Tourists have inundated Italian villages along the Amalfi Coast, clogging narrow streets with crowds and cameras, trapping residents in their homes and sparking renewed local outcry. As temperatures rise, holidaymakers have begun to swarm the picturesque villages, jostling each other and clattering overstuffed backpacks into souvenir stands.
Sea of Tourists in Positano
Footage circulating online shows a narrow alleyway in Positano, a celebrity-favoured town in south-western Italy, filled with a 'sea of tourists'. Local resident Antonio Attianese, who lives in Nocera Inferiore, criticised the local authorities: 'For the mayors and administrators of the Amalfi coast, they like this mess, otherwise they would have already issued orders to civilise this mass tourism. It’s been going on like this for years, and the situation is getting worse every year.'
Not an inch is spared as more holidaymakers are seen descending from a set of stairs into the ancient street. In the town of Amalfi, long lines of visitors stretch back from ferries in the harbour.
'Eat and Run' Tourism
Commentators have identified a particularly harmful type of tourism known as 'eat and run' or 'mordi e fuggi', where day-trippers spend little money and buy cheap souvenirs, contributing little to the local economy while adding to the congestion.
Salvatore Gagliano, former mayor of Positano who now owns the five-star Grand Hotel Tritone in nearby Praiano, slammed the crowding as 'scenes straight out of the Third World'. He told the Telegraph: 'The roads are narrow. When they are blocked there is total confusion.' He called for regulation on cruise ships visiting Positano, adding, 'We can't handle so many people. The beauty of the Amalfi Coast is being ruined.'
A Celebrity Hotspot
Positano has long been a popular hangout for Hollywood stars like Kylie Jenner, Beyoncé and Jay-Z, Reese Witherspoon, and Mick Jagger, who are often seen at iconic spots such as Hotel Le Sirenuse and the rustic beachside restaurant Da Adolfo.
Over-Tourism Across Europe
Over-tourism is a common problem across Europe, with Barcelona being a particularly contentious hotspot. Locals there have staged regular protests over the number of visitors descending on the sunny city during summer months, claiming that an excess of holiday homes and B&Bs has driven up rents. In 2024, local authorities imposed extra charges on tourists staying overnight in the city after holidaymakers were attacked with water pistols during a demonstration.
Dubrovnik in Croatia has also become awash with tourists since the filming of Game of Thrones, driving up prices for accommodation and food. Venice has long been overcrowded and remains another favourite destination for tourists seeking the glories of Italy.
