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Scroll through the endless void of travel content on social media, and you likely end up seeing the same hotspots over and over. The fairytale-esque Alpine village of Hallstatt, the staggered rice terraces of Bali, the majestic, cloud-shrouded peak of Mount Fuji. All gorgeous, pinch-me views, of course, but also all destinations that have become victims of their own beauty, forcing local officials to clamp down on an ever-increasing number of visitors.
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The latest beauty spot to face the same fate is Funes, a village in the heart of the Dolomite region of German-speaking South Tyrol in northern Italy. Scores of international visitors have been crowding a popular photo spot in the village. On social media, it’s become one of the Dolomites’ most recognisable views: a quaint, fifteenth-century church dwarfed by the imposing peaks of the Odle Mountains.
According to The Times, the destination’s sudden social media virality has led to an uptick in international tourism, which in turn has led to an increase in trespassing, traffic jams and littering.
In order to quell rising tensions between locals and visitors, local officials are taking action. This year’s approaching high season, from mid-May until November, will see barriers erected, closing the road off to all but locals and those with overnight bookings. Photo-hungry day-trippers will instead need to take a 15-minute walk up a footpath to get their eyes on that killer view.
The Times reports that this will be the second attempt undertaken by the town to block visitors from the viewpoint using barricades. Three years ago, tourists ‘followed residents through open barriers or drove around them’. This year, the barriers will be moved to a wider section of the road to prevent bottlenecks, and will be manned by staff.
@matadornetwork Discover the magic of Val di Funes, a hidden gem in the heart of the Dolomites! Tucked away in northern Italy, this postcard-perfect valley is a dream for mountain lovers and adventurers alike. Home to the iconic Odle Peaks, Val di Funes offers breathtaking views, charming alpine villages, and countless hiking trails for all levels. Fun fact: The Dolomites are a UNESCO World Heritage Site, celebrated for their unique limestone formations that glow pink and orange during sunrise and sunset — a phenomenon locals call *Enrosadira*. Have you explored this alpine wonderland yet? Let us know if it’s on your travel bucket list! 🎥 @Min Gyo Kim #dolomites #visititaly #italytravel #mountainlife #exploreoutdoors ♬ original sound – Matador | Travel + Adventure
In the past, local business owners have attempted to block day-trippers using pay-per-use turnstiles, a method adopted this summer by landowners near a popular nearby Odles hiking route.
Home to iconic, spiky mountains, poky villages and some of the world’s most beautiful hiking routes, the Dolomites region has quickly become Italy’s hottest (or, should we say, coolest) travel destination. But if you, like us, would rather not battle through phone-wielding crowds and piss locals off, why not head to one of these mercifully underrated beauty spots in Europe instead?
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