Experts have named a European city loved by Britons as the most overcrowded in Europe – and urged tourists to steer clear during the busiest times of the year.
A study by German holiday rental website Holidu said Dubrovnik was the place suffering most from the impact of overtourism.
The Croatian city has seen a boom in numbers since its appearance in Game of Thrones and people have flocked to experience its medieval history and sun-kissed beaches.
According to Euronews, it was visited by 1.5 million tourists in 2019. With a population of around 41,000, that meant there were 36 tourists for every resident in the city.
“Known for its stunning orange rooftops and its feature in the acclaimed Game of Thrones, Dubrovnik has a staggering 36 tourists for every one of its inhabitants,” Holidu said.
“Having a relatively small population, it sees an influx of tourists during the summer months, especially in July and August.
“We recommend visiting in early May or mid-September to mid-October to beat the crowds.”
The company also warned people to avoid destinations in Italy and Greece during the busiest months due to severe overcrowding.
Close behind Dubrovnik was Venice in Italy, where the ratio is 21 tourists per resident. That figure was matched by both Bruges in Belgium and Rhodes in Greece.
Other cities facing significant tourist pressures include Reykjavik in Iceland, Florence in Italy and Heraklion in Greece. According to Holidu, those locations are believed to see between 13 and 16 tourists per resident.