In Italy, Portugal, and Spain, activists utilized water pistols and a “noisy stroll” of suitcases to highlight the increasing housing costs and environmental impact of tourism. Protests occurred in various cities across southern Europe, including Barcelona, Genoa, Lisbon, and Majorca.
On Sunday, Barcelona witnessed a resurgence of protests against mass tourism, with thousands joining in. Demonstrators carried signs such as “Tourists go home” and “Tourism is stealing from us” as they marched along the city's Golden Mile, spraying water at visitors. Tensions escalated when a scuffle broke out with hostel employees and fireworks were set off. A police barricade restricted the march near the iconic Sagrada FamÃlia Basilica.
The protests stemmed from a series of workshops held in April by the Southern Europe Network Against Touristification, following demonstrations last July where water pistols emerged as a symbol of dissent against mass tourism's consequences. Organizers maintain that the protests are part of a growing movement concerned with quality-of-life issues linked to overtourism.
Protesters expressed frustrations over how mass tourism has affected local living conditions, with one protester stating, “The problem is the tourism model itself: It’s all about serving drinks, about real estate and the hotel industry.” Tourism contributes over 12 percent to Spain’s gross domestic product.
In San Sebastián, where housing costs are the highest in Spain, demonstrators chanted slogans criticizing the impacts of tourism. Organizers highlighted the detrimental effects of tourism-focused development, which they argue forces young residents to leave the city.
Similar protests were held on the Spanish islands of Majorca, Minorca, and Ibiza, with locals expressing concerns over the strain tourism places on public services due to high housing costs. One spokesman noted that the current tourism model does not yield economic benefits but exacerbates the housing crisis.
In Venice, activists protested against new hotel developments in previously hotel-free areas, while in Genoa, protesters sought to bring awareness to their demands before tourism levels escalated further. International arrivals in Europe rose nearly 5 percent in the first half of the year compared to the same period in 2024.
Some destinations have begun to respond to these concerns, with places like Santorini and Bruges implementing new regulations on tourism. Meanwhile, Barcelona plans to ban Airbnb rentals by 2028, and Palma has launched initiatives to enhance beach access for residents.
Despite increased opposition to mass tourism, international arrivals in Europe continued to rise, leading to mixed reactions from tourists caught in the protests. Some expressed discontent with the protests, viewing them as disruptive.