Travelers Say This Popular European Country Is Overrun With Tourists

Popular European cities are no strangers to crowds of tourists making their way through the tight, narrow cobblestone streets year after year. Another familiar aspect that can be found in Europe is the amount of overtourism that's filling European cities such as Barcelona, Dubrovnik, Lisbon, and Prague with millions of people, which is leaving a sour taste in locals' mouths. In the Netherlands, travelers are saying that this popular European country as a whole is now being overrun with tourists.

When travelers mention that they're heading to the Netherlands to start their European vacation, there are a few telling stereotypes that may come to mind. The delightful European city of Amsterdam, home to quirky crooked houses, winding canals, and world-renowned museums like the Anne Frank House, is the bustling capital city and is also known for an overwhelming number of tourists. Whether visiting to take part in the relaxed cannabis culture that Amsterdam is widely famous for, a debaucherous boys' weekend, or simply to view the colorful tulip fields in the nearby Bollenstreek region, travelers as well as locals are noticing the influx of visitors flooding the Dutch streets faster than a canal after a heavy rainfall.

According to Statistics Netherlands, the country counted a staggering 21.3 million international tourists in 2024, which overcrowded parts of Amsterdam including cafes, restaurants, and Instagram-famous locations, such as De Wallen, otherwise known as the Red Light District. While the Netherlands is one of the safest countries to visit in Europe, travelers are noticing drunken, aggressive behavior by tourists, causing anti-tourist campaigns that one Redditor says is "Because they tend to be drunk and high as a kite, which makes them loud and violent."

Amsterdam is home to several must-visit tourist attractions you should never skip, like the impressive Dam Square. So, with the vast amount of tourists to the Netherlands all cramming into the tiny streets of Amsterdam, outside the city should be slightly calmer, right? Not necessarily. Regrettably, overtourism has now flowed outside of Amsterdam into other nearby areas. Places like Zaanse Schans, a tiny village filled with old windmills; Giethoorn, known for its quiet canals and quaint Dutch atmosphere; and Keukenhof, home to one of the world's most breathtaking displays of colorful floral abundance, are now being invaded by tourists.

In an r/Amsterdam Reddit thread, a German tourist describes their astonishment at the number of tourists that had gathered around the Anne Frank House during their visit, saying, "I was shocked by the amount of people blocking the sidewalk just to take a photo in front of it." Another Redditor in an r/dutch thread tells the tale of why they'll never return to Giethoorn, saying, "Last time I went to Giethoorn was years ago, and I haven't gone back for this exact reason. I feel bad for the people that live there ngl." One traveler is blaming social media influencers for the uptick in tourism numbers within what used to be peaceful neighborhoods in the Netherlands. "I went back to Giethoorn after 10 years and was astonished by how much it had changed," writes the commenter. "Massively overcrowded and every 2 houses there's a restaurant now. The main canal overflowing with boats bumping into each other. It was truly a sight."

Some Dutch locals are supportive of allowing fewer tourists into cities like Amsterdam to curb mass tourism, with capped overnight stays and regulations surrounding new and existing lodging stating they cannot add additional beds to rooms. Amsterdam has also flirted with the idea of not allowing tourists to frequent cannabis coffee shops, which is a proposal still being dangled in front of Amsterdam's city council at the time of this writing.

So, with the Netherlands facing large tourism numbers in cities like Amsterdam, you may be asking yourself where you should visit instead. Thankfully, the Netherlands has an incredibly efficient public transit system that can whisk travelers all across the relatively small country, allowing other cities to benefit from some additional tourist dollars. I spent a total of 10 days traveling the Netherlands and visited the peaceful and idyllic city of Delft – commonly referred to as a mini-Amsterdam — as well as other lesser-known places like Maastricht, Leiden, Haarlem, Gouda (yes, just like the cheese), and Utrecht.

Like Amsterdam, many Dutch cities throughout the country boast picturesque canals, beautiful squares, and plenty of impressive architecture to feast your eyes on. The small town of Gouda, which was one of my most memorable places I visited, has an intricate city hall in its square resembling a mini stone castle with bright red shutters along its side, along with stunning tree-lined canals. Situated less than an hour from Amsterdam by train, Gouda is a quiet escape from the tourist crowds of the capital. When in town, make sure to sample all the Gouda cheese options at Gouds Kaashuis Cheese Shop, owned by farmers that produce the cheese using milk from the cows on their farm.