Avoiding Overtourism: Where To Go Instead

There’s a reason why certain travel destinations are visited over and over again: They’re iconic. Places like Rome, Paris and Venice have been popular for decades for a variety of reasons, but therein lies the problem.

Popularity can often lead to overtourism, making a destination not just crowded, but at risk of the side effects that come with it. Degradation of the environment, strained infrastructure and lower quality of life for residents are all demonstrated results of overtourism in popular travel destinations around the world — some of which have even been added to Fodor’s “No List” of 2026.

If you’re planning a vacation but want to skip the crowds and avoid overtourism, consider these alternatives to popular tourist destinations.

If You Want to Go Here, Try There

When you’re looking into sustainable travel destinations, it’s important to consider what it is you’re trying to replicate, said Josh Rosenblatt, digital travel advisor and member of AAA Northeast’s Environmental Collaborative Council.

“Is it a certain interest, such as architecture, culture or food? Is it the vibe or atmosphere of the destination? Is it the kinds of activities you can do while there? Once you figure out what appeals to you about the more popular locale, you can figure out how to replicate that experience,” said Rosenblatt.

With that in mind, let’s start exploring some travel destination dupes.

Cotswolds ➡️ Rutland, UK

England’s smallest county may give the famous Cotswolds region of England a run for its money. Rutland, in the East Midlands, has all the same honey-colored stone buildings and countryside charm of the Cotswolds, but without the crowds (or the hefty price tag), making it an ideal quiet place to travel.

Dubrovnik ➡️ Rovinj, Croatia

Dubrovnik has been extra popular in recent years, potentially due to shows like “Game of Thrones” featuring the city. But if you’re not into coursing through winding streets shoulder-to-shoulder with other tourists, consider planning a trip to Rovinj for a hidden gem vacation instead.

There you can enjoy similar cobblestone streets, Imperial-style architecture and culture to Dubrovnik, in addition to clear water beaches and views of the Dalmatian coast.

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Florence, Italy ➡️ Krakow, Poland

In recent years, the city of Florence has been making moves to combat overtourism, from banning key boxes used for rental self-check-in to enacting sustainable travel campaigns. Meaningful change will take time, so if you were looking into visiting Florence, you may want to consider Krakow, Poland instead.

“Krakow has a similarly well-preserved old town [as Florence], and served as the base for its own Renaissance,” said Rosenblatt. “It also features one of the largest town squares in Europe.”

Santorini ➡️ Peloponnese Peninsula, Greece

You’ve probably never heard of the Peloponnese Peninsula. Not many have, and that’s why it’s our pick for an uncrowded vacation spot compared to overrun Santorini.

Just an hour west of Athens, the Peloponnese Peninsula has everything you’d want in a Greek island: a slow pace, outstanding local restaurants, stunningly blue water, ancient history and more.

Venice, Italy ➡️ Slovenia

Overtourism in Venice isn’t its only problem; Italy’s “sinking city” is also dealing with rising waters and the effects of climate change. Because of this, it may be best to look elsewhere for your next vacation spot.

Try Slovenia on for size. With a river running through its capital city of Ljubljana, the similarities to Venice are almost instant. Paired with a rich history, stunning scenery and delicious cuisine, it will more than sufficiently fill the Venice gap — and stand on its own as a worthwhile destination.

If your heart is still set on a specific place and a replacement destination won’t do, you can visit responsibly by opting for going in its off-season. “Overtourism isn’t just about where you go, but when you go,” Rosenblatt said. “Traveling to popular destinations in their off-season (October-April for Europe, for example) is a great way to ease some of the burden on infrastructure and allows you to see the biggest sites with fewer crowds.”

You’ve Read About it — Now Experience It

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Sarah Vincelette

Based in Rhode Island, Sarah has been a copywriter and content producer with AAA Northeast since 2021. When she’s not scouring the best spots for all things food and drink or whipping up her own versions of tasty meals, you can often find her in the garden, planning her next trip or sipping on (another) hot coffee.