Spain, Italy, Greece, Portugal, Netherlands, France, Croatia, Austria, Malta, and Czech Republic Take Strong Action Against Overtourism to Protect Local Communities, Heritage, and Sustainability

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Spain, Italy, Greece, Portugal, Netherlands, France, Croatia, Austria, Malta, and Czech Republic enforce strict measures to fight overtourism and preserve local culture and sustainability.

As the holiday season draws near, a growing number of popular European destinations are introducing tough anti-tourism policies in response to increasing frustration among residents. Fed up with surging visitor numbers, rising rents, and overcrowded public spaces, locals in cities and towns across the continent are demanding action—and governments are responding with sweeping reforms.

British travelers heading to the continent this summer might find a less-than-warm welcome as some of Europe’s most iconic destinations take bold steps to push back against overtourism. From major urban centers to picturesque islands, restrictive measures—from tourist caps and cruise ship bans to skyrocketing taxes and behavior fines—are being implemented to protect communities, cultural landmarks, and quality of life. Below is a breakdown of ten destinations that are either enforcing or planning strict limits on tourism this year.

Spain

Spain is at the forefront of the anti-tourism movement, with multiple regions tightening regulations. In Barcelona, the city has declared it will phase out short-term tourist rentals by 2028 to address its dire housing crisis. Meanwhile, Malaga has introduced a three-year freeze on new holiday rental licenses in more than 40 neighborhoods.

In the Balearic Islands, proposals have been made to increase the existing tourist tax by up to 66%, raising nightly fees in premium hotels from €4 to €6. On top of this, five-star hotel guests in cities like Palma could pay more than €40 extra per week due to stacked tax rates. Last year, Barcelona also raised its municipal tourist levy to €6.75 per night for luxury stays.

Italy

Italy continues to battle overwhelming tourist numbers in cities like Venice, which is launching a €5 entry fee for day visitors. Cruise ships have already been banned from the city’s historic center, and large tour groups are now limited to 25 people.

Portofino enforces steep fines—up to £240—for tourists blocking popular photo spots, while Rome has restricted access to the Trevi Fountain and is exploring the introduction of a citywide tourism tax to relieve local pressure.

Greece

Greece’s famous islands, including Santorini and Mykonos, are bearing the brunt of tourism’s environmental and social strain. New regulations will limit cruise ship arrivals and introduce a €20 entry fee during peak periods. In Athens, the Acropolis now admits a maximum of 20,000 visitors per day, with timed slots to ease crowding and protect the ancient site.

Portugal

In Sintra, often described as a “theme park for tourists,” the impact of mass tourism has triggered public protests and heightened scrutiny of local development projects. Residents recently rallied against plans for a new hotel and car park in the UNESCO-listed old town, arguing it would destroy the town’s cultural landscape.

Amsterdam, Netherlands

Amsterdam has introduced strict caps to halt unchecked tourism growth. New hotels can only be built if an old one shuts down and the total number of guest rooms remains unchanged. The city is limiting overnight stays to 20 million per year and is phasing out all cruise ship visits by 2035. Airbnb rentals face tighter restrictions, and authorities have begun shutting down brothels and coffee shops in a push to reclaim residential neighborhoods.

France

France is targeting both illegal rentals and overcrowded destinations. Paris now bans key boxes used for unlicensed holiday lettings and imposes heavy fines for violators. On the island of Île-de-Bréhat, officials have set a daily visitor limit of 4,700 people during peak daytime hours in summer to reduce strain on local infrastructure.

Croatia

In coastal cities like Dubrovnik and Split, tourists can now be fined for drinking in public. Dubrovnik has also capped cruise ship arrivals at two per day, with a limit of 8,000 passengers. Meanwhile, Hvar Town has enacted strict noise regulations to preserve peace for residents, despite the impact on the nightlife economy.

Austria

Hallstatt, a picturesque lakeside town that inspired Disney’s Arendelle, has become a symbol of overexposure. The town has reduced bus access and briefly erected a screen to deter selfie-takers. In Vienna, short-term rentals are limited to 90 days per year to help stabilize the housing market.

Malta

Malta is under mounting pressure to rein in its tourism sector. With rising complaints over waste, traffic, and resource shortages, local advocates are calling for a ban on new hotel projects and a crackdown on unlicensed holiday rentals that exacerbate the housing crunch.

Czech Republic

Prague is clamping down on party tourism. Pub crawls run by tour operators are banned between 10 p.m. and 6 a.m., and there’s a push to prohibit outlandish costumes worn by stag and hen parties. The city is also considering new limits on short-term rentals in an effort to preserve community spaces.

Conclusion

The growing trend of anti-tourism measures across Europe is a direct response to the mounting pressures of overtourism. Countries like Spain, Italy, Greece, Portugal, and others are taking drastic steps to preserve local culture, sustainability, and the quality of life for their residents. From higher tourist taxes and caps on visitor numbers to outright bans on cruise ships and short-term rentals, these actions aim to strike a balance between welcoming visitors and protecting the integrity of popular destinations. While these measures may leave some travelers frustrated, they are crucial in safeguarding the long-term viability of these iconic locations and ensuring that both locals and tourists can coexist in harmony. As more countries implement such policies, it’s clear that the future of European tourism will be shaped by a new era of responsible travel.