This bustling city has been named the least crowded destination in Europe, according to a new ranking

Post-pandemic travel is plagued by problems of overtourism leading to massive new admission fees, taxes and caps on visitor numbers. In 2024, travelers are seeking out Europe’s lesser-known attractions, using tricks such as substituting quieter destinations for well-known locations.

If you’re someone who likes to avoid the masses, this new ranking by Wizz Air might help you choose your vacation spot this year. Hungarian airline travel experts analyzed data to reveal Europe’s least crowded destinations.

What is the least crowded holiday destination in Europe?

To avoid crowds, avoid cities like Venice, which has more beds for tourists than residents, and Dubrovnik, which often sees 30 times more tourists than residents. Head to Warsaw instead. Wizz Air ranks it as one of the least crowded cities in Europe for tourists. Although Poland’s capital does not have the same itinerary features as Krakow in the south, it holds its own as a tourist destination. Berlin, Stockholm, Brussels and Copenhagen follow in the least crowded ranking.

What are the best things to do in Warsaw?

Poland’s capital has been repeatedly destroyed and rebuilt, earning it the nickname “Phoenix City.” There’s a grand neoclassical church, a pink-turreted royal castle, and narrow ocher-painted merchant houses, all replicas of the post-World War II reconstruction. Warsaw is constantly evolving, and now you can find trendy moonshine bars, plenty of vegan his restaurants, and microbreweries housed in reclaimed Soviet industrial buildings.

Get a taste of ‘traditional’ Warsaw by spending time on Zamkovy Square in the Old Town, admiring the delicately frescoed houses and imposing St. John’s Cathedral. Then cross the Vistula River to Praga. Praga is an upscale working-class neighborhood that gained fame as the setting for the film The Pianist. There is a neon museum specializing in Soviet-era illuminated signage, a vodka museum with tasting experiences, and a stylish restaurant.

What are the busiest holiday destinations in Europe?

Wizz Air’s ranking aimed to find out which European cities have the most and least number of visitors per 100 local residents. The number of visitors in 2022 is International or abroad Collated from a variety of sources including official tourist statistics for specific countries and cities, local news media, Statista, CEIC data, and similar sources.

Using this system, the airline discovered that the busiest city in Europe was, unsurprisingly, Venice. Heraklion was the next to attract attention. This Greek city is located on the island of Crete, and in 2022, 6.8 million people visited this city, making it the 12th most visited city in the same year. Heraklion’s tourist numbers have increased by 28.6% compared to his 2019 figures and continues to be a go-to choice for travelers, especially during the summer months. Porto, Portugal took third place, followed by Nice, France, and Antalya, Turkey.