{"id":117830,"date":"2025-05-20T19:21:27","date_gmt":"2025-05-20T19:21:27","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/117830\/"},"modified":"2025-05-20T19:21:27","modified_gmt":"2025-05-20T19:21:27","slug":"seven-alternative-european-destinations-to-visit-as-anti-tourist-protests-sweep-spain","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/117830\/","title":{"rendered":"Seven alternative European destinations to visit as anti-tourist protests sweep Spain"},"content":{"rendered":"

\t\t\"Portelet
\n\t\tTry somewhere different this year (Picture: Getty Images\/iStockphoto)<\/p>\n

Summer holidays<\/a> are just around the corner, but as UK tourists head to Spain<\/a>, Portugal and Italy<\/a>, locals in these countries are taking a stand.<\/p>\n

This week, residents of\u00a0Spain<\/a>\u2019s\u00a0Canary Islands<\/a>\u00a0have taken to the streets to protest<\/a> against mass\u00a0tourism<\/a>.<\/p>\n

Tens of thousands have gathered on the seven main islands of\u00a0Tenerife<\/a>, Gran Canaria, Fuerteventura, El Hierro, La Palma, La Gomera and Lanzarote, urging visitors to stay away.<\/p>\n

In particular, campaigners are calling on authorities to reduce the number of short-term rentals and create more affordable homes for people who live on the islands year-round.<\/p>\n

\t\t\"Protests
\n\t\tProtests swept the Canary Islands (Picture: Alamy Live News.)<\/p>\n

Solidarity protests are also taking place in\u00a0Barcelona<\/a>, Valencia and\u00a0Madrid<\/a>.<\/p>\n

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The protests are an echo of last year, when authorities across Europe attempted to curb the impact of rising tourist numbers.<\/p>\n

As well as continued protests in Spain, in Italy, Venice introduced its controversial day-tripper tax<\/a> and Roman authorities implemented crowd controls to reduce the chaos around major landmarks such as the Trevi Fountain. Portugal\u2019s capital, Lisbon, also saw it\u2019s tourist taxes hiked, and more anti-tourism protests.\u00a0<\/p>\n

If you\u2019re looking to avoid adding to the pressure, and want to explore some lesser-known destinations, Metro<\/strong> has rounded up a list of alternative travel spots for your next trip.\u00a0<\/p>\n

Kotor, Montenegro\u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n

\t\t\"Panoramic
\n\t\tKotor boasts breathtaking views (Picture: Getty Images)<\/p>\n

Nestled in a bay between the Adriatic Sea and a sweeping mountain range, Kotor, in the south of Montenegro<\/a>, has winding streets, romantic squares and breathtaking bay views.<\/p>\n

A UNESCO World Heritage site, it dates back to the 12th and 14th centuries. Tourists can hike up to Kotor Fortress, explore the\u00a0labyrinth-like Old Town, or take a boat trip around the bay.<\/p>\n

For a culinary delight, an oft-recommended restaurant is Tanjga. The bustling BBQ spot is considered one of Kotor\u2019s best, serving up hearty portions of traditionally cooked Montenegrin\u00a0grill.<\/p>\n

\t\t\"A
\n\t\tIt looks like a postcard (Picture: Getty Images\/iStockphoto)<\/p>\n

While Kotor can get busy during the warmer months, Boke\u0161ka Night is an annual boat parade in August, with colourful floats culminating in a huge street party in the main town.<\/p>\n

There\u2019s even an underwater wine cellar. A floating bar serves wine aged beneath the waves, along with fresh food and waterside views.\u00a0<\/p>\n

Lake Bled, Slovenia\u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n

\t\t\"Lake
\n\t\tThe fairytale lake is thought to be among the best in Europe (Picture: Getty Images)<\/p>\n

Lake Bled is one of Slovenia<\/a>\u2019s most popular tourist attractions, and it\u2019s easy to see why.\u00a0<\/p>\n

The picturesque blue-green lake framed by tall mountain peaks is often compared to the likes of Italy\u2019s Garda and Como. With a small island featuring a church at its centre and a cliff-top medieval castle overlooking the water, it\u2019s giving fairytale, with one Tripadvisor reviewer saying it\u2019s \u2018one of the most romantic places I\u2019ve ever seen\u2019. <\/p>\n

There\u2019s plenty to do here too. You can walk the full loop around the lake, which is a manageable 6km and will take about an hour and a half. Of course, there are boat trips available too. Many head to the church, where it\u2019s said if you ring the bell and make a wish, it\u2019ll come true. <\/p>\n

There\u2019s also more adventurous options from paddleboarding to Zipline Dolinka, the longest in Europe which features 4km of ziplining.<\/p>\n

For those with a sweet tooth, Lake Bled is home to the\u00a0Bled Cream Cake, or kremsnita. The custard-y treat is a local favourite and a must-try.<\/p>\n

Lake Ohrid, North Macedonia\u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n

Another waterside destination is Lake Ohrid, which sits on the border North Macedonia<\/a> and Albania<\/a>.<\/p>\n

Known for its crystal-clear waters, it\u2019s one of the oldest and deepest lakes on the continent. The tranquil lake sits next to the town of Ohrid, one of Europe\u2019s oldest settlements, which is also a UNESCO World Heritage site.<\/p>\n

Make sure you take a stroll along the boardwalk, which connects Ohrid to the popular Potpesh Beach. Watch the boats sail by and admire the views.<\/p>\n

For architecture, you\u2019re spoilt for choice, there\u2019s Samuels Fortress, which dates back to the 4th century, and the Ancient Macedonian Theatre of Ohrid which was once used by the Romans for gladiator fights. <\/p>\n

\t\t\"Ohrid\"
\n\t\tBeautiful and cheap (Picture: Getty Images\/iStockphoto)<\/p>\n

What\u2019s more, Lake Ohrid is cheap. Visitors can find accommodation for less than \u00a320 a night and local beer for under \u00a32.<\/p>\n

For a fun souvenir, take home some Ohrid pearls. These aren\u2019t the kind you\u2019ll find in an oyster, but rather they\u2019re made with ground shells. Much of the making process is kept under wraps, but you\u2019ll find lots of boutiques and shops selling the unusual jewels around the town.<\/p>\n

Lefkada<\/strong>, Greece<\/p>\n

\t\t\"Porto
\n\t\tThe island boasts picturesque beaches with turquoise waters (Picture: Getty Images)<\/p>\n

Nicknamed the \u2018Greek Caribbean\u2019, Lefkada is an island off the west coast of Greece<\/a>.<\/p>\n

Lefkada is small \u2014 at just 35km long, it takes about 2.5 hours to drive the perimeter on well-paved roads with decent signage. Sleepy traditional villages break up the journey, a sort of \u2018land that time forgot\u2019 where locals spend hours sipping strong coffee on the veranda.<\/p>\n

While beaches such as Porto Katsiki and Milos regularly rank in Lonely Planet\u2019s top 10, ask around and you\u2019ll discover hidden gems. When Metro\u2019s Alice Murphy visited the island recently<\/a>, locals encouraged her to head to Kalamitsi, a coastal village surrounded by four beaches: Gaidaros, Kavalikefta, Vrachos and Avali.<\/p>\n

\t\t\"\"
\n\t\tShoreside dining straight from a scene in Mamma Mia (Picture: Metro)<\/p>\n

And you won\u2019t go hungry. Bakeries here are unfettered by tourist prices, with authentic pastries such as\u00a0spanokopita\u00a0(spinach and feta pie) and\u00a0kourabiedes\u00a0(Greek butter cookies) for less than \u20ac2.<\/p>\n

Even better value are Lefkada\u2019s off-beat tavernas, which serve moreish plates of\u00a0saganaki\u00a0(fried cheese with honey), calamari, mussels and grilled octopus with glasses of chilled red wine for as little as \u20ac16 a head.<\/p>\n

Estepona<\/strong>, Spain <\/p>\n

\t\t\"Beach
\n\t\tIt\u2019s one of the lesser-visited Andalusian areas (Picture: Getty Images)<\/p>\n

There are plenty of untouched destinations in Spain that haven\u2019t been overtaken by mass tourism. One of those is Estepona, a charming, lesser-known village to the west of Costa del Sol, Southern Spain.\u00a0<\/p>\n

Metro\u2019s Sophie-May Williams visited the \u2018humble town\u2019 last year<\/a>. While 12 million international tourists flocked to the Andalusian region in 2023, she notes that only 253,376 (2%) of people stopped in Estepona.\u00a0<\/p>\n

Walk from Playa de la Rada beach to Estepona\u2019s blue and white marina, where the roadside overflows with shrubs and palm trees. The small whitewashed houses of the Old Town are decorated with bright pink flowers (Bougainvillea) and polka-dotted plant pots.<\/p>\n

\t\t\"\"
\n\t\tIt\u2019s easy to see why Estepona is called the Garden of the Costa del Sol (Picture: Metro)<\/p>\n

The floral spectacle reaches a stunning crescendo in the Plaza de las Flores, a square in the centre of town, where hundreds of flowers bloom around a Baroque fountain.<\/p>\n

It\u2019s also where tourists flock for lunch. There are four main tapas bars in the square, and as Sophie says \u2018it doesn\u2019t matter which one you go to\u2019. <\/p>\n

There is also a 12-mile stretch of sandy beaches to relax on, along with beach bars to grab a bite and quench your thirst.<\/p>\n

Jersey<\/strong>, Channel Islands<\/p>\n

\t\t\"Portelet
\n\t\tVisitors will notice a mixture of British and French influences (Picture: Getty Images\/iStockphoto)<\/p>\n

Just 14 miles off the coast of France, head to Jersey and you\u2019d be forgiven for thinking you were on the continent. It\u2019s somewhat mind-boggling: you can sink a pint at a traditional English pub, then head to the capital, St Helier, and shop at a Norman food market.<\/p>\n

Metro\u2019s Kristina Beanland visited Jersey<\/a> and \u2018fell in love\u2019 with the laid-back island, and its stunning scenery.<\/p>\n

Go in the summer and head to St. Brelade\u2019s Bay, loved for its wide expanses of golden sand and the original Jersey Crab Shack.<\/p>\n

Thrill seekers should also take a trip on a RIB with Jersey Seafaris. One of their most popular tours takes you to The Ecrehous \u2013 a small group of isolated islands just eight miles from France. You might even spot some dolphins (and brace yourself for some high-speed doughnuts in the harbour).<\/p>\n

If it\u2019s a rowdy pub you\u2019re after, the Trafalgar Arms in St Aubin is the place to quench your thirst \u2013 be prepared for your night to escalate.<\/p>\n

Plovdiv, Bulgaria\u00a0\u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n

\t\t\"Roman
\n\t\tPlovdiv is one of the oldest cities in Europe (Picture: Getty Images)<\/p>\n

One of Bulgaria\u2019s hidden gems is Plovdiv, one of the oldest cities in Europe<\/a>.<\/p>\n

Founded in 6000 BC, history buffs can marvel at the remnants of the city\u2019s past, including the Ancient Theatre of Philippopolis, which dates back to Roman times, and the cobbled streets of the Old Town, which mix medieval and 19th-century architecture.<\/p>\n

But there\u2019s more to the city than once was. The Kapana Art District is a lively neighbourhood, known for being a hub of creativity. Grab a coffee, wander round this colour area and admire the street art.<\/p>\n

It\u2019s easy to get to as well. Ryanair flies direct to Plovdiv from London Stansted, Birmingham Airport or Manchester Airport for as little as \u00a330 for a round trip.<\/p>\n

Meanwhile, Plovdiv can be reached in under two hours by car from the Bulgarian capital Sofia.<\/p>\n

This article was originally published January 28, 2025.<\/p>\n

Do you have a story to share?<\/strong><\/p>\n

Get in touch by emailing MetroLifestyleTeam@Metro.co.uk<\/a>.<\/strong><\/p>\n

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