Spain’s Tourist Problem: Why You Might Want to Skip It This Year

Spain has long been one of the world’s most beloved travel destinations—sunny beaches, rich culture, iconic festivals, tapas galore. In 2024, nearly 94 million international visitors flocked to its shores—double the resident population. That’s impressive, but underneath the glamour lies a growing problem that could make visiting Spain this year less appealing—for you and for the locals.

Here’s a closer look at what’s unfolding on the ground—and why you might want to think twice before joining the crowds.

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1. The Overtourism Backlash Has Arrived

In June 2025, Spain’s hot spots erupted in protest. In Barcelona, Palma, San Sebastián, Granada, Ibiza, and even the Canary Islands, thousands of residents marched—not against tourists personally, but against overtourism.

Their message is hard-hitting and clear: tourism has overtaken daily life. Locals chanted slogans like “Your holidays, my misery” and staged symbolic water-gun attacks at cafés, hotels, and even airport terminals.

What may sound theatrical is driven by deeper frustrations: soaring rent prices, crowded transport and public services, environmental strain, and the gradual erasure of local communities from urban neighborhoods.

2. Housing Crisis: Tourists vs. Residents

Tourism isn’t just about crowds—it’s about real estate. In Barcelona alone, a staggering 26 million visitors in 2024 overwhelmed a resident population of just 1.6 million. One by one, homes are being converted into short-term Airbnb rentals, pricing locals out of their own neighborhoods.

Spain’s Economy Minister confirmed projections of 100 million tourists this year, and voiced concern that the housing squeeze “poses challenges…for our own population”. Meanwhile, local movements demand more social housing and tighter Airbnb rules.

3. Local Resistance Turning Physical

This year’s protests have featured more direct action than in previous years. In Barcelona and Mallorca, protesters have used smoke bombs, taped shut hostels, slapped anti-tourist stickers on shops, and even squirted tourists with water guns, aiming to do more than just shout.

Their targets? Not travelers themselves—it’s the tourist industry infrastructure: cruise ships, budget airlines, and the relentless churn of cheap apartments.

Barcelona plans to revoke 10,000 short-term rental licenses by 2028. Pal‍ma and the Canary Islands are debating restrictions on property sales to foreigners—moves that signal a serious shift toward preserving livability.

4. Crowd Fatigue Eclipses Cultural Appeal

Spain’s appeal—rich history, flamenco nights, tapas crawls—is now rivaled by mounting frustration. Tourists arriving this summer should be ready for:

Crowded streets and transit—think lines at Gaudí sites, packed beaches, jammed historic alleyways.

Midday closures due to siesta culture, now overwhelmed by lack of enforcement.

Local burnout, meaning sometimes less warmth from overwhelmed staff.

Anti-tourist demonstrations, which can mean detours, delays, or scenes many visitors find unsettling.

Last summer’s protests were dismissed by some as outbursts, but 2025 marks something different: a systematic, organized rejection of unrestrained tourism. This isn’t resentment—it’s a plea for preservation.

5. Environmental and Cultural Costs Run Deep

Mass tourism bleeds beyond housing. Fragile areas—like the coves of Ibiza or coastal cliffs of Mallorca—are ecologically strained. On islands, water shortages, overflowing waste systems, and noise pollution are becoming common complaints.

Historic city centers once anchored by locals are now souvenir-shop-dominated zones with inflated prices—losing the character that once drew visitors in the first place.

For instance, in Granada’s UNESCO-listed Albaicín district, locals point to quarter of homes being tourist lets, and lament how their community feels vaporized.

6. Economy vs. Equity: A Rising Debate

Tourism contributes around 12% of Spain’s GDP, creates jobs, and supports entire coastal economies. But the distribution of that wealth is uneven. Many hospitality jobs are low-paid, seasonal, and offer little stability, adding to local disillusionment.

Spain’s government has already taken steps—removing 66,000 illegal Airbnb listings and promising enforcement. Barcelona has raised tourist taxes on short-stay cruise visitors, and the Balearic Islands are phasing out heavy reliance on social-media marketed “selfie tourism” to preserve environmental and cultural assets.

7. What This Means for You, Traveler

So—should you skip Spain this year? Maybe not—but you should be informed.

Know before you go:

Expect delays, detours, or even protests in key areas—especially Barcelona, Mallorca, Ibiza, San Sebastián, and Granada.

Be respectful: locals are not anti-tourist, but anti-overtourism. How you travel matters.

Support sustainable tourism: choose homestays, locally owned businesses, and public transport.

Book responsibly: avoid platforms that contribute to displacement. Pick eco-certified accommodations.

Be flexible: festivals, narrow streets, or heavy crowds can impact your plans—so plan loosely.

8. Alternative Payoffs of Responsible Travel

Yes, tourism currently feels invasive—but responsible travelers still empower cultural exchange:

Patronize family-owned restaurants, artisan shops, and local markets.

Attend community-run festivals, flamenco shows, or sustainable tours with guides who care.

Use public transport—or bikes—to reduce your carbon footprint and traffic congestion.

Spread awareness: share travel stories that respect, not exploit, local life.

Your visit, done thoughtfully, can help reaffirm Spain’s living culture rather than degrade it.

9. Spain Is Not Closing—but It Is Changing

Between record tourism numbers—possible 100 million visitors in 2025—and rising activism, Spain is in the midst of a reckoning.

Cities are transitioning:

Barcelona plans to eliminate private short‑stay rentals by 2028.

Balearic and Canary Islands are limiting growth, rejecting influencer-driven promotions, banning mega-cruises, and clamping down on illegal listings .

Local networks in Palma, Granada, and San Sebastián are demanding affordable housing and civic rights for residents.

This isn’t anti-tourism—it’s about turning the spotlight inward. Spain isn’t shutting its doors; it’s trying to keep them open for its people first.

10. Skip It? Only If You’re Not Willing to Adapt

To skip Spain outright would be a loss—for your palate, your mind, and your spirit. But if you visit with eyes wide open, you can be part of a more balanced travel narrative.

With respect and intention, you can travel in a way that honors Spain’s soul—not exploits it.

Final Thoughts: Rethink the Journey

Spain’s overtourism crisis isn’t a call to stop traveling—it’s a wake‑up call for smarter travel. If you truly want to experience Spain’s tapas bars, cathedrals, sunlit plazas, and rich forests, do it in a way that uplifts, doesn’t erode, the country’s cultural and social fabric.

You can still fall in love with flamenco, wander Moorish palaces, and savor jamón ibérico. Just do it with humility, awareness, and a desire to be part of the solution—not the problem.

Because this year, Spain needs travelers who care—not casual tourists who don’t see what they’re taking away.

Have you felt Spain’s resistance to overtourism? Ways you helped or hurt local communities? Share your experience—and let’s keep this important conversation going.