What was supposed to be a relaxed Sunday afternoon for diners in Majorca took a chaotic turn as anti-tourism protests erupted across Spain’s top holiday destinations.
What began as a demonstration quickly turned volatile when angry locals clashed with police, sending shockwaves through a popular tourist spot.
Shock for Tourists as Protests Disrupt Sunday Dining
In the heart of Palma de Mallorca, stunned British tourists were jeered at and surrounded by furious protesters.
Some demonstrators whistled, yelled, and even waved an axe in a frightening attempt to scare off holidaymakers trying to enjoy a quiet meal outdoors.
Spanish police were seen forming a protective line around diners, trying to hold back the angry crowd.
The moment was captured in striking photos, showing a tense standoff between residents and officers outside restaurants.
“Tourists Go Home” Echoes Through the Streets
Across the islands and major cities like Ibiza, Tenerife, and even Barcelona, thousands of locals flooded the streets.
Armed with placards, slogans, and determination, they made one thing clear—they’ve had enough.
Protesters chanted phrases like “Tourists go home” and “Mallorca is not your cash cow,” as they marched more than a kilometre through the capital city.
Others carried signs that read, “Your vacations, our anxiety,” highlighting the emotional toll that overtourism is taking on local life.
Kids With Water Pistols and Teens Chanting in Protest
It wasn’t just adults taking part. Children joined in too—armed with water pistols, ready to spray tourists as they passed by.
Teenagers added to the chorus, chanting “tourists go home” as they moved through busy streets.
Even onlookers from their balconies were caught in the commotion.
Tourists watched nervously, unsure whether to engage or retreat.
Locals Speak Out on Housing Crisis and Displacement
Behind the anger lies a deep frustration with the realities of everyday life.
Locals like Oriol, 40, say they’re drowning in rent costs, forced to speak English or German in their own neighborhoods, and watching friends move away just to survive.
Another protester, Alex, 32, with a solid job and a master’s degree, said he still can’t afford his own place and is stuck living with his parents.
He blamed the tourist influx for skyrocketing rents and an impossible housing market.
A Movement Spanning Europe
This wasn’t an isolated outburst. Protests also took place across other Spanish cities like San Sebastián and Granada, and even spread to other European destinations like Venice and Lisbon.
The movement is part of a coordinated effort by the Southern Europe Network Against Touristification (SET) to demand urgent action.
The group claims overtourism is wreaking havoc on local resources, causing environmental damage, and turning historic communities into theme parks for wealthy visitors.
Environmental Impact in Focus
In Tenerife, environmental concerns topped the list.
Activists accused authorities of allowing sewage and pleasure boats to pollute the pristine coastline, with no proper regulation or cleanup efforts.
Nature lovers say the island’s fragile ecosystem is being neglected in favor of tourist profits.
Airbnb-style rentals have also been a flashpoint.
Protesters say the explosion in short-term lets has pushed up housing costs and driven locals out of their own neighborhoods.
Protesters Demand Action From Authorities
At the end of the march in Palma, activists gathered in Plaza de Reina to call for big changes.
Their demands include strict limits on tourism numbers, a halt to new hotel developments, and the banning of Airbnb-style short lets.
In Ibiza, about 1,000 locals joined a separate rally, organized by the platform Canviem el Rumb, which has been protesting for over a year.
Organizers called out issues like poor working conditions, noise pollution from nightclubs, and overcrowding that has left some residents living in unsafe or substandard homes.
Locals Call the Current Tourism Model “Unsustainable”
Activists warned that without serious changes, these beautiful islands could reach a breaking point.
Their five biggest concerns? Access to clean water, affordable housing, decent work conditions, peace and quiet, and safe living environments.
They believe tourism is benefitting only the wealthy while locals are left with the fallout. For them, this fight is about survival.
Tourists Push Back and Warn Against Overreaction
Not everyone agrees with the protests. Some British tourists have responded by saying locals should “be careful what they wish for.”
A poll by the Majorca Daily Bulletin revealed that 44% of people are now reconsidering travel plans to the island.
Travel expert Paul Charles warned that while the concerns are valid, pushing away tourism could hurt the economy.
“These regions depend on visitors to keep their economy alive.
A better solution would be to spread tourist arrivals more evenly throughout the year,” he said.
Paul Nixon, a 60-year-old tourist from Staffordshire, shared similar thoughts.
He said the island felt quieter this year, and warned that tactics like spraying tourists with water—something reportedly seen in Barcelona—could drive away future visitors for good.