Santorini, Barcelona and Paris on new ‘no travel’ list for 2027 | Travel News | Travel

The idea of a fun holiday loses its appeal when you factor in the massive crowds you might face. Travel is more accessible than ever in 2026, and that’s not expected to change in 2027. With more and more people heading to places like Greece, Spain, Portugal and Italy, locals are noticing a sharp increase in crowds, and the summer months can feel incredibly overwhelming for both residents and visitors alike. Travel experts have shared countless underrated gems where tourists will enjoy a more relaxed atmosphere, but that hasn’t stopped people from hitting up the classic hotspots when travelling abroad.

I asked travel experts which places they would avoid in summer 2027 to dodge the crowds, and they named some of Europe’s most popular hotspots. “When I think about overtourism, I don’t just think about long lines at famous attractions,” says Eryn Gordon, travel writer and founder of Earth To Editorial.

“I think about what happens to the people who call these places home. Imagine having to push through groups of tourists every morning just to get to work or buy groceries. That’s the part of overtourism we don’t talk about nearly enough.”

In fact, locals have expressed their outrage at the overwhelming level of tourism in recent years. Residents in Barcelona even started spraying visitors with water pistols.

Nowadays, it’s not just about considering where the crowds are. You’ve also got to think about where you’ll actually feel welcome, and where you’re not causing locals a headache.

Here are the places travel experts have said will feel overwhelming if you’re trying to avoid crowds, and where you can go instead.

Panic about Venice sinking doesn’t help with its overcrowding, with many people eager to see the floating city in Italy while they can. But massive crowds make it almost unbearable for some, taking away from the historic charm of this place.

“Venice is one of the places I’ve returned to several times, and I’d absolutely expect it to remain crowded in 2027,” Gordon said. “It’s one of my favourite cities in Italy, but there’s a huge difference between the Venice most tourists see and the Venice that locals experience.”

Meanwhile, Josh Bandura, Travel Finance Expert, revealed: “The fact that Venice charged visitors an entry fee on 60 days in 2026 and still struggled with crowds says quite a lot about where European tourism is heading. More than 650,000 paid vouchers were issued, yet the historic centre remained congested. I wouldn’t expect 2027 to be much different, particularly around St Mark’s Square and the Rialto.”

Where to go instead: Treviso is often referred to as a more relaxing alternative to Venice, with the same Italian charm, great food and scenic canals. Plus, it is the birthplace of Tiramisu, so there is plenty on offer for fans of the classic dessert.

Many locals in Barcelona are exhausted by the issues caused by overtourism, which aren’t helped by Spain’s crippling housing crisis. And for tourists, it can feel like an incredibly unwelcome place to be when visitor numbers swell.

Sarah Rodrigues, a travel expert working with Avanti Travel Insurance, said that Barcelona, as a major cruise port, can make it difficult to get a genuine sense of the city when so much time is spent queueing for attractions and food, shoulder to shoulder with other visitors.

However, instead of avoiding Barcelona altogether, visiting off-season (outside the summer months) could be a great alternative. But if you’re looking for a sunshine-filled break in Spain over the summer months, Barcelona might not be the one for you.

Where to go instead: Tarragona is about 70 minutes from Barcelona and has so much of what the latter has to offer, without the crowds. There are uncrowded beaches, as well as plenty of cultural and historical sites to visit, including ancient Roman ruins.

Croatia’s historic gem has seen a huge surge in visitor numbers in recent decades, thanks to its excellently preserved architecture, Game of Thrones fame, and stunning coastal scenery. But that brings in significant crowds, which can feel incredibly “overwhelming” and take away from the allure.

Dubrovnik explains: “Dubrovnik limits cruise arrivals to 2 ships and around 4,000 passengers per day. Dubrovnik still expects more than 661,000 cruise passengers in 2026, which is an enormous number for a relatively small historic centre.”

“The restrictions may prevent the worst overcrowding, but visitors shouldn’t mistake them for a guarantee of a quieter experience,” he warned.

Where to go instead: Seamus McCauley, Head of Public Affairs at Holiday Extras, suggested heading to the less-explored Istria, which is home to several stunning towns and cities dotted along the northern part of the country’s coast. Meanwhile, Jet2 tells travellers they can expect rolling vineyards, medieval hilltop towns, turquoise coastline and an exceptional food scene when they visit this part of the country.

You’re not alone if you’ve seen social media videos of huge crowds taking photos at Santorini’s most scenic spots. While it is perhaps one of the most beautiful places on Earth, crowds detract from the experience many hope will be serene.

While Santorini has implemented measures to address overtourism, experts still expect crowds to return in 2027. “Santorini has capped cruise passengers at 8,000 daily, but visitors arriving through airports and ferries aren’t subject to the same restrictions,” Bandura told the Daily Express. “So even with fewer cruise passengers, Oia and Fira can still feel overwhelmed during summer.”

Where to go instead: Sifnos is a beautiful, unspoilt island known for its breathtaking scenery and unique local culture. It is estimated to be 26 times quieter than Santorini, meaning you’ll have a much more relaxing experience here with the same Greek island charm.

Rodrigues said that Madrid can also feel overwhelming in the summer months. Massive protests took place in the Spanish capital, with some locals arguing that huge tourist numbers are displacing locals.

Online, debates have taken place about whether Madrid has become unpleasant to visit in the summer months because of huge crowds. For those looking for a laid-back getaway, the Spanish capital in the high season is likely not their best bet. Instead, visit in the off-peak period (when temperatures are still pretty warm), or choose an alternative in summer.

Where to go instead: Located about an hour from Madrid, Segovia is a stunning, historic city where ancient ruins can be explored and local cuisine enjoyed. Previous visitors praised it for its relaxed atmosphere and its number of cultural experiences, with the option to do a day trip to Madrid if it appeals to you.

Arguably one of the most iconic cities in the world, Paris is a place where anyone who has been has likely been surrounded by huge crowds at one time or another. Sites like the Eiffel Tower and the Louvre see huge crowds gathering every day, especially in the summer months.

“I remember exploring quieter parts of France, including Normandy, and then feeling quite overwhelmed by the tourist-heavy atmosphere when I arrived in Paris,” Gordon recalls. “The city is beautiful, and I understand why so many people want to visit, but I genuinely enjoyed some of my experiences outside the capital more.

“I think we’re so focused on seeing the most famous places that we sometimes forget there’s an entire country beyond them. France has incredible regional cultures, food traditions, and historic towns that deserve attention too.”

Where to go instead: Lille has been recommended by several travel experts, including Lonely Planet, as a less crowded alternative to Paris. It is the capital of the Nord département and the largest city in the Hauts-de-France région, boasting a thriving centre well-suited to city-breakers.

Paul Dear, VP Concur Travel EMEA at SAP Concur, said that places like Amsterdam are among those where business travellers report a more stressful experience due to crowds. Much of Amsterdam’s overtourism problem stems from cheap flights from budget airlines, as well as its notorious party scene.

However, some visitors will want to go there for the history and culture, with a plethora of museums and galleries to visit. But overtourism has been an issue for some time.

Back in 2021, 30,000 residents signed a petition demanding action against overtourism, while authorities have introduced measures to address the issue, such as banning guided tours in the Red Light District and implementing tourist taxes. In 2023, they went as far as to tell rowdy British tourists to stay away.

Where to go instead: Many agree that Utrecht in the Netherlands has as much charm as Amsterdam, but far fewer crowds. It is full of quaint canal-side walks and the same traditional architecture you find in Amsterdam. But the difference is, you won’t have to dodge crowds to enjoy it.