While summer might still seem a bit far away, those who’ve been traveling for a while know that now is actually the best time to book flights and hotels, not only to take advantage of those off-season deals but also to find something good before everything sells out – the stress of scrambling to find someplace to stay a week before your actual vacation could ruin the whole experience.
Extra planning is needed for those who are thinking about going to Europe, where the allure of Mediterranean beaches and fairytale-like cities becomes even stronger as temperatures rise.
The one downside to going somewhere wildly beautiful and popular, though, is that everyone else is going there too, a phenomenon that comes along with suffocating crowds, overinflated prices, littered streets, and an overall inauthentic experience.
That’s why those looking to finally get their dream European summer this 2024 need to avoid these 4 gorgeous cities at all costs:
Paris
Hailed as the “City of Love,” Paris has always been the poster child of the ultimate European city break.
Extra planning is needed for those who are thinking about going to Europe, where the allure of Mediterranean beaches and fairytale-like cities becomes even stronger as temperatures rise.
Lately, though, the French capital has started to feel the consequences of over-tourism, which is why the city has recently made an extra effort to deter masses of travelers from flocking to it this spring and summer – the tourist tax has been increased by a whopping 200%.
While I’m not one of those people who believe that Paris isn’t worth a visit at all – there’s a lot to appreciate in the city beyond the tourist traps – I still think that if you’re planning on visiting the French capital, you should choose anytime but this summer.
Paris is set to host the 2024 Olympics from July 26 to Aug. 11, and that’s exactly when you can expect the crowds to be at their worst, so unless you’re an avid sports fan eager to see your favorite athlete live, you’ll want to avoid visiting the city altogether during this period.
Venice
Venice might be one of the saddest cases of over-tourism ruining one of the world’s dreamiest destinations.
Despite the city’s efforts to keep tourism numbers controlled (e.g., banning large cruise ships, introducing new taxes, restricting the number of short-term rental properties, and setting regulations on group tours), there’s still a wildly disproportionate number of visitors planning to enter its limits this 2024.
This means that you can still expect the negative experiences we’ve warned you about before, including unbearable crowds, pickpocketing, ridiculous prices, unwelcoming glances from locals, and littered attractions that’ll not only ruin your pictures but also break your heart.
Athens
With Greece’s meteoric rise to popularity and Athens, in particular, breaking its all-time tourism record, it’s safe to say that there have never been as many people flocking to the capital as right now.
While there’s still a lot to love about the city (and I think Athens is one of those cities that needs to be visited at least once in a lifetime), this summer is simply not the right time to make that happen.
Not only will you find yourself dealing with unbearable crowds of tourists obstructing your every view, but you’ll also realize that going somewhere with temperatures that regularly exceed 32°C (90°F) and with no nearby body of water to cool off can get old pretty quick.
Amsterdam
Next up is yet another stunning European capital – and one of my personal favorites – Amsterdam.
But while I, as well as many other travelers, have fallen in love with the city’s picturesque canals, historic architecture, and buzzing cultural scene, summer is the worst time to explore what is usually one of Europe’s crown jewels.
Once the temperatures rise, Amsterdam turns into an overcrowded party hub where prices soar to record-high levels.
This 2024 season, in particular, you’ll be expected to pay 12.5% of your accommodation cost as a tourist tax, a percentage that’s unheard of in the rest of Europe and that applies to every single type of lodging alternative, from high-end hotels to campgrounds.
Cruise ships passengers will also be seeing increased fees this summer, while those planning to explore Amsterdam on a large tour bus (that weighs more than 7.5 tons) might not be able to enter the city limits at all.
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