Athens, Greece
Tourists gather near the Parthenon. It’s part of the ruins of the Acropolis, an ancient fortress. The number of visitors here is now limited to 20,000 a day.

Angelos Tzortzinis/picture alliance via Getty Images (Parthenon)

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Too Many Tourists

Big crowds are putting some of the world’s most important sites in danger. Can anything be done before it’s too late?

May 2025

by Lisa Herrington and Kim Tranell

Jim McMahon/Mapman ®

Imagine you’ve won the trip of a lifetime. This summer, you’re going to Europe!

In Athens, Greece, you’ll explore the Acropolis. That’s the ancient ruins of a magnificent fortress.

In Paris, France, you’ll see the Mona Lisa. It’s perhaps the world’s most famous painting.

And in Rome, Italy, you’ll toss a coin into the Trevi Fountain. It’s a tradition people have been taking part in for hundreds of years.

There’s just one problem: It’s getting harder and harder to see many of these treasured sites.

Crowds pack in elbow to elbow at the Acropolis. Tens of thousands of people line up to see the Mona Lisa. Masses of tourists try to get selfies near the Trevi Fountain. And that’s just in one day!

In 2024, the number of visitors to Europe reached an all-time high. Nearly 100 million tourists arrived in August alone.

Will your trip be ruined by overtourism?

Imagine this: You’ve won a trip. You’re going to Europe!

You’ll visit Athens, Greece. You’ll see the Acropolis. It’s the ancient ruins of a fortress.

You’ll go to Paris, France. You’ll see the Mona Lisa. It’s perhaps the world’s most famous painting.

In Rome, Italy, you’ll toss a coin into the Trevi Fountain. It’s a tradition. People have been doing it for hundreds of years.

There’s just one problem. It’s getting harder and harder to visit these sites.

Crowds of people fill the Acropolis. Thousands line up to see the Mona Lisa. Masses of tourists go to the Trevi Fountain to take selfies. And that’s just in one day!

In 2024, Europe had a record-breaking number of visitors. In just August, nearly 100 million tourists arrived.

Will your trip be ruined by overtourism?

Imagine you’ve won the trip of a lifetime—you’re going to Europe this summer!

In Athens, Greece, you’ll explore the Acropolis: the ancient ruins of a magnificent fortress.

In Paris, France, you’ll view the Mona Lisa, perhaps the world’s most famous painting.

And in Rome, Italy, you’ll toss a coin into the Trevi Fountain, following a tradition people have been taking part in for centuries.

There’s just one problem: It’s getting harder and harder to visit many of these treasured sites.

Crowds pack in elbow to elbow at the Acropolis, tens of thousands of people line up to see the Mona Lisa, and masses of tourists try to get selfies near the Trevi Fountain. And that’s just in one day!

In 2024, the number of visitors to Europe reached an all-time high. Nearly 100 million tourists arrived in August alone.

Will your trip be ruined by overtourism?

PAUSE AND THINK: Why are popular tourist sites getting harder to visit?

Places At Risk

Overtourism happens when too many people go to one place at once, causing damage. And historical sites around the world are at risk. Fragile ruins can wear away when too many people walk on them. Landmarks are hurt by trash and traffic that tourists bring with them.

But it isn’t just places that suffer from overtourism. It’s people too. Just ask the 1.7 million residents of Barcelona, Spain. More than 15 million visitors come to their city each year. The tourists crowd streets. They make noise. They leave behind dirty beaches.

And many tourists stay at apartments that have been turned into vacation rentals. Residents say this limits the housing available for them—and drives prices up.

Overtourism happens when too many people go to the same place at the same time. This causes damage. Historical sites around the world are at risk. People walk on ruins. The ruins can wear away. Tourists bring traffic. They leave trash behind. This can hurt landmarks.

Overtourism is hard on people too. Just ask the 1.7 million residents of Barcelona, Spain. More than 15 million tourists visit this city each year. They crowd streets. They make noise. They leave behind dirty beaches.

Often, tourists stay in vacation rentals. These rentals used to be apartments. Residents say this limits places they can live. It also drives prices up.

Overtourism happens when too many people go to one location within the same time period, causing damage. And historical sites around the world are at risk. Fragile ruins can wear away when too many people walk on them, and landmarks are harmed by trash and traffic that tourists bring with them.

But it isn’t just places that suffer from overtourism. The local people suffer as well. Just ask the 1.7 million residents of Barcelona, Spain. More than 15 million visitors come to their city each year. The tourists crowd streets, make noise, and leave behind dirty beaches.

In addition, many tourists stay at apartments that have been turned into vacation rentals. Residents say this limits the housing available for them—and drives prices up.

PAUSE AND THINK: What are some problems caused by too much tourism?

Enough Is Enough

So this past July, Barcelona residents took to the streets. They were fed up. As they marched, they held up signs. Among their messages were “Enough is enough” and “Tourists go home.”

Still, the solution to overtourism isn’t as easy as getting rid of tourists. After all, tourism can also be good for a city or town. Visitors stay in local hotels. They eat at local restaurants. They shop at local stores. The money these tourists spend helps the local economy.

Plus, traveling and visiting historical sites is important. It helps us understand and respect other cultures. This makes us better citizens of our world.

So this past July, Barcelona residents took to the streets. They were fed up. They marched. They held up signs. Some said, “Enough is enough” and “Tourists go home.”

But getting rid of tourists isn’t the solution to overtourism. Tourism can be good for a city or town. Visitors stay in hotels. They eat at restaurants. They shop at stores. The money they spend helps the local economy.

Plus, traveling and visiting historical sites is important. It helps us understand and respect other cultures. This makes us better citizens of our world.

So this past July, Barcelona residents took to the streets. Fed up, they marched while holding up signs with messages like “Enough is enough” and “Tourists go home.”

Still, the solution to overtourism isn’t as simple as getting rid of tourists. After all, tourism can also be good for a city or town. Visitors stay in local hotels, eat at local restaurants, and shop at local stores. The money these tourists spend helps the local economy.

Plus, traveling and visiting historical sites is important. It helps us understand and respect other cultures, making us better citizens of our world.

PAUSE AND THINK: What are some positive effects of tourism?

Creative Fixes

That’s why popular places are looking for creative ways to deal with overtourism. One potential solution involves limiting visitors. In September of 2023, the Acropolis began allowing only 20,000 visitors a day. Tourists must also buy timed tickets. This helps even out crowds across the day.

In other places, local officials are charging extra fees. Venice, Italy, is one example. Its beautiful canals draw about 30 million people each year (including day-trippers). Now some visitors must pay to enter the city on its busiest days.

Still other places are trying to use ads to send tourists to less popular sites. For example, think about your big trip to Europe. Will you be visiting the Eiffel Tower in Paris? Why not try the Chantilly Castle outside the city instead? Officials in France would like you to consider it.

But no matter what you decide, be a good tourist. Don’t litter. Support local businesses. Respect rules. Treat historical sites with care.

These special places deserve to be around for hundreds—maybe even thousands—more years.

That’s why popular places are looking for other ways to deal with overtourism. Limiting visitors is one potential solution. In September 2023, the Acropolis began limiting visitors to 20,000 a day. Tourists must buy timed tickets too. This helps even out crowds across the day.

Other places are charging extra fees. Venice, Italy, is doing this. It has beautiful canals. They attract about 30 million people a year. (Some are day-trippers.) Now, on busy days, some visitors must pay to enter the city.

Other places use ads. They tell tourists about less popular sites. In Paris, will you visit the Eiffel Tower? Why not go to the Chantilly Castle instead? Officials in France would like you to consider it.

But wherever you go, be a good tourist. Don’t litter. Support local businesses. Respect rules. Treat historical sites with care.

These special places deserve to be around for a long time.

That’s why popular places are seeking creative ways to deal with overtourism. One potential solution involves limiting visitors. In September 2023, the Acropolis began limiting the number of visitors to 20,000 a day. Tourists must also buy timed tickets, which helps even out crowds throughout the day.

Still other places are trying to use ads to encourage tourists to spend their time at less popular sites. For example, think about your big trip to Europe. Will you be visiting the Eiffel Tower in Paris? Why not try the Chantilly Castle outside the city instead? Officials in France would like you to consider it.

No matter what you decide, be a good tourist. Don’t litter. Support local businesses. Respect rules. Treat historical sites with care.

These special places deserve to be around for hundreds—maybe even thousands—more years.