Tourists outnumber locals on ‘crammed’ Greek island named most crowded in Europe

‘The beach was so busy, and though it’s long, at the time we visited, there wasn’t much beach space,’ they wrote. ‘The sea is shallow, but crowded. The amount of rubbish and cigarette butts in the sand is so sad.’

Another added: ‘When we visited the beach was overly busy, row upon row of sunbeds. It was all totally over commercialised and noisy.’

Similar comments were made about Zante Old Town. ‘The roads were extremely busy, parking was difficult and the streets, squares, restaurants and bars were absolutely crammed full of people,’ wrote another reviewer.

Which? ranked their destinations according to the European Commission’s (EC) definition of overtourism, which is worked out considering three measures.

The first measure looks at how many nights tourists spend in a region, compared with the number of residents, termed ‘tourist pressure.’ This is where Zakynthos comes out on top, with a figure of 149,886.95 tourists per residents.

The EC also takes most overnight stays overall into account. Mallorca ranks the highest of this list, as the most visited place in Europe by holidaymakers, with over 51 million overnight stays in 2023. To put that into a stark comparison, the island’s population is just 966,000.

And finally, the third measure is the most overnight stays per square kilometer. This is most applicable to cities, and puts Paris at the top, with a staggering 418,280 stays per square km.

Rory Boland, Editor of Which? Travel said: ‘What this data shows is that overtourism has overwhelmed some of Europe’s most popular destinations.

‘With so many fantastic places in Europe, the truth is, you are going to have a far better holiday in a destination where there are not hundreds or even thousands more tourists than there are locals.

‘Try Estonia for stunning coastlines and, yes, warm weather, during summer. Or if you want to stick with Spain, Murcia is a great option.’

Where can I visit instead?

Logrono 

Located in the heart of Spain’s La Rioja region, Logrono is frequently hailed as one of Spain’s hidden gems.

While it might not attract the same crowds as some more famous cities, it’s considered a must-visit for food and wine lovers.

Known for its tapas scene, visitors can hop from bar to bar sampling pintox and local delicacies. It’s also the gateway to Spain’s iconic wine region, La Rioja, where visitors can tour vineyards and taste world-class wines.

The city also boasts medieval streets and historic landmarks like the Co-Cathedral of Santa Maria de la Redonda, which features twin baroque towers and intricate interior artwork.

Skopelos

Look familiar?

Skopelos was the filming location for the hit musical rom-com Mamma Mia!, but it hasn’t let fame go to its head.

It isn’t as easy to reach as other Greek Islands (you have to hop on a ferry to get there), which means its pristine shores are untouched compared to other corners of the country.

But the journey is rewarded with a true slice of Greek paradise. Think white pebble beaches with turquoise blue water surrounded by lush pine forests.

Fans of ABBA’s jukebox musical can visit filming locations around the island such as the Chapel of Agios Ioannis, an isolated church where Donna and Sam married in the film, which offers panoramic views of Skopelos from its perch on top of a barren sea rock.

Estepona 

This charming coastal town, tucked away on the edge of Costa del Sol remains a hidden gem despite its location in one of Spain’s most visited regions.

Metro’s Sophie-May Williams visited the ‘humble town’ last year. She noted that while 12 million international tourists flocked to the Andalusian region in 2023, only 253,376 (2%) stopped in Estepona. 

Visitors can wander through its picturesque streets, where whitewashed houses are adorned with colourful flowers, like the vibrant bougainvillaea that blankets the town.

The heart of Estepona is the Plaza de las Flores, a lively square surrounded by cafes where tourists flock for lunch. There are four main tapas bars in the square, and as Sophie says ‘it doesn’t matter which one you go to’.

For beach lovers, Estepona’s coastline offers miles of sandy shores, including the popular Playa de la Rada. Here, you can relax by the crystal clear waters or enjoy a drink at one of the many beach bars.

If you’re seeking something more adventurous, Estepona also has excellent hiking trails, including the scenic path to the nearby Sierra Bermeja mountains.

Naxos

Naxos is the largest and the greenest of the Cyclades Islands, but, unlike nearby Mykonos, it’s not overrun with tourists.

Peppered with white, cubic homes, ancient ruins and other historical landmarks, Naxos is a must-visit for history lovers.

Portara (or Temple Of Apollo) is one of the island’s top attractions, an enormous marble gate that construction began in the 6th century BC.

Though the temple was never finished, the doorway remains on the islet of Palatia more than 2,000 years later.

Metro‘s Martina Andretta fell in love with Naxos when she visited.

She said: ‘There’s a real ‘matter of fact’ feeling about this place, it doesn’t feel as staged as (in my opinion) Santorini felt.

‘There’s an amazing fruit, called citron, that’s grown in the region and used to make a liqueur served in cocktails and aperitifs. I think about it more than I should.’

Tavira

Affectionately known as ‘the Venice of the Algarve’ for its Italian-style plazas and meandering river, Tavira is one of the lesser-visited spots in Portugal.

It might have its own unique identity, but it’s also an excellent jumping-off point for exploring everything the Algarve has to offer – including white sandy beaches and historical landmarks dating back to the Medieval Age.

As Caroline Rowe, award-winning travel creator and founder of Pack the Suitcases previously told Metro, while Venice is synonymous with a ‘constant stream of tourists,’ Tavira is ‘much quieter and more laid back.’

‘It has its own charm, with classic Portuguese whitewashed buildings and bougainvillea-lined streets. It’s a beautiful town to wander around, popping into museums, galleries and churches before finding a cafe to sit outside and watch the world go by,’ she shared, reflecting on her recent month-long trip out there.

On a Saturday morning, she recommends visiting the market to sample delicious local produce, which you can then take for a picnic next to the River Gilão.

Culinary delights aside, there’s also Tavira Castle to explore, as well as the Santa Maria do Castelo Church and Praça da República, the town’s main square.

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