Europe’s overlooked ‘undertourism capital’ that only a handful visit each year

Telorman is a region located in southern Romania that has an international airport in its capital Alexandria and is known for its natural beauty and rich history

An area of Europe known as the ‘crazy forest’ is the least overcrowded place in the Continent, according to a new survey.

In recent years, overtourism has become a major issue in the world of travel. Campaigners in countries including Greece, Spain and Portugal have hit the streets again and again, demanding laws to stop house and grocery prices fuelled by tourism from rocketing any further.

Zante, Mallorca and Paris are among the European destinations most impacted by overtourism, according to new Which? research, which analysed European Commission tourism numbers from the most recent set of complete data in order to find where holidaymakers might avoid and where to go instead.

The consumer champion’s analysis highlights the areas with the greatest influx of tourists – and suggests those seeking a quieter, more authentic holiday experience might find destinations such as Murcia, Lille or Estonia could provide the perfect alternative.

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At the top of the list is Teleorman, Romania, which recorded just 20 overnight stays per 1,000 residents in 2023 (6,983 in total) and had 1.21 tourists per square km. Only the Norwegian volcanic island of Jan Mayen—with no recorded tourists in 2023—had fewer. That island is incredibly remote and only accessible with permission from the Norwegian government. In comparison, Zakynthos welcomed in 149,886 tourists per local in 2023.

Telorman is a region located in southern Romania that has an international airport in its capital Alexandria and is known for its natural beauty and rich history. While it isn’t the most obvious holiday destination going, there are plenty of reasons to visit this far-flung Eastern European destination.

As a consequence of its remoteness, Teleorman has a rich biodiversity and is teeming with plant and animal life. Tourists can enjoy hiking and trekking in the hills and mountains of the area, soaking in the views of an area known for its natural beauty

In the North and center lie the Romanian Plain, where small rivers cut up the fields and form deep valleys at points. In the South there is the Danube valley, very wide, with ponds and small channels.

One of the few human-made attractions is the Manastirea Sfantul Ioan Valahul, a ruined monastery that sits in a field near Poiana and is a reminder of the staying power of the church through war and Communism.

A recent rebuilding project has allowed for a young monk to occupy the monastery, providing the handful of visitors who make it there with pearls of wisdom and history of the region.

If ancient history and ruins are up your street, then you’re in luck. The area is home to the Ancient Gumelnița Ruins of Vătași, what remains of the Gumelnița Civilization who lived there from 4700 to 3900 BC. It was one of the most advanced prehistoric cultures in Southeastern Europe. Now little remains, beyond traces of clay and wood houses, ceramic fragments, bone tools, and early copper artifacts.

Slightly more conventional thrills can be found in Alexandria, the capital of the region and a city which 40,000 people call their home. It has a 5,000 seater football stadium, a handful of hotels and restaurants, and some good river fishing opportunities.