Ah! Europe. The country of grand churches, historical museums, warm summers and PACKED tourist destinations. No, we’re not lying. A recent survey by The Thinking Traveller revealed a list of Europe’s 10 busiest and most popular destinations for travellers right now. Curious to know who topped the list? Let us tell you.
Europe’s 10 Busiest And Popular Tourist Destinations For 2023
Since tourism regained momentum post-COVID, Europe’s tourist destinations face a growing problem— overcrowding. The allure of famous landmarks and cultural treasures brings hordes of tourists, but the consequences of overcrowding are becoming impossible to ignore.
A luxury travel company, The Thinking Traveller, conducted a study on popular tourist attractions in Europe. They analyzed TripAdvisor reviews to find the locations mentioned most and least in terms of being ‘busy’ and ‘crowded’. This was as per reports by TimeOut.
Iconic castles, historic sites, and world-class museums dominate the top ten list of Europe’s most overcrowded tourist attractions. Edinburgh Castle in Scotland claimed the title of the continent’s most overcrowded destination.
Other locations on the list included Buckingham Palace, Venice’s Grand Canal, the Louvre in Paris, and the Acropolis in Athens. Surprisingly, even the stunning water park, Siam Park in Tenerife, found its place on the list.
Also Read: Heatwave In Europe; Acropolis In Greece Closes Again. Here’s What’s Happening There
10 Most Overcrowded Tourist Destinations In Europe
Here is the list of 10 popular but busiest tourist destinations in Europe you might want to plan accordingly for if you were planning to visit. This is as per the survey conducted using TripAdvisor reviews.
- Edinburgh Castle, Edinburgh
- Buckingham Palace, London
- Siam Park, Tenerife
- Canal Grande, Venice
- Roman Baths, Bath
- Tower of London, London
- Louvre Museum, Paris
- Acropolis, Athens
- The British Museum, London
- Musée d’Orsay, Paris
While these destinations continue to attract hordes of tourists, the consequences of overcrowding cannot be ignored. Historic landmarks and renowned sites become overwhelmed, leading to longer queues and a loss of enjoyment for visitors.
Over-tourism has serious effects on both the environment and local communities. The authenticity and charm of destinations can be diluted, as commercialisation takes preference. Local communities face challenges such as rising living costs, overcrowding, and loss of cultural identity.
It is crucial to address these effects and find sustainable solutions to ensure the preservation of these cherished destinations.
Also Read: London Tops The List Of 20 Best Cities In Europe For A Summer Picnic; Here Are 19 Others
Now that you know the destinations, the question stands, where are you jetting off to first? Let us know in the comments.
Cover image courtesy: Canva