Thousands protest overtourism in Spain, Lisbon, Palma

Locals fed up with tourists in major European cities have taken to the streets armed with water guns, smoke bombs and flares.

Thousands of protesters have gathered in major cities across southern Europe to demonstrate against mass tourism amid claims uncontrolled pricing is forcing local residents out of their own neighbourhoods.

The main protest march was held in Barcelona, where protesters fired water pistols at shop windows and let off plumes of coloured smoke.

Anti-tourism protesters hold a sign that reads “For the Right to Housing” in Barcelona, Spain. Picture: Getty Images

Anger has been growing in southern Europe against excessive levels of tourism. Picture: Getty Images

Demonstrators held banners with slogans such as “mass tourism kills the city” and chanted, “your holidays, my misery”.

The protesters marched towards one of the city’s biggest attractions, the towering Sagrada Familia church designed by Catalan architect, Gaudi.

A protester holds a water gun during a protest against overtourism in Barcelona. Picture: AP

Locals say overtourism is making cities unaffordable for residents. Picture: AP

“We’re not against individual tourists, it’s about how we’re managing this,” Elena, a young marine biologist, told the BBC.

“Young people can’t afford living here or even normal things like coffee that are all really expensive for our salaries.”

A demonstrator carrying a banner with the words “Lisbon against touristification” shouts “Go home” at tourists riding in a tram. Picture: AP

Tourists stage a protest against mass tourism. Picture: AP

Other protests took place in Minorca, Ibiza, Malaga, Granada, Genoa, Naples, Palermo, Milan, Venice and Lisbon.

The June 15 demonstrations followed a meeting of a coalition of activists called the Southern Europe Network Against Touristification in Barcelona last April.

Tourists sit in a restaurant as people protest against overtourism in the Balearic island of Mallorca, Spain. Picture: AP

Demonstrators hold signs reading “We work but we can't afford a home” during a protest against mass tourism and housing prices in Palma de Mallorca. Picture: AFP

A man holds a placard reading “They throw us out of our homes, where will our children live?” during a protest against mass tourism and housing prices in Palma de Mallorca. Picture: AFP

Barcelona, the Spanish city of 1.6 million, attracted 26 million tourists last year, placing a huge strain on local resources.

The city’s government said last year it would bar apartment rentals to tourists by 2028 to make Barcelona more liveable for residents.

In Venice, locals are opposing the construction of two hotels that will add around 1,500 new beds to the city.

One unnamed organiser from Lisbon told EU Today: “The goal is not to attack individuals but to draw attention to the social and environmental toll tourism is taking on our cities.”

“It’s not about hating tourists – it’s about saving our communities,” said another activist.

Since the Covid-19 pandemic, popular destinations across the world have been trying to find new ways to cope with a massive boom in tourism and avoid the trend dubbed “overtourism”.

Originally published as Thousands protest overtourism in Spain, Lisbon, Palma