7 Places That Don’t Want Tourists – Where to go Instead

Amsterdam, Barcelona, Venice. These European cities have become synonymous with over-tourism in recent years, as millions of visitors have flocked there in search of a quintessential European getaway. 

But as crowds have grown, locals became unhappy about a constant influx of strangers to their neighborhoods. In July of this year, massive anti-tourism protests erupted in Barcelona as locals took to the city’s streets dousing unsuspecting tourists with water and chanting, “Tourists go home.”

While Europe has become a ground-zero for over-tourism, it’s not the only part of the world where little-known destinations have become victims of their popularity. Take a road trip to popular national parks in the United States, like Zion, Grand Canyon, or Yosemite – and you will see that the number of visitors far outweighs the available space and resources, leaving the fragile environment at stake. 

With the anti-tourism movement in Europe and elsewhere on the rise, it’s a good time to think about alternatives. 

Choosing less famous places could save you money, escape the crowds, and offer a better experience since you will not have to share your space with thousands of other tourists. In this article, we will look at popular destinations suffering from tourism and where you can go instead. 

1. Mykonos – Where to go instead: Paros, Syros 

Mykonos has long been one of the most popular Greek islands. As more travelers discovered Mykonos, the island changed. Now it’s somewhat of a luxury destination with a big party scene where many travelers come to hit bars and nightclubs, some of which are open 24/7. 

While Mykonos is a gorgeous destination and no doubt worth visiting, your dollar doesn’t go as far here. Many hotels and restaurants in Mykonos cater to a wealthier clientele, and while you can still find budget options, they are not as prevalent as on the other islands. 

Paros 

If you are seeking a quieter island, visit Paros, which boasts a more authentic experience with authentic villages and uncrowded beaches. 

Syros 

Another option is Syros, a neighboring island which you can quickly reach by ferry from Mykonos if you get tired from partying. Compared to other Cycladic Islands, Syros is less crowded and offers a perfect retreat if you want to walk along quiet alleys and enjoy food at local restaurants that aren’t overwhelmed by visitors. 

2. Hawaii – Where to go instead: Puerto Rico, Guam

Hawaii is one of the most popular destinations in the United States because of its stunning landscapes and unique cultural heritage that blends Native Hawaiian heritage with influences from Polynesia and the mainland United States. Hawaii also boasts a warm, tropical climate year-round allowing you to enjoy outdoor activities like hiking, surfing, and snorkeling on most days.

But Hawaii is also very expensive. A basic accommodation can set you back hundreds of dollars, all because many hotels in Hawaii are owned by corporations that put profit first. Add the high cost of airfare, Hawaii’s notorious hotel tax, and expensive restaurant meals, and your Hawaii getaway becomes pretty pricey.

Guam

If you want to stay in the Pacific, consider Guam, a far-flung island known for its military past in WWII, paradisiacal vistas and tax-free shopping. Guam might be a bit of a stretch if you are on the East Coast because it’s closer to the Philippines than the United States, but if you are on the West Coast, this little known island is a potential alternative to Hawaii.

Puerto Rico

For those on the East Coast, Puerto Rico makes perfect sense. It’s a few-hour flight from major hubs like New York, Philadelphia, and Boston, and unlike Hawaii, Puerto Rico is a good bargain. While you can enjoy water activities, visit El Yunque National Forest, and discover the indigenous history of the island, you won’t break your bank. 

3. Venice – Where to go instead: Padua, Verona 

Over tourism has long been an issue in Venice, with millions of visitors coming here to ride gondolas in the canals and check out world-famous landmarks like St. Mark’s Square, Ponte di Rialto, and Saint Mark’s Basilica. The high tourist traffic has also driven locals away and caused air and water pollution, among other problems.

In April 2024, Venice introduced a controversial measure to charge tourists for entry – the first city in the world to do so. While not everyone is happy, officials say that the pilot program is supposed to thin out crowds. 

With everything that’s going on, it might be time to take your business elsewhere. Luckily, there are plenty of incredible destinations in northern Italy where you can go instead.

Padua 

Padua (Padova in Italian) is an excellent place to experience a more authentic Italy without tens of thousands of tourists around you. 

I discovered Padua on my last trip to Venice and instantly regretted not visiting it earlier. Padua has everything that draws visitors to Italy: gorgeous architecture, quaint city piazzas, several UNESCO World Heritage Sites, and cute corner coffee shops and pizzerias. Not many tourists in Venice know about Padua, and the train ride is only 25 minutes, so you need to come here before everyone else figures it out! 

Verona 

A more popular day trip from Venice is Verona, a city with rich Romanesque and Venetian architecture, that’s most famous for the story of Romeo and Juliet. Verona is also one of the most walkable cities in Italy, and you can easily explore its ancient Roman ruins, markets, and stores without public transportation. A train ride from Venice to Verona takes about 1 hour and 15 minutes. 

4. Barcelona – Where to go instead: Valencia, Bilbao 

Barcelona is a poster child for over-tourism in Europe, with some claiming that the city is being destroyed by tourist masses. If you visited Barcelona 10-15 years ago, the city you see today is a far cry from what it was before. Barcelona locals have taken to the streets to voice their displeasure with the influx of visitors with some carrying placards that read “Tourist Go Home.”

The city has already raised tourist taxes and announced a ban on apartment rentals to tourists by 2028 to curb the rising cost of housing. 

Valencia 

If you prefer a quieter atmosphere without dealing with pushback from locals, skip Barcelona and go to Valencia. The train from Barcelona to Valencia takes roughly 3 hours and has several departures per day.

Valencia has everything for a perfect Spanish vacation: a picturesque setting along the Mediterranean Coast, fascinating history, and a rich culinary scene. Valencia is the birthplace of paella, a famous Spanish dish made from rice and seafood whose recipe is rooted in Moorish culture. 

Valencia is also a very bike-friendly city with an extensive cycling network. Unlike Barcelona, here you don’t have to deal with traffic and a constant stream of pedestrians and can bike around its popular neighborhoods and streets.

Bilbao

If you have more time, swap Barcelona for Bilbao, a coastal town in Northern Spain’s Basque Country. Bilbao’s landscape is dominated by the imposing Guggenheim Museum, and framed by the green mountains in the background. 

But there are plenty of other activities: from enjoying green parks to medieval architecture in Casco Viejo (Old Town) to trying local food specialties like pintxos and bacalao al pil-pil. 

A speed train from Barcelona to Bilbao takes 6 Hours and 40 minutes on average – not a short ride, but if you want to get off the beaten path and see the charming coast of Northern Spain, it’s worth the effort. 

5. Amsterdam – Where to go instead: Utrecht

Amsterdam has taken several measures to tackle over tourism from banning the construction of new hotels and closing its port to cruise ships to prohibiting the use of marijuana in public. The city has a big issue with party tourism as many people come here because of its lax rules on drug and alcohol consumption as well as the notorious red-light district. 

It’s yet to be seen whether these actions will have the intended effect, as the city is visited by millions of tourists who put a huge strain on its infrastructure forever changing its character and driving up prices for locals. 

Utrecht

For those who want to experience a traditional Dutch town without raucous parties and red-light district gawkers, Utrecht is an ideal getaway from the country’s capital. 

Just like Amsterdam, it also boasts narrow canals and historic architecture but doesn’t have chords of tourists. It also offers better bicycle lanes, making it easier to explore the city. And the best of all, Utrecht is only 20 minutes away by train, so if Amsterdam gets too much, all you need to do is take a quick train ride. 

6. Grand Canyon – Where to go instead: Canyonlands National Park

Home to one of the largest canyons on the planet, Grand Canyon National Park is Arizona’s crown jewel, which attracted over 4.7 million visitors in 2023.

The park’s size is over 1.2 million acres, a huge territory that encompasses scenic trails, overlooks, and many wilderness areas, so the issue of over-tourism might not feel as acute here as in some smaller parks like Zion, which came in third with 4.6 million visitors in 2023.

Canyonlands National Park

If you are looking for a more secluded place, consider going to Canyonlands National Park in neighboring Utah. 

Located just outside of Moab, the most popular town in Utah, Canyonlands receives only a fraction of visitors compared to Arches National Park, because of its remote location. 

Like the Grand Canyon, Canyonlands boasts deep canyons with desert vegetation and scenic hiking trails. Many scenic vistas in Canyonlands are scattered, and unlike in Grand Canyon, there’s no public bus that shuttles you around the area. 

In addition, Canyonlands boasts an excellent backcountry. The Maze is the least accessible district of Canyonlands, which requires a 4X4 vehicle and solid orientation skills, as you have to be self-sufficient and be prepared to navigate the area without a GPS. It’s a real adventurer’s paradise where you can easily spend the entire week – and possibly more away from civilization. 

7. Phuket – Where to go instead: Langkawi

Phuket was recently called the most over-tourist destination in the world where tourism has put a serious strain on the local environment and resources. Once a pristine tropical paradise, this island has been struggling with increased visitation, which came into sharp focus after the COVID-19 lockdowns. Local governments have introduced some measures to curb the issue, but the city has yet to find ways to balance the increased demand with limited resources. 

Langkawi, Malaysia

With so many islands in Thailand increasingly touristy, it might be worth exploring other countries. Luckily, you don’t have to travel too far to find a peaceful getaway. You can take a ferry to Langkawi, a scenic Malaysian island, known for its exclusive resorts and untouched scenery. Ferries depart to Langkawi from the island of Koh Lipe and the city of Satun in southern Thailand. Once in Langkawi, you can enjoy a galore of water sports, take a mangrove tour, and ride the Langkawi cable car to enjoy the panoramic vistas of this hidden paradise.