Too many tourists on a beach, too few for you? Not only is mass tourism a particularly unpleasant vacation experience, it's also an ecological and social aberration. Fortunately, there are a number of tourist sites where you can avoid mass tourism and enjoy a more responsible, more pleasant holiday!
1. Cat Ba rather than Halong Bay
The island of Cat Ba is, in principle, part of Halong Bay, and is even the largest island in the bay. And yet, as an island, it is naturally isolated, which means that it is much less visited than the bay itself. And yet, it too boasts some magnificent "sugar loaves", the vegetation-covered rocky promontories that rise from the waves and make the bay famous. So you can enjoy the bay's famous scenery, without all its drawbacks.
Halong Bay is one of the jewels in the crown of mass tourism, welcoming over 7 million tourists in 2022. As a result, it has become a veritable paddling pool for garbage, as well as being heavily polluted by discharges from boats, which also disturb the seabed. Half of the coral species once present have disappeared from the bay. By comparison, Cat Ba is an ecological destination, which has also been classified as a World Biosphere Reserve, and is certainly home to the country's richest biodiversity. A must-see in Vietnam !
2. Nicaragua rather than Costa Rica
Nicaragua and Costa Rica, two neighboring countries, have a lot in common, but only in terms of tourism. Both countries boast a lush natural environment, with dense tropical jungles home to many fascinating species, volcanoes and heavenly beaches. Only, where Costa Rica has for some years been implementing a grand ecotourism strategy that attracts the masses, Nicaragua remains more discreet.
Some of the things to do in Nicaragua include Granada, a beautiful city with a colonial heritage, Masaya Volcano National Park and the volcanic island of Ometepe. Nicaragua is a destination far removed from mass tourism, and a must-see!
3. Kotor rather than Dubrovnik
Dubrovnik and Kotor may be only 60 kilometers apart, but they are not in the same country: Dubrovnik is the jewel of Croatian tourism and one of the world's most popular tourist destinations, while Kotor is a superb historical destination in Montenegro, much less visited but just as beautiful. This makes Kotor one of the best places to avoid the mass tourism of Dubrovnik.
Indeed, it's one of the best things to do in Montenegro. Like Dubrovnik, it is of Roman origin, and boasts a superb architectural heritage of white stone. In fact, both cities are Unesco World Heritage Sites! Dubrovnik is anchored on the Adriatic coastline, while Kotor lies along the Kotor mouths: a magnificent fjord where seawater flows into the mountains. A landscape to die for, and one of the best memories of your trip !
4. Coimbra rather than Porto
Coimbra, in central Portugal, is one of the best places to avoid the mass tourism of Porto. The two cities are similar, if only because of their geography: both are built on a hill on the banks of a river: the Douro in Porto, and Mondego in Coimbra. Both cities are among Portugal's top destinations, except that few people know about Coimbra!
Yet it's home to one of the oldest universities in the world: the University of Coimbra, in operation since 1290! Its student tradition is therefore particularly rich, and you'll be delighted to see Portuguese students strolling the charming streets of the old town, dressed in their traditional black cape. Coimbra is also one of the capitals of fado, the Portuguese serenade.
5. Valencia rather than Barcelona
Few tourist attractions to avoid mass tourism could rival Barcelona, but Valencia rises to the challenge with flying colors. It's a must on your Spanish vacation itinerary, because like Barcelona, it offers a rich and dynamic culture, except that you don't have to face crowds of tourists to enjoy it. It also boasts a long culinary tradition, being the capital of paella! The alternative to Barri Gòtic, Barcelona's Gothic quarter, is Barrío del Carmen. It's home to some of Valencia's finest monuments, including the Museo Taurino, the cathedral and the Art Nouveau train station.
6. Paros rather than Santorini
Would you like to discover the pristine white villages of Greece? Instead of rushing to Santorini, which is so inundated with tourists that the prettiest spots require long minutes in line, head for Paros. When considering what to do in Greece, consider this perfect alternative to mass tourism.
This Cycladic island, inhabited by 1,500 people, is much less crowded than Santorini, but is also home to a few treasures, such as the Panagia Ekatontapyliani, one of the most important Orthodox pilgrimage sites ! It's worth noting, however, that the number of visitors to the island, although still lower than to Santorini, is growing rapidly, and it's best to avoid the summer months if you want to get the most out of the island.
7. Choquequirao rather than Machu Picchu
Choquequirao is one of the best tourist sites to avoid the mass tourism of Machu Picchu, to the point of being nicknamed "Machu Picchu's sister"! This ruined Inca city in the south of the country is one of Peru's most beautiful destinations. These absolutely extraordinary remains are also set in Peru's verdant mountains, so isolated that it wasn't until the 20th century that the world really discovered them. To this day, Choquequirao remains particularly mysterious, as not only has it been preserved from mass tourism, but only 30% of the Inca city has been explored! The rest is still under the thick vegetation of the Amazon jungle. The site is only accessible on foot, making it the perfect way to reduce your carbon footprint.
8. Florès Island rather than Bali
Bali is undoubtedly one of Indonesia's must-see destinations. Known as the Island of the Gods, it boasts a rich natural landscape of rice paddies, volcanic landforms, long stretches of forest and sandy beaches. But holidaymakers from all over the world have spread the word too far, so much so that tourism accounts for 60% of the island's GDP! However, these human tides are causing serious ecological and human damage: a lot of waste, pressure on natural resources, loss of natural habitats..
Against this backdrop, the island of Florès has established itself as one of the best tourist sites to avoid the mass tourism of Bali. Located to the east of Bali, the island is far more authentic. Here again, jungle, volcanoes, forest lodges and paradise-like islets are the order of the day, minus the tourists!
9. Kanazawa rather than Kyoto
Japan's Kyoto attracts tourists from all over the world, who come to admire the city's culture, architecture and traditions: temples, palaces, geishas, all set in a green setting of bamboo groves. Over the past few decades, however, Kyoto has become so overcrowded with tourists that the situation is becoming unmanageable.
A good alternative for escaping mass tourism is Kanazawa. This coastal town in central Japan has developed around a rich tradition of craftsmanship and know-how, so that the authentic atmosphere is perfectly preserved. It, too, boasts numerous gardens, as well as a samurai quarter called Nagamachi and a geisha quarter called Higashi Chaya. Yet this real gem is still a well-kept secret!
10. Utrecht rather than Amsterdam
A maze of canals, fascinating museums, typical Dutch architecture... Are you thinking of Amsterdam? No, you're thinking of Utrecht, often nicknamed "little Amsterdam", except that it's much less crowded!
This superb city to the south of Amsterdam is one of the most beautiful in the Netherlands. The best way to discover the city is to walk along the quays of the Oudegracht, Utrecht's old canals, once used to transport goods in the Middle Ages. The city is in fact one of the oldest in the Netherlands, so its role in the country's history is crucial. You can also climb to the top of the bell tower of the city's famous cathedral, Domtoren, the highest in the country at 112 m! Art lovers won't be frustrated by missing out on Amsterdam's Rijkmuseum, as they can admire works of art in the exciting Centraal Museum.
11. Bologna rather than Rome
Rome, Europe's third most visited city, is suffocating under tourists. Problems of public transport, availability of tourist accommodation and population density... The situation is becoming unmanageable for the Italian capital.
Fortunately, to the north, more discreet but sumptuous, Bologna has established itself as an excellent tourist site to avoid the mass tourism to be seen in Italy. Halfway between Florence and Venice, Bologna is often in the shadow of these giants of Italian tourism, even though it has so much to offer: a medieval old town tinged with red stone, famous for its two towers, Europe's oldest university, dating back to 1088, and a rich gastronomic tradition. It's not for nothing that Bologna is nicknamed La grassa, or the fat one! The city is also the birthplace of the famous mortadella, and spaghetti bolognese... actually known as spaghetti al ragù ! If you're looking for a dish "à la Bolognese", try cotoletta alla bolognese: a breaded veal cutlet topped with cured ham and Parmesan cheese. A delicacy, worth the trip in itself!
12. Faroe Islands rather than Iceland
The Faroe Islands, a tiny Danish archipelago to the south-east of Iceland, are often overshadowed by Iceland, nicknamed "the land of ice and fire". That's a shame, because since the 2010s, Iceland has experienced a boom in tourist numbers, with 1.7 million visitors in 2016, for a local population of just 300,000!
The Faroe Islands are one of the best places to avoid mass tourism. Still little-known, they welcome just 5,000 tourists a year. The 18 islands that make up the archipelago boastlandscapes each more rugged than the last, with fjords, dramatic cliffs, long green valleys and typical villages. The Faroes are a paradise for nature lovers who abhor overcrowding. In fact, the only crowds you'll come across aren't tourists, but sheep: the archipelago has 70,000 sheep for a population of just 50,000!
13. Comacchio rather than Venice
Over the years, Venice has become a symbol of mass tourism. The city of 220,000 inhabitants welcomes nearly 30 million tourists every year! Even if there are alternatives for visiting Venice in a different way, the best way to avoid participating in this mass tourism is to opt for another destination. Commacchio is the perfect choice: it too lies in the lagoon, this time formed by the delta of the River Po. The town is criss-crossed by numerous canals topped by pretty little bridges, just like the Serenissima, but without the tourists! Comacchio, in Emilia-Romagna, is nicknamed "Little Venice"! Like its big sister, it boasts superb architecture and numerous churches. And thanks to a reasonable amount of traffic, the town's canals are still rich in flora and fauna. A romantic and tranquil place!
14. Ningaloo Reef rather than the Great Barrier Reef
The Great Barrier Reef is one of Australia's must-sees. However, due to overtourism, political mismanagement and global warming, it is now in danger of disappearing forever. Finding tourist sites to avoid the mass tourism to which the reef has fallen victim is therefore a committed and necessary act to save the Great Barrier Reef.
Ningaloo Reef, on the other side of the island from the Great Barrier Reef, i.e. to the west, is a prime alternative. Both reefs areUNESCO World Heritage Sites. Ningaloo offers breathtaking scenery for divers. Its seabed is inhabited by numerous species of colorful coral, but is also home to other fascinating marine animals, including whale sharks.
15. Chicago rather than New York
New York isn't the only U.S. city with a skyline bristling with skyscrapers. Chicago, too, boasts buildings, each one taller and more modern than the last, including the Willis Tower, the city's tallest tower at 442 m! If New York is the most populous city in the USA, Chicago is third on the podium. As for the Atlantic, which borders the Big Apple, Chicago has replaced it with Lake Michigan: so vast, it's like looking out to sea! What to do and see in Chicago? Discover the 17 must-sees!
