12 Beautiful Places in Spain Overwhelmed by Overtourism
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In Barcelona, locals have resorted to spraying tourists with water, while in Ibiza, anti-tourism protests are escalating. Several places in Spain are overwhelmed by overtourism.
Generally, tourism positively impacts a country, helping to prop up economies and create new job opportunities. However, as Spain has discovered, overtourism can lead to price increases for locals, overcrowding, and pressure on water supplies and waste management.
These 12 places in Spain offer insight into how overtourism can negatively impact a country’s most popular destinations.
Ibiza
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Boozy Brits, large crowds, and overloaded public services are causing tensions between locals and tourists in Ibiza. Protests have taken place across the island throughout 2024 to fight against overtourism, with many locals fed up with the situation. As such, Ibiza is one of Spain’s many destinations that are overpowered by overtourism.
Like Barcelona, overtourism in Ibiza has increased the strain on the island’s water supplies, waste management, and rental market. Excessive tourism has made Ibiza’s property market largely unaffordable, while crime, illegal construction, and environmental damage have risen. Not to mention, Ibiza is extremely noisy during the summer party season. To combat overtourism, locals demand reduced hotel capacity, stricter water usage regulations, and a ban on personal visitor vehicles on the roads.
Read also: Tourist Traps in Spain
Mallorca
In Mallorca, one of Spain’s breathtaking Balearic Islands, locals are concerned that overtourism is destroying local culture while also putting pressure on residents, who are struggling to cope with the increased cost of living. In 2023, Mallorca recorded a record-breaking 14 million visitors, and the trend doesn’t seem to be slowing anytime soon.
Unfortunately, the island can’t cope with the sheer number of travelers, making it one of the most overtouristed places in Spain. The island’s popularity has seen the cost of living rise to unimaginable highs for locals, public services pushed to breaking point, and tensions rising. Increasing hotel and housing construction endangers historic sites, biodiversity, and natural resources.
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Madrid
Even Madrid, Spain’s historical capital, isn’t immune to overtourism. Like Barcelona and Ibiza, residents in Madrid have protested against tourism in recent years, becoming increasingly fed up with the city’s increased prices and large crowds. Overtourism in the city has led to a shortage of affordable housing, a loss of tradition, and an overwhelming presence of tourists.
While tourists enjoy everything the city offers, thousands of people are left homeless. There has been a 35% increase in homelessness in Madrid since 2017, and tourism isn’t helping the situation. Meanwhile, public services like transport, health care, and sanitation are strained. Not to mention, the city streets are very crowded, making exploring less enjoyable for locals and tourists.
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Barcelona
In Barcelona, anti-tourism protesters have taken things into their own hands by firing water pistols at tourists in popular tourist areas. According to Sky News, approximately 3,000 people recently participated in an anti-tourism protest that targeted tourists enjoying their vacation. So, where has this tension come from, and why is Barcelona overwhelmed by overtourism?
Simply put, the Catalan capital can’t cope with the visitor numbers. In 2023 alone, Barcelona welcomed over 15.5 million tourists. This brought millions of dollars to the Spanish economy and also put the city under immense pressure. The environment has suffered due to increased cruise passengers, waste generation, and water usage. Meanwhile, demand for accommodation has seen rent prices skyrocket.
Read also: Barcelona Travel Guide
Granada
In Granada, locals complain about the streets being overcrowded with tourists all day and all night, making it hard for residents to enjoy their city. Nestled in the heart of Andalusia, surrounded by the Sierra Nevada Mountain, and famed for its breathtaking architecture, Granada is arguably one of Spain’s most beautiful places swamped by mass tourism.
One of the leading causes of overtourism in Granada is Alhambra Palace. This breathtaking 13th-century palace is one of Spain’s most famous attractions, drawing millions of visitors yearly. Unfortunately, this has led to large crowds and tension among the local community. A quick look at social media reveals locals complaining about a loss of culture, unlivable neighborhoods, and disrespectful tourists.
Read also: UNESCO World Heritage Sites in Spain
Canary Islands
In the Canary Islands, residents are urging the government to rethink its tourism strategy and limit tourist numbers. In 2024, over 50,000 people turned out for anti-tourism protests in the Canary Islands, as locals protested the damage overtourism is causing in one of Spain’s most naturally beautiful destinations.
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In 2023 alone, the islands welcomed almost 14 million tourists despite the population being less than 2.5 million. As a result, the island’s most beautiful places are inundated with tourists. Beaches are overcrowded, resources are at breaking point, houses are unaffordable, and environmental damage is rising.
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Benidorm
Benidorm is one of the few places in the country that doesn’t have many issues against tourism despite the apparent problems it’s causing. For decades, Benidorm has welcomed boozy Brits who love to party, drink beer, and eat English breakfasts.
Many locals, especially those who own businesses, welcome tourists with open arms, as they bring millions of dollars to the city yearly. However, there are drawbacks that many people disregard. For example, the increase in tourists has caused severe pollution and environmental degradation in Benidorm. Skyrise buildings have taken over the land, rubbish often litters the beaches, and there have been reports about sewage being dumped in the sea.
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Valencia
According to the Daily Express, Valencia, Spain’s third-largest city, appears to be the next Spanish city stifled by tourism crowds. Valencia’s residents are becoming increasingly frustrated with the large numbers of tourists visiting the country. One of the driving factors behind the rising tensions is the increase in expensive rentals and holiday homes.
As of 2024, there are 9,128 active vacation rental listings on Airbnb alone in Valencia. This has made it much harder for locals to purchase property. To curb overtourism, the city is set to introduce a fine system for unlicensed short-term rentals and Airbnb-style properties. Unfortunately, the city’s popularity has also led to large crowds at popular sites like Valencia City Beach and the city center.
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Malaga
In Southern Spain, the picturesque coastal city of Malaga is reportedly on the brink of crisis, as overtourism puts it under immense pressure. Like many of Spain’s tourist destinations that are overwhelmed by tourism, Malaga can’t cope with the large crowds who swarm the city yearly. As a result, anti-tourism protests have occurred in the city.
The main issues resulting from overtourism in Malaga are a loss of tradition and increased prices. As house prices surge, residents have to live with the reality that they can no longer afford to live in their own city. Meanwhile, they must also contend that tourism has eaten away at local culture, replacing traditional houses and shops.
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Seville
Another city in Southern Spain suffering from overtourism is Seville. Overcrowding has forced the government to introduce a tourist charge for foreign visitors who wish to enter Plaza de España. Like many places in Spain burdened by heavy tourism, Seville has experienced anti-tourism protests.
Most locals protest against the sheer number of tourists who visit the city yearly, as it causes the city to suffer from overcrowding, increased prices, and a strain on public services. The city’s thriving tourism industry has also seen the development of more rentals, hotels, bars, and nightclubs, which, according to the Express, has made many locals feel angry. Unfortunately, overtourism has also led to waste management issues across the city.
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Cadiz
In Cadiz, the increased number of cruise ship passengers visiting the city is leading to overcrowding and angry locals, making the city one of Spain’s most beautiful places to be affected by overtourism. Once, 13,000 cruise ship passengers arrived in Cadiz in one day. For context, that’s almost 10% of the city’s population.
As a result, several anti-tourism protests have taken place in the city to fight against the large crowds and limit tourist numbers. The overwhelming influx of tourists has left Cadiz’s residents in turmoil. On busy days, the historic center is an unbearable place to explore. To make matters worse, house prices are rising, making life harder for residents.
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San Sebastian
San Sebastian is a beautiful city in Northern Spain. The local government has started introducing new initiatives to combat overtourism. One way to curb the congestion, noise, and nuisance caused by overcrowding is to limit the number of people allowed on guided tours. Tour guides who break the rules could be fined.
Tours in San Sebastian will also be subject to specific time windows. Like many Spanish tourist destinations overwhelmed by overtourism, San Sebastian residents have protested. Besides the large crowds that fill the city’s streets, many locals have also complained about disrespectful and irritating tourists. The city’s government has vowed to improve San Sebastian’s tourism sustainability, so hopefully, things improve soon.
Read also: Places in Europe Overwhelmed by Overtourism
