A wave of coordinated anti-tourism protests is erupting across Spain, Portugal, Italy and France as fed-up locals take to the streets with marches, airport blockades and even water gun demonstrations, aiming to disrupt peak summer trips and demand urgent reform. Driven by frustration over rising rents, overcrowded neighborhoods, and a loss of essential services due to what they call “touristification,” residents across Europe’s top destinations are uniting to pressure governments into curbing mass tourism and restoring balance to everyday life.

What began as scattered protests in places like Barcelona and Majorca has now evolved into a synchronized regional movement. On Sunday, June 15, activists across Southern Europe are joining forces to demand radical change. With international arrivals up nearly 5% in early 2025 compared to last year, residents say enough is enough. The message: mass tourism may be fueling the economy, but it’s also eroding local life.

Marches Take Over Tourist-Filled Streets

Organized marches are the most visible part of the protests. In Spain, demonstrations are confirmed in Barcelona, Granada, San Sebastián, Ibiza, Majorca and Minorca. In Portugal, crowds are expected in Lisbon. Italy’s Genoa and possibly Venice will join in, while French cities like Marseille may also take part. These aren’t fringe gatherings. Past events in cities like Palma and Barcelona drew crowds of 20,000 — peaceful but pointed, often laced with satire, and hard to ignore.

Organizers say this time the movement is more united and strategic. The protests follow an April workshop in Barcelona, where activists from all four countries met to map out a coordinated response to what they call “touristification” — the growing prioritization of tourism over resident needs.

Airport Blockades and Theatrical Disruption

This year’s protests go beyond street marches. Activists have discussed — and in some locations already begun — targeting airports and key transport hubs to disrupt the flow of tourism directly. Blockades, picketing, and entry restrictions are planned or underway in major arrival points across the region.

In Lisbon, the protests are taking a theatrical turn. Activists will carry a life-sized statue of St. Anthony, evicted from his namesake church, through the streets in a symbolic “displacement” to protest a nearby military site being converted into a luxury hotel. “We want to show that in today’s Lisbon, not even the saints are safe from touristification,” said Fabiana Pavel from Movimento Referendo Pela Habitação.

Water Guns Become Symbols of Resistance

Adding a quirky but pointed twist to the protests, water guns are returning as tools of resistance. Last summer in Barcelona, protesters made international headlines by squirting tourists with toy guns during a July 6 march. That moment captured the global media’s attention — and organizers are planning to do it again.

“Water pistols have become a symbol,” said one organizer. “They’re harmless but loud. They cut through the noise.” But not everyone is amused. In Venice, local authorities have already warned that “pistole ad acqua” will not be tolerated during demonstrations.

The Real Issues: Housing, Overcrowding, and Displacement

At the heart of the protests lies a growing frustration with how mass tourism is reshaping urban life. In Barcelona and Lisbon, housing shortages have worsened as short-term rentals surge. Rents have soared beyond what locals can afford. Essential businesses disappear in favor of souvenir shops and tour kiosks. Meanwhile, in port cities like Genoa and Venice, cruise ships belch smoke and unload thousands of visitors at once, overwhelming fragile infrastructure.

Their demands include setting caps on visitor numbers, limiting flights, and halting the conversion of residential buildings into holiday rentals. Some cities, like Santorini in Greece and Bruges in Belgium, have already implemented stricter controls, but activists say these measures are too little, too late.

Tourism Industry Walks a Tightrope

Tourism officials are trying to strike a balance between keeping visitors happy and acknowledging resident frustrations. In Barcelona, tourism board director Mateu Hernández insisted the city still welcomes travelers. “Barcelona is a beloved city where tourists are warmly received,” he said, noting that authorities are working to improve balance.

But with scenes of marches, mock evictions, and public blockades now going viral, many would-be travelers are rethinking their European summer itineraries. Some travel forums are buzzing with concern about whether now is the right time to visit places like Majorca or Venice.

So What Should Travelers Expect?

If you’re planning a trip to Southern Europe in June or July, especially around June 15, be prepared for visible protests. Roads may be blocked temporarily. Tourist attractions could be surrounded or closed for brief periods. Airports in protest zones may experience delays or even partial shutdowns due to picketing or crowd control efforts.

While most demonstrations are peaceful and even festive, they serve as more than just performance. They reflect a deeper, growing sentiment: that for Europe’s most visited cities to thrive, they must first reclaim space for the people who actually live there.

Tourism may bring in billions, but the costs — rising rents, environmental strain, and community displacement — are pushing locals to the streets. With coordinated protests now spanning four major European countries, and tactics growing more creative by the year, the message is ringing loud and clear: it’s time to rethink what tourism should look like in the heart of Europe.

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