World’s most overcrowded city for tourists that’s loved by Brits

The world’s most overcrowded city is a tourist destination beloved by Brits and is one of the oldest cities in its country. Deluxe Holiday Homes revealed visitors per km² for top tourist destinations, calculated by dividing the total number of annual visitors by the city's land area. 

Topping the list was Phuket in Thailand, with over 840,000 annual visitors per km². The city lies off the west coast of mainland Thailand in the Andaman Sea. Phuket is one of the oldest cities in the country, with over 250,000 residents. The city's beaches and nightlife attract crowds, leading to high tourist density. With 3,392 attractions and an average summer temperature of 28C, Phuket can feel extremely packed, especially in peak season. In the Old Town, there are a lot of colourful Sino-Portuguese style shophouses, Thai temples and colourful Chinese shrines, as well as museums and some beautiful old mansions.

The Buddhist temples in the city are attractive destinations for national and international tourists. Along the streets some Hindu temples depicting the statues of Ganesha and Brahma can also be seen.

Phuket has many beautiful beaches such as Rawai, Patong, Karon, Kamala, Kata Yai, Kata Noi, and Mai Khao. Laem Phromthep Viewpoint is said to feature the most beautiful sunsets in Thailand.

However, travel experts have advised those wanting to travel there to think carefully before doing so.

A spokesperson from Deluxe Holiday Homes said: "With some countries now limiting tourist numbers to avoid overcrowding, it’s more important than ever to consider how packed a city will be during peak seasons.

"Choosing destinations with fewer tourists can provide a more relaxed experience while still offering plenty to explore. Avoiding the busiest spots can make a huge difference in your summer vacation."

But the town being busy doesn’t put off tourists. One Tripadvisor reviewer said: “It is truly a shopper’s paradise. The whole town is crowded with tourists and roads are lined with parked cars. Still, nobody’s complaining.”

Another said: “Very pretty old town with decorative buildings but very hot to walk around and very crowded. If you can bear it it’s well worth a visit.”

The second most overcrowded city is Pattaya in Thailand, with 179,800 visitors per km². The city has 821 tourist attractions and a summer temperature of 28C, almost identical to Phuket's. Despite fewer attractions, its high visitor density makes it feel just as packed.

Paris in France came third with 166,600 visitors per km². The city still draws massive crowds because of its landmarks and 10,000 tourist attractions. The lower visitor density, along with a cooler average summer temperature of 20C, makes it more comfortable than the Thai cities.