are amazing but are incredibly overloaded. Beaches are often small and full of. Accommodation is booked months in advance and comes to a premium. Although unmistakably beautiful, the logistical challenges and intense crowds can seriously detract from the high season Dolce Vita mood.
- Instead, consider: The coast of Cilento. Cilento is located just south of the coast of Amalfi in the same region (Campania) and offers miles of beautiful coastline, charming villages, ancient Greek ruins in Paestum and much fewer crowds. It is a designated national park and a UNESCO site, known for its clean beaches and authentic feeling.
5. Amsterdam, The Netherlands: try to calm the crowds
Amsterdam has actively worked on managing its popularity, implementing measures to curb party tourism and to improve the quality of life for residents. Although it is still a fantastic city, visiting in a high summer means navigating through packaged streets, potentially long waiting times on museums and channels occupied with tour boats. The city consciously tries to shift its image, and although this is positive in the long term, this means that peak summer visitors can find certain aspects less tolerant than expected, in addition to the usual crowds and prices at high season.
- Instead, consider: Utrecht. Often described as a ‘mini -amsterdam’, Utrecht has beautiful canals (with unique yard cellars covered with cafes), a historic city center dominated by the Dom Tower and a lively Studentatmosphere. It offers a lot of Amsterdam’s charm with considerably less international tourists.
6. Canary Islands, Spain: Feeling the tension
Just like Barcelona, parts of the Canary Islands (such as Tenerife and Lanzarote) have recently seen important local protests. Residents express their concern about the pressure on resources such as water, the impact of mass tourism on the environment and the effect on the availability and affordability of homes. Although these islands offer fantastic weather and various landscapes, visiting this summer can mean that you will find some local friction or find that infrastructure is thin as the debate about the current tourism model intensifies.
- Instead, consider: Madeira, Portugal. This Portuguese archipelago offers dramatic volcanic landscapes, incredibly walking along Levadas (irrigation channels), lush botanical gardens and a unique culture. Although it is also popular, it generally offers a different atmosphere and it has not seen the same level of recent anti-tourism protests as the Canarianen.
7. Rome, Italy: Sweating with Caesar’s spirit
The eternal city is beautiful, but visiting Rome in July and August can have the feeling that you navigate in an oven. The heat can be oppressive and radiate the old stones with limited shade in the vicinity of icons such as the Colosseum of Roman Forum. Combine that intense heat with colossal crowds of sliding elbow-to-elbow to the Trevi fountain or waiting in sizzling queues for the Vatican museums and the experience can be tiring. The appreciation of millennia or history is difficult when fighting against dehydration and crowds.
- Instead, consider: Bologna. As the capital of the Emilia-Romagna region (Foodie Heartland in Italy), Bologna offers a rich history, stunning architecture (including kilometers of shadow-rich porches perfect for escaping the sun), and demonstrably the best food scene of Italy, all with a more local summer and overall less overwhelming.
The collection meals? Travel smarter, not harder
Avoid these specific destinations During the peak summer Does not mean that they boycott forever! They are popular for good reasons. But this summer you might find more joy (and breathing space) by exploring the proposed alternatives, taking into account shoulder seasons (late spring/early fall) for the big names, or simply being very prepared for the reality of peak-season travel if you choose to defy the pressure. Happy (and strategic) summer trips!
Ready for your trip? Check the latest input requirements for your destination here
✈️Become a member of our Travel Off Path Community Forum: Where travelers unite, ask questions, share experiences and even find like -minded travel buddies!
Subscribe to our latest messages
Enter your e -mail address to subscribe to the latest Breeknieuws from Path, directly to your inbox.
This article originally appeared on Traveloffpath.com
Opinions here are only the author, not those of a bank, credit card emitting, hotel, airline or other entity. This content has not been assessed, approved or otherwise approved by one of the entities that are included in the post.
