Hi Reader,

I just want to comment about the anti-tourism protests you’ve probably seen in the media. If you haven't seen it, on Sunday, there was an anti-tourism protest here in Barcelona, which hit headlines around the world as protesters fired water pistols and set of smoke bombs.

I didn’t go to the protest but have read several accounts of what happened.

These articles give more details about the protest on Sunday:

​https://www.catalannews.com/society-science/item/tourism-protest-barcelona-june-15-2025​

​https://www.telegraph.co.uk/world-news/2025/06/16/my-day-with-spanish-anti-tourist-activists/​

It seems that in reality, the protest wasn’t as large or as severe as it appeared in some media outlets. Catalan News said the police estimated 600 people joined the protest, and the protesters said that 3000 joined, so the actual number is probably somewhere between the two.

To put it in context, on Saturday there was a pro Palestine rally that had around 20,000 people joining, so the anti-tourism protest was relatively small.

That isn’t to say they don’t have a point. While tourism is big business here, local people don’t often see any monetary benefit unless they work in the industry, and over-tourism is affecting the make-up of businesses, restaurants, and prices for everyday people.

Accommodation is a huge issue, with rental prices soaring and not enough housing available. Holiday rentals such as Airbnb certainly contribute to that, but they aren’t the only culprit. The population of Barcelona is increasing, but the housing stock is not. There is not enough supply to meet demand.

I understand the protesters’ frustration. It is very hard to find an apartment in Barcelona for a reasonable price, especially if you are on Spanish wages, which are relatively low compared to many other European countries.

However, attacking tourists who just want to enjoy their time here is ridiculous – as is targeting a hostel! People who stay in hostels have some of the lowest impact of all tourists, sharing a dorm room which was never designed to be permanent housing.

Please don’t let the protests put you off coming to Barcelona, but do be mindful of why people are protesting.

My main aim is to help you to visit Barcelona in the most sustainable way possible, without a negative impact on the residents and local community, so I’ve written a whole article about possible overtourism solutions in Barcelona. Please have a read and see what you can do to visit Barcelona responsibly:

Whether that is going to Barcelona in the off or shoulder seasons, choosing a family-run hotel or a local restaurant - or even supporting a community project to help residents - we can all make easy changes that will make a difference.

And with these changes, you'll be able to get to know the city and the culture better, meet local people and avoid huge crowds. Plus you can explore more of Catalonia and Spain while you are here - doesn't that sound good??

Let me know what you think about overtourism in Barcelona - are you reconsidering your trip because of the protests? Hit reply and let me know, or head over to our Facebook group and join the discussion.

Love, Claire x

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