10 Beautiful Places That Tourism Has Completely Ruined

To check off bucket-list destinations, travelers often flock to the world’s most iconic cities, drawn by their beauty and cultural richness. However, this surge of interest can sometimes lead to over-tourism, where the sheer volume of visitors overwhelms the local infrastructure, environment, and community, potentially tarnishing the very charm that attracted people in the first place.

In this guide, we’ll explore ten cities around the globe that are grappling with the effects of over-tourism. From the winding canals of Venice to the bustling streets of Barcelona, we delve into how these popular destinations manage the flood of tourists and what future travelers can do to help mitigate their impact. This isn’t just a cautionary tale—it’s a call to travel more responsibly and cherish these cities in ways that preserve their essence for generations to come.

Are you ready to take a closer look? Let’s discover the delicate balance between enjoying and preserving the world’s wonders.

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Quick & Easy Tips

Visit during shoulder seasons to avoid peak tourist crowds and enjoy a more relaxed pace with better access to local experiences.

Explore early in the morning or late in the evening—many cities see their worst crowding mid-day, so try sunrise or twilight visits to major landmarks.

Stay outside the tourist core and commute in. Not only will you save money, but you’ll experience more of the real city and support local neighborhoods.

Support small businesses instead of chains or tourist-geared spots. Eat at family-run restaurants, buy from local artisans, and choose boutique lodgings.

Practice ethical tourism: respect local customs, avoid exploitative attractions, and be mindful of your environmental footprint—especially in overburdened cities.

While tourism brings economic benefits, it’s also a double-edged sword. Cities like Venice, Barcelona, and Dubrovnik have become cautionary tales where uncontrolled tourism has pushed out locals, spiked housing costs, and transformed historic neighborhoods into theme parks. Many travelers romanticize these cities without realizing the impact of short-term rentals, cruise ships, and social media-fueled overexposure. The very presence of tourists can degrade the charm that originally drew people there.

There’s also a deeper issue: entitlement. Some visitors treat global cities as their playground, ignoring rules, disrespecting cultural sites, and contributing to noise and waste. Locals are increasingly frustrated—not with tourism itself, but with how it’s managed and how little respect is shown. This has led to growing resentment, protest movements, and even regulations restricting visitors.

It’s not that these places aren’t still beautiful—they are. But beauty alone doesn’t justify contributing to their decline. A shift in mindset is needed: travel not as a consumer, but as a guest.

10 Cities Ruined by Tourism

1. Venice, Italy

The Impact of Over-Tourism:

Venice, often dubbed “The Floating City,” is perhaps one of the most striking examples of a destination struggling under the weight of its own popularity. Millions of tourists flood its narrow alleyways and ancient bridges each year, vastly outnumbering the city’s dwindling resident population. Mass tourism has led to significant environmental degradation, erosion of local culture, and soaring living costs that push long-time Venetians to more livable areas.

What’s Happening:

• Environmental Strain: The heavy traffic of waterbuses, gondolas, and cruise ships contributes to the erosion of building foundations and pollution in the canals, threatening the architectural integrity of this UNESCO World Heritage site.
• Cultural Dilution: As local shops and amenities are replaced by souvenir stands and fast-food outlets catering to tourists, the authentic Venetian way of life is increasingly obscured.
• Residential Exodus: The influx of visitors has driven up property prices and living costs, making it difficult for local residents to afford housing in the city, resulting in a significant decrease in the permanent population.

How to Help:

• Visit Off-Peak: Consider traveling during the off-season to help distribute tourist numbers more evenly throughout the year.
• Stay Local: Choose accommodations and eateries owned and operated by residents to help keep your money within the local economy.
• Respect the City: Treat Venice with the same respect you would your own home. Be mindful of the environment, follow local guidelines, and support preservation efforts.

By visiting Venice thoughtfully, travelers can enjoy its timeless beauty while helping to ensure it remains vibrant and sustainable for future generations.

2. Barcelona, Spain

The Impact of Over-Tourism: Barcelona is a vibrant city known for its stunning architecture, lively beaches, and bustling nightlife. However, its popularity has also brought challenges. The city sees millions of tourists yearly, which has started to strain local life and infrastructure.

What’s Happening:

• Crowded Attractions: Places like La Rambla and Sagrada Familia are often packed, which can make visiting less enjoyable and strain local resources.
• Housing Issues: The demand for short-term vacation rentals has driven up rent, making it harder for locals to find affordable housing.
• Overloaded Public Spaces: Parks, beaches, and public transport can become extremely crowded, affecting residents’ quality of life.

Visiting Barcelona more relaxed and sustainably can help mitigate these issues while still allowing travelers to enjoy the city’s incredible offerings.

3. Dubrovnik, Croatia

The Impact of Over-Tourism: Dubrovnik, known for its stunning medieval walls and picturesque coastline, has become increasingly popular, especially after serving as a backdrop for famous TV shows and movies. This surge in visitors, however, is taking a toll on the city’s charm and sustainability.

What’s Happening:

• Cultural Sites at Risk: The UNESCO World Heritage site, particularly the Old Town, is under constant pressure from the influx of tourists, risking damage to its historic structures.
• Local Discomfort: The small size of Dubrovnik exacerbates the feeling of overcrowding, making daily life challenging for its residents during peak tourist seasons.
• Environmental Concerns: Increased cruise ships and tourists contribute to pollution and waste problems, threatening the local environment and the city’s beautiful marine surroundings.

Dubrovnik’s struggle with over-tourism highlights the need for careful management and responsible travel to preserve its unique heritage and natural beauty for the future.

4. Amsterdam, Netherlands

The Impact of Over-Tourism: Amsterdam, with its iconic canals and rich history, draws millions of tourists annually. While the city benefits economically, the sheer volume of visitors has started to strain local life, impacting the tranquility and accessibility of the city.

What’s Happening:

• Congested Streets: The narrow streets and canal paths get extremely crowded, complicating transportation and daily activities for residents.
• Pressure on Housing: The rise in short-term vacation rentals has escalated housing prices and rent, pushing locals out of the central areas.
• Cultural Shift: The influx of tourists often looking for party experiences has increased noise and disturbances, affecting the quality of life for inhabitants and altering the city’s cultural landscape.

Amsterdam’s over-tourism experience is a cautionary tale of how global appeal can lead to local challenges, emphasizing the need for balance between welcoming visitors and preserving the city’s character.

5. Santorini, Greece

The Impact of Over-Tourism: Santorini’s breathtaking views and iconic blue-domed churches have made it a victim of its own fame. The small island struggles to accommodate the millions of tourists that visit each year, leading to significant challenges.

What’s Happening:

• Environmental Strain: The heavy foot traffic and influx of tourists are damaging the island’s infrastructure and natural resources, including water supply and waste management.
• Overcrowded Landmarks: Key viewing spots and streets in towns like Oia are often overcrowded, particularly at sunset, diminishing the experience for visitors and residents alike.
• Economic Imbalance: While tourism drives the economy, it also creates a dependency that can be precarious, with local businesses heavily reliant on seasonal visitor spending.

Santorini’s case illustrates the delicate balance islands must maintain to protect their environment and quality of life while benefiting from tourist income.

6. Kyoto, Japan

The Impact of Over-Tourism: Kyoto, famous for its serene temples, traditional teahouses, and beautiful gardens, faces challenges as the number of visitors continues to rise. The city’s historical and cultural sites, particularly during cherry blossom season, are experiencing the negative impacts of excessive tourism.

What’s Happening:

• Cultural Sites Overwhelmed: Iconic locations like Fushimi Inari Shrine and Arashiyama Bamboo Forest are often so crowded that it becomes difficult to move, let alone appreciate the tranquility these sites are known for.
• Local Disruption: The influx of tourists can disrupt local ceremonies and daily routines, altering the authentic cultural atmosphere and making it hard for traditions to continue unimpeded.
• Wear and Tear on Historic Sites: The large numbers of visitors contribute to the physical wear and tear on ancient temples and shrines, many of which were not built to accommodate such heavy foot traffic.

Kyoto’s struggle with over-tourism is a call to preserve its profound cultural heritage and historical integrity while still welcoming those who wish to appreciate its beauty.

7. Machu Picchu, Peru

The Impact of Over-Tourism: Machu Picchu, one of the world’s most famous ancient ruins, is feeling the pressure from the influx of tourists each year. This sacred site, perched high in the Andes, is experiencing environmental degradation and wear on its historic structures.

What’s Happening:

• Structural Stress: The constant flow of visitors walking the same paths every day is causing erosion and damage to the ancient stonework, which could lead to irreversible changes.
• Environmental Concerns: The large numbers of tourists contribute to pollution and litter in the area, which is challenging to manage given the remote location and the site’s significance.
• Cultural Dilution: As the site becomes more commercialized to cater to tourists, there is a concern that the cultural and historical significance of Machu Picchu may be diluted.

Machu Picchu’s situation highlights the urgent need for sustainable tourism practices that protect and respect this UNESCO World Heritage site while allowing people to continue marveling at this ancient wonder.

8. Bali, Indonesia

The Impact of Over-Tourism: Bali, known for its stunning beaches, vibrant culture, and spiritual heritage, has faced challenges from the dramatic increase in tourism over the past decades. The island’s natural beauty and local lifestyle are under pressure as it struggles to cope with the influx of visitors.

What’s Happening:

• Environmental Degradation: The increased tourist population has led to problems with waste management, water shortages, and pollution, particularly in popular areas like Kuta and Seminyak.
• Cultural Shifts: As more tourists flood the island, traditional ways of life are being overshadowed by commercial ventures catering to visitor demands, from souvenir shops to Western-style bars and restaurants.
• Infrastructure Strain: Bali’s roads, public services, and natural sites are struggling to accommodate the ever-growing number of visitors, leading to traffic congestion and a strain on resources.

Bali’s situation emphasizes the need for careful management and responsible tourism to ensure that the island can sustain its natural and cultural charm for future generations.

9. Reykjavik, Iceland

The Impact of Over-Tourism: Reykjavik, the gateway to Iceland’s stunning natural wonders, has seen an explosion in tourism in recent years. The city and its surrounding landscapes grapple with the environmental and social impacts of rapidly increasing visitor numbers.

What’s Happening:

• Environmental Pressure: The influx of tourists is putting pressure on Iceland’s fragile ecosystems, particularly in areas like the Golden Circle, where foot traffic contributes to soil erosion and habitat disturbance.
• Cultural Impact: The small size of Reykjavik and its limited infrastructure are strained by the seasonal peaks in tourism, which can overshadow local life and disrupt community activities.
• Resource Overload: Iceland’s unique geothermal and natural resources are under strain, with increased demands on hot springs and public sites. This could potentially lead to degradation and restricted access.

The popularity of Reykjavik as a tourist destination highlights the need for sustainable travel practices that preserve the city’s vibrant culture and pristine natural environments.

10. Rome, Italy

The Impact of Over-Tourism: Rome, known as the Eternal City, is a history and culture treasure trove. However, its popularity as a tourist destination has led to significant challenges as the city contends with millions of visitors each year crowding its historic sites.

What’s Happening:

• Crowded Landmarks: Iconic sites like the Colosseum, Vatican City, and the Spanish Steps are often overwhelmed by tourists, which can detract from the visitor experience and stress preservation efforts.
• Urban Wear and Tear: The high volume of tourists contributes to wear and tear on the city’s infrastructure, including its ancient roads and buildings.
• Local Quality of Life: The influx of visitors affects the daily lives of local residents, with crowded public transportation and congested streets making it difficult for locals to navigate their own city.

Rome’s case illustrates the delicate balance needed to manage its role as a global cultural capital while ensuring it remains a livable city for its residents.

How to Help: Sustainable Tourism Practices

Visiting these cities responsibly is crucial to mitigating the impacts of over-tourism. Here are some ways you can help:

1. Travel Off-Peak: Consider visiting during shoulder seasons or off-peak times to help spread tourist numbers more evenly throughout the year.
2. Stay Longer, Visit Less: Instead of trying to hit multiple hotspots quickly, choose fewer places and stay longer to reduce transit impacts and deepen your experience.
3. Support Local Businesses: Eat at local restaurants, shop from local artisans, and stay in locally-owned accommodations to ensure your money benefits the community directly.
4. Respect Local Customs and Sites: Be mindful of local customs and cultural significance. Follow guidelines, dispose of waste properly, and keep noise minimal.
5. Choose Alternative Destinations: Explore lesser-known sites to alleviate pressure on popular attractions. These alternatives are often as enriching but less frequented.
6. Educate Yourself and Others: Learn about the impact of tourism in the places you visit, and educate others to promote responsible travel behaviors.

By adopting these practices, travelers can enjoy memorable experiences while contributing positively to the sustainability and preservation of these magnificent cities.

Final Thoughts

Tourism has the power to uplift or overwhelm. The cities listed in the article remain breathtaking, but many are shadows of their former selves—victims of their own popularity. That doesn’t mean you shouldn’t visit, but it does mean you should do so responsibly, with awareness of your impact.

There’s no shame in wanting to see iconic destinations, but you’ll gain far more by exploring them mindfully and seeking out less-traveled corners of the world. Often, the most meaningful travel happens away from the crowds, in the moments of quiet discovery.

In the end, travel should leave a place better—or at least no worse—than you found it. The future of the world’s most beautiful cities depends on how we choose to experience them today.