Protests erupt in Barcelona and Mallorca against over-tourism, housing crisis

Monday 16 June 2025 - 12:20

By: Dakir Madiha

Protests erupt in Barcelona and Mallorca against over-tourism, housing crisis

Thousands gathered in Barcelona and Mallorca on Sunday to voice their discontent with over-tourism and its impact on housing affordability and cultural identity. The demonstrations, organized under the SET alliance (Southern Europe against Overtourism), highlighted growing frustration in popular tourist destinations across southern Europe. Similar protests were also reported in Venice and Lisbon.

In Barcelona, a city that attracts over 15 million tourists annually, residents marched through the streets chanting slogans like “Everywhere you look, all you see are tourists.” Protesters carried signs reading, “One more tourist, one less resident,” and placed stickers on hotel doors with messages such as “Tourist Go Home” and “Citizen Self-Defence.” Water pistols became a symbolic tool during the protests, with many participants playfully spraying tourists and even cooling themselves off in the summer heat.

Barcelona residents blame the surge in short-term tourist rentals for skyrocketing housing prices and the displacement of local businesses by souvenir shops and fast-food outlets. Palma, the capital of Mallorca, saw approximately 5,000 demonstrators turn out, with some using water guns in a more provocative manner, targeting tourists and hostel employees. The protest escalated at one hostel when firecrackers and pink smoke were set off, prompting a tense exchange.

Mallorca, a favorite destination for British and German tourists, faces similar challenges with housing costs and the proliferation of short-term rentals. Protesters there echoed the sentiments of Barcelona, demanding a shift in the economic model that prioritizes tourism over residents’ needs.

The housing crisis has become a national concern in Spain. While only 2% of Spaniards cited housing as a major issue in 2022, that figure has surged to nearly 30% in 2025. A government survey revealed that 76% of respondents support stricter regulations on tourist rentals. In response, Spain’s government has taken steps to address the issue, including ordering Airbnb to remove 66,000 illegal vacation rentals and introducing new legislation to curb non-resident property purchases.

Barcelona, in particular, has implemented bold measures, announcing plans to revoke all 10,000 short-term rental licenses in the city by 2028. These actions underscore the growing tension between the economic benefits of tourism—accounting for 12% of Spain’s GDP—and the pressing need to address housing affordability for residents.

The protests highlight a broader movement across Europe to balance tourism with sustainable urban living. As cities globally grapple with the challenges of mass tourism, Spain’s efforts to address public concerns may serve as a model for other destinations facing similar struggles.