You’ve seen the photos: sunrise at Bali’s Tegallalang Rice Terraces swarmed by selfie sticks, Amalfi Coast roads choked with tour buses, Ibiza’s beaches packed like sardine cans. With global travel now at 110% of pre-pandemic levels, iconic destinations are buckling under crowds – while prices soar and authentic experiences vanish.
The Overtourism Dilemma: Why 2025 Demands Smarter Travel Choices?
But savvy travelers are pivoting to “destination dupes” – lesser-known spots offering comparable landscapes, culture, and vibes without the headaches. These aren’t compromises; they’re upgrades with:
✔ 30-70% lower prices
✔ 90% fewer crowds
✔ More meaningful local interactions
Based on emerging 2025 travel data (and real testing), here are 7 brilliant swaps for Overcrowded Tourist Destinations for popular hotspots.
1. Instead of Bali → Lombok, Indonesia
Why it’s overwhelmed: Bali hosts 6.3 million tourists yearly – exceeding its capacity by 157%.
The Dupe: Lombok (just 30 minutes by air) offers identical volcanic landscapes, Hindu temples, and surf breaks with 80% fewer visitors.
Experience | Bali | Lombok |
---|---|---|
Waterfalls | Tegenungan: 1,200+ people daily | Tiu Kelep: Often private |
Accommodation | $150+ for basic villa | $45 beachfront bungalow |
Surfing | Canggu: 80 surfers/break | Desert Point: World-class tubes, empty lineup |
2025 Tip: Fly into Lombok International Airport, then take the 2-hour boat to the Gili Islands (Bali’s pre-2005 vibe).

2. Instead of Amalfi Coast → Puglia, Italy
Why it’s overwhelmed: Amalfi’s 8-mile coastal road handles 5,000+ cars daily – triple its capacity.
The Dupe: Puglia delivers the same turquoise waters, cliffside villages, and trulli houses (UNESCO sites) with 50% lower prices.
Unmissable Experiences:
- Polignano a Mare: Dramatic limestone cliffs rivaling Positano
- Alberobello: Fairytale conical houses without souvenir stalls
- Salento Coast: Swim in Caribbean-blue waters with Italian cuisine
Cost Comparison:
- Amalfi Coast dinner: $95 per person
- Puglia seafood feast: $35
3. Instead of Ibiza → Menorca, Spain
Why it’s overwhelmed: Ibiza’s clubs host 6,000+ people nightly – with beach access restricted to VIPs.
The Dupe: Menorca (Ibiza’s quieter sibling) has identical white-sand coves, all-night chiringuitos (beach bars), and Neolithic ruins – minus the chaos.
Key Advantages:
- Beaches: Cala Macarelleta rivals Ses Illetes with 90% fewer people
- Nightlife: Authentic Menorcan jazz bars vs. overpriced superclubs
- Culture: UNESCO Biosphere Reserve status protects local character
2025 Hack: Stay in Ciutadella for sunset cocktails at Plaça des Born (half Ibiza’s price).
4. Instead of Santorini → Milos, Greece
Why it’s overwhelmed: Santorini’s 1.5 square miles host 2 million annual visitors – mostly clustered in Oia.
The Dupe: Milos offers the same volcanic cliffs, blue-domed churches, and stunning caldera views without shoulder-to-shoulder crowds.
Iconic Swap:
Santorini Experience | Milos Equivalent |
---|---|
Oia sunset views | Plaka Castle at dusk |
Red Beach | Sarakiniko’s lunar landscape |
$300 cave hotels | $85 seaside windmills |
Insider Access: Boat tours to Kleftiko Caves cost $35 (vs. $150+ in Santorini).
5. Instead of Paris → Lyon, France
Why it’s overwhelmed: Parisian landmarks like the Louvre average 15,000 daily visitors – creating 2-hour queues.
The Dupe: Lyon matches Paris’ gourmet cuisine, Renaissance architecture, and river romance with breathing room.
Cultural Parallels:
- Food: 20 Michelin-starred restaurants (per capita more than Paris)
- History: UNESCO-listed Vieux Lyon rivals Le Marais
- Art: Musée des Confluences > Centre Pompidou for innovative exhibits
Cost Saver: Lyon’s city bike system is free for first 30 minutes (vs. Paris’ $4 rentals).
6. Instead of Kyoto → Kanazawa, Japan
Why it’s overwhelmed: Kyoto’s 2,000 temples struggle with 40+ million annual tourists.
The Dupe: Kanazawa delivers geisha districts, Zen gardens, and samurai culture with serene authenticity.
Crowd-Free Alternatives:
- Kenrokuen Garden: Rivals Kyoto’s gardens with 70% fewer visitors
- Higashi Chaya District: Geisha teahouses without photo-snapping crowds
- Nomura Samurai House: Intact Edo-era residence (no timed entry needed)
2025 Perk: The Hokuriku Shinkansen puts Kanazawa 2.5 hours from Tokyo.
7. Instead of Tulum → Bacalar, Mexico
Why it’s overwhelmed: Tulum’s beaches now host 10,000+ daily visitors – with rampant seaweed issues.
The Dupe: Bacalar’s “Lake of Seven Colors” offers identical Caribbean hues, cenotes, and eco-lodges without commercialization.
Experience Swap:
Tulum | Bacalar |
---|---|
$25 beach clubs | $5 lakeside hammocks |
Packed Gran Cenote | Private Cenote Azul |
Overpriced boutiques | Local artisan markets |
Sustainable Bonus: Bacalar bans motorized boats – preserving its fragile ecosystem.

How to Discover Your Own Destination Dupes?
Use these 2025-tested tactics to find alternatives:
- Reverse Geography Search
On Google Flights, enter your dream destination → click “Explore” → set filter to “under $500” and “less busy”. - UNESCO Sleuthing
Search “UNESCO sites near [overcrowded destination]” – e.g., “near Dubrovnik” reveals Kotor, Montenegro. - Local Transport Hubs
Target cities with new flight routes (e.g., instead of Lisbon, try Faro, Portugal after Ryanair’s 2025 expansion).
When to Visit Dupes for Maximum Impact?
Destination Dupe | Ideal Timing | Crowd Level |
---|---|---|
Lombok | May-Sept | 🟢 (Low) |
Puglia | Apr-Jun | 🟡 (Moderate) |
Menorca | Late Sept | 🟢 (Low) |
Milos | Oct | 🟢 (Low) |
Lyon | Nov-Mar | 🟢 (Low) |
Kanazawa | Feb (snow) | 🟢 (Low) |
Bacalar | Aug-Oct | 🟡 (Moderate) |
The Responsible Traveler’s Oath
Choosing destination dupes isn’t just about comfort – it’s critical for preservation. Overtourism has forced Bali to introduce visitor quotas and Santorini to restrict cruise ships. By redistributing your footprint, you:
- Protect fragile ecosystems
- Support undertouristed economies
- Experience cultures authentically
Your 2025 Travel Manifesto
The world isn’t getting smaller – but our travel choices can widen it. Swap Bali for Lombok not because it’s cheaper (though it is), but because you’ll:
- Learn to surf where waves aren’t crowded
- Discuss philosophy with a Sasak elder over ayam taliwang
- Watch sunsets that belong to you, not 300 influencers
Pack your curiosity, not preconceptions. The truest adventures begin where the crowds end.