10 Alternatives to Europe’s Most Crowded Destinations This Easter Break
Don't let the crowds take away the experience.
Ringkasan
- 1. Barcelona, Spain → Tarragona, Spain
- 2. Porto, Portugal → Guimarães, Portugal
- 3. Dubrovnik, Croatia → Kotor, Montenegro
- 4. Florence, Italy → Arezzo, Italy
- 5. Lisbon, Portugal → Cagliari, Sardinia, Italy
- 6. Copenhagen, Denmark → Aarhus, Denmark
- 7. Bruges, Belgium → Gdańsk, Poland
- 8. Edinburgh, Scotland → Stirling, Scotland
- 9. Amsterdam, Netherlands → Utrecht, Netherlands
- 10. Santorini, Greece → Paros, Greece
- Stay Connected with an eSIM
Easter is a popular time to travel, but some European cities get so crowded that it can take away from the experience. Based on the number of tourists per square kilometer, we were able to uncover the 10 most overcrowded destinations to avoid this Easter, and great alternatives that offer a similar experience with fewer crowds.
Here are the 10 most overcrowded European destinations to skip this Easter Break and their dupes:
1. Barcelona, Spain → Tarragona, Spain
Barcelona is famous for its stunning architecture, beaches, and food scene, but it’s been particularly affected by overtourism recently.
Why Tarragona? Tarragona, just an hour away, offers similar Mediterranean vibes. It has a beautiful coastline, impressive Roman ruins, and a charming old town with Gothic architecture- all without the overwhelming crowds.
2. Porto, Portugal → Guimarães, Portugal
Porto’s riverfront, wine culture, and historic buildings make it a favorite and almost constantly very busy.
Why Guimarães? Guimarães is a quieter and equally charming option. Known as the birthplace of Portugal, this city has a well-preserved medieval center, unique architecture, and a rich history to explore without the long lines and crowded streets.
3. Dubrovnik, Croatia → Kotor, Montenegro
Dubrovnik is breathtaking but often overcrowded, especially with cruise ship tourists.
Why Kotor? Kotor, just across the border in Montenegro, offers a similar medieval old town, beautiful Adriatic views, and historic fortifications. Plus, it's more affordable and much less busy.
4. Florence, Italy → Arezzo, Italy
Florence is famous for its Renaissance art and architecture, but it can feel quite overwhelming with so many tourists.
Why Arezzo? Arezzo, a smaller Tuscan town, has beautiful medieval streets, stunning churches, and impressive Renaissance art, minus the massive crowds. It’s a real hidden gem for an authentic Italian experience.
5. Lisbon, Portugal → Cagliari, Sardinia, Italy
Lisbon’s scenic hills and colorful streets attract thousands of visitors, making it difficult to enjoy its beauty.
Why Cagliari? Cagliari, on the island of Sardinia, offers a similar coastal charm, lively streets, and rich maritime history, but with fewer tourists and a more laid-back atmosphere.
6. Copenhagen, Denmark → Aarhus, Denmark
Copenhagen is known for its colorful waterfront, cycling culture, and world-class museums.
Why Aarhus? Aarhus also has all these things, but without the crowds. It’s Denmark’s second-largest city and offers a similar Scandinavian charm, a great art scene, and cozy streets to explore at a slower pace.
7. Bruges, Belgium → Gdańsk, Poland
Bruges is a fairy-tale destination with its canals, medieval architecture, and cobblestone streets, but it’s often too busy to enjoy properly.
Why Gdańsk? Gdańsk, in Poland, offers a similar historic charm, beautiful waterfront, and old-world ambiance, but with more space to enjoy it.
8. Edinburgh, Scotland → Stirling, Scotland
Edinburgh’s castle and old town are must-sees, but the city can be packed with tourists.
Why Stirling? Stirling, just an hour away, also has a majestic castle on a hill, charming cobbled streets, and a strong Scottish heritage, which makes it a quieter but equally stunning alternative.
9. Amsterdam, Netherlands → Utrecht, Netherlands
Amsterdam’s canals, museums, and cycling culture make it a top tourist destination, which also means overwhelmingly busy streets.
Why Utrecht? Utrecht offers a similar experience with fewer crowds. It has picturesque canals, cute little cafés, and beautiful architecture, plus, it’s just a short train ride from Amsterdam.
10. Santorini, Greece → Paros, Greece
Santorini’s white-washed house, stunning sunsets and Instagram-worthy appeal attract millions, which makes it crowded and expensive.
Why Paros? Paros, another Greek island, has the same charming architecture, beautiful beaches, and breathtaking sunsets but is more affordable and relaxed.
Stay Connected with an eSIM
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Don’t miss our Spring break offer and enjoy reliable data without the hassle of physical SIM cards by opting for a Nomad eSIM. Find the best restaurants in these beautiful destinations, get directions to attractions and keep everyone connected on the go, without risking unreasonable roaming charges.
We also offer a free trial eSIM so you can test it with peace of mind and make sure it meets your expectations.
Methodology
To determine the most overcrowded European destinations, Nomad analyzed popular tourist cities across the continent. Tourist density was calculated by dividing the total number of annual visitors by the city's urban land area (sq km). Cities were then ranked from highest to lowest based on their tourist density, highlighting the most overcrowded destinations for travelers looking to avoid packed hotspots this Easter break. Only cities with well-documented annual tourist figures and a clearly defined urban area were included to ensure accuracy. Nomad then cherrypicked alternative destinations based on geographical and cultural similarities and a lower tourist density.
