With the travel industry recovering from its Covid-induced crash, the issue of over-tourism is beginning to raise its head again.
As the summer season notches up a gear, there are signs of a backlash against visitors in some of the most popular holiday hotspots. There’ve been protests in Barcelona, bans on stag and hen parties in Amsterdam, limits set on cruise liners and a ‘congestion charge’ levied in Venice on its busiest days.
So where in the world can you go and be sure that you, and your tourist money, are welcome?
We’ve looked for alternative locations, easily reached from the UK, where you’re likely to be greeted with a smile and open arms and have found 5 destinations where UK tourists are welcome in 2024.
Just remember, wherever you go, to be a considerate traveller and try to learn at least a few words in the local language.
1. Albania
Turquoise waters, sandy beaches, ancient history and wild nature – Albania has as much to offer as the more popular Croatia.
Tourism is a growing part of the Albanian economy, and its attraction lies in the fact the country was closed to travel for many years, so it’s relatively unspoiled.
Perfect for outdoorsy types, with hiking trails, deep lakes, mountains to conquer and plenty of waters to swim, snorkel, dive and sail. Inland there’s the beautiful Lake Ohrid, known as ‘Lake Como on the cheap’ and your budget will stretch a very long way in Albania.
The climate is Mediterranean, with distinct seasons. The coastal areas have mild, wet winters and hot, dry summers, while it can get very cold and snowy in the alpine areas.
See the Visit Albania website for more information.
Getting to Albania
Flights:
A direct flight from London to Tirana takes a little over three hours, with airlines including WizzAir, ITA, Lufthansa, Swiss International and Air Serbia. Flights also go to Kukës International Airport, which opened in 2021, and the international terminal at Vlora in the south of the country is due to open early in 2025.
Flight free alternatives: There are no direct passenger rail services, but you can take the train through France and Italy and a 9-hour ferry ride from Bari to Durrës on the Albanian coast.
Slow travel experts Byways have several tour options, to make the journey part of the adventure.
Entry requirements: You can stay for up to 90 days in Albania as a tourist without a visa, but you need to have at least 3 months left to run on your passport after the date you plan to leave.
2. Bosnia and Herzegovina
Another Balkan beauty, though still battle-scarred from the Yugoslav Wars of the late 1990s.
Mostar is a must, named for the mostri, or bridge-keepers, who guarded the Old Bridge during the Ottoman era. Many of its old buildings have survived the centuries.
Sarajevo is a true east-meets-west experience, and the food everywhere is delicious.
Winters in the north around Sarajavo are snowy and cold (think Winter Olympics!) but in southernmost Herzegovina it’s Mediterranean, with very hot and sunny summers.
Locals are very friendly and nowhere is crowded.
If Sarajevo is your destination, check out their official tourist website.
Getting to Bosnia and Herzegovina
Whilst many tourists will enter the country as a side trip from Croatia, it merits a visit all by itself.
Flights:
The journey is a little over 2 and half hours and flights are really cheap. Wizz Air serves the main airport in Sarajevo, and you can also fly with Ryanair to Tuzla and Banja Luka.
Flight free alternatives:
Train and bus alternatives do exist, but you’ll have to be hardy travellers to face the 27-hour journey! But once you’re in the country, getting around by bus is easy, with a bit of forward planning if you’re heading to the more remote regions.
Entry requirements:
Your passport must have a date of issue (Note: Not expiry date!) less than 10 years before the date you arrive AND an expiry date at least 90 days after the date you plan to leave
3. Morocco
More than 14 million tourists visited Morocco in 2023, and it plans to nearly double that to 26 million by 2030.
An up-and-coming destination, it’s famous for breathtaking architecture, fascinating history and colourful culture.
Medinas, mosques, minarets and monuments make Morocco a photographer’s dream, and the vibrant souks are a feast for all the senses.
Outside the cities there are mountains and valleys to explore, well off the beaten track, and perfect for hikers, cyclists and even skiers in winter.
It’s a year round destination, with warm winters and hot summers.
But, as with all travel abroad, you do need to be aware of the customs and manners of the country, if you want to feel truly welcome and be aware of likely restaurant closures if you’re visiting during Ramadan.
See the official Visit Morocco website for more information on visiting Morocco all year round.
Getting to Morocco
Flights:
There are plenty of options direct from the UK to Rabat, Marrakesh and Agadir with flight times between 3 and 4 hours.
Flight free alternatives:
With the high speed rail network through France and Spain and regular ferry routes from Tarifa in Spain to Tangiers, it’s very do-able.
Entry requirements:
Your passport must have an expiry date at least 3 months after the date you arrive and must not be damaged. There have been cases of tourists with damaged passports not being admitted to the country.
4. Northern Ireland
Southern Ireland, is famous for its hospitality, but Northern Ireland’s doing its best to catch up, and it has so much to offer.
Wild, rugged coastlines, gentle rural landscapes, buzzing cities and towns filled with entertainment. And no language barrier – once your ear attunes to the accent!
The times when the English weren’t welcome are long gone, and the locals are friendly, fun and love to have a good time. And if you’re visiting the old walled city of Derry/Londonderry, get a local guide to hear all the stories.
Belfast has the Titanic Museum and there’s the extraordinary Giant’s Causeway – huge volcanic rocks that inspired the story of the Irish giant Fionn fighting his Scottish rival Benandonner.
Weatherwise … let’s just say ‘variable’, and that means everywhere is geared up for it, with plenty of outdoor and indoor activities.
More information on Discover Northern Ireland
Getting to Northern Ireland
Flights:
Plenty of direct flights that take a little over an hour.
Flight free alternatives:
Stena Line runs ferries regularly from Liverpool and Cairnryan in Scotland to Belfast. The route from Scotland is a short hop, the one from Liverpool takes 8 hours and the Irish Sea can get pretty rough!
Entry requirements:
None!
5. Where else?
Because, if you look hard enough, you’ll always find a less crowded, more welcoming alternative.
Try rural France instead of the cities and beaches.
What about Valencia instead of Barcelona?
Northern Portugal as an alternative to The Algarve?
Or stay at home in the UK and explore those places you’ve always said you wanted to visit.
Would love to know if you’ve been anywhere, abroad or at home, that was particularly welcoming to tourists.
Where to next?
• Flight free travel
• Six questions before you travel
• Why your passport might stop you travelling