Florence, Catalonia, Venice, Santorini, Amsterdam And More Pioneering Europe’s Anti-Tourism Agenda, Setting The Stage For 2025 With Dramatic Restrictions On Visitors And Mass Tourism

Published on November 20, 2025

Florence, Catalonia, Venice, Santorini, Amsterdam, and more are leading Europe’s groundbreaking anti-tourism movement, reshaping travel in 2025 with restrictive new policies aimed at combating overtourism. As iconic cities struggle with overcrowding, rising property prices, and environmental degradation, local authorities are taking bold steps to preserve cultural heritage and ensure sustainable tourism. From Florence’s outdoor dining ban to Venice’s controversial entry fees, these measures reflect a coordinated effort to manage the overwhelming number of visitors and protect the integrity of these cherished destinations for future generations.

Europe, one of the most popular tourist destinations in the world, is experiencing a dramatic shift. Cities and regions across the continent are rolling out unprecedented measures aimed at curbing overtourism, reshaping the way visitors experience these iconic locations. From Florence’s outdoor dining ban to Venice’s controversial entry fees and Santorini’s restrictions on cruise ships, these sweeping changes are set to redefine European tourism in 2025 and beyond.

This growing anti-tourism movement, which is sweeping across Europe, is not simply about restricting visitors for the sake of it. It’s a calculated response to the negative impacts of mass tourism on local communities, housing, and infrastructure. As some of Europe’s most beloved destinations battle overcrowding, rising property prices, and environmental strain, local governments are making bold decisions to protect their cultural heritage, maintain the quality of life for residents, and ensure that tourism can be sustained without overwhelming the very destinations that attract millions of travelers each year.

Let’s take a closer look at how Florence, Catalonia, Venice, Santorini, Amsterdam, and other key European locations are leading this new era of responsible, and at times restricted, tourism.

Florence Bans Outdoor Dining on Iconic Streets: A Revolutionary Move to Combat Overtourism

Florence, Italy—home to world-renowned art, history, and culinary traditions—has made a historic decision to ban outdoor dining in 50 of its most iconic streets. Starting in 2026, outdoor dining structures (known as dehors) will be banned in the UNESCO-protected historic city center, covering well-known areas such as Ponte Vecchio, Piazzale degli Uffizi, Via Roma, and Via Maggio.

The move comes after extensive consultations with residents who voiced concerns about overcrowding and the chaos caused by outdoor seating. Local citizens complained that their streets had become more like obstacle courses, with tables, menus, and fences blocking the flow of foot traffic. While restaurant owners are understandably upset by this decision—arguing that outdoor seating is a vital part of their business—many locals feel it’s a necessary step to reclaim the streets for the people who actually live there.

Although the ban will affect 50 streets, outdoor seating will still be allowed on 73 other streets, but with strict regulations. These regulations include prohibitions on plastic materials, bright-colored lighting, and branded decor, alongside limits on the type of seating structures allowed. For many, this is seen as a first step towards preserving the city’s charm, but there is a growing call for even more action to curb the impact of tourism on Florence’s historical identity.

Catalonia Takes Bold Steps to Regulate Tourism in Barcelona and Beyond

Catalonia, a region in northeastern Spain, has become the epicenter of Europe’s anti-tourism movement. In the first five months of 2024, Spain welcomed over 30 million international visitors, a staggering increase from previous years. However, the region has seen significant pushback from both residents and local authorities over the negative impacts of mass tourism.

In Barcelona, the government has proposed a new tourist tax that would double the existing fee to €15 per night, placing an even heavier burden on travelers. In addition, the city has introduced measures to limit the number of visitors to specific locations. One such move saw the removal of bus route 116 from maps, effectively reducing the number of visitors to the famous Antoni Gaudí-designed Parc Güell.

The city of Malaga, in southern Spain, has taken even more drastic steps. The Andalusian city has banned new rental properties in 43 neighborhoods where short-term rentals have exceeded eight percent of the residential stock. The ban, which went into effect in January 2025, will be trialed for three years. In a move designed to discourage excessive tourism, the city also introduced fines for those walking through the city center in swimming costumes or without tops. These measures aim to preserve the city’s local character while reducing the disruptive effects of uncontrolled tourism.

Venice Expands Its Entry Fee System: A Response to Overcrowding

Venice, Italy, long suffering from the weight of overwhelming tourist numbers, is expanding its entry fee system in 2025. The famous Venetian lagoon city has been implementing a controversial day-tripper tax, and after a pilot program, it has become a permanent fixture in the city’s effort to regulate the number of visitors.

The entry fee, which started in an effort to manage the growing crowds, now stands as a symbol of Venice’s frustration with the tourism industry. The city’s discontent reached a boiling point during high-profile events like Jeff Bezos’s wedding, where locals felt their home was being treated as a luxury playground for the rich. Venice’s frustration stems not from tourists themselves, but from the way mass tourism has made it harder for residents to maintain their way of life.

While these fees are aimed at deterring large groups of day-trippers, they are also part of a broader strategy to encourage longer stays that benefit the local economy without swamping the city’s fragile infrastructure.

Santorini Faces Limits on Cruise Ship Visits: A Direct Response to Overcrowding

Santorini, one of Greece’s most popular islands, has been grappling with the unsustainable influx of cruise ship tourists. In recent years, the island’s infrastructure has struggled to cope with the thousands of visitors arriving each day via massive cruise liners. With water shortages affecting the island’s ability to produce enough wine and other local goods, the Greek government has announced new measures to restrict cruise ship visits.

Starting in 2025, the number of cruise ships allowed to dock in Santorini will be limited, aiming to protect the local environment and prevent overcrowding. This move is seen as crucial for the island’s sustainability. Santorini, famous for its stunning views, has been overrun with tourists, and local residents and businesses alike have voiced concerns about the island’s ability to handle more visitors without compromising its natural beauty and resources.

In addition to limiting cruise ships, Santorini has imposed restrictions on the construction of new hotels and accommodations, aiming to curb the increase in mass tourism infrastructure that has transformed the island.

Amsterdam Launches “Stay Away” Campaign to Curb Rowdy Tourism

Amsterdam, the Netherlands, is also adopting aggressive anti-tourism measures to curb unruly behavior. The city has rolled out a “stay away” campaign, particularly targeting British tourists who visit Amsterdam for notorious stag parties and excessive pub crawling. This campaign aims to dissuade rowdy behavior that disrupts local life, especially in the city’s most visited areas like the Red Light District.

In addition, Amsterdam has instituted a ban on new hotels, adopting a “one-out, one-in” policy. For each new hotel built, one older, less sustainable hotel must be removed from the city. To build a new hotel in Amsterdam, developers must demonstrate that their project will be environmentally responsible and beneficial to the local community. This measure reflects the city’s desire to promote quality over quantity when it comes to tourism.

The Bigger Picture: Housing Crisis and Anti-Tourism Sentiment in Europe

A significant driver behind the anti-tourism sentiment across Europe is the rising housing crisis. As more and more cities like Barcelona, Amsterdam, and Valencia prioritize short-term rentals for tourists, local residents are being priced out of their neighborhoods. In many cities, long-term rental prices have skyrocketed, exacerbating the housing shortage.

In cities like Turin, rents have surged as property owners prefer the high returns offered by short-term rentals on platforms like Airbnb. A one-bedroom apartment that rents for €800 per month could bring in up to €4,500 during peak tourist season if rented out to short-term visitors. For residents, the result is a stark divide between the needs of the local population and the demands of tourism.

New Tourist Behavior Bans Across Europe

As cities take action to combat the negative effects of tourism, many are introducing new laws and behavior bans. In Rome, Italy, visitors can be fined for wearing shirts with inappropriate logos, installing “love padlocks” on bridges, or snacking near landmarks like the Trevi Fountain. Portofino, another iconic Italian city, has even introduced a fine for tourists taking selfies in high-traffic areas, with fines reaching up to €275.

Cities such as Hallstatt, Austria, and Venice have also implemented measures to curb excessive photo-taking, with temporary anti-selfie fences erected in areas with heavy tourist traffic. These actions are not just about discouraging social media behavior but are designed to manage overcrowding and maintain the dignity of these places.

The Future of European Tourism: A New Approach to Travel in 2025

The actions being taken by Florence, Catalonia, Venice, Santorini, Amsterdam, and other European cities are setting the tone for the future of tourism. The ongoing surge in international visitors, fueled by pent-up demand following the COVID-19 pandemic, has forced cities to reconsider how they manage their tourism industries.

The changes in 2025 signal a shift toward sustainable tourism, where local communities and environments are prioritized over mass tourism. While these measures may seem restrictive, they are ultimately designed to ensure that European destinations remain vibrant, livable, and accessible for both locals and visitors alike. For travelers, this means being more mindful of the impact they have on the places they visit and making more informed, responsible choices when planning their trips.

Florence, Catalonia, Venice, Santorini, Amsterdam, and more are leading Europe’s anti-tourism movement by introducing strict measures to tackle overtourism. These actions are aimed at preserving local culture, reducing overcrowding, and ensuring sustainable tourism in the face of rising visitor numbers and strained infrastructure.

In the end, these bold steps are not about rejecting tourists but about finding a balance where visitors can continue to experience Europe’s unique beauty without overwhelming its local communities. For the future, travelers must be prepared for a more selective and thoughtful approach to tourism, where responsible travel practices and local interests come to the forefront.