After the summer: 7 destinations to think twice about before visiting
Closed trails, changes in tax laws, and restrictions due to tourist crowds could ruin the vacation you've been planning for a long time. These are the destinations that tourism experts recommend checking carefully before booking.
The autumn season is considered one of the best times to travel. The weather becomes milder, the heavy summer heat disappears, and in some destinations, prices begin to drop. But not every destination is suitable for a vacation this coming autumn.
In some places, significant changes are expected this year: infrastructure works that will close trails, reforms that will change the shopping experience, restrictions designed to deal with overtourism, unstable flight conditions, and even environmental hazards that could affect a beach vacation. Therefore, before booking a flight, here are seven destinations where you should know the situation, and alongside some of them, alternatives that might be more suitable.
Grand Canyon, Arizona
The problem: infrastructure works that will change the Rim-to-Rim trail. The Grand Canyon is one of the most sought-after destinations in the USA for autumn trips, especially after the hot summer months end. However, starting October 15, 2026, a significant closure is expected on part of the North Kaibab trail as part of restoration work on the Transcanyon Waterline.
The section between Redwall Bridge and the northern end of Cottonwood Campground will be closed to hikers until around February 2027. The US National Park Service emphasizes that there will be no bypass route through the closed section, so the traditional Rim-to-Rim hike will not be possible after the closure date. It is important to emphasize: the Grand Canyon itself is not closing, and large parts of the park will remain open.
Instead: Sedona, Arizona. About a two-hour drive south, with the famous red rock formations, hiking trails, and relatively pleasant weather conditions in the autumn.
Tokyo and Kyoto, Japan
The problem: a significant change in the tax-free shopping mechanism. Anyone planning to arrive in Japan in the autumn should pay attention to a change that will take effect on November 1, 2026. From this date, the purchase will be made at a price that includes tax, and the refund will be given after customs inspection upon departure from Japan.
That is, anyone planning a vacation in November and onwards will have to take into account an additional step in the process of leaving the country and ensure that the eligible products are with them for inspection. Combined with the strict fines in Kyoto for entering historic residential alleys and the rising local accommodation taxes, the attractiveness of a simple, smooth, and budget-friendly vacation has temporarily disappeared.
Santorini and Mykonos, Greece
The problem: overtourism is becoming more expensive and restricted. Santorini and Mykonos are still two of the most sought-after islands in Greece, but for those arriving on a cruise, there are some changes this year that are worth knowing.
Starting in 2025, a special fee was imposed on cruise passengers disembarking in Greece. In Santorini and Mykonos, the fee is 20 euros per person in peak season, and in October it drops to 12 euros. In addition, in Santorini, a limit of up to 8,000 cruise passengers per day is being implemented in 2026. The goal is to reduce the pressure created on the islands as a result of overtourism, but for the traveler, it means more restrictions, advance planning, and additional costs.
Instead: Corfu. The island offers beaches, restaurants, and a beautiful port, but usually in a more relaxed atmosphere than Santorini and Mykonos.
Dubai, UAE
The problem: uncertainty in aviation against the backdrop of regional tension, Shin Bet's ban on Israeli companies flying. Dubai is usually considered a very safe and convenient destination in terms of aviation, but the coming autumn arrives against the backdrop of a different regional reality. The European Union Aviation Safety Agency extended its warning regarding flights in the airspace of the UAE and other countries in the region until August 31, due to risks associated with military tension.
In addition, the Shin Bet extended the ban on Israeli companies operating flights to the UAE until the end of October. This does not mean that you cannot fly to Dubai, but anyone planning a short vacation should take into account the possibility of changes in flight schedules.
Norway's Fjords
The problem: new environmental rules are changing maritime tourism. Starting January 1, 2026, a new rule came into effect in the Norwegian fjords that were declared UNESCO World Heritage sites. Tourist ships and ferries weighing less than 10,000 tons are required to meet zero-emission requirements or use biogas in accordance with the rules. For larger vessels, the requirement will come into effect in 2032.
The change particularly affects how maritime tourism companies operate tours in the area. Therefore, anyone arriving specifically for a cruise in the fjords should check in advance that the desired tour is indeed taking place on their date.
Instead: Lake Como in northern Italy. In October, the weather can be pleasant, the summer crowds decrease, and the ferry system allows you to move between towns, villas, and viewpoints along the lake.
Palma de Mallorca, Spain
The problem: the fight against mass tourism is still far from over. Mallorca is one of the most popular destinations in Europe, but in 2026, protests against overtourism continue there.
This does not mean that tourists are unwelcome in Mallorca, and most vacations on the island proceed without special incidents. However, anyone looking for a completely quiet vacation in one of the busiest destinations in Europe might prefer another destination.
Instead: Valencia. A large coastal city with beaches, excellent food, impressive architecture, and an urban atmosphere less dependent on mass tourism.
Riviera Maya, Mexico
The problem: abnormal amounts of sargassum seaweed. Anyone planning a beach vacation in Tulum or Playa del Carmen this coming autumn should check the condition of the beaches carefully before booking.
The year 2026 is characterized by particularly abnormal amounts of sargassum, the brown seaweed that reaches the Caribbean shores of Mexico. According to Reuters, estimates are that about 119,000 tons of sargassum could reach the shores of Mexico by the end of the year, compared to about 96,000 tons the previous year. The decomposing seaweed can create a pungent odor and affect the beach experience.
The situation is not the same on all beaches, so this does not mean that the entire Riviera Maya is unsuitable for a vacation. But for those for whom the sea is the main reason for the trip, it is worth checking the specific beach condition before booking a hotel.
Instead: Los Cabos, on the Baja California peninsula. The area offers desert landscapes that meet the ocean, luxury hotels, beaches, and an atmosphere completely different from that of the Caribbean.
