7 Destinations You Should Not Visit This Summer According To Travel Experts

Share The Article

Summer vacation – two words that conjure images of sunshine, relaxation, and adventure. We absolutely love hitting the road (or the skies!) when the weather heats up. But let’s be real: summer 2025 is shaping up to be potentially chaotic in certain hotspots. Record travel numbers are predicted, prices are climbing, heatwaves are becoming more intense, and frankly, some popular places are just bursting at the seams.

As the experienced team of editors and writers here at Travel Off Path, we’ve seen it all. We’ve navigated shoulder-to-shoulder crowds, paid eye-watering prices for mediocre meals, and felt the tension when tourism pushes local infrastructure – and patience – to the brink. So, drawing on our collective knowledge and current travel trends, here are 7 destinations we’re advising caution on for this summer. It doesn’t mean they aren’t wonderful places, but visiting during peak summer 2025 might test your sanity (and your wallet). We’ve also included a potential alternative for each, just in case!

1. Venice, Italy: The Floating City is Sinking Under Tourists

Ah, Venice. Gondolas, canals, stunning architecture… and people. So. Many. People. Venice has been grappling with overtourism for years, and summer is the absolute peak. Imagine trying to navigate narrow alleyways that feel more like a packed subway car, shuffling across bridges in a slow-moving human tide, and waiting in long lines under the blazing Italian sun. The city has even implemented an entry fee on certain days to try and manage the flow, which tells you how serious the situation is. While beautiful, the sheer volume of visitors in July and August can dilute the magic, making it feel more like a theme park than a living city.

• Instead, consider: Treviso. Just a short train ride away, this charming walled city also features picturesque canals and medieval architecture but without the overwhelming throngs of tourists, offering a more relaxed atmosphere.

2. Barcelona, Spain: Protests and Packed Promenades

Barcelona is vibrant, artistic, and undeniably cool. Unfortunately, it’s also become a poster child for tourism fatigue. Locals have been increasingly vocal, with protests popping up against the negative impacts of mass tourism – rising rents, crowded public spaces, and a perceived loss of neighbourhood character. While you’ll likely still have a good time, be prepared for potentially massive crowds at major sights like Sagrada Familia and Park Güell. You might also encounter demonstrations or a general feeling of tension in some areas. Add in the sticky summer heat, and navigating the city can feel overwhelming.

• Instead, consider: Valencia. Spain’s third-largest city offers a fantastic blend of historic charm, futuristic architecture (the City of Arts and Sciences), great beaches, and amazing food (it’s the birthplace of paella!), generally with fewer crowds and a more laid-back vibe than Barcelona.

3. Santorini, Greece: Instagram vs. Reality

Those iconic blue domes and whitewashed villages cascading down cliffs are breathtaking, no doubt. But Santorini in July or August? Brace yourself. It’s arguably the most famous Greek island, and the crowds reflect that. Cruise ships disgorge thousands of passengers daily, clogging the narrow streets of Oia and Fira, especially around sunset. Prices for accommodation, food, and even basic transport skyrocket. Getting around the island can be a slow, hot, and frustrating experience. The sheer density of people can make it feel less like a tranquil escape and more like a very scenic queue.

• Instead, consider: Naxos. The largest island in the Cyclades, Naxos boasts incredible sandy beaches, traditional mountain villages, ancient ruins, and a more authentic, less frantic atmosphere. It offers variety and beauty without the extreme crowds and prices of its famous neighbor.

4. Amalfi Coast, Italy: Bumper-to-Bumper Beauty

Driving the Amalfi Coast is on many bucket lists, but in summer, it can be more of a nightmare than a dream. The famously narrow, winding coastal road becomes choked with traffic. The picturesque towns like Positano and Amalfi are stunning but become incredibly congested. Beaches are often small and jam-packed. Accommodation is booked months in advance and comes at a premium. While undeniably gorgeous, the logistical challenges and intense crowds during peak season can seriously detract from the dolce vita vibe.

• Instead, consider: The Cilento Coast. Located just south of the Amalfi Coast in the same region (Campania), Cilento offers miles of beautiful coastline, charming villages, ancient Greek ruins at Paestum, and far fewer crowds. It’s a designated national park and UNESCO site, known for its clean beaches and authentic feel.

5. Amsterdam, Netherlands: Trying to Calm Down the Crowds

Amsterdam has been actively working to manage its popularity, implementing measures to curb party tourism and improve livability for residents. While still a fantastic city, visiting in high summer means navigating packed streets, potentially long waits for museums, and canals busy with tour boats. The city is consciously trying to shift its image, and while that’s positive long-term, it means peak summer visitors might find certain aspects less permissive than expected, alongside the usual high-season crowds and prices.

• Instead, consider: Utrecht. Often described as a “mini Amsterdam,” Utrecht boasts stunning canals (with unique wharf cellars lined with cafes), a historic city center dominated by the Dom Tower, and a lively student atmosphere. It offers much of Amsterdam’s charm with significantly fewer international tourists.

6. Canary Islands, Spain: Feeling the Strain

Similar to Barcelona, parts of the Canary Islands (like Tenerife and Lanzarote) have seen significant local protests recently. Residents are raising concerns about the strain on resources like water, the impact of mass tourism on the environment, and the effect on housing availability and affordability. While these islands offer fantastic weather and diverse landscapes, visiting this summer might mean encountering some local friction or finding that infrastructure is stretched thin as the debate over the current tourism model intensifies.

• Instead, consider: Madeira, Portugal. This Portuguese archipelago offers dramatic volcanic landscapes, incredible hiking along levadas (irrigation channels), lush botanical gardens, and a unique culture. While also popular, it generally offers a different vibe and hasn’t seen the same level of recent anti-tourism protests as the Canaries.

7. Rome, Italy: Sweating with Caesar’s Ghost

The Eternal City is magnificent, but visiting Rome in July and August can feel like your navigating in an oven. The heat can be oppressive, radiating off the ancient stones with limited shade near icons like the Colosseum or Roman Forum. Combine that intense heat with colossal crowds – shuffling elbow-to-elbow towards the Trevi Fountain or waiting in sweltering queues for the Vatican Museums – and the experience can become exhausting. Appreciating millennia of history is tough when battling dehydration and crowds.

• Instead, consider: Bologna. As the capital of the Emilia-Romagna region (Italy’s foodie heartland), Bologna offers rich history, stunning architecture (including miles of shady porticoes perfect for escaping the sun), and arguably Italy’s best food scene, all with a more local feel and generally less overwhelming tourist crowds than Rome in peak summer.

The Takeaway? Travel Smarter, Not Harder

Avoiding these specific destinations during peak summer doesn’t mean boycotting them forever! They are popular for good reasons. But this summer, you might find more joy (and breathing room) by exploring the suggested alternatives, considering shoulder seasons (late spring/early autumn) for the big names, or simply being very prepared for the realities of peak-season travel if you do choose to brave the crowds. Happy (and strategic) summer travels!

Ready For Your Trip? Check The Latest Entry Requirements For Your Destination Here

↓ Elevate Your Travel↓

Sign Up Now For Travel Off Path Premium! No ads, VIP Content, Personal Travel Concierge, Huge Savings, Daily Deals, Members Forum & More!

✈️Join Our Travel Off Path Community Forum: Where travelers unite, ask questions, share experiences and even find like-minded travel buddies!

SUBSCRIBE TO OUR LATEST POSTS

Enter your email address to subscribe to Travel Off Path’s latest breaking travel news, straight to your inbox.

This article originally appeared on TravelOffPath.com

Opinions expressed here are the author’s alone, not those of any bank, credit card issuer, hotel, airline, or other entity. This content has not been reviewed, approved or otherwise endorsed by any of the entities included within the post.