For anyone dreaming of a getaway to one of Europe's most popular cities, you might want to think twice before travelling to these locations: they could be super crowded with tourists! The Holidu portal has ranked the most crowded cities in Europe, inviting tourists to choose other times to visit them without missing out on their beauty.
Top 5 most popular European cities for tourists
Dubrovnik, Croatia - 36 tourists per inhabitant
It was to be expected: Dubrovnik is the most crowded city with tourists in Europe! In addition to having been a city of the Venetian Republic, whose architectural style it preserves (there is also an Italian name for the city, Ragusa), it is also known for its beautiful orange roofs and for its presence in the acclaimed Game of Thrones; Dubrovnik has as many as 36 tourists for every one of its inhabitants! Having a relatively small population, Dubrovnik sees an influx of tourists during the summer months, especially in July and August. The best advice is to visit in early May or from mid-September to mid-October to avoid the crowds. In September, although there are far fewer tourists, there are still some events that attract visitors from all over the world, such as the International Late Summer Music Festival.
Venice, Italy - 21 tourists per inhabitant
On the other side of the Adriatic, in second place is Venice with its narrow streets and bridges, it is quite understandable that it is very crowded! Venice has a complicated history with excessive tourism. The infrastructure has often been strained by tourists, especially day tourists, who usually disembark from cruise ships that stop for a few hours and offer no real economic benefit to the city. The city has even banned cruise ships from sailing in the historic centre of Venice in August 2021, and there is talk of the possibility of introducing an entrance fee to the city. The best time to visit is from September to November and the advice is to stay for at least two or three nights.
Bruges, Belgium - 21 tourists per inhabitant
In third place is Bruges and its wonderful medieval architecture. Bruges is a small city with a big reputation: it has 21 tourists per inhabitant and attracts crowds, especially from the end of May until most of the summer. Tourists flock to admire the beautiful architecture and picturesque canals. Moreover, being a UNESCO World Heritage Site, it is a city that must be visited. However, with 21 tourists per inhabitant, we recommend going there in spring and autumn to avoid the crowds, as it is still quite warm but you will not have to queue long (early May or September).
Rhodes, Greece - 21 tourists per inhabitant
Next on our list is Rhodes, Greece, the largest of the Dodecanese islands! Rhodes is known for its ancient ruins and beautiful seaside resorts, so it is easy to understand why it has as many as 21 tourists per inhabitant. With its medieval streets and palaces, Rhodes offers history and wonderful beaches in the same place. We strongly recommend visiting between April and May to avoid the high tourist season, crowds and high prices.
Reykjavik, Iceland - 16 tourists per inhabitant
With 16 tourists per inhabitant, Reykjavik ranks 5th in the ranking. Known for its picturesque nature and rugged landscapes, Iceland boasts breathtaking waterfalls, blue lagoons, extraordinary glaciers and active volcanoes. Reykjavik is known for its vibrant nightlife and music festivals. The high season for Iceland is during the summer months between June and August. This is the period when the climate is milder and there is more daylight. May and September are the ideal months for those seeking a quieter holiday as it is much less crowded during these periods.
The other cities in the top 10 most crowded with tourists
6. Florence, Italy - 13 tourists per inhabitant
7. Heraklion, Greece - 13 tourists per inhabitant
8. Amsterdam, Netherlands - 12 tourists per inhabitant
9. Dublin, Ireland - 11 tourists per inhabitant
10. Tallinn, Estonia - 10 tourists per inhabitant
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