Mass tourism - how to avoid one of the downsides of travel

I have always been interested in ancient history, so Egypt and its culture have been a lifelong love since I first visited there. I will never forget my first thought after arriving at the Giza Plateau and seeing the famous pyramids with - and here comes the twist - the big blocks of flats in the background. Not to mention the fact that I had to compete with several groups of crazy tourists to take a picture. My first thought was that it didn't look like that on Viasat History.

I think many people have walked in the same shoes when they arrived at a long-desired place. I found myself in a similar situation with the Mona Lisa, though I expected it to be smaller than it appears in the pictures. I was still surprised to find it in a big room full of people queueing up for at least half an hour to take a picture of the painting, while stepping on each other's feet.

If we travel in high season, it is inevitable that many other people besides us will visit the same place at the same time. My personal preference is to prevent such situations whenever possible. I don't like crowds, I don't like if I have to fight myself through the crowd to see something or have a short period of time, almost measured by a stopwatch to take a photo.

How can you avoid the crowds and get the most out of your trip? Here are some tips that have worked for me so far.

Travel outside of high season

If there is a way to do it, it is worth booking your trip in off- or shoulder season, which can have two positive effects. On the one hand, the prices are more affordable, since the demand is lower, and it is easier to find good deals. On the other hand, we can also avoid the crowds, as the vast majority of travelers go during the high season. The weather can be more unpredictable or unpleasant (rainier, colder than in high season), so everyone should decide for themselves whether this risk is worth it. It should be mentioned that in several southern countries you can also avoid the scorching heat, so those who cannot stand it or are not used to it, will not sublimate in the 40+ degrees. I was in Paris in 2023 and in my experience the off season period was quite comfortable. I visited the city in February and I was lucky with the weather too. I only had to stand in line a little in front of the Louvre, which was completely understandable.

Travel individually

Large group trips are convenient because you don't have to worry about anything except being at the right place at the specified time. However, this means that we travel with at least one busload of people. If you book individually and roam around the given place yourself, you can decide when and where you go, how much time you spend there, and you can flexibly put together your itinerary in order to avoid the crowds. If you opt for a local tour guide, his personal experience can also help with this. Planning your trip this way might mean more work, but believe me, it's worth it!

Avoid popular locations

It's always tempting to focus on the most well-known places and attractions, but there's a good chance these will be the most crowded. This can mean that you have to purchase tickets weeks in advance, or even have to stand in line for hours with a ticket to get in. It is worth looking for hidden treasures and focusing on them. In 2023, Amsterdam, Athens, Bali, Barcelona, ​​Miami, Paris, and Phuket were among the most crowded destinations. I'm looking forward to the 2024 list!

I often experience that avoiding long-distance flights or not booking tickets unless it is a direct flight severely limits travel planning. It's worth checking to see what places can be reached with 1 or even 2 transfers. The flight time is not always as terrible as you might think at first, and in case of a connecting flight, you don't have to worry about your luggage either. It is just an added bonus that it is easier for us to choose a less crowded destination. All in all, if you insist on your destination, consider the first point and think carefully about when you travel.

Book in advance wherever possible

If we plan our trip well ahead, don't forget to check where it is worth buying tickets online. For example, we had to purchase tickets to the Warner Bros. Harry Potter studio in London more than a month in advance. We almost missed it even though we went in October, which is not necessarily the most popular time of the year. In many cases a ticket purchased in advance does not only mean that we can enter at a fixed time. but also that we can do this with skipping the line. Today, thanks to the Internet, this can be easily done and online sales are also common.

Festivals and holidays

Remember to check whether there are any festivals, local or international events at or near your destination during the selected period. It is also recommended to find out about the national and religious holidays of the given place, because they can greatly influence our trip (e.g. Ramadan period in Egypt). In such cases, schedules and opening hours may change, and locals are more likely to travel within the country. This is not always avoidable, in fact, there are times when the purpose of the visit is the occasion itself, but then we should be aware of the consequences (e.g. traveling to Thailand at Christmas is a popular choice).

Ask the locals

There is always the possibility to get information from the locals and get a little "insider" information. They can also help you to find hidden natural treasures, quiet beaches, or give tips to avoid the crowds in a popular location. Don't be afraid to reach out to them for advice, you won't regret it!

What should we do if the above suggestions do not seem like a realistic option?

We should consider what is within our control that we can do to avoid the crowds. Maybe we have to travel in the high season and stick to, let's say, Athens as a destination. Then we should examine the other options. For example, with the help of Google, we can see the real-time attendance data, even in an hourly breakdown for many attractions. Can we buy tickets in advance? That's great! Can we get to the museum before it opens so we can be among the first ones to get in? Fantastic! Maybe it is a place worth visiting right before closing time, then let's adjust our daily program accordingly. Weekend or weekday? In general, the latter can be a favorable choice if our possibilities allow, since the locals are most likely to work during the day. Let's also map out the options for what else is worth seeing in the near proximity of our destination, which might offset the feeling of mass tourism. If we are visiting a famous festival, a worldwide sporting event, or our trip takes us to Paris in June, the only thing we can do is to prepare for the crowds and the long waiting times. This way we won't have naive expectations, so we can't be disappointed.

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