Which are the European cities overcharging tourists?
Saturday, 01 Nov, 2025
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Over 750 million tourists visit Europe annually. However, most travelers have no idea they’re paying several times more than locals for the same daily expenses. In a recent study, the vacation rentals platform Deluxe Holiday Homes analyzed living costs across Europe’s main tourist destinations. The study helps to find out where visitors overpay the most compared to what locals actually spend.
The research examined daily tourist expenses (including accommodation, dining, transport, and entertainment) and compared them against local daily living costs (calculated from monthly rent and cost of living data). Cities were ranked based on the over-payment percentage, showing how much more tourists spend compared to residents on a daily basis.
Top trio are Venice, Heraklion and Istanbul
Venice ranks as Europe’s most overpriced travel destination. On average, visitors here spend around EUR 276 per day, while residents get by on just EUR 58. This means Venice travelers pay nearly five times more for accommodation, dining, and attractions. Over a week-long stay, that difference adds up to more than €1,500 in extra expenses compared to what locals would spend for the same period.
Heraklion, on the Greek island of Crete, ranks second among Europe’s most overpriced destinations. The island visitors typically spend around EUR 195 a day, which is 4.5 times more than what locals need to cover their expenses. With seasonal price spikes for hotels and dining, tourists in Heraklion end up spending around EUR 150 more every day compared to residents.
Istanbul ranks third, with tourists paying around €153 each day while residents manage on €43. Visitors staying near major sites and eating at restaurants in Sultanahmet face elevated costs that add roughly €110 to daily costs. This also means that a week-long visit costs about €770 more than what someone living there would need.
In the fourth place is Paris, where tourists spend about EUR 265 per day. While locals too face high expenses (€76), travelers here still overpay about 250% more than residents. The French capital’s cafes and hotels near major attractions charge rates aimed at international visitors, and all this results in tourists spending an extra €189 each day.
Next on the list is another Greek city, Athens. Living here is much more affordable than in other European cities, with locals spending just EUR 47 every day. Although these costs do not apply to travelers, as they face EUR 154 daily expenses when exploring the city. Despite being cheaper than Paris or Venice, Athens still charges tourists triple the daily normal cost.
Rome ranks sixth as the second Italian city where tourists have to overspend. Visitors here should budget more than EUR 200 for each day, while Romans need about €64 to cover basic needs. This means travelers following the guidebooks end up spending 3 times more than locals, who usually avoid tourist locations around the city.
Careful planning is necessary
Seville follows next. Although the Spanish city is generally more budget-friendly for tourists, there is still a significant difference between what travelers and locals spend. Visitors here budget roughly EUR 150 a day to explore the city. It is more than triple what locals need to cover their everyday needs. This also means that tourists staying in Seville for over a week have to face EUR 700 more in expenses.
Porto ranks eighth among cities overcharging travelers. Tourists in Porto usually spend EUR 160 per day, about 195% more than locals, who only need EUR 54 for the same day. The €106 extra shows how easily visitors can overspend when they don’t know the places where locals eat, shop, and enjoy the city more affordably.
Florence takes ninth place. While locals here find EUR 60 more than enough to afford their daily expenses, tourists face €180 costs to pay for their accommodation, travel, and dining. Given the difference, visitors here eventually end up spending 189% more than locals. In real terms, this is almost EUR 120 in extra expenses.
Barcelona completes the top 10 European cities where tourists overpay the most. Similar to Parisians, Barcelona residents themselves face a high cost of living (EUR 68 daily). Although this is still significantly less than tourists’ expenses, who have to budget EUR 185 when staying in the city. This results in tourists still spending nearly 2.7 times more than locals.
“Planning makes a real difference in how much tourists end up paying,” says a Deluxe Holiday Homes spokesperson. “Online platforms like Reddit have locals sharing where they actually eat and shop, which gives tourists access to better pricing. Booking accommodation one or two neighborhoods away from the main tourist zone can also help. These steps won’t eliminate the tourist premium entirely, but they help travelers avoid paying the highest possible prices.”
Data provided https://www.deluxehomes.com/
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