According to McKinsey’s Travel, Logistics & Infrastructure Practice report, busier summers are becoming busier and winters quieter. To determine the most crowded cities, Deluxe Holiday Homes analyzed data on the annual international visitors for top tourist destinations.
The primary metric used was Visitors per km², calculated by dividing the total number of annual visitors by the city’s land area. This approach provides insight into how densely packed tourists are within each city’s boundaries.
Phuket, Thailand
Phuket, Thailand, is the most crowded city that is better to be avoided this summer, having over 840K visitors per km². The city’s beaches and nightlife attract large crowds, leading to high tourist density. With 3,392 attractions and an average summer temperature of 27.4°C, Phuket can feel extremely packed, especially in peak season.
Pattaya, Thailand
Pattaya, Thailand, comes in second with 179.8K visitors per km². It is not as crowded as Phuket, but Pattaya still sees a large number of visitors, drawn to its beach resorts and entertainment. The city has 821 tourist attractions and a summer temperature of 27.73°C, almost identical to Phuket’s. Despite fewer attractions, its high visitor density makes it feel just as packed.
Paris, France
Paris, France, ranks third with 166.6K visitors per km². While it doesn’t match the visitor density of Phuket or Pattaya, the city still draws massive crowds because of its landmarks. Paris has 10,000 tourist attractions, offering plenty to see. The lower visitor density, along with a cooler average summer temperature of 19.6°C, makes it more comfortable than the Thai cities.
Barcelona, Spain
Barcelona, Spain, follows Paris with 65.8K visitors per km², making it a noticeably less crowded destination but still popular with tourists. The city offers 5,912 attractions and an average summer temperature of 23.93°C, which is warmer than Paris but still cooler than the Thai cities. Its relatively smaller visitor density makes it a better option for those wanting to avoid overcrowding.
Miami, United States
Miami, United States, ranks fifth with 56.7K visitors per km², experiencing significant tourist activity, though it has far fewer visitors compared to Paris and Phuket. 2,675 attractions and an average summer temperature of 28.6°C make Miami less desirable for those seeking a relaxed vacation.
Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, comes in sixth with 55.2K visitors per km². The city’s 1,626 attractions draw a moderate number of tourists. Its summer temperatures average around 27.6°C, and while it’s a bit less crowded than Miami, it still has a high visitor density, which can make for a busy experience.
Florence, Italy
With 49.4K visitors per km², Florence, Italy ranks seventh. The city’s 2,838 attractions offer plenty to explore, and its cooler summer temperatures of 22.86°C make it a more comfortable destination compared to tropical cities. However, its high tourist density means it can still feel packed during the summer months.
Dublin, Ireland
Dublin, Ireland, has 44.2K visitors per km², making it the eighth most crowded city on this list. The city’s 2,095 attractions attract tourists from around the world. Its cooler summer temperature of 14.83°C makes it one of the more comfortable cities on the list, but the visitor density can still make it feel busy, especially during major festivals.
Amsterdam, Netherlands
Amsterdam, Netherlands, ranks ninth with 38K visitors per km². While it’s less crowded than Dublin, it still draws a significant number of tourists, with 3,966 attractions and a mild average summer temperature of 16.83°C. The city offers a quieter alternative to places like Paris, but the high number of visitors can make it feel congested in the main tourist areas.
Milan, Italy
Milan, Italy, has 35.6K visitors per km², making it less crowded than cities like Phuket and Paris. However, its 4,121 attractions and warmer summer temperatures of 22.46°C can make it feel crowded during peak tourist months, especially around popular shopping areas and historical sites.
Lisbon, Portugal
Lisbon, Portugal, rounds out the top ten with 35.3K visitors per km². While the city’s 4,403 attractions draw visitors, its lower visitor density and average summer temperature of 22.6°C make it one of the more manageable options for tourists. Still, it can get busy, especially in the city’s historic neighborhoods.
Laura Lynch, creator and writer of Savored Journeys, is an avid world traveler, certified wine expert, and international food specialist. She has written about travel and food for over 20 years and has visited over 75 countries. Her work has been published in numerous guidebooks, websites, and magazines.