WEST VALLEY CITY, UT — Barcelona, a city synonymous with stunning architecture, world-class art, and Mediterranean beauty, is experiencing a growing divide between its residents and the influx of tourists that have turned the city into one of the most visited places in the world. On June 16, 2025, a protest erupted in central Barcelona, underscoring the mounting tension between the locals and the visitors. As residents, many of whom are being priced out of their own city, take to the streets to voice their frustrations, it’s clear that the issues surrounding tourism are more complex than just crowds of people snapping pictures or buying souvenirs.
The protest, which occurred during the annual WestFest celebration, began as a peaceful gathering of individuals expressing their concerns over the overwhelming presence of tourists in the city. However, things quickly escalated when a group of protesters shouted at tourists filming them, telling them to “Go Home!” Bemused couples sitting in nearby street cafés were squirted with water pistols, and a luxury clothing store was covered in stickers declaring that tourists were not welcome. What was once a festive occasion for the local residents turned chaotic, as frustrations reached a boiling point.
The issue at the heart of the protest is a sense of displacement. Barcelona, like many popular tourist destinations across Europe, has become a city where the growing number of tourists has pushed up rents and made life increasingly unaffordable for locals. For residents, the very character of their neighborhoods is being altered, as homes that were once part of the city’s fabric are now being converted into short-term rental properties like those found on Airbnb. This process has driven prices higher, forcing many longtime residents out of their homes.
Marina, a young woman holding a sign that read, “Your Airbnb used to be my home,” explained why she was protesting. “We cannot live in this city. The rents are super high because of Airbnb and also the expats who come and live here for the weather,” she said. Marina, like many residents, is caught in the intersection of tourism and affordability, feeling squeezed out of a city she once called home. Other signs at the protest echoed similar sentiments, calling for the removal of giant cruise ships that dock at the port and demand for tighter controls over the number of tourists visiting the city.
But it’s not just about pushing back against the tourist influx. “Our goal is not to stop tourism, because it’s also good, but to have it at a normal rate,” Marina added. The protesters, while frustrated, recognize the importance of tourism to Barcelona’s economy, but they feel the scale of tourism has become unsustainable. With more than 15 million people visiting Barcelona annually — nearly ten times the local population — the strain on the city’s resources, infrastructure, and housing market has become undeniable.
Elena, a young marine biologist, also voiced her concerns: “Young people can’t afford living here or even normal things like coffee that are all really expensive for our salaries.” Like Marina, she sees the influx of tourists as a major factor in driving up the cost of living, making it increasingly difficult for locals to survive in the city. For young professionals like Elena, Barcelona has become a city of contradictions — a place filled with opportunity and beauty, but increasingly out of reach.
It’s not just the younger generation who is struggling. Pepi Viu, an 80-year-old woman, shared her story of being evicted from her home in one of the city’s most popular neighborhoods. After almost a decade in her home, she was priced out by a landlord who sought higher rents. “I can’t find anything — and there’s no support. I feel like I have no protection, and it’s upsetting,” Pepi said, her voice tinged with sadness and frustration. “There are only tourist flats now, but we residents need somewhere to live.” Pepi’s experience is not unique; in many parts of Barcelona, locals have already been pushed out, replaced by tourists and short-term rental properties.
Joan Alvarez, a resident in Barcelona’s Gothic Quarter, is one of the few locals still holding on to his home. For 25 years, Joan’s family has lived in their flat, but now his landlord has terminated the contract to raise the rent. Joan refuses to leave, despite knowing that most of the apartments in his building have been converted into single-room rentals for tourists. “It’s not just about the money, it’s the principle,” he said. “This is central Barcelona, and there’s hardly any of us residents left. It shouldn’t be like that.” Joan’s story reflects the broader issue at play in Barcelona, where long-time residents like him feel increasingly marginalized by the boom in tourism and short-term rentals.
On the other side of the debate are the landlords, such as Jesus Pereda, who owns two flats in central Barcelona. Jesus rents these properties to tourists and believes landlords are unfairly scapegoated. “They stopped giving out new licenses 10 years ago, but rents have still gone up. So how are we to blame? We’re just an easy enemy,” he said. Jesus argues that it’s not tourists who are driving the price hikes, but rather the influx of “nomad” workers moving from other parts of Europe. He claims these workers earn more and are willing to pay higher rents, thus pushing prices up for everyone, not just tourists.
Jesus also defends the idea of renting flats to tourists, suggesting that it helps distribute crowds and cash to other parts of the city. Without tourism, he argues, Barcelona would face an “existential crisis” as tourism represents up to 15% of Spain’s gross domestic product. He is concerned that the city’s economy would falter without the revenue generated by tourists.
As protests continue, the city of Barcelona has made moves to address the growing concerns. The local government has announced that by 2028, there will be a complete ban on short-term rentals for tourists. Around 10,000 landlords will lose their tourist housing licenses, a move that aims to address the housing crisis and reduce the number of properties available for short-term rentals. However, landlords like Jesus are deeply concerned about the financial implications of this ban and the potential collapse of their rental business.
The debate surrounding tourism in Barcelona is not unique to the city. Across southern Europe, cities like Venice, Rome, and Paris are grappling with similar issues. The impact of over-tourism is being felt in neighborhoods that were once home to local communities, but are now dominated by short-term rentals catering to tourists. While tourism is a vital industry for these cities, the concerns of local residents cannot be ignored, as they face rising rents, displacement, and the loss of their neighborhoods’ character.
Protests in Barcelona and other parts of Spain reflect the growing frustration with the unregulated growth of tourism and its impact on everyday life. The protests in Barcelona, while aimed at the increase in tourism, are not necessarily about stopping tourism altogether. Instead, residents are calling for a more balanced approach that takes into account both the economic benefits of tourism and the needs of local residents.
As the summer tourist season approaches, Spain is expected to welcome even more visitors. While this may boost the economy, it is clear that the challenge of managing the impact of tourism will only continue to grow. Cities like Barcelona must find ways to strike a balance between attracting tourists and maintaining the quality of life for their residents. It remains to be seen how these protests and policy changes will shape the future of tourism in Spain, but one thing is certain: the conversation around over-tourism is far from over.
The protests in Barcelona have sparked a wider debate about the future of tourism in cities around the world. As the number of tourists continues to rise, it’s important to consider the long-term effects on local communities and find solutions that benefit both residents and visitors. Only time will tell if Barcelona can strike the right balance between being a world-class tourist destination and a city that remains home to its residents.
