Traveling used to feel simple. Book a ticket, pack your bags, and go explore somewhere new. Now though, things have shifted. More destinations are implementing rules, raising fees, and setting visitor caps to manage crowds. It’s not about shutting travelers out entirely, but more about finding balance before things spiral further out of control.
Some cities have become so overwhelmed by visitors that locals have taken to the streets in protest. Others have quietly introduced taxes and restrictions while hoping tourists still show up. Either way, it’s harder to be a carefree traveler in 2026 than it was just a few years ago.
Venice, Italy: Pay to Enter the Floating City
Venice made headlines in 2024 as the first city in the world to impose a €5 entry fee for day visitors, drawing over 20 million tourists annually despite having fewer than 50,000 residents. The fee was expanded to 54 peak days in 2025, almost double the number of applicable days in 2024, mostly covering Fridays to Sundays between April and July. Visitors booking within three days of arrival now pay €10 instead of €5, creating a financial disincentive for last-minute travelers.
The reality is stark. Venice has just 50,000 residents but can see up to five times as many visitors per day during peak season, and the number of tourist lodging beds surpassed the resident population for the first time in September 2023. Tour group sizes are now capped at 25 people, and loudspeakers are banned to reduce noise and congestion. It’s a small city fighting to stay livable.
Barcelona, Spain: Water Pistols and Rising Anger
Honestly, Barcelona’s situation feels tense. In summer 2024, angry locals attacked tourists with toy water pistols to protest being squeezed out of their own city, with thousands gathering to chant “tourists go home.” Around 15.5 million tourists stayed overnight in Barcelona in 2024, which is 100,000 less than in 2023, suggesting protests may have had some impact.
Rent prices in Barcelona increased by 18 percent in just one year according to property website Idealista, and over the past decade rent rose by 68 percent. Mayor Jaume Collboni announced plans to end all short-term rentals by 2028, freezing new licences since 2014 when supply was capped at nearly 10,000 units. The city is also reducing coach traffic and trying to limit cruise ship passengers. But frustration continues.
Amsterdam, Netherlands: Hotel Ban and Tourist Tax Hikes
Amsterdam banned construction of new hotel buildings in April 2024, limiting overnight stays by tourists to no more than 20 million per year. The city raised its tourist tax from 7 percent to 12.5 percent in 2024, now the highest among major European cities. Despite the measures, city data showed 22.9 million stays in 2024, a 3 percent year-over-year rise, exceeding the 20 million cap set by officials.
Amsterdam has tried to distance itself from party tourism with its “Stay Away” campaign targeting rowdy visitors. The city plans to limit cruise ships to just 100 in 2026, down from 190 currently, before banning them outright by 2035. Some residents have even filed lawsuits demanding tougher enforcement. The message is clear: they want fewer tourists, not more.
Bali, Indonesia: New Rules and Enforcement Crackdowns
Bali saw 6.33 million international visitors in 2024, surpassing its pre-pandemic peak of 6.28 million in 2019, with a target of 6.5 million visitors set for 2025 despite overtourism challenges on the island of 4.4 million people. Governor Wayan Koster issued new regulations in March 2025 to address growing concerns over misbehavior among visitors and ensure tourism aligns with local laws and customs.
Only around one third of foreign visitors paid the approximately $9 tourist levy introduced in February 2024, and violators of rules now face fines, jail time, or deportation. The island faces water shortages, traffic chaos, and cultural erosion. Bali welcomed 5.3 million international visitors in 2023 and 6.3 million in 2024, almost double the local population of just 4.4 million. Sacred sites get disrespected, beaches are littered with plastic, and many locals feel pushed out of their own neighborhoods.
Kyoto, Japan: Private Street Closures and Tourist Taxes
Kyoto’s timeless temples and cherry blossoms attract millions, but crowds in 2025 became overwhelming with historic areas like Gion facing restricted access on certain streets, as locals say their daily lives are disrupted by the constant influx. In 2024, the city began limiting access to private streets in Gion with clear signs and fines for trespassers, and starting in 2026, a tourist tax of around 60 euros per night is funding infrastructure upgrades.
The city is asking visitors to wander quieter areas and visit popular spots during off-peak hours. Trains and sites struggle during peak seasons, and the balance between preserving tradition and managing visitor numbers feels precarious. It’s still beautiful, just harder to experience without crowds.
Iceland: Six Visitors Per Resident
In 2024, Iceland received around 2.3 million visitors, over six visitors per resident, with infrastructure built to serve a population of fewer than 400,000 people. Natural attractions like Thingvellir National Park, Gullfoss waterfall and the Blue Lagoon are suffering under the swell of visitors.
The government has started dispersing tourists to lesser-visited areas by adding infrastructure away from hotspots. Still, the island feels stretched. The famous sites are packed during summer, and locals worry about environmental damage. Off-peak travel helps, but not everyone wants to visit during the cold, dark winter months.
Pompeii and Rome, Italy: Visitor Caps and Reservations
With more than four million visitors in 2024, Pompeii introduced a 20,000-visitor cap in 2025. At the Trevi Fountain in Rome, a reservation system during the 2025 Jubilee Holy Year limited access to 400 visitors at a time. These were among Italy’s most iconic sites, and both struggled to manage demand without damaging the ancient structures.
The country is dealing with overtourism across multiple destinations. Cruise ships have been banned from certain ports, and entry fees are being introduced or increased. Italy wants tourists, but it also wants to protect its cultural treasures for future generations.
Mount Fuji, Japan: Daily Caps and Entry Fees
Due to a surge in numbers, daily visitors to Mount Fuji during peak season will be capped at 4,000 with a ¥2,000 (approximately $20) entry fee. In May 2024, a temporary barrier was erected to block the view of a popular Mount Fuji photo spot near a convenience store in the town of Fujikawaguchiko in Yamanashi prefecture.
The mountain has become a victim of its own iconic status. Overcrowding, litter, and trail damage forced authorities to act. The caps aim to preserve the site while still allowing climbers to experience it. It’s a delicate balance between access and protection.
Albania: Europe’s Fastest Growing Destination
Albania went from welcoming three million visitors in 2015 to 10 million in 2023, and experts predict an estimated 30 million people could be travelling there by 2030, making it Europe’s fastest growing holiday destination. The country is beautiful and relatively affordable, which explains the surge.
The problem is infrastructure hasn’t kept pace. Roads, water supplies, and public services are strained. Locals worry that rapid growth will damage the environment and cultural identity before proper planning can catch up. Albania is still figuring out how to manage the boom.
Sri Lanka: A Resurgence After Crisis
After a tricky few years navigating a dramatic fall in tourism, Sri Lanka is having a resurgence with 2.1 million visitors landing on the tiny Indian Ocean island in 2024. It’s the country’s southern beaches and national parks at the frontlines of overtourism, and a new government faces a tough decision to keep accommodating demand or fight for cultural and environmental preservation.
The island needs tourism income, but uncontrolled growth risks repeating mistakes made elsewhere. Spreading visitors to the less-visited north and east could help, along with supporting smaller local accommodations instead of big resorts.
Mallorca and Ibiza, Spain: Housing Crisis on Islands
Space is naturally limited on islands, and growth in tourism combined with renting properties to tourists at inflated rates has caused a housing crisis, with about 1,000 residents of Mallorca living in their vehicles by 2024, as did an unspecified number of Ibiza residents. On 26 May 2024, about 10,000 people protested in Palma de Mallorca, with other protests occurring on smaller Balearic islands of Menorca and Ibiza.
Tourism is supposed to benefit local economies, but when teachers and healthcare workers can’t afford rent, something is broken. The Balearic government approved housing projects and lowered taxes on selling homes, but protesters want stricter limits on flights, cruise ships, and non-resident accommodations.
Canary Islands, Spain: Poverty Amid Tourism Boom
In the Canary Islands in 2023, a third of residents were at risk of poverty despite the tourism boom. In April 2024, locals mobilized to protest against excessive tourism, blaming visitors for pricing them out of their homes and causing environmental damage, with 57,000 demonstrators marching in protest.
The islands attract millions seeking sun and beaches, but locals see little benefit. Profits often flow to outside investors, while residents struggle with rising costs and strained resources. Protesters asked for protection of natural resources, limits on flights and cruise ships, and regulation of tourist accommodations.
