By Amelia Calvert

What once was a hidden gem on the Italian coastline, towns such as Sorrento are now swarmed overwhelmingly with tourists. The narrow streets  of Sorrento are now crawling with tourists Sophie law for the Daily Express deemed it was ‘plagued by tourists’.  

When visiting there myself over the summer, I came to the realisation that it has perhaps lost its charm. Having to navigate the tiny historical streets in 40 degree heat is a skill in itself. The Amalfi Coast sees 10 million tourists a year, and honestly, I’d have to question if I’d walk the plagued streets again. Having said that, the quaint shops as well as a night at the opera it truly was authentic. 

But with fame comes a price. Narrow streets are clogged with tour buses, local culture is diluted, and prices have skyrocketed, pushing out residents. To preserve its magic, the Amalfi Coast needs sustainable tourism; the black death of over tourism isn’t enjoyable for any holiday maker or travellers. Travelers must tread lightly—before paradise becomes a postcard of the past. 

When I visited there, what I found most heart breaking is witnessing the slow erosion of authenticity. Locals would once gather in quiet bars and piazzas to share a cigarette and an espresso; now selfie sticks dominate every scene. The musicality of daily life has been disrupted, replaced by a performance tailored for visitors. It begs the question: are we truly experiencing a place, or just consuming a curated version of it? The soul of Sorrento, once felt in its stillness and simplicity, now competes with the noise of mass tourism.