Barcelona for Valencia and other holiday swaps to make to avoid the crowds

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In 2023, after a lengthy period of limited travel, vacations regained their popularity. According to the UK’s Association of British Travel Agents (Abta), 2024 is expected to see an even greater rise in international travel, with passenger numbers reaching or surpassing levels seen before the pandemic.

Though in many quarters tourist-starved destinations will be giving thanks for an uptick in visitors once more, in others, the balance has tipped swiftly from “just enough” to “overwhelming”.

The issue of “overtourism”, a commonly used term in 2018, appears to have resurfaced. Destinations overwhelmed by their widespread appeal are once again resorting to tactics to limit the influx of tourists, such as Barcelona limiting the number of cruise ships allowed to dock at its main port and Venice announcing plans to implement taxes for day trippers.

Instead of visiting a popular destination during its peak season, try going during a less busy time of the year. Another way to avoid adding more strain to a crowded tourist spot or city is by choosing to go to a less popular one instead.

Are you interested in canals? You don’t have to go to Venice to see them. Do you have a desire to visit Incan ruins? There are many other places to choose from besides Machu Picchu.

There are several suggestions for different options that can assist in promoting sustainable travel by 2024.

Explore further about responsible tourism practices:

The Dutch capital is often seen as an example of overtourism, but in March 2023 it took action to discourage disruptive tourists. The campaign was successful, and there was a decrease of 22% in arrivals from the UK compared to 2019. While Amsterdam still welcomes certain types of tourists, such as stag parties, there are many other alternative destinations in the Netherlands where visitors can experience traditional gabled houses, peaceful canals, and outstanding museums and restaurants. Utrecht, a city just a 25-minute train ride south of Amsterdam, boasts charming Dutch architecture, waterways, and narrow, historic streets. It also has its own medieval center that rivals Amsterdam’s.

The city of Venice is often in the news because residents are complaining about the overwhelming number of tourists. One problem is the large cruise ships and daytrippers, which has led to a ban on cruise ships in the Venice lagoon starting in 2021. To address this issue, there are plans to also ban loudspeakers and large tourist groups, and a fee of €5 will be implemented for daytrippers entering the historic center starting in summer 2024. Venice is known for its unique blend of Venetian Gothic architecture, complex maze of streets, and network of canals, but for those seeking an authentic Italian experience without the crowds, the often overlooked city of Genoa may be a better option. This picturesque port city, known as the birthplace of pesto, has a quiet charm, with its own collection of narrow caruggi alleyways and a mix of splendid Renaissance palaces and modern buildings designed by Genoa-born architect Renzo Piano.

When Machu Picchu, a 15th-century citadel in Peru’s Andes Mountains, is mentioned, it is often associated with Incan ruins. However, due to an excessive number of visitors, the site implemented a ticket system in 2017. In 2019, stricter rules were put in place, requiring tourists to choose specific time slots and arrive within an hour or risk being turned away. For those still seeking a similar experience, Choquequirao in southern Peru offers an opportunity to see a similarly structured and architecturally styled Incan site. Accessible only by foot or mule, Choque (as it is commonly referred to by locals) showcases ceremonial halls, chambers once used for mummy storage, as well as terraces and numerous buildings that served as homes for Incan people.

Barcelona, a popular European tourist spot, has been suffering from overtourism, causing rents to rise and locals to be displaced in favor of more profitable vacation rentals. In response, the city has implemented several strategies to address the issue of too many visitors. The most recent action taken was reducing the number of cruise ships allowed to dock at the central port from 10 to seven. Additionally, starting in 2024, the municipality has increased the tourist tax for guests staying in five-star hotels from €5.25 to €6.75 per night. This fee is paid to both Barcelona’s Generalitat and the City Council. For a taste of Spanish culture on the coast, with the opportunity to explore a city and relax on the beach, consider traveling slightly south to Valencia. This third largest city in Spain offers a laidback atmosphere, a beautiful old town, delicious and affordable food (including plenty of paella), a prime seaside location, and a plethora of museums and galleries at its City of Arts and Sciences.

The popular TV show Game of Thrones caused problems for the charming city of Dubrovnik, known for its well-preserved walled area and designation as a UNESCO World Heritage site. Due to its role in the show, the city has become overcrowded and has implemented restrictions on tourist activities, such as limiting cruise ships and enacting a “Respect the City” campaign. Fortunately, there are other lovely coastal cities in Croatia, such as Zadar, with ancient history, peaceful national parks, and nearby islands to explore by ferry.

The renowned temple complex of Cambodia, officially declared as the largest religious structure globally, draws in an impressive number of 1,000 to 1,500 tourists daily. This surge in tourism has resulted in the emergence of unregulated settlements, causing harm to the local environment by producing waste and exploiting water resources. Although Angkor Wat is a must-visit destination, there are other magnificent temple sets in Cambodia. Located 40km east of the main temple group at Angkor and 70km from Siem Reap, on the ancient royal highway to Preah Khan Kompong Svay, the 12th-century Beng Mealea receives significantly less visitors. It follows a similar floor plan as Angkor Wat and boasts of mysterious chambers, a well-maintained library, and intricate carvings.

Santorini, the shining star among Greece’s Cyclades islands, is renowned for its iconic white and blue buildings and attracts a large number of tourists during peak season who are eager to capture the perfect photo for their Instagram accounts. However, the island struggles with the overwhelming amount of visitors, despite its small size. Despite this, it remains one of the most popular tourist destinations in Greece, with approximately two million people visiting each year. Fortunately, there are other hidden gems in the Cyclades that offer the same charm and beauty as Santorini without the crowds. One such island is Syros, home to a picturesque port, Ermoupoli, stunning neoclassical architecture, a thriving farm-to-fork food scene, and peaceful coves perfect for exploring by boat. Best of all, Syros is just a short thirty-minute ferry ride from Mykonos or a two to four-hour journey by sea from Athens’ port.

Discover The Independent’s curated list of travel options that don’t require air travel.

Source: independent.co.uk