15 Travel Destinations You Should Skip in 2025

In 2025, the travel scene is changing for the better, and we’ll see the effects of overtourism, environmental challenges, and political reasons. Of course, some of our favorite spots remain must-sees because of their beauty or cultural significance, but it’s worth considering the cost of visiting some famous sites. Some places need a breather—they’ll figure out the degradation of natural ecosystems, resident dissatisfaction, or infrastructure challenges.

The numbers tell the story. According to estimates from the UN World Tourism Organization (UNWTO), international tourism rose about 60 percent in 2023 as the world recovered from the pandemic. 

Local economies are being supported, but many areas are swamped. Overcrowding is terrible for infrastructure, the environment, and local communities. We can help make our travel experiences sustainable by staying informed and aware of our choices. These are 15 destinations suffering from major tourist trends.  

Venice, Italy

According to Statista, with an estimated 5.7 million tourists annually and only 250,000 residents, it’s easy to understand why. Overtourism has taken its toll on its delicate infrastructure: its famous canals and historic buildings. This iconic city is also threatened by rising sea levels worsened by climate change. Now, authorities are taking measures—even charging a fee to enter during the day—to cut down on people coming.

Travel Alternative: Nearby are lesser-known but gorgeous canal-based towns such as Burano or Chioggia, which you can explore.  

Machu Picchu, Peru

Tourism caps haven’t deterred more than 1.5 million tourists annually, leading to erosion and strain on this UNESCO World Heritage Site. But despite time slots and restrictions, the ecosystem is too fragile.  

Travel Alternative: You will also want to hop over to the neighboring Sacred Valley to see incredible scenery and immerse yourself in Andean culture without crowds.  

Maya Bay, Thailand

Maya Bay was made famous by The Beach and is a hot spot for tourists yearly. It only recently reopened after an effort to protect its fragile coral reefs—yet it remains under tremendous pressure as tourism recovers.  

Travel Alternative: Ko Lanta is an excellent alternative with crystal clear waters and a beach that is just as serene but without the intense foot traffic.  

Barcelona, Spain

Barcelona residents have grown increasingly frustrated with the influx of tourists. Over 32 million people visit this iconic city every year to crowd its streets and landmark areas like Las Ramblas and Sagrada Família. Local authorities have already adopted more sustainable tourism management, such as Airbnb restrictions, to prevent the tourist supply from exceeding a community’s capacity.  

Travel Alternative: Check out Valencia, which has beaches, historic architecture, and streets covered in incredible street art without the people.  

Santorini, Greece

In the summer, Santorini is picturesque and has cruise ships and fleets of visitors. With too many visitors and nowhere else to go, this small island is buckling under the weight, diminishing its housing stock, water resources, and culture. Santorini has a hugely overwhelming infrastructure, with over 2 million visitors annually.  

Travel Alternative: Similar Aegean charm but fewer crowds await on the beautiful little island of Milos.  

Great Barrier Reef, Australia

Adorned with iconic fauna like sea turtles and green and hawksbill turtles, this UNESCO-listed marine wonder has increasingly fallen into danger thanks to rising sea temperatures and repeated coral bleaching. As tourists keep coming to the reef, it becomes more fragile, and marine conservationists warn that more human activity will only worsen the situation.  

Travel Alternative: Off the beaten path? There’s snorkeling in Ningaloo Reef in Western Australia, a dazzling marine environment.  

Galápagos Islands, Ecuador 

Skyrocketing tourism to this biodiverse archipelago is threatening its delicate ecosystems. With visitor limits still strict, introduced invasive species and ecological stress are becoming more significant issues.  

Travel Alternative: Isabela Island is a great place to see wildlife without overcrowded excursions.  

Mount Everest, Nepal/Tibet

Waiting in long lines at high altitudes makes crowds on Everest highly dangerous to climbers. Seasonal traffic on the mountainside leaves enormous waste, and calls are being made for more stringent regulations.  

Travel Alternative: Try less popular Himalayan treks, including the Annapurna Base Camp or Langtang Valley.  

Amsterdam, Netherlands

Amsterdam is well known for its famous canals and museums but actively discourages party tourism and day trippers. The city is closing some sights and diverting visitors into its barely trodden neighborhoods outside the center to rebrand itself.  

Travel Alternative: You can head down the road and visit Utrecht, another town with canals but a far more effervescent cultural life.  

Dubrovnik, Croatia

A UNESCO site and shot of Game of Thrones, Dubrovnik experiences a huge seasonal spurt of visitors. Daily caps aim to stop crowding out in the walled Old Town.  

Travel Alternative: Visit stunning Split, Croatia’s second-largest city. It has incredible history and scenic coastlines without the crowds of tourists you’d find elsewhere.  

Reykjavik, Iceland

From just 500,000 in 2010 to over two million in 2023, tourist numbers have boomed in Iceland, and questions have been raised about its ability to manage this boom sustainably. The challenge of environmental degradation and strain of housing is increasing.  

Travel Alternative: If you’re not quite ready to give up on pristine Arctic beauty, venture to Greenland without the same level of traffic.  

Maldives

This idyllic island nation is threatened by rising sea levels caused by climate change. While tourism is valuable to the economy, it also strains marine ecosystems and resources.  

Travel Alternative: With ongoing environmental conservation efforts, Seychelles provides similar world-class beaches.  

Angkor Wat, Cambodia

Cambodia’s famous Angkor Wat is threatened by mass tourism. Some 2 million visitors leave behind wear, tear, and litter during the visits.  

Travel Alternative: Bagan, in Myanmar, has more than 2,000 temples, and foot traffic is still manageable.  

Boracay, Philippines

A crisis of unregulated tourism in Boracay resulted in a six-month closure in 2018 for rehabilitation. It has since reopened, but it remains at risk.  

Travel Alternative: Siargao is a quieter, more eco-minded getaway to explore.  

Bali, Indonesia

Millions flock to Bali’s shores yearly, making it a favorite among global travelers. However, this brings waste management problems, water shortages, and a dilution of culture. Visitor restrictions may be tighter by 2025.  

Travel Alternative: Untouched beaches and hiking are in neighboring Lombok.  

Although some iconic destinations might have been ill-advised to visit in 2025, there will always be alternatives! Be sure to research eco-friendly accommodation, respect local customs, and manage your environmental footprint as best you can.  

At its core, travel should feel like a draw for the traveler’s life and honor the people and places being visited. Let’s choose our destinations wisely or preserve the beauty of our planet together.  

Disclaimer – This list is solely the author’s opinion based on research and publicly available information.

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