Many of the world’s most popular destinations are now welcoming more visitors than ever before. But as millions of tourists enjoy globetrotting, the surge in visitors is starting to strain some destinations.
Some places, including many of Europe’s most iconic cities, have become so crowded that tourists actually outnumber the people who live there. Safari company Go2Africa wanted to find out which countries and US states are the most overrun by tourists, so it has analysed the latest official tourism data to reveal the most crowded destinations in the world.
While the total number of international visitors to a country does give a good indication of which areas are the busiest, comparing these numbers with the location’s population figures creates a far more striking picture, revealing to visitors where they may wish to avoid if they are craving a peaceful getaway.
According to the study, Vatican City ranks as the most overcrowded tourist destination, with an incredible 7,709 tourists to every resident. While this ratio is extreme, a key fact must be considered. Vatican City, based within Rome, is just 0.2 square miles in size and is a place of pilgrimage and cultural significance for many people around the world. Its tiny population of 882 consists mainly of clergy, diplomats and officials, making it unlike any typical country.
Coming in second place is Andorra, which welcomed 9.6 million visitors in 2024, compared to just 81,938 locals. This gives the microstate a ratio of 117 tourists per resident. Nestled between France and Spain, Andorra is best known for its luxury ski resorts and status as a tax haven, all of which contribute to its outsized appeal.
Many of the most overcrowded destinations are also small island nations, particularly popular among cruise travellers. These places often experience massive, short-term surges in visitors, which can strain local infrastructure and negatively impact local communities.
Countries like San Marino, the Bahamas, Saint Kitts and Nevis and Antigua and Barbuda all experience heavy cruise traffic, often receiving more visitors in a day than they have locals.
Closing out the top 10 are Bahrain, which is home to 1.6 million people and welcomes 14.9 million tourists a year, producing a figure of 9.27 tourists per local. Closely behind in eighth is the iconic Monaco, with 38,956 locals and 340,000 tourists per year, producing a figure of 8.73 tourists per resident. Both these countries host an F1 race each year, a big draw for many fans across the world. Monaco is known for its glamorous yachts and lavish parties, while Bahrain is becoming increasingly popular due to its affordable tickets and exciting racing under the lights.
Ninth is the idyllic Mediterranean island of Malta, home to just over 560,000 locals but welcomes an eyewatering 3.5 million tourists per year, drawn in by its unique blend of history, natural beauty and vibrant wildlife from the UNESCO World Heritage Site of Valletta to crystal clear beaches and dramatic cliffs. Malta had a figure of 6.32 tourists per local. Rounding out the top 10 is Hong Kong, which is often dubbed a shoppers’ paradise. Home to 7.4 million people, a whopping 44.5 million tourists visit each year, keen to buy souvenirs, sample local food, celebrate festivals and watch sites that have become iconic parts of famous movies like Die Another Day (2002). Hong Kong had a figure of six tourists per local.
Surprisingly, despite being named the most visited countries in the world, France and Spain do not feature on the list of the world’s most overcrowded tourist destinations. France retained its title as the world’s most visited country, attracting over 100 million international tourists in 2024. Long celebrated for its cuisine, art, and architecture, France saw an extra boost this year as Paris hosted the Olympics, drawing more than 11.2 million visitors to the capital alone.
Spain followed closely with 94 million visitors to the country, thanks to its sun-soaked coastlines, rich history, and vibrant cities. However, growing tensions between locals and tourists, especially in Barcelona, the Balearic and Canary Islands, the epicentre of recent anti-tourism protests, have started to shift public sentiment.
The World’s Most Overcrowded Countries
- Vatican City – 882 locals vs 6.8 million tourists – 7709.75 tourists per local
- Andorra – 81,938 vs 9.6 million – 117.16
- San Marino – 33,581 vs 2 million – 59.56
- Bahamas – 401,283 vs 11.22 million – 27.96
- Saint Kitts and Nevis – 46,843 vs 875,085 – 18.68
- Antigua and Barbuda – 93772 vs 1.5 million – 12.31
- Bahrain 1.6 million vs 14.9 million – 9.27
- Monaco – 38,954 vs 340,000 – 8.73
- Malta – 563,443 vs 3.56 million – 6.32
- Hong Kong – 7.4 million vs 44.5 million – 6.00
- Iceland – 393,396 vs 2.29 million – 5.81
- Croatia – 3.9 million vs 2.29 million – 5.50
- Barbados – 282,467 vs 1.5 million – 5.38
- Switzerland – 8.9 million vs 42.8 million – 4.80
- Grenada – 117,081 vs 504,000 – 4.30
To conduct the study, Go2Africa gathered official tourism figures from national tourist boards and reports to determine the number of visitors to each country and U.S. state. These figures were then compared to the population data for the same year, allowing the team to calculate the ratio of tourists to local residents for each location.
