Published on
November 26, 2025
When you think of wild beauty, pristine ice or azure beaches, you seldom imagine chaos. Yet that is exactly what awaits at many of the world’s most sought‑after destinations. After a sharp surge in global tourism — surpassing pre‑pandemic levels — the travel‑world’s warning signs are blinking red. A respected travel authority has issued a blunt message: don’t flock to certain hotspots in 2026. The problem: over‑crowding, environmental strain, and community pressure threatening the soul of these places.
Here’s a full breakdown of eight destinations now flagged for travellers to avoid next year — and why they’re imploding under the weight of popularity.
Why Overtourism Is Officially a Problem
Before diving into the list, a quick word on “overtourism.” It’s when too many visitors overwhelm a place — straining local services, damaging nature, and disrupting daily life for residents.
In 2025 alone, international tourist arrivals rose by 5% compared to the same period the previous year — surpassing levels from before COVID‑19 struck.
That means more flights, more cruise ships, more short‑term rentals — and many beloved destinations are being pushed beyond their limits.
The 8 Destinations on the “Avoid in 2026” List
Antarctica — The Fragile Continent Under Siege
The icy continent at Earth’s edge seems like the ultimate remote getaway. But the numbers don’t lie: recent data suggests around 120,000 visitors reached Antarctica in the 2023‑2024 season. That figure is projected to double before 2033.
Antarctica never needed tourism — it doesn’t have permanent residents or local tourism economies. Yet, heavy traffic from expedition ships, cruise liners and private vessels is straining an ecosystem that evolved over millennia. Experts warn: every extra visitor adds to carbon emissions, wildlife disturbance, and habitat degradation.
For now, the continent is crying out for restraint. Visiting might give you bragging rights — but at what cost to a place that doesn’t belong to humanity alone?
Canary Islands (Spain) — Paradise Drowning In Its Own Popularity
Once a dreamy escape for sun‑seekers, the Canary Islands now faces mounting shocks from over-tourism: overcrowded beaches, scrambling infrastructure, and skyrocketing housing costs.
Protests have erupted under slogans like “Canaries have a limit.” Long‑time residents are being priced out, while fragile ecosystems — from dunes to marine life — buckle under pressure.
Until there’s serious reform — from limiting rentals to capping visitor numbers — travellers ignoring the warning risk contributing to a collapse of what made the islands magical in the first place.
Glacier National Park, USA — Nature’s Gem Marred by Mass Tourism
The U.S. jewel in the mountains has become a victim of its own beauty. Glacier National Park in Montana recorded over 3.2 million visitors in 2024 — more than double what it handled years ago.
That influx has caused traffic jams along scenic routes, increased carbon emissions, and triggered concerns about wildlife disruption and environmental degradation.
Park authorities were forced to introduce a timed‑entry system for vehicles — a desperate attempt to curb the damage. But shadows of “last‑chance tourism” linger: many flock there now out of fear that global warming will erase these wonders soon. That very fear may accelerate their destruction.
Isola Sacra, Italy — Historic Tranquility Threatened by Mega‑Cruise Plans
A peaceful coastal enclave near Rome, once quiet and rich with ancient ruins, is under serious threat. Local authorities have given green light to build a massive new port for cruise liners — a move that has ignited protests among long‑time residents of Isola Sacra.
Critics warn that the project will unleash floods of visitors, strain fragile coastal ecosystems, and forever alter the town’s character. While officials promise jobs and economic boost, locals fear “Disneyfication” — the destruction of authenticity for tourist dollars.
Until a real, environmentally conscious plan emerges, Isola Sacra stands on the brink.
Jungfrau Region, Switzerland — Alpine Beauty Cracking Under Pressure
With picture‑perfect peaks, glacial lakes, and fairy‑tale villages, the Jungfrau Region draws admiration. But the secret’s out — and now the region is groaning under the pressure of masses of tourists.
Infrastructure is straining, services are overwhelmed, and local life is being disrupted. The very landscapes that made this region a bucket‑list destination are being degraded by overuse. Residents, once welcoming, are growing weary of ever‑rising tourist numbers and the effect on their environment and lifestyle.
Mexico City, Mexico — Culture, Residents and Heritage Squeezed by Tourism Boom
A city rich in history, art, and vibrancy is now feeling the downside of its popularity. Mexico City has seen a surge in tourism, which is increasingly feeding into short‑term rentals, rising rents, gentrification, and displacement of long‑time residents.
Historic neighbourhoods are losing their soul. Traditional shops are being replaced with tourist‑oriented businesses. Locals face a painful choice: decline in cultural authenticity or wave goodbye to homes they’ve lived in for generations. The city’s charm is being turned into a commodity.
Mombasa, Kenya — Coastal Charm Corroded by Cruise Crowds and Pollution
Once famed for its laid‑back beaches, ancient forts, and Swahili culture, Mombasa is now drowning in tourists. Cruise‑ship arrivals surged by 164% in 2024, pushing infrastructure, beaches, and local services well past breaking point.
Roads choke with traffic, beaches fill with litter, and sensitive coastal ecosystems suffer from overuse. Mombasa’s government is scrambling to manage the chaos — but for now, the city’s soul is suffering from a tourism tsunami.
Montmartre, Paris — Europe’s Iconic Art Quarter Becoming a Tourist Trap
The quaint, winding streets of Montmartre, once a haven for artists, poets, and quiet Parisian living, now echo with camera shutters and selfie sticks. Rising visitor numbers have driven up rents. Long‑time small shop owners are being forced out. The area’s locals feel displaced — and disillusioned.
The district risks losing what made it enchanting in the first place: authenticity. Instead of a living, breathing neighbourhood full of locals and history, Montmartre teeters toward becoming a staged backdrop for tourists.
Who’s Warning — And Why It Matters
These warnings come from a well‑regarded travel authority that publishes an annual “No List.” Their 2026 edition is not a call for a permanent boycott — but a plea for pausing, rethinking, and giving these locales a break.
The idea is simple: let nature rest, let communities breathe, and let places heal — before they lose their magic forever.
For travellers, it means thinking beyond the “must‑see” list. It means choosing destinations where visits are sustainable, where communities are respected, and where travel doesn’t wreck what made the place special in the first place.
| Country | Destination Affected | Key Issues | Recommendations |
|---|---|---|---|
| Antarctica | Antarctica (Entire continent) | – Overcrowding and increasing number of visitors. – Environmental degradation and carbon emissions. – Disturbance to wildlife and ecosystems. | – Implement stricter tourism regulations. – Limit tourist numbers to preserve ecosystems. |
| Spain | Canary Islands | – Overcrowding and high tourist numbers. – Environmental strain on marine life and local ecosystems. – Gentrification and rising housing costs. | – Limit short-term rentals. – Introduce visitor caps to reduce strain. – Develop sustainable tourism policies. |
| USA | Glacier National Park, Montana | – Surge in visitors, with 3.2 million visitors in 2024. – Traffic congestion and overcrowding. – Wildlife disturbances and environmental degradation. | – Introduce timed entry or reservations. – Limit traffic and reduce carbon footprint. |
| Italy | Isola Sacra (Rome) | – New port development for cruise ships threatening local culture and environment. – Displacement of locals due to tourism. | – Ensure sustainable development policies. – Protect local culture and environment from commercialisation. |
| Switzerland | Jungfrau Region | – Overcrowding and strain on infrastructure. – Environmental degradation of natural landscapes. – Increased disruption to locals’ quality of life. | – Promote slow and sustainable travel. – Invest in infrastructure before tourism surge. |
| Mexico | Mexico City | – Gentrification and rising housing costs due to tourism. – Erosion of cultural identity and heritage. – Displacement of local residents. | – Regulate short-term rentals. – Promote cultural heritage preservation. – Address rent hikes and displacement. |
| Kenya | Mombasa | – Overcrowding due to cruise ship tourism. – Littering and pollution at popular tourist spots. – Environmental degradation of coastal ecosystems. | – Implement waste management solutions. – Limit cruise tourism and promote eco-friendly travel options. |
| France | Montmartre, Paris | – Overcrowding in popular tourist areas. – Displacement of locals and loss of authentic character. – Rising rents pushing out long-time residents. | – Implement rent control and protect local businesses. – Encourage responsible tourism and preserve local culture. |
The Real Cost of Being a Traveller: When Wandering Becomes Harm
Travelling sounds glamorous: beaches, mountains, culture, adventure. But behind the photos lies the uncomfortable truth. Over‑tourism doesn’t just disturb a few ecosystems — it disrupts communities, destroys heritage, inflates housing, and erodes local identity.
The travellers themselves may not intend harm. Many just want a holiday. But when millions move en masse — drawn by the same glossy posts, maps, and itineraries — the cumulative impact is devastating.
And the real victims are not the desolate wilderness or the majestic peaks — they are the people who lived there, the communities who call the places home, and future generations who’ll inherit the damage.
What Could Be Done — And What We Should Do
If you care about the planet or about preserving the places you love, some kind of action matters. Here are a few broad ideas
- Destinations on the brink should adopt visitor caps or quotas — limiting entry when numbers are overwhelming.
- Local governments could regulate short‑term rentals and Airbnb tourism, to avoid displacement of residents and runaway housing costs.
- Build infrastructure and services before opening the floodgates to tourism — not after.
- Promote responsible, slow travel: encourage fewer visitors, longer stays, deeper engagement — not a tourist avalanche.
- As travellers: think before you visit. Ask yourself: am I adding value or damage? Do locals benefit, or does the place suffer for my “vacation”?
Travel’s Promise — and Its Threat
It stings to say this: travelling — what many peer at as freedom and adventure — can also be selfish. When we ignore warnings, we aren’t discovering the world; we’re taking more than we give.
Some of the most beautiful places on Earth — from icy Antarctica to sun‑drenched Mombasa — are unraveling because people couldn’t resist the urge to go see them.
If you love travel, love nature, or love culture — maybe the kindest plan for 2026 is to pause. Give these places a break. Let them heal. Save the magic, before it’s lost.
