The 7 European Cities Locals Are Abandoning (And the Stunning Places They’re Choosing Instead)

When you think of Europe’s greatest hits—Paris, Barcelona, Venice—the mind conjures romantic boulevards, iconic landmarks, and bustling squares. Yet behind the postcard scenes, many locals are packing up and moving away.

Rising rents, tourist crowds, and shifting job opportunities lead a growing number of Europeans to seek calmer, cheaper, or more community-focused alternatives. Below, we highlight 7 beloved cities losing locals—and where they’re quietly heading instead.

Want More Cultural & Travel Insights?

• 7 Cultural Rules That Confuse Everyone—Even Europeans Themselves
• 10 Secrets to Understanding European Politeness (And Why You’re Doing It Wrong)
• Why Europeans Never Order These 13 Menu Items (And What to Do Instead)

Quick Easy Tips

Avoid tourist-packed capitals in high season like Paris, Barcelona, and Amsterdam—opt for regional cities instead.

Look into second-tier cities such as Valencia, Porto, or Lyon—they offer rich culture without the chaos.

Follow remote worker trends—many Europeans are flocking to more affordable, livable cities like Tbilisi, Tallinn, and Málaga.

Compare cost of living before booking travel or relocating—rents and dining costs vary drastically within each country.

Use local blogs and forums to find “real” reviews of life in less-known areas versus tourist PR.

There’s a growing disconnect between what tourists want and what locals can tolerate. Cities like Venice, Prague, and Amsterdam have become near-unlivable for locals due to surging rents, Airbnb saturation, and the daily flood of tourists. The irony? Tourists flock to these cities seeking “local charm,” but their sheer numbers drive out the very people who create it.

Governments often prioritize tourism revenue over livability, allowing these destinations to turn into postcard versions of themselves. Many locals now see their hometowns as theme parks with no real community left. It’s a quiet exodus—residents aren’t staging mass protests, but they’re selling, packing, and disappearing to calmer towns with better quality of life.

And here’s the kicker: the cities locals are choosing—places like Ljubljana, Granada, Ghent, or Trieste—often offer more authenticity, lower costs, and better day-to-day life. But they lack the flashy name recognition, so they remain blissfully under the radar for now.

1. Venice, Italy

Famous For

• Gondolas drifting along canals, the Rialto Bridge, centuries of maritime history.

Why Locals Are Leaving

• Overtourism: Cruise ships unload thousands of visitors daily, overwhelming narrow alleys and driving up prices.
• Cost of Housing: Holiday rentals fetch high tourist rates, so residents can’t compete.
• Flooding & Climate Change: Repeated acqua alta events damage property and scare prospective homeowners.

Where They’re Going Instead

• Mestre (on the mainland): Just a short bus ride from Venice, offering more modern housing and cheaper rent.
• Treviso or Padua: Charming towns with historic cores but fewer tourist swarms, plus direct rail links back to Venice.

Local’s Perspective

• “Venice’s soul is intact,” one Venetian says, “but living in Mestre means I can shop locally without fighting crowds—and pop into Venice for weekend strolls.”

2. Barcelona, Spain

Famous For

• Gaudí’s architectural wonders, bustling Las Ramblas, Mediterranean beaches, and a vibrant nightlife.

Why Locals Are Leaving

• Soaring Rents: Tourist demand for Airbnb-style rentals pushes monthly costs beyond many families’ budgets.
• Noise & Party Scene: Central districts never sleep, leading to late-night rowdiness.
• Cultural Strains: Some Catalan locals feel their city is losing authenticity to tourism.

Where They’re Going Instead

• Terrassa or Sabadell: Suburban towns 30-40 minutes away by train, with more space and calmer streets.
• Girona: A quieter medieval city; still connected to Barcelona by high-speed rail—commuters enjoy a scenic daily journey.

Local’s Perspective

• “I love Barcelona’s energy,” says one ex-resident, “but I moved to Girona for a slower pace, cheaper rent, and an easy day trip to the city.”

3. Paris, France

Famous For

• The Eiffel Tower, world-class museums (Louvre, Orsay), café culture, and high fashion.

Why Locals Are Leaving

• Cost of Living: Sky-high apartment prices, especially in central arrondissements.
• Overcrowding & Pollution: Metro lines at crush capacity, plus traffic jams hamper everyday life.
• Shifting Work Culture: Younger professionals can do remote or flexible work outside the capital.

Where They’re Going Instead

• Lyon: France’s gastronomic heart, with a strong job market and cheaper rents.
• Nantes or Bordeaux: Mid-sized cities blending cultural buzz with a more relaxed vibe. Train lines back to Paris remain quick for work or weekend visits.

Local’s Perspective

• “I never thought I’d leave Paris,” sighs a 30-something ex-Parisian. “But working remotely from Bordeaux is calmer, and I can afford a bigger flat with a balcony.”

4. Amsterdam, Netherlands

Famous For

• Canals, bikes everywhere, flower markets, and the Anne Frank House.

Why Locals Are Leaving

• Tourist Overload: Central canal districts fill daily with travelers, making daily errands an obstacle course.
• Housing Shortage: Supply can’t keep up, pushing prices skyward.
• Local Complaints: Loud stag/hen parties, noise in residential areas, plus stricter city regulations for short-term rentals.

Where They’re Going Instead

• Almere or Haarlem: Commuter-friendly suburbs with direct train links to central Amsterdam.
• Smaller Cities Like Utrecht: Similar canal charm, less chaotic tourism scene, and a growing startup environment.

Local’s Perspective

• “I cycle into Amsterdam for clients twice a week,” says a Haarlem resident, “but living outside the tourist circuit means I can actually enjoy my weekends in peace.”

5. Prague, Czech Republic

Famous For

• Fairy-tale Old Town, Charles Bridge, cheap beer, and stunning medieval architecture.

Why Locals Are Leaving

• Crowds & Tourist Buses: Central Prague is jammed with visitors year-round.
• Rising Rents: Short-term rentals target travelers on city breaks, squeezing out locals in prime neighborhoods.
• Daily Disruption: Party tourism fosters noise and rowdy nighttime scenes, especially on weekends.

Where They’re Going Instead

• Brno: The Czech Republic’s second city, boasting a vibrant tech scene and friendly cost of living.
• Pilsen or České Budějovice: Towns with historical charm, fewer tourists, and a quieter pace, yet easily reached by train.

Local’s Perspective

• “I still love visiting Prague’s Old Town,” says a Brno-based Czech, “but living there felt like living in a theme park—impossible to afford or find local shops.”

6. Berlin, Germany

Famous For

• Tech startups, avant-garde art, legendary nightlife, and rich WWII/Cold War history.

Why Locals Are Leaving

• Gentrification & Rising Rents: Once a budget haven, Berlin’s attracting so many newcomers that housing can’t keep pace.
• Lost Edge?: Some Berliners feel the city’s famed bohemian spirit is getting diluted by mainstream tourism and chain stores.
• Overcrowded Scenes: Clubs have hour-long queues, while popular districts face constant crane construction.

Where They’re Going Instead

• Leipzig or Dresden in Saxony: Known as “the new Berlin” for cheaper rents, emerging art collectives, and smaller crowds.
• Smaller Towns Like Potsdam: 30 minutes from central Berlin, Potsdam offers regal parks, baroque architecture, and relaxed lifestyles.

Local’s Perspective

• “Berlin still has grit,” a DJ who moved to Leipzig explains, “but I can actually rent studio space here without competing with 100 other people for the same listing.”

7. Lisbon, Portugal

Famous For

• Tram 28, pastel de nata, colorful tiled facades, and dramatic hills with Atlantic views.

Why Locals Are Leaving

• Tourist & Digital Nomad Influx: Rents soared as remote workers seek sunny cheap living. Locals, especially older residents, get priced out.
• Daily Strain: Crowded trams, Airbnb expansions in historic Alfama or Baixa removing community feel.
• Limited Job Market: Except for tourism and some startups, high-paying jobs are scarce, prompting younger locals to seek better wages elsewhere.

Where They’re Going Instead

• Porto: A cultural city with slightly lower costs. Or smaller towns along the coast (Cascais, Ericeira) which still have that surf-lifestyle vibe.
• Braga or Coimbra: Up-and-coming mid-sized cities known for university scenes or local tech development.

Local’s Perspective

• “Lisbon is so global now,” says a former Lisbon resident living in Porto, “but it’s also chaotic. I prefer Porto’s calmer, still-creative energy—and cheaper rents.”

The Bottom Line

Europe’s marquee cities—like Venice, Barcelona, Paris, or Berlin—will always enthrall. But as these urban centers transform into global hotspots, locals face soaring rents, overcrowded streets, and diluted authenticity. Many opt for quieter commuter towns, smaller cities, or scenic suburbs that preserve community spirit minus the big-city burdens. That’s good news for savvy travelers: if you want a slice of real local life, follow the locals out of the tourism epicenters and discover the lesser-known enclaves fueling Europe’s next wave of cultural energy.

Pro Tip
If you’re visiting these famous cities, spend a day exploring where locals have relocated—like Treviso near Venice or Girona near Barcelona. You’ll get a more authentic experience, and maybe you’ll stumble upon the next big gastronomic scene or startup hub that tourists barely know. Sometimes, the real soul of a city thrives just beyond the crowded postcard views. Enjoy the discovery!