Crowding can have a psychological effect: when sidewalks jam, tempers shorten, and even routine interactions can seem sharp. In several high-traffic hotspots, locals have been vocal about housing pressure, noise, and public-space overload. Travelers often pick up on that tension in the tone of a place.

This list focuses on countries where major destinations have seen high-profile pushback or tightened crowd-management rules in recent years, with several notable moves in 2024 and 2025.

These signals usually reflect stress around volume and behavior, not a blanket dislike of outsiders. In most cases, a respectful approach and smarter timing still unlock a great experience.

1. Spain

Across 2024 and 2025, protests against overtourism drew international attention, especially in Barcelona and parts of the Balearics. Reuters described coordinated actions in Barcelona and other cities, and AP reported incidents where demonstrators used water guns to make a point about crowding and housing strain. That public frustration is easy for visitors to misread as personal hostility, even when it is aimed at policy and economics.

Pick neighborhoods that function as real communities, not just nightlife corridors. Staying in licensed accommodation, keeping noise low late at night, and avoiding packed party streets reduces friction fast. If you want a lighter vibe, shoulder season and smaller coastal towns often feel calmer than headline hotspots.

2. Italy

Venice is the poster child for tourism management, and it has become stricter in ways day-trippers immediately notice. The city introduced an entry charge for certain busy days starting on April 25th, 2024. Reuters later reported an expanded schedule and higher last-minute pricing for 2025.

Do the admin, then enjoy the magic. If your visit falls on an access-fee day, register and keep the voucher ready, because enforcement is part of the point. Staying overnight also changes the feel of Venice, since early mornings and evenings belong more to residents than to tour groups.

3. Portugal

Lisbon has been part of a broader Southern Europe conversation about “touristification,” with protests highlighting housing and quality-of-life concerns. Reuters reported demonstrations across the region, including a planned action in Lisbon on June 15th, 2025, while The Guardian also covered coordinated protests and the themes behind them. When a city is tense about rent and displacement, visitors can interpret the mood as a cooler reception.

A low-impact style helps here. Choose locally owned restaurants beyond the most crowded squares, keep public behavior modest in residential lanes, and avoid treating trams as photo props. Longer stays with quieter routines often generate warmer interactions than a rushed checklist sprint.

4. Greece

Greece has openly discussed using fees to ease pressure on its most visited islands. Reuters reported plans for a 20-euro levy on cruise ship visitors to Santorini and Mykonos during peak season, and later coverage described the cruise charge as a government-backed “sustainable tourism fee.” For cruise passengers stepping off into a packed port, that extra layer can read like a warning sign.

Timing is everything on islands with tight infrastructure. If you are arriving by ship, aim for early or late shore time, then spend midday away from the bottleneck viewpoints. Travelers who base themselves on less saturated islands or the mainland often report a friendlier pace, partly because daily life has more breathing room.

5. Netherlands

Amsterdam has been blunt about protecting livability, and that bluntness can land as unwelcoming to the wrong crowd. The city’s own policy page describes measures under its “City in Balance” approach, including restrictions on holiday rentals and limits on new hotels. Reuters also reported a ban on building new hotels unless another closes, tied to a goal of capping hotel overnight stays.

The easiest fix is to travel thoughtfully: keep noise down at night, skip public intoxication, and follow local rules. Keep group behavior quiet at night, skip public intoxication, and treat the Red Light District and cannabis rules with basic respect. Spending time in Haarlem, Utrecht, or Leiden can also feel more relaxed while still delivering classic Dutch charm.

6. Croatia

Dubrovnik has spent years refining visitor management, especially around cruise volume, and that structure can feel strict to day visitors. The European Commission’s smart tourism profile notes that Dubrovnik limits daily cruise visitors to 4,500, or two ships at a time, to protect the historic center. When entry is controlled, some guests interpret the guardrails as a colder welcome.

Arrive early, move slowly, and the city opens up. Sunset walks on the walls, a morning coffee outside the peak gates, and a meal in a quieter lane can change the tone completely. If the Old Town feels jammed, nearby coastal villages and the Elafiti Islands often provide the contrast people crave.

7. Japan

Kyoto has taken visible steps to protect residential lanes in its most photographed areas. The Guardian reported that tourists would be barred from entering private alleyways in Gion as authorities responded to crowding and misbehavior. Business Insider also described earlier rules around photos and fines in private spaces, reinforcing the message that the district is not a theme set.

Politeness is practical here. Keep voices low, avoid blocking walkways, and never chase performers or strangers for pictures. Japan still offers extraordinary hospitality, but in overrun neighborhoods, the “warmth” often shows up more in service quality than in spontaneous chat.

8. Indonesia

Bali is tightening expectations around visitor contributions and conduct. The official Love Bali platform supports payment of the Bali Foreign Tourist Levy, and the levy’s launch date is widely cited as February 14th, 2024. When a destination adds a required payment and starts checking compliance, some travelers experience it as a less carefree welcome.

Pay the levy, then focus on behavior. Temple etiquette, modest dress where appropriate, and calm conduct in villages matter more than perfect itinerary design. Visitors who treat Bali as a living culture rather than a backdrop usually report smoother interactions.

9. Peru

Machu Picchu is managed through strict ticketing and timed circuits, and that structure shapes how welcome you can feel. The official Machu Picchu site states that online sales run through a Peruvian state platform, and it also describes an in-person allotment of 1,000 tickets sold daily through the Ministry of Culture’s local office. In early 2024, AP reported that protests erupted over a ticketing contract, and the government ultimately rescinded the deal, showing how sensitive access rules are for local livelihoods.

Treat entry as a reservation, not a spontaneous stop. Book early, follow the assigned route, and respect time slots, because staff are enforcing heritage protection, not trying to ruin anyone’s day. Hiring a local guide in Cusco can also shift the experience from bureaucratic to meaningful, since context turns cues into stories.