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Is Europe Too Crowded This Summer? Here’s the Truth (and How to Travel Smarter)

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If you’ve been watching the headlines, it probably feels like all of Europe is one giant “Do Not Enter” sign right now.

Locals are protesting in Barcelona. Venice is charging day-tripper fees. Amsterdam is cracking down on cruise ships. And naturally, travelers are asking:

“Should we still go?”
“If we do, how should we act?”
“What’s actually happening over there?”

At Privada, we don’t just plan travel—we’ve spent years guiding trips across Europe and operating travel worldwide. We understand what’s happening on the ground because we’ve been on the ground. And we believe this moment is less about hitting pause—and more about hitting reset.

1. Should You Travel to Europe This Summer? Yes—With Intention.

Let’s cut through the noise: the protests you’ve seen aren’t anti-tourist. They’re anti-poorly managed tourism. The CEO of Intrepid Travel, James Thornton, recently said it best: “Travel isn’t the problem. Thoughtless, poorly managed tourism is.”

Travel is vital—nearly 10% of global GDP comes from it—and for many European regions, tourism is a lifeline. But the key is doing it in a way that doesn’t overwhelm cities, displace locals, or reduce places to photo ops.

That’s why campaigns like Italy’s “99%” initiative are so powerful. They're not telling people not to visit Italy—they're saying, “You’ve only seen 1% of it. Come see the rest.”

So yes, Europe is still very much open for travel. But it’s calling for a new kind of traveler.

2. Travel Differently—Not Less

This moment is a wake-up call—not to stay home, but to travel better. Here’s how:

  • Rethink where you go. Paris, Venice, and Barcelona are incredible, but there’s breathtaking beauty (and fewer crowds) in places like Puglia, Asturias, or Slovenia.

  • Respect local rhythms. Early mornings, late evenings, and shoulder seasons can make all the difference in how you experience a place.

  • Travel slow. Stay longer in fewer places. Connect. Invest. Savor.

  • Support locals. Book local guides, dine in family-owned restaurants, stay in small inns. Be the kind of traveler communities want back.

  • Consider traveling closer to home. This might be the perfect time to explore your own backyard—whether that’s the Atlantic Maritimes, the Canadian Rockies, or rafting Idaho’s Salmon River (as we did with a group last year). Or look just a bit farther afield to rising destinations like Panama or Colombia—where I’ll be heading this August.

  • Redefine what makes a trip “great.” As Rick Steves recently said, "There’s a right way to travel—and it’s about more than just seeing the sights." At Privada, we couldn’t agree more.

These principles apply whether you’re hiking in the Dolomites or road-tripping through coastal Canada.
Traveling mindfully is always in season.

3. What to Expect—and What to Do If Things Get Tense

Here’s the straight talk:

  • Yes, major sights will be crowded.

  • Yes, some cities are implementing taxes, quotas, and restrictions.

  • No, most travelers are not being targeted or “unwelcome”—but awareness goes a long way.

If you do find yourself in an awkward situation—maybe during a protest, or you catch a cold stare at a packed piazza:

  • Stay calm.

  • Be gracious. A simple “I love your country, and I’m here because I respect it” goes a long way.

  • Walk away. Don’t escalate. Just move on with humility and respect.

4. Why It Pays to Have a Pro Right Now

Privada isn’t your average agency sending guests around the world willy-nilly.

We’ve guided trips ourselves. We’ve built relationships with partners across Europe. We’ve helped clients reroute during wildfires, navigate airline strikes, and find last-minute villas that weren’t on any booking site.

We build intentional, experience-first itineraries designed to:

  • De-stress your travel planning

  • Get you beyond the crowd traps

  • Connect you with the people, not just the places

With so much changing—both in perception and policy—it pays to have someone who knows what’s happening before it hits the headlines.

Final Thought: The World Doesn’t Need Less Travel—It Needs Better Travel

Travel is still one of the most powerful ways to connect with the world and uplift the communities within it.

So no—you don’t need to cancel Europe. You just need to go differently. Go purposefully. Go mindfully.

And when you’re ready to go—we’re here to help.

Want to travel smarter in 2025?
We’re currently crafting personalized, crowd-savvy Europe itineraries and thoughtful journeys closer to home. Let’s build your next great adventure.
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