Throngs of tourists overrun Italian hot spots as high vacation season kicks off
Italy is experiencing an overwhelming influx of tourists as the summer vacation season begins, leading to crowded streets and popular attractions. Residents in places like Positano and Rome express frustration over the sheer number of visitors, with some feeling trapped in their homes. Despite the complaints, Italy remains a top destination for travelers, with visitor numbers continuing to rise each year.
- ▪Tourists are crowding popular Italian destinations like Positano and Rome, causing significant congestion.
- ▪Local residents are frustrated with the mass tourism, with some feeling they must stay indoors due to the crowds.
- ▪Italy reported approximately 185 million visitors in 2025, marking a 9% increase from the previous year.
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Travel Throngs of tourists overrun Italian hot spots as high vacation season kicks off By Kyra Breslin Published May 19, 2026, 11:28 a.m. ET See more of our coverage in your search results. Add The New York Post on Google The dream of chic Italian travel is basically crowd control at this point. Summer has barely begun, and already mobs of eager tourists pack shoulder to shoulder, squeezing through narrow streets in Positano, crowding train platforms in Cinque Terre with large backpacks, and congregating aimlessly around fountains in Rome, in what some critics have referred to as their worst nightmare. 5 Crowds of tourists can be seen waiting in line en masse at popular attractions.
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