World's 'most overcrowded' holiday spot has three tourists to every resident

20 September 2023 , 13:00

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Crowds of tourists shopping on a street in Vienna, Austria (Image: Getty Images)

Austria has been revealed as the most overcrowded country in the world, with more than three visitors for every permanent resident of the country.

The country is famous for its dizzyingly high peaks, some of the best ski resorts in the world, clean water lakes and a population which loves beer. Clearly all of those strong suits are being well communicated to the world as Austria has an absolute glut of visitors each year.

According to research from MoneyTransfers.com, the country is the most overcrowded tourist destination. It has 3.6 tourists for every local resident, having received around 32 million annual visitors despite being home to just 8.9 million people.

Vienna, Austria’s capital city, is the country’s most visited destination. Known as the ‘City of Dreams’, it’s not surprising so many people want to see it. Leading attractions include the Schonbrunn Palace, the Vienna Opera House and the Museum of Natural History. The capital is also known for its cake.

Locals protested against over-tourism in the Austrian town of Hallstatt earlier this year (APA/AFP via Getty Images)

When in town it is highly advisable to try some Sachertorte, a famous Viennese treat which consists of three layers of chocolate sponge cake with thickly spread apricot jam in between and on the top. It was invented by Franz Sacher, supposedly in 1832, for Prince Metternich in Vienna.

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While Vienna might have the space and strong enough tourist infrastructure to cope with the number of visitors, several of Austria’s smaller destinations have struggled.

Hallstatt, a breathtaking village thought to have inspired Disney's Frozen, has had residents take to the streets to protest against tourism in recent weeks. Earlier this year, village staff erected a fence to block the views in an attempt to get tourists to stop taking so many selfies. Just a few weeks ago placard waving locals blocked the tunnel into Hallstatt, sick as they are of the beautiful settlement being bombarded by coachloads of daytrippers.

Austria’s second largest city Graz doesn’t get nearly as many visitors as Vienna but has an excellent reputation as the ‘Capital of Culinary Delights’. This is partly due to the fact that it is surrounded by the bountiful farms, fields, orchards and vineyards of the Styrian province.

If you visit a restaurant here, there is a good chance you will be served a local and sustainably sourced selection of hand-cured meats, artisanal breads and cheeses.

It is also one of the best-preserved historical cities in Europe, and is full of impressive institutions and exciting cultural attractions.

Milo Boyd