The Mediterranean represents a slice of heaven on Earth that is an essential part of any proper European travel. People visit during their inter-railing travels, with cruise ships or they do plenty of weekend getaways. No one seems to get enough of it.
As it covers numerous countries, it is important to plan your trip to the Mediterranean wisely so as to not end up visiting tourist traps that will leave you exhausted and penniless. Don't opt for the most obvious destinations as they are often not what they seem to be on photographs.
We have gathered a list of 15 destinations in the Mediterranean that are simply not worth your time. If you plan your trip around these places, you are missing out on having an amazing time in this very special part of Europe.
15 Monaco Is Worth A Quick Visit, But It Will Break Your Bank
As the second smallest country in the world, Monaco is a place like no other. The entire area radiates luxury - and naturally, prices meet the high standard. You can walk through Monaco incredibly fast, but skip spending a night there if you are not willing to pay a fortune.
14 Marseille, France: A City With Many Social Issues
France's second-biggest city is located on the Mediterranean coast and it lacks the signature charm that other cities on the French Riviera are famous for. Often unnoticeable to tourists who just come to see the port, many of the city's residents struggle with poverty and social inequality.
Related: 10 Things We Wish We Knew Before Visiting France
13 Naples, Italy Has A Huge Trash Problem
It is a well-known fact that Naples is drowning in waste, so if you're planning to visit, just don't, at least until they get this problem under control. Generally, tourists flock to the area to see Mount Vesuvius and Pompeii, which, unlike Naples, are well worth a visit.
12 Avoid The Mass Tourism Of Zakynthos, Greece
Zakynthos is a Greek island that attracts young people from all over Europe because of its famous and generic party scene. While the beaches are stunning, they are also crowded and loud. There's plenty of other Greek islands that are worth checking out for your holiday.
11 Palermo, Italy: A City You Either Love Or Hate
When visiting Sicily, most can't avoid passing through Palermo, the island's biggest city. It certainly has culture and history, but it also has chaotic traffic, poor infrastructure, and bad service. Some don't seem to mind the ugly side of the city, but everyone agrees that it has very little charm.
10 Rock Of Gibraltar Aside, This Small Town Has Little To Offer
Gibraltar is not worth visiting because it gets so packed that tourists have to wait in endless queues just to ride the famous cable car. Locals are said to be rude and not very welcoming to tourists - but with masses congesting the streets daily, who can blame them?
9 When Touring Tuscany, You Should Skip Livorno, Italy
There is nothing in particular wrong with Livorno, a smaller port city close to Pisa. It's just that this city has little to offer to its visitors and there are so many other exciting and awe-inspiring places to see in Tuscany. Seeing Livorno is therefore sadly a waste of your precious time.
8 Santorini, Greece Sure Is Picturesque, But Its Authenticity Is Questionable
Who doesn't know the famous white and blue aesthetic of Santorini? Often listed as one of the most beautiful places on Earth, this island is getting too crowded for it to be enjoyable. The photo shows that you will snap that enviable photo, but at what cost?
Related: 20 Things Locals Wish Tourists Knew About Santorini Before Visiting
7 Lloret De Mar, Spain Is A Party Destination For Teenagers
Similar to Zakynthos, Lloret de Mar in Spain is the go-to place for teenagers who want to celebrate graduating from high school. While it might be fun for them because they do not know any better, you certainly won't appreciate it as much as they do.
6 Skip Budva, Montenegro And Go To Bay Of Kotor Instead
Montenegro is the hidden gem of the Balkan countries and it has an amazing coastline. Budva is an easily accessible resort city that lost its authenticity. Head to the absolutely stunning Bay of Kotor instead, it is a just a quick ride from Budva.
5 Corfu, Greece Used To Be Famous For Its Postcard Beaches
Even though it is one of the most famous Greek islands, Corfu is best to be avoided as they have a huge problem with trash that can even be found on some of their otherwise amazing beaches. The island simply welcomes more tourists than it can bear.
4 Barcelona, Spain Is Getting Very Hard To Enjoy
You might be thinking what is the beautiful Catalan capital doing on this list? Well, Barcelona was one of the first cities to declare that it is suffering from over-tourism and that local communities' standard of living is rapidly declining due to all the visitors from around the world.
3 Dubrovnik, Croatia Is Absolutely Stunning, But Impossible To Walk Through
Before Game of Thrones made it a world-famous destination, Dubrovnik was charming and tranquil. Today, it is nothing like that anymore: just look at the people and try to imagine being stuck in this pedestrian nightmare. Hopefully, the hype will simmer down and Dubrovnik will be restored to its previous glory.
2 Ibiza's Party Scene Is In Need Of Regulations
It is no surprise that this party heaven is facing some problems due to 'booze tourism'. Ibiza has that amazing island vibe, but if you are into island life, visit Sardinia instead. It has something for everyone and it definitely guarantees a great time, which Ibiza sadly doesn't.
Related: 20 Wild Photos Captured At Hotel Pool Parties In Ibiza
1 It's Best To Visit Cinque Terre During Low Season
Another example of over-tourism is the colorful Cinque Terre. You might not be able to walk around in your summertime clothes during low season, but at least you will have room to breathe. Consider visiting between the months of November and February to avoid ridiculous crowds.