Escape The Venice Crowds: Discover Hidden Gems In Belgium, Italy, Portugal, And France For A Sustainable Travel Experience

Saturday, August 2, 2025

Venice, Italy is undoubtedly 1 of nan astir iconic cities successful nan world, attracting millions of visitors each twelvemonth pinch its romanticist canals, historical architecture, and unsocial taste experiences. However, nan very factors that make it a celebrated destination—such arsenic its scenic waterways and renowned landmarks—have led to important overtourism challenges. The city’s efforts to negociate nan overwhelming crowds, specified arsenic introducing a tourer entree interest and limiting ample cruise ships, person not afloat resolved nan issue. In fact, nan expanding number of visitors has diminished nan charm and authenticity of nan acquisition for galore travelers.

Given these challenges, a rising inclination among visitors is nan hunt for “destination dupes”—alternative spots that connection a akin artistic and acquisition but pinch less crowds. In consequence to this, respective cities crossed Europe person emerged arsenic quieter, much sustainable alternatives to Venice, offering their ain type of beauty, charm, and history. According to caller investigation by Travel Counsellors, complete 28% of UK holidaymakers debar destinations negatively affected by overtourism, while 37% activity lesser-known destinations that reflector nan characteristic of much crowded tourer spots. Here are 4 destinations that are quickly gaining attraction arsenic serene alternatives to Venice.

Bruges, Belgium: Venice of nan North

Often called nan Venice of nan North, Bruges offers a akin canalside acquisition without nan throngs of tourists. This UNESCO World Heritage city, located successful Flanders, is known for its medieval architecture, picturesque canals, and cobblestone streets. However, dissimilar Venice, Bruges has managed to support a much friendly ambiance that allows visitors to genuinely link pinch its practice and charm.

Bruges’ compact halfway makes it perfect for leisurely strolls on nan canals aliases quiet vessel rides done its calm waterways. Visitors tin respect nan medieval ceramic buildings, charming squares, and awesome churches without emotion overwhelmed by crowds. In addition, nan metropolis offers taste gems specified arsenic nan Belfry Tower, nan Church of Our Lady, and nan Groeningemuseum, which showcases Flemish and Belgian art.

While Bruges is simply a celebrated destination successful its ain right, it has successfully avoided nan aggravated over-tourism that often affects Venice. This is chiefly owed to its smaller size, much manageable crowds, and strategical tourism guidance that promotes a sustainable visitant experience.

Chioggia, Italy: A Hidden Gem Near Venice

For those who want to acquisition Venice’s charm but without nan overwhelming crowds, Chioggia, located conscionable 45 minutes southbound of Venice, is simply a cleanable alternative. Often called “Little Venice,” Chioggia mirrors Venice successful galore ways, from its winding canals to its charming bridges and colorful buildings. However, Chioggia remains a overmuch quieter and much authentic destination.

Chioggia is simply a moving sportfishing town, and visitors tin bask section markets brimming pinch caller seafood, artisan goods, and authentic Italian experiences. Unlike Venice, which has go heavy commercialized and tourist-focused, Chioggia maintains its roots arsenic a section community. Visitors tin rotation done nan constrictive alleys, beryllium astatine quaint cafés, aliases bask an authentic seafood meal on nan canals, each without nan monolithic tourer crowds.

One of nan unsocial aspects of Chioggia is its expertise to connection visitors a genuine Venetian ambiance while avoiding nan dense commercialization that has transformed Venice into a crowded tourer hub. For travelers looking for an off-the-beaten-path acquisition adjacent Venice, Chioggia is nan cleanable choice.

Aveiro, Portugal: Venice of Portugal

Aveiro, often referred to arsenic nan Venice of Portugal, offers a serene canalside acquisition successful nan charming coastal metropolis of Aveiro. Known for its colorful moliceiro boats, which glide mildly done its canals, Aveiro combines Venice’s canal charm pinch nan relaxed, welcoming ambiance of a smaller city.

What sets Aveiro isolated from Venice is its unsocial blend of Art Nouveau architecture, picturesque canals, and proximity to nan beautiful beaches of Portugal’s Costa de Prata (Silver Coast). Aveiro has go a rising prima for travelers looking for a charming waterside destination that doesn’t suffer from overtourism. Visitors tin return vessel rides done nan canals, respect nan pastel-colored buildings lining nan waterways, and stroll on nan beautiful streets of nan historical center.

In summation to its canals, Aveiro is known for its delicious cuisine, peculiarly its ovos moles (a saccharine egg-based treat) and caller seafood. With its relaxed vibe and rich | culture, Aveiro offers a beautiful, little crowded replacement to Venice while still providing visitors pinch a sensation of charming canal-side life.

Annecy, France: The Venice of nan Alps

Set against nan stunning backdrop of nan Alps and beside nan sparkling Lake Annecy, Annecy is simply a breathtaking destination successful France that offers a akin acquisition to Venice, but successful a peaceful, serene setting. Known for its crystal-clear waters, flower-filled balconies, and medieval aged town, Annecy offers a scenic canalside acquisition without nan overwhelming crowds recovered successful Venice.

Annecy’s historical municipality halfway is characterized by its well-preserved medieval architecture, charming canals, and lively markets. Visitors tin research nan aged town’s cobblestone streets, bask lakeside cafés, aliases rent a vessel to research nan pristine waters of Lake Annecy. Outdoor enthusiasts will besides admit nan area’s hiking trails and opportunities for swimming and cycling astir nan lake.

Unlike Venice, Annecy benefits from being a much accessible destination that attracts less world visitors but still offers an unthinkable magnitude of charm and history. It is nan cleanable prime for those seeking a romantic, picturesque destination pinch less crowds and an accent connected quality and outdoor activities.

Why These Alternatives Are Gaining Popularity

The hunt for destination dupes comes arsenic travelers are progressively prioritizing sustainability and authenticity successful their recreation experiences. In summation to wanting to flight crowded spots, galore travelers are seeking destinations that connection a much genuine taste experience, 1 that feels connected to section life alternatively than dominated by tourism.

These 4 destinations—Bruges, Chioggia, Aveiro, and Annecy—each connection thing unsocial while avoiding nan overwhelming crowds that person go synonymous pinch Venice. Whether it’s Bruges’ charming canals, Chioggia’s authentic sportfishing municipality feel, Aveiro’s colorful moliceiro boats, aliases Annecy’s stunning alpine beauty, these cities supply nan cleanable alternatives for those seeking to bask Europe’s charm astatine a slower pace.

Sustainable Tourism successful Action

As much travelers move to these lesser-known destinations, it is clear that sustainable tourism is becoming a driving facet successful shaping early recreation trends. These destinations are proving that it is imaginable to acquisition nan magic of European cities while still respecting nan section communities, cultures, and environments.

For tourism professionals and destination managers, these alternatives show nan increasing value of managing tourism successful a measurement that balances visitant request pinch nan preservation of section practice and infrastructure. As much travelers activity off-the-beaten-path experiences, it is captious for destinations to attraction connected sustainable tourism practices that heighten nan visitant acquisition while safeguarding their taste and biology resources.