ADVERTISEMENTThe summer of 2024 was a tipping point for many destinations in Europe, as soaring visitor numbers caused tourism to become a burden rather than a benefit.
With mass tourism showing no signs of slowing in 2025, many hotspots have brought in measures to mitigate its negative effects.
Some moves seemed obvious: limiting cruise ships, increasing tourist taxes and capping visitor numbers.
But other efforts to curb visitor numbers have made headlines thanks to outside-the-box thinking from both officials and residents.
Here are some of the strangest overtourism measures that have been brought in so far this year.
Notting Hill residents paint iconic coloured houses black
Notting Hill, a neighbourhood in West London, first gained tourist fame in the 90s thanks to the eponymous romantic film starring Julia Roberts and Hugh Grant.
More recently, its photogenic, candy-coloured houses have made the area a social media darling.
But the crowds of snap-happy tourists have begun to frustrate residents, who are raising complaints about litter, noise and a lack of privacy.
Locals report incidents of influencers walking up to front doors to take pictures, setting out picnics, and even asking one homeowner to go inside so as not to ruin a photo.
Now, some residents have resorted to painting their houses in less eye-catching hues like black and grey to deter the cameras.
Homeowners have also erected ‘quiet zone’ signs and hung chains and ropes in front of the stairs leading up to their front doors.
Police check hikers' footwear in Italy’s Cinque Terre
Italy’s Cinque Terre is famous for its sunny-coloured, cliff-clinging villages linked by vertiginous walking paths.
The hiking routes draw thousands of visitors in spring and summer, to the extent that the Cinque Terre national park authorities have had to introduce safety measures.
As well as introducing one-way systems, park authorities brought in a ban on open or smooth-soled footwear (like flip-flops) in 2019.
Inappropriate shoes can cost a would-be hiker a fine ranging from €50 to €2,500.
In the latest online guidelines for visiting the park, officials now say checks will be carried out by police to ensure walkers are properly kitted out.
Barcelona creates special selfie zone at Sagrada Familia
Until recently, Plaça Gaudí, the square in front of the Sagrada Familia church, had been exploited by tourists for a TikTok trend that caused considerable disruption.
It involved visitors balancing their phones on metro escalators to film themselves while the iconic monument appeared in the background. The trend led to tourists clogging station exits and was eventually banned.
Barcelona city council has now decided to construct a special zone beside the Sagrada Familia where visitors can take a breather - and a selfie - before entering the church.
The 6,200-square-metre ‘anteroom’ will be located between the Nativity façade of the basilica and Plaça Gaudí on Carrer de la Marina.
Benidorm cracks down on renting mobility scooters
In the Spanish resort town of Benidorm, authorities have announced hefty fines for the inappropriate use of mobility scooters.
Police say tourists have been renting the vehicles for fun and without proper insurance, and driving around at dangerous speeds.
The council has now emphasised that the use of mobility scooters is strictly limited to those with a genuine need.
Visitors violating the rules face fines of up to €500.