The Escape from Overtourism Hits the Periphery

Every year, travel publications go through the predictable exercise of telling tourists where they should have gone instead of joining the claustrophobic queues in Venice or Barcelona. The latest 2027 index compiled by Time Out, covering 41 global locations, points toward a clear market shift: travelers are increasingly seeking to escape overdeveloped hotspots in search of actual value and quietude.

At the top of this year’s global selection sits Bucovina. The Romanian region captured the number one position by offering the same rugged mountain landscapes, architectural heritage, and deep-rooted traditions as neighboring Transylvania, but without the suffocating crowds. It has gained traction largely as the launching pad for the Via Transilvanica, a 1,400-kilometer hiking route that cuts through the country's interior.

Beyond Eastern Europe, the index highlights several Iberian and Mediterranean alternatives that challenge established, overpriced resort markets. In Spain, the northern Asturian cities of Oviedo, Gijón, and Avilés placed third overall, earning recognition primarily for their culinary offerings. Meanwhile, France’s entry at ninth place, the coastal enclave of Carry-le-Rouet, is framed as a sensible counterweight to the exorbitant costs of St. Tropez and Cannes. It offers identical turquoise waters, cliffside views, and fresh seafood without the inflated price tag typical of the French Riviera.

Portugal provides perhaps the most coherent examples of balancing regional appeal with sustainable management. Zambujeira do Mar, a cliffside village in the Alentejo region, secured the sixth spot due to its Blue Flag beach and relative isolation—interrupted only by the annual MEO Sudoeste music festival. Further offshore, the Azores archipelago ranked twelfth. Dubbed the Hawaii of Europe, the nine-island cluster stands out for securing certification from the Global Sustainable Tourism Council, enforcing regulatory policies to protect its environmental and cultural assets while absorbing growing visitor numbers.

The remainder of the top ten reflects a broader global search for understated destinations, featuring places like South Dakota, Costa Rica’s Osa Peninsula, San Martín in Peru, Bisbee in Arizona, Shenzhen in China, and California’s Tioga Pass. Whether holiday flows will permanently redistribute away from traditional tourist traps remains an open question, but the appetite for quieter alternatives is clearly documented.

Written by Andreas Hofer andreas.hofer@alpineweekly.com