Monday, September 16, 2024 As Europe tightens tourist controls, now’s the perfect time to explore lesser-known cities offering affordable escapes, rich culture, and fewer crowds. As Europe’s high season unfolds, renowned cities across the continent are already evaluating the effects of newly introduced tourist controls and taxes aimed at managing overcrowding. This movement to curb tourism on such a massive scale is nothing short of groundbreaking.
But 2024 is only a preview. By 2025, even more regulations will take effect, including an EU-wide travel authorization system. This initiative is expected to generate millions in revenue while allowing authorities to more easily identify tourists who flout new control measures.
Given these upcoming changes, it has never been a better time to venture beyond Europe’s A-list destinations. Opting for B- or even C-list cities can provide a wealth of advantages. These cities are generally more affordable, without sacrificing access to first-class attractions.
They offer unexpected discoveries and a deeper, more authentic connection to local culture—an experience that will leave you with stories and memories few others have. Escaping tourists in Italy is like trying to avoid termites while living next to their nest. Cities like Venice, Rome, Naples, Florence, and Milan remain swamped with visitors year-round, meaning tourists must brace themselves for the crowds, controls, and new taxes.
Even secondary cities like Trieste, Siena, Genoa, Lucca, or Verona can’t promise respite from the tourist influx. Their smaller footprints often make it feel like the crowds are even more concentrated. In Rome, for example, there’s now a charge to enter the Pantheon, and crowd control measures are in place at hotspots like the Spanish Steps and Trevi Fountain.
Florence is actively shrinking its stock of short-term vacation rentals, a strategy that’s already taking root in Rome and could drive accommodation prices sky-high. Venice has gone even further by trialing a new day-tripper tax and limiting tourist group sizes to no more than 25 people. Fines in Rome now reach €250 for simply sitting on the Spanish Steps.
If this sounds overwhelming, consider Torino (Turin), the capital of the Piedmont region. This B-list destination is spacious, verdant, and beautiful, especially thanks to a city-wide tree-planting initiative that has added two million new trees. Last year, the city saw a record number of tourists, with international visitors outnumbering locals for the first time.
But even at the height of the season, the crowds and queues in Turin are nothing compared to Italy’s more frequented cities. Turin is comparable in size to Bologna and ranks as the 10th most visited city in Italy, far behind the usual suspects. Its per-night tourist tax is also modest—at just €3.
70 for 4-star accommodations, it’s half the cost of Rome and significantly lower than Naples. If you search for images of Turin’s stunning plazas, scenic riverside, and iconic museums, you’ll see it easily rivals the beauty of Florence and Verona. Another hidden gem worth adding to your itinerary is Padua, located in Veneto.
Just 40 minutes from Venice’s airport, Padua has no tourist tax and boasts a rich history as one of Europe’s oldest centers of higher learning. Its university, dating back to the Middle Ages, is home to Europe’s oldest botanical garden for scientific research. With its UNESCO-listed 14th-century frescoes and impressive architectural treasures, it’s a wonder Padua isn’t overrun with tourists.
But for those seeking something off the beaten path, this medieval city offers a captivating journey into Italy’s academic and artistic heritage. Meanwhile, overcrowding in Italy’s Cinque Terre continues to be a major issue. The small fishing village of Portofino is so congested that even stopping for a photo can result in a fine of up to €275.
But that pales in comparison to the €2,500 penalty for wearing flip-flops while hiking Cinque Terre’s trails. The message from Italian authorities is clear: follow the rules or risk being fined. However, for those willing to explore alternatives, there are less crowded coastal escapes to consider.
South of La Spezia lies the “Anti-Cinque Terre,” an area with similar scenery but a fraction of the visitors. This route includes Fezzano, Le Grazie, Portovenere, Lerici, Tellaro, and Montemarcello. Together, these small seaside towns form a curve around the Golfo dei Poeti, a bay once frequented by Romantic poets Percy Shelley and Lord Byron during their exiles from Britain.
In these lesser-known destinations, visitors can enjoy the beauty of Italy’s coastline without the overwhelming crowds of Cinque Terre—making it the perfect alternative for a peaceful, picturesque escape..
