Residents Use Water Guns in Protests Against Overtourism in Barcelona and Mallorca

On Sunday, June 15, 2025, residents in Barcelona and Mallorca protested against overtourism by squirting water guns at tourists. These demonstrations aimed to highlight the negative effects of mass tourism on housing and local quality of life. Similar protests also occurred in other southern European cities, including Venice, Lisbon, Granada, and Ibiza.

Objectives and Methods of the Demonstrations

Protesters sought to draw attention to the housing crisis exacerbated by the conversion of residential apartments into short-term tourist rentals, which is driving up rents and displacing long-term residents. In Barcelona, demonstrators marched through the city and used water pistols to “bother the tourists,” emphasizing their demand to reclaim the city for locals. Andreu Martínez, a local protest participant, stated that rising rents and the replacement of traditional shops with tourist-oriented businesses threaten the community’s way of life.

Effects on Local Communities

Barcelona hosted 15.5 million visitors last year, far exceeding its population of 1.7 million, intensifying pressure on housing and urban infrastructure. In Palma, Mallorca, approximately 5,000 people joined protests expressing frustration at pervasive tourism and its impact on housing costs. Residents voiced concerns about being systematically pushed out of their own neighborhoods due to the tourist industry’s growth.

Regional Spread of Protest Movements

The protest movement extended beyond Barcelona and Mallorca, with demonstrations in cities such as Granada, San Sebastián, and Ibiza. In Venice, Italy, activists protested new hotel constructions contributing to resident evictions in historic areas. These actions reflect a broader regional demand for sustainable tourism policies that protect resident interests and urban heritage.

Tourist Response to Protests

Tourists generally responded with amusement to the playful water gun protests, laughing off the demonstrations despite being targeted.

Conclusion

The water gun protests in Barcelona and Mallorca symbolize growing local frustration with overtourism’s social and economic impacts. They form part of a wider movement across southern Europe calling for balanced tourism development to maintain the character and livability of affected cities and regions.