What started as a peaceful afternoon meal turned into a tense and chaotic scene for holidaymakers in Majorca, as growing frustrations over tourism boiled over.
Tourists sitting calmly in restaurants were suddenly caught in the middle of a heated protest, with angry locals yelling and even brandishing an axe in their direction.
What followed was a dramatic clash that underlined just how deep the resentment toward mass tourism runs in parts of Spain.
Tensions Explode Outside Majorca Restaurants
Crowds of furious demonstrators flooded into Majorca’s restaurant areas, jeering and whistling at tourists enjoying a Sunday afternoon out.
The situation quickly escalated when one protester raised an axe in front of stunned diners, symbolizing the anger many locals feel.
Police had to step in fast, forming a protective barrier around the bewildered holidaymakers, who were visibly shaken by the disturbance.
Massive Turnout Signals a Larger Movement
What happened in that restaurant is just one piece of a larger picture.
On the same day, thousands of people across Spain’s most visited islands hit the streets, demanding limits on tourism.
Palma de Mallorca alone saw over 30,000 locals marching through the city center, with placards declaring “Tourists go home” and “Mallorca is not for sale.”
Many residents feel overwhelmed, claiming that their homes, jobs, and way of life are being pushed aside to make room for tourists.
Protesters Make Their Voices Heard
The scale of the protests was impossible to ignore.
In addition to angry chants, teenagers joined in by spraying water pistols at passersby, while placards blasted foreign property buyers and tourist platforms like Airbnb.
Some signs read: “Your vacation, our anxiety,” and “Enough is enough.”
Videos from the protests show stunned tourists watching from balconies or cautiously filming the scene with their phones.
Locals Share Their Struggles
For many islanders, this isn’t just about being fed up—it’s about survival. Oriol, a 40-year-old resident, explained that he’s spending 80% of his income on rent.
He lamented how English and German have started to dominate in local apartment buildings, and how some families are being forced to move to mainland Spain just to afford basic necessities.
Another protester, Alex, 32, said he holds a master’s degree and a stable job, yet still can’t afford to live on his own. He now lives with his parents because rent prices are out of control.
“There are just too many people visiting,” he said.
“Our island can’t handle it anymore.”
Anti-Tourism Sentiment Spreads Across Europe
The protests weren’t limited to the Balearic Islands.
Similar demonstrations erupted in cities like Barcelona, San Sebastián, Granada, and Malaga, as well as other European hotspots such as Venice and Lisbon.
Activist groups under the Southern Europe Network Against Touristification are pushing for governments to act before local communities suffer even more.
In Tenerife, concerns go beyond rent and wages.
Protesters argue that mass tourism is harming the environment, with unregulated boating and sewage polluting marine ecosystems, while fragile landscapes remain unprotected.
They blame local authorities for letting it happen in pursuit of quick profits.
Housing Crisis Fueled by Airbnb Boom
One of the biggest concerns is housing.
Over the last decade, Airbnb-style rentals have pushed locals out of their own neighborhoods.
Landlords are prioritizing short-term tourist stays over long-term tenants, shrinking housing stock and driving up prices.
As a result, many young people and families are being priced out of their hometowns.
During the protest in Palma, marchers moved over a kilometer before gathering at the Plaza de Reina.
There, activists demanded new laws to rein in the tourism industry, including a total ban on short-term rentals.
Ibiza Joins the Movement
Over in Ibiza, another major protest—organized by anti-tourism group Canviem el Rumb—saw around 1,000 people marching through the town center.
Security was on high alert as demonstrators called for reduced tourism and protection for locals.
They gathered at Plaza de sa Graduada, delivering speeches urging reforms in housing, labor conditions, and environmental protections.
Organizers emphasized five key demands: access to clean water, decent housing, fair working conditions, the right to peace and quiet, and better access to affordable homes.
They argued that these basic rights are being eroded by the demands of mass tourism.
Activists Say It’s Time for a New Model
From Ibiza to Majorca, many believe the current tourism system is broken. Groups like Canviem el Rumb say the explosion of luxury resorts, mega-clubs, and hotel rooms is tipping the balance too far. Their solution? Cap the number of tourists, ban new hotel construction, and raise tourist taxes to better manage the impact.
They believe that without serious changes, the islands could become unlivable for ordinary people.
Some Tourists Push Back Against the Backlash
Still, not everyone agrees with the protesters.
Many British tourists say the backlash is unfair and warn that Spain’s tourism-dependent economy could suffer.
A recent poll by the Majorca Daily Bulletin showed that 44% of people are reconsidering their holiday plans to the island due to the unrest.
Paul Charles, CEO of travel consultancy The PC Agency, cautioned that while the locals’ frustrations are understandable, pushing away visitors could backfire.
“Tourism brings jobs and money,” he said. “The solution is better management—not fewer visitors.”
Locals Warned to ‘Be Careful What They Wish For’
Some regular visitors are also worried.
Paul Nixon, a 60-year-old from Staffordshire, mentioned that bookings in Tenerife seem to be down already.
“It feels quieter this year,” he noted.
“If people start getting sprayed with water, like in Barcelona, it’s going to drive tourists away for good.”
What’s Next?
With summer season approaching and tourism numbers expected to soar again, the battle between locals and tourists may continue.
Whether governments will take serious action or simply ride out the protests remains to be seen.
One thing is clear: the debate over the future of tourism in Spain—and beyond—is just getting started.