Some places are being loved to death.
The rise of social media and budget air travel has put nearly every corner of the globe within reach, but this accessibility has come at a steep price. Many of the world’s most beautiful and iconic destinations are now buckling under the weight of their own popularity. A new wave of conscientious travelers is now making a different choice: to stay away.
They are boycotting these once-popular spots not out of spite, but out of a desire to protect them from the destructive effects of overtourism, environmental degradation, and a loss of local soul.
1. Venice, Italy, is a sinking city drowning in tourists.
Venice is the quintessential example of a city being loved to death. The sheer volume of daily visitors, especially from massive cruise ships, overwhelms the city’s delicate infrastructure, clogs its narrow alleyways, and has turned the historic center into what feels like a theme park, The New York Times reported. The city is also physically sinking and facing an existential threat from rising sea levels.
Smart travelers are now opting to visit smaller, less-crowded lagoon islands or other Italian cities instead. They recognize that their presence in Venice contributes to the very problems—overcrowding, waste, and the displacement of actual residents—that are destroying the magic they came to see.
2. Barcelona, Spain has had enough.
The residents of Barcelona have become openly hostile to the tourism industry that has taken over their city. Anti-tourist graffiti is common, and local protests have erupted over the explosion of short-term rentals that have driven up housing costs and pushed locals out of the city center, according to Forbes. The famous Las Ramblas is now a congested street that many residents avoid at all costs.
Conscientious travelers are hearing this message loud and clear. They are choosing to explore other, less-overwhelmed parts of Spain, like Valencia or the Basque Country, where they can experience the culture without feeling like they are part of an invading army that is making life unbearable for the local population.
3. Parts of Bali, Indonesia have lost their paradise feel.
The “Eat Pray Love” effect turned Bali into a global hotspot, but its popularity has come at a cost. While the island’s spiritual heart remains, popular areas like Canggu and Kuta have become victims of their own success. They are now plagued by rampant overdevelopment, nightmarish traffic jams, and a serious plastic waste problem that fouls the beaches during certain seasons.
Travelers seeking the serene, spiritual paradise they saw on Instagram are now choosing to skip these overrun areas altogether, as mentioned at Condé Nast Traveler. They are heading to quieter, neighboring islands like Lombok or Nusa Penida, or exploring the less-developed northern parts of Bali to find the tranquility that has been lost in the south.
4. Amsterdam, Netherlands is actively discouraging visitors.
The city of Amsterdam has a message for tourists, particularly the young, rowdy ones who flock to its Red Light District and coffee shops: please stay away. The city government has launched campaigns actively discouraging this type of tourism, which it blames for overcrowding and a decline in livability for its residents. New rules have been put in place to curb the party atmosphere.
Smart travelers are respecting the city’s wishes. They understand that a destination’s quality of life for its residents is more important than their ability to have a wild weekend. They are instead choosing other vibrant Dutch cities like Utrecht or Rotterdam, which offer a fantastic experience without the crowds and controversy.
5. The crowds have tarnished the magic of Dubrovnik, Croatia.
The “Game of Thrones” effect on Dubrovnik has been staggering. The show’s massive popularity turned the city’s beautiful, walled Old Town into a filming location pilgrimage site, drawing overwhelming crowds into its compact, ancient streets. During peak season, the city can feel like a shoulder-to-shoulder shuffle, making it nearly impossible to appreciate its historic beauty.
The city has had to implement measures to limit the number of cruise ship passengers allowed in per day. Many travelers are now deciding to skip the city entirely, choosing instead to explore other, equally beautiful but far less crowded coastal towns in Croatia like Split or Zadar.
6. The ethics and crowds on Mount Everest are a major concern.
Climbing Mount Everest has shifted from a pinnacle of mountaineering achievement to a controversial commercial enterprise. The mountain has become dangerously overcrowded, with viral photos showing long lines of climbers waiting in the “death zone,” which has led to preventable fatalities. The environmental impact is also a huge concern, with the mountain being called the world’s highest garbage dump.
Ethical questions about the exploitation of local Sherpa guides, who take immense risks for low pay, have also given many travelers pause. A growing number are now choosing to boycott the Everest climb, opting instead for treks in other, less crowded and more sustainable parts of the Himalayas.
7. Hallstatt, Austria became an Instagram cliché.
This tiny, idyllic Austrian village is a cautionary tale of the power of social media. After being rumored as the inspiration for the movie “Frozen” and going viral online, Hallstatt became completely overwhelmed by tourists. The village of just 800 residents was seeing up to 10,000 visitors per day, all seeking to replicate the same photo from a single, specific viewpoint.
The mayor eventually had to publicly plead with tourists to stay away, and even erected a barrier to block the famous photo spot. Travelers are now recognizing the absurdity of overwhelming a small community and are seeking out other, less “Instagram famous” villages in the Austrian Alps.
8. Maya Bay, Thailand is a symbol of environmental damage.
Made famous by the Leonardo DiCaprio movie “The Beach,” Maya Bay in Thailand became so popular that the sheer number of tourist boats and visitors completely destroyed the coral reef and local ecosystem. The damage was so severe that Thai authorities took the drastic step of closing the bay completely for several years to allow it to recover.
It has since reopened with very strict limits on the number of visitors, but the story has served as a powerful lesson for travelers. Many are now more aware of their environmental impact and are choosing destinations and tour operators that prioritize sustainability, often avoiding hotspots like Maya Bay altogether.
9. Santorini, Greece, is sinking under the weight of cruise ships.
The iconic Greek island of Santorini, with its stunning white-washed villages and blue-domed churches, is another victim of its own beauty. The island is a major stop for huge cruise ships, which disgorge thousands of passengers at a time, overwhelming the small towns of Oia and Fira. This has led to severe overcrowding, traffic, and a strain on the island’s limited water and power resources.
Many travelers are now seeking a more authentic and relaxing Greek island experience. They are boycotting the overwhelming crowds of Santorini in favor of less-famous but equally beautiful islands like Naxos, Paros, or Milos, where they can enjoy the culture without being part of the problem.
10. Lake Tahoe, California is being choked by traffic and trash.
Here in California, we’ve seen firsthand what overtourism can do to a natural treasure. Lake Tahoe has been struggling for years with the impacts of its own popularity. On summer weekends and winter holidays, the traffic to get into the basin can be gridlocked for hours. Popular beaches are overrun, and the amount of trash left behind has become a serious environmental issue.
Smart California travelers are now avoiding Tahoe during peak season. They are exploring other, less crowded parts of the Sierra Nevada, like the June Lake Loop or Mammoth Lakes, or they are choosing to visit Tahoe during the quieter shoulder seasons to minimize their impact on the region.
11. Dubai, United Arab Emirates, faces ethical questions.
Dubai has marketed itself as a futuristic playground of luxury and superlatives, and it has attracted millions of visitors. However, a growing number of conscientious travelers are choosing to boycott the city over ethical concerns. Reports from human rights organizations have detailed the poor working conditions and exploitation of the migrant laborers who built the city’s glittering skyscrapers.
For these travelers, the city’s man-made wonders are tainted by these ethical issues. They are also seeking more authentic cultural experiences, something they feel is lacking in the artificial and highly curated environment of Dubai, choosing instead to visit nearby countries with deeper historical roots.
12. Machu Picchu, Peru feels more like a theme park.
The ancient Incan citadel of Machu Picchu is a true wonder of the world, but the experience of visiting it has changed dramatically. To manage the crushing number of tourists and preserve the site, authorities have implemented a strict ticketing system with designated time slots and rigid, one-way circuits that visitors must follow.
While necessary for conservation, many travelers report that this has turned a spiritual and awe-inspiring experience into a rushed and highly controlled shuffle. You are herded along with a crowd, with whistles blowing if you stop for too long. Many are now choosing to explore other, less famous but equally impressive Incan ruins in Peru to find a more authentic sense of discovery.