Saturday, May 17, 2025

Croatia’s Istrian Peninsula, once celebrated as a peaceful coastal retreat, is now experiencing a dramatic shift as record-breaking tourist numbers overwhelm the region. Newly released data reveals that Istria ranks among Europe’s most heavily visited destinations, with over one hundred thirty-three thousand overnight stays per one thousand residents. This intense influx is placing unsustainable pressure on local infrastructure, housing, and public services, transforming what was once a hidden gem into a crowded hotspot struggling to maintain its charm and quality of life for residents.

A picturesque region of Croatia has found itself at the center of a growing crisis in European tourism, as new data reveals Istria among the most heavily burdened travel destinations on the continent. The report, compiled by Which? Travel, highlights a troubling trend of overtourism, with once-hidden gems now struggling to absorb the overwhelming influx of international visitors.

The investigation analyzed tourism statistics recently published by the European Commission and uncovered alarming patterns. As holidaymakers plan their summer escapes for 2025, concerns about overcrowding, anti-tourist sentiment, and the strain on local communities have intensified.

Croatia’s Istrian peninsula, renowned for its natural beauty, cultural heritage, and coastal charm, has become a focal point of this tourism crisis. According to the study, Istria recorded a staggering 133,467 overnight stays for every 1,000 residents, placing it second in Europe for tourist pressure. The only location to surpass it was the Greek island of Zakynthos, which registered nearly 150,000 overnight stays per 1,000 inhabitants.

Despite long-standing marketing campaigns positioning Istria as a lesser-known treasure of the Adriatic, the recent figures suggest that its days of being a well-kept secret are long over. The data reflects a dramatic surge in popularity that has outpaced local capacity to accommodate visitors sustainably.

Istria is the largest peninsula in the Adriatic Sea, strategically positioned between the Gulf of Trieste and the Kvarner Gulf. The majority of the territory—around ninety percent—lies within Croatian borders, with the remaining area shared by Italy and Slovenia. Key cities in the region include Pula, known for its Roman amphitheater; Rovinj, with its romantic coastal views; Poreč, famous for its Byzantine architecture; and Labin, steeped in history.

These locations have long been attractive for their blend of cultural richness, beach access, and gastronomic delights. But the boom in visitor numbers is raising serious questions about how much more tourism the region can handle without damaging the very charm that draws travelers in the first place.

Tourism has historically been one of Croatia’s most vital economic pillars. In 2024 alone, international tourist revenue reached just under fifteen billion euros—a two point seven percent increase compared to the previous year. However, experts caution that the benefits of economic growth are being increasingly offset by the negative externalities of overtourism.

The influx of short-term guests has led to a surge in property prices, putting homeownership out of reach for many locals. Public services and infrastructure are often overwhelmed during the peak season, and complaints about noise, overcrowding, and disrespectful behavior from visitors are mounting. The once-celebrated coexistence between tourism and local life is now under threat.

Dubrovnik, located in the southern part of the country, stands as a vivid example of the strain overtourism can exert on a historic city. Famously used as a filming location for Game of Thrones, Dubrovnik has experienced relentless waves of visitors in recent years. In 2024, the city saw 4.56 million overnight stays and welcomed 1.4 million tourist arrivals, making it the leading Croatian destination by stays and second in arrivals behind Zagreb.

The ancient city center, once a tranquil architectural marvel, now often finds itself overrun by cruise ship passengers and day-trippers. Local authorities have attempted to impose visitor caps and redirect cruise traffic, but with limited success.

Zakynthos, Greece, emerged as the destination with the highest level of tourist density, recording an astonishing 149,887 visitors per 1,000 residents. This translates to nearly one hundred and fifty tourists for every local inhabitant.

Spain’s Fuerteventura ranked third with 118,720 overnight stays per 1,000 residents. Meanwhile, the French capital Paris reported the highest tourist concentration by land area, with over 418,000 visitors per square kilometer. Majorca also made the list with an unparalleled 51.1 million overnight stays recorded in a single year.

These figures illustrate that overtourism is no longer confined to a handful of iconic landmarks—it has become a pan-European challenge.

The report offers a glimmer of hope in the form of alternative destinations. Regions in Eastern Europe—such as parts of Romania and North Macedonia—have been identified as compelling alternatives for travelers in search of beauty and culture without the chaos. These lesser-known areas boast rich heritage, diverse landscapes, and fewer crowds, making them ideal for sustainable tourism.

By promoting travel to these underappreciated destinations, tourism authorities across Europe may help rebalance the continent’s tourist footprint. Diversifying travel flows away from overstressed regions like Istria and Dubrovnik can alleviate the burden on infrastructure while injecting fresh economic life into lesser-visited locales.

With 2025 shaping up to be one of the busiest years for European travel in recent memory, governments, tourism boards, and travelers alike face difficult choices. Striking the right balance between tourism growth and local well-being is more urgent than ever.

Croatia’s challenge—and that of many other European destinations—is clear: how to preserve the unique allure of regions like Istria while ensuring that residents are not left to bear the full weight of an uncontrolled influx. Whether through visitor limits, infrastructure upgrades, or strategic marketing to alternative destinations, action will be necessary if the current trajectory is to be reversed.