ROME, Italy — A dream photo at the Trevi Fountain or a leisurely climb up to the Acropolis is starting to feel more like a contact sport than a cultural rite of passage. Rome, Italy’s Eternal City, and Athens, the cradle of Western civilization, are just two of several European icons now buckling under record visitor numbers, triggering crowd-control rules, heated street protests, and a growing backlash against what locals are calling “overtourism.”
Sweltering streets and selfie gridlock
In Rome, lines at the Colosseum now snake well beyond the official perimeter, while the narrow lanes around Piazza di Spagna can stall to a complete standstill. One visitor summed up the experience on social media, saying it felt like being “part of one big sweaty herd,” the traveler wrote on TikTok. A similar scene is unfolding in Athens, where a viral smartphone video shows a queue stretching hundreds of feet toward the Parthenon. “This was painful,” the user posted on Instagram, as they inched forward under the Aegean sun. Florence, whose historic center is contained within medieval walls, is also bursting at the seams. A clip circulating on X, formerly Twitter, zooms in on the crowds outside the Galleria dell’Accademia, home to Michelangelo’s “David.” The caption reads, “I don’t blame the locals for protesting.” Each of these cities already limits ticket sales to marquee attractions, yet their cobblestoned public spaces remain up for grabs — and that is where the crush is most visible.
The pushback: from street bans to saturation laws
With little relief in sight, Italian and Greek municipalities have begun experimenting with hard rules:
- Portofino, Liguria — Under an ordinance signed by Mayor Matteo Viacava, anyone walking barefoot, wearing only swimwear, or picnicking in town between July 15 and Sept. 30 risks fines of £22 to £433. Street drinking is also forbidden, and loitering at popular sea-view lookouts is policed by municipal wardens. The goal is to preserve “peace and quiet” for a permanent population of just 400, which hosts up to 100,000 guests in peak season.
- Santorini, Greece — Local leaders have floated a “saturation law” that would cap daily arrivals, on top of an existing tourist tax and new parking limits for rental cars.
- Balearic Islands, Spain — After influencer-driven posts turned sleepy coves into viral magnets, the regional government stopped paying social-media stars to promote hot spots. “It has had the complete opposite effect,” a spokesman said in a prepared statement, noting last month’s protest march of more than 30,000 residents across Palma de Mallorca and Ibiza.
Why the crowds keep coming
The surge is a by-product of pandemic catch-up travel and a euro that remains relatively weak against the U.S. dollar, encouraging Americans to splurge on European itineraries. Airlines have added capacity, cruise ships are docking closer to historic cores, and short-term rentals allow travelers to stay within UNESCO-listed districts that were once the exclusive domain of locals. Meanwhile, social platforms reward geotagged content from recognizable landmarks, inspiring even more visitors to replicate the same selfie. Tourism boards have historically leaned on that free marketing, but many now admit it is time to pivot. “Your vacations, our anxiety,” read a cardboard sign hoisted by protesters near Plaza de España at 6 p.m. on June 15 — as diners looked on in disbelief, video footage shows.
What this means for your trip
For travelers still determined to tick the classics off their bucket lists, advance planning is no longer optional. Here’s how to outsmart the crowds without sacrificing the highlights.
1. Go off-peak — seriously
Shoulder season in Rome used to start in late October; this year, Jetsetter Guide guides suggest mid-November. In Athens, December typically experiences relatively mild weather and significantly shorter lines. If you must travel in July or August, target dawn or late evening entries when possible.
2. Reserve, reserve, reserve
Timed tickets for the Acropolis Museum, Uffizi Galleries, and Vatican Museums can open 60 to 90 days out and sell out within hours. Book first, plan flights later.
3. Sleep outside the old town
In Florence, staying across the Arno River in the Oltrarno district cuts pedestrian congestion in half and offers quicker access to the train station for day trips to Pisa or Lucca. Roman suburbs such as Testaccio and Pigneto provide authentic trattoria culture while keeping you one metro ride from the Forum.
4. Adopt a code of conduct
Local regulations in Portofino may sound strict, yet they mirror frustrations voiced across Europe: respect residential zones, cover up beachwear in town, and keep alcohol to licensed venues. Rome already bans sitting on the Spanish Steps; Venice fines for picnicking on bridges. Ignorance rarely waives penalties.
5. Consider crowd-free alternatives
- Instead of Florence’s Duomo, marvel at Siena’s black-and-white cathedral, which rivals Brunelleschi’s dome and sees a fraction of the traffic.
- Swap Santorini’s Oia sunset for Syros, a Cycladic island with neoclassical mansions and direct ferry links from Piraeus.
- Exchange Portofino’s harbor for Camogli, only a 15-minute train ride away but blessedly less Instagrammed.
Questions on Overtourism in Europe
Are fines really enforced?
Yes. In Portofino last summer, local police issued on-the-spot penalties to travelers lingering at panoramic viewpoints during restricted hours.
Will cruise ships be limited?
Venice already diverts large vessels to the industrial port of Marghera. Greek authorities are studying similar caps for Mykonos and Santorini.
How can I support local communities?
Book licensed guides, dine at family-run eateries, and choose accommodations that pay city taxes. Avoid illegal short-term rentals, as they exacerbate the housing shortage.
Europe’s marquee cities are not closing their doors, but they are raising the bar on visitor behavior and crowd management. The savvy response is to plan meticulously, travel responsibly, and perhaps pivot to lesser-known gems. Do so, and you will not only dodge the queues; you may also help preserve the very magic you came to experience. — as protesters chanted during last month’s march in Palma de Mallorca.
