10 European Cities facing Extreme Heat and Overtourism in Summer

1. Athens, Greece

Athens is grappling with soaring summer temperatures, often exceeding 40°C (104°F), making it one of Europe’s hottest capitals. The Acropolis, a major tourist draw, has implemented timed entry and midday closures to protect visitors and staff from heatstroke. The city’s infrastructure, including public transport and water supply, is under strain as both tourists and locals seek relief. Authorities have increased shaded areas and misting stations, but the heat continues to challenge daily life. Meanwhile, overtourism is pushing up housing costs and crowding historic neighborhoods. Despite these issues, Athens remains a cultural magnet, drawing millions to its ancient ruins and vibrant street life. However, local sentiment is shifting, with growing calls for sustainable tourism policies. The city is experimenting with digital visitor caps and promoting lesser-known attractions to spread out tourist traffic. Athens exemplifies the dual challenge of climate resilience and tourism management in a rapidly warming Mediterranean region.

2. Barcelona, Spain

Barcelona is at the epicenter of Europe’s overtourism debate in 2025, with tensions between residents and visitors reaching new heights. The city, long celebrated for its architecture, beaches, and Mediterranean charm, is now grappling with the consequences of its popularity. In the summer of 2024, anti-tourism protests made global headlines when locals squirted tourists with water pistols in symbolic defiance of mass tourism. These protests reflect deeper frustrations over rising rents, overcrowded neighborhoods, and the transformation of once-residential areas into tourist zones. The city has over 10,000 licensed vacation rentals, and housing prices have surged by 68% in the past decade. In response, Barcelona has pledged to eliminate all short-term vacation rentals by 2028 and is increasing tourist taxes, especially for cruise passengers staying less than 12 hours.Despite tourism contributing 14% to the local economy, many residents feel priced out and overwhelmed. As temperatures rise and cruise terminals expand, Barcelona faces a delicate balancing act: preserving its cultural identity and livability while managing the influx of millions of visitors each year.

3. Lisbon, Portugal

Lisbon, one of Europe’s most charming capitals, is facing mounting pressure from both climate change and overtourism in 2025. The city experienced a 26% increase in tourist arrivals in 2024, and that upward trend continues this summer. While tourism has revitalized many neighborhoods, it has also driven up the cost of living dramatically. In central areas like Baixa and Alfama, long-term residents are being priced out as apartments are converted into short-term rentals. A coffee and pastry that once cost €1.50 now sells for over €4.50 in tourist zones. The city’s infrastructure is under strain, especially during heatwaves, which are becoming more frequent and intense. In response, Lisbon has introducedhigher tourist taxes, restricted new hotel construction, and is considering limits on cruise ship arrivals. Despite these efforts, the crowds remain, and local frustration is growing. Activists and residents are calling for more sustainable tourism policies that prioritize livability over profit. Lisbon’s struggle reflects a broader European dilemma: how to welcome visitors while preserving the soul and sustainability of beloved cities.

4. Rome, Italy

Rome is facing a turbulent summer in 2025, caught between the pressures of extreme heat and a massive influx of tourists. Temperatures have repeatedly soared to 40°C (104°F), straining the city’s infrastructure and making sightseeing physically taxing for visitors. The situation is further complicated by extensive construction and restoration projects ahead of the Roman Catholic Holy Year, which is expected to draw up to 32 million visitors. Tourists have expressed frustration over scaffolding covering major landmarks, while locals are concerned about the disruption to daily life. In response to overtourism, Rome has joined other Italian cities in implementing new regulations: increased tourist taxes, limits on short-term rentals, and digital ticketing systems for popular attractions. These measures aim to preserve the city’s cultural heritage and improve livability for residents. However, the balance remains delicate. Rome’s ancient streets, already crowded and weather-worn, are under immense pressure. As the Eternal City prepares for a historic religious celebration, it also faces a modern reckoning with sustainability, climate resilience, and the true cost of mass tourism.

5. Venice, Italy

Venice, the iconic floating city, is under immense pressure in 2025 as it battles both rising temperatures and unsustainable levels of tourism. With over 30 million visitors annually, but only around 3 million staying overnight, the city is overwhelmed by day-trippers who contribute little economically while straining local infrastructure. In response, Venice has implemented a controversial€10 entrance feefor day visitors during peak periods, doubling the previous year’s trial fee. This fee is part of a broader strategy to reduce congestion and preserve the city’s fragile ecosystem and cultural heritage. The city’s population has plummeted from 170,000 in the 1950s to just 50,000 today, as rising rents and tourist crowds push locals out. During summer, the heat amplifies the discomfort, turning narrow alleys and crowded bridges into stifling bottlenecks. Critics argue that Venice is becoming a “theme park” devoid of authentic life, while supporters of the new measures hope they will restore balance. The city is also investing in sustainable tourism campaigns and promoting lesser-known islands in the lagoon. Venice’s struggle is emblematic of the broader European challenge: how to protect world heritage sites from being loved to death.

6. Paris, France

Paris, one of the world’s most visited cities, is facing a growing crisis of overtourism and environmental strain in the summer of 2025. With over 30 million tourists annually, the city’s charm is being tested by overcrowded streets, rising pollution, and a housing crisis fueled by short-term rentals. Iconic neighborhoods like Montmartre and Le Marais are overwhelmed by crowds, with locals squeezed out of cafés and traditional shops replaced by tourist-centric boutiques. The city’s cultural identity is at risk, as entire districts morph into Instagram backdrops and authentic Parisian life fades. Environmental damage is also mounting—landmarks like Notre-Dame and the Seine’s banks are suffering from foot traffic, litter, and even vandalism. The French government has responded with a national strategy to regulate visitor flows and protect heritage sites. However, the balance between tourism revenue and livability remains delicate. As heatwaves intensify and crowds swell, Parisians are increasingly vocal about reclaiming their city. Paris now stands at a crossroads: preserve its soul or risk becoming a caricature of itself.

7. Dubrovnik, Croatia

Dubrovnik, once a poster child for overtourism, is now emerging as a model for sustainable travel in 2025. Known as the “Pearl of the Adriatic,” this UNESCO World Heritage city was overwhelmed in past years by cruise ships and day-trippers, with narrow medieval streets packed to capacity during peak summer months. In response, the city launched the “Respect the City” initiative, which introduced sweeping reforms: reducing restaurant seating in the Old Town by 30%, cutting souvenir stands by 80%, and limiting the number of cruise ships allowed to dock daily. These changes initially sparked controversy but have since improved the quality of life for residents and enhanced the visitor experience. Dubrovnik is also promotingyear-round tourism, encouraging longer stays and off-season visits to reduce pressure during summer. In 2024, the city recorded over 4.5 million overnight stays, with a notable increase in winter tourism. While summer heat remains a challenge, the city’s proactive approach to managing crowds and preserving its heritage is gaining international praise. Dubrovnik’s transformation shows that with bold policy and community support, even the most overtouristed destinations can reclaim balance and sustainability.

8. Amsterdam, Netherlands

Amsterdam is aggressively tackling overtourism in 2025, as the city continues to feel the strain of welcoming over 9 million overnight guests annually, many of whom crowd the historic city center. The influx has worsened the housing crisis, with short-term rentals like Airbnb reducing the availability of homes for locals. In response, the city has implemented strict regulations: a 15-night annual capon short-term rentals in certain districts, aban on new tourist shops, and a 30% reduction in bed and breakfastsin the city center. Cruise tourism is also being curbed, with the number of ships docking at the Passenger Terminal Amsterdam being halved by 2026, and shore power requirements introduced to cut emissions. The city raised its tourist tax to 12.5% in 2024 to discourage short stays and fund sustainability efforts. Amsterdam’s “City in Balance” program aims to preserve its cultural identity while maintaining tourism’s economic benefits. These measures reflect a broader shift toward responsible tourism, ensuring that the city remains livable for residents and enjoyable for visitors. As climate change brings hotter summers, the city is also investing in green infrastructure and cooling strategies to adapt to rising temperatures.

9. Mallorca, Spain

Mallorca, the largest of Spain’s Balearic Islands, is facing a summer of tension in 2025 as it grapples with the dual crises of overtourism and a deepening housing emergency. With over 90,000 tourist rental beds already in circulation, the Balearic government has extended a moratorium on new tourist accommodations, aiming to cap the number of visitors and protect local communities. The island has seen a 25% increase in illegal vacation rentals, further inflating housing prices and pushing residents out of their neighborhoods. Protests have erupted across the island, with slogans like “Do not come!” targeting British and German tourists, who are often blamed for driving up property values. In addition,mass strikes by hotel and hospitality workersare planned for June and July, threatening to disrupt the peak travel season. Workers are demanding better pay and conditions, citing the irony of serving a booming tourism industry while being unable to afford housing themselves. The government is considering stricter penalties for illegal rentals and more aggressive enforcement. Mallorca’s situation highlights the growing backlash against mass tourism in Europe’s most popular destinations, where the economic benefits are increasingly outweighed by social and environmental costs.

10. Tenerife, Canary Islands (Spain)

Tenerife, the largest of Spain’s Canary Islands, is experiencing a turbulent summer in 2025 as it faces record-breaking tourist arrivals and growing local unrest. Over 4.36 million international visitors arrived in the first four months of the year alone, with the UK accounting for over 40% of arrivals. While tourism is vital to the island’s economy, residents say the volume is “crushing” them. Protests have erupted across the archipelago, including a20-day hunger strikeearlier this year, as locals demand limits on tourism and the cancellation of new luxury developments. Demonstrators argue that mass tourism is driving up housing costs, overwhelming public services, and threatening the environment. Water scarcity, traffic congestion, and limited access to healthcare during peak seasons are among the top concerns. In response, the Spanish government has begun removing illegal Airbnb listings and tightening regulations on tourist accommodations. Despite these efforts, tensions remain high. Tenerife’s situation reflects a broader reckoning in Europe’s most visited destinations, where the benefits of tourism are increasingly weighed against its social and environmental toll. The island is now at a crossroads, with residents demanding a shift toward more sustainable, community-focused tourism policies.