10 Biggest Mistakes Tourists Make in Europe-and What Local Tour Guides Want You to Do Instead

"In Rome (and most historic European cities), cobblestones and uneven streets make high heels a dangerous game," Kenny Dunn, CEO and Founder of Eating Europe, told Travel + Leisure-and yet, so many tourists take their chances. While "style is everything" in Italy, he quipped, you'd be better off packing and wearing flat shoes like Skechers Go Walk Slip-in Shoes to "avoid a very unfashionable fall" that could potentially ruin your trip. Further, don't forget to break them in before the trip to avoid any uncomfortable blisters that may appear with new shoes."

"Europe is the most visited continent in the world, welcoming 793 million tourists in 2025, according to the UN World Tourism Organization. Yet, the number of travel faux pas tourists make while strolling the streets of Milan, meandering through ancient ruins in Athens, or cruising around the Mediterranean remains pretty high, considering the increase in visits to Europe's major cities. This is true for tour guides, who witness the majority of these mistakes firsthand on the ground."

Europe received 793 million tourists in 2025, making it the world's most visited continent. Tourists commonly commit avoidable mistakes while visiting major European cities. Common errors include wearing hard-to-walk-in shoes on cobblestones, lacking cash for tips, disrespecting local customs, getting pickpocketed, forgetting sunscreen reapplication, and overpacking. Practical solutions include packing flat comfortable shoes and breaking them in beforehand, carrying a few euros for tipping where needed, respecting local norms, using sun protection regularly, and packing lighter to improve mobility and reduce hassles.

Read at Travel + Leisure