The locals in Palma de Mallorca have officially had enough. They’re fed up with the constant influx of tourists and are taking matters into their own hands, using everything from protests to sneaky tricks like pretending the beaches are closed.
Fed Up with Tourists? You’re Not Alone
Overtourism has been driving some Spanish cities up the wall. The once peaceful streets are now bustling with tourists, and let’s just say, the city facilities are paying the price—think broken benches, overflowing trash bins, and a whole lot of noise.
It’s not just Palma de Mallorca feeling the heat. The lovely islands of Balearic, Catalonia, and Canary Islands are also struggling to keep up with the tourist boom. Back in April, thousands of locals in the Canary Islands hit the streets to protest. Their message? The locals argued that the constant wave of vacationers is making it impossible for them to find affordable housing and is turning their neighborhoods into party zones.
Since then, protests have been popping up all over Spain. And let’s just say, the locals are getting creative.
Here’s How the Residents of Mallorca Are Kicking Tourists to the Curb:
Water Gun Warfare
In July, the residents of Barcelona decided to take their grievances to the streets—and the beach. Armed with water guns, they didn’t just carry signs expressing their frustration with the tourism invasion; they also took aim at any tourist who crossed their path.
With banners reading “Enough! Let’s Limit Tourism,” they doused unsuspecting visitors with water, sending a clear message: You’re not welcome here!
Evicting Tourists from the Beach
More recently, the locals in Mallorca took their protest to the beaches. Sporting bikinis and carrying banners that screamed “Our Beaches Have Been Invaded,” they made sure tourists got the message loud and clear.
In what has become the latest in a series of protests across Spain, the locals accused the tourism boom of driving up housing costs and fueling a party culture that’s anything but local-friendly. One particularly determined resident even brought out a bagpipe, adding some noisy background music to the beachfront protest. The group has warned that more protests are on the way, so tourists, beware!
The Great Beach Closure Hoax
In a particularly cheeky move, a protest group named Caterva decided to “close” the beaches in Manacor, a town in eastern Mallorca. Don’t worry—local residents were still welcome. The group roped off popular beaches like Cala Varques and Cala Petita, putting up signs that read “Beach Closed,” all while locals continued to enjoy the sun and sand.
Their message on social media was clear: “We’re shutting down these beaches so the locals can have some peace. Let’s shift our priorities—life first, tourists second. But remember, it’s not just the tourists to blame; it’s the hotel chains, construction companies, and real estate moguls.”
Good Old-Fashioned Protesting
Another protest took place in Cangas do Morrazo, where locals decided to block access to the beautiful sandy beaches and stunning cliffside views. About 80 residents took turns crossing the village’s three pedestrian crossings, forcing drivers to sit and wait as they made their point. The protest was aimed at highlighting the sheer number of tourists crowding the area’s 38 beaches and the fact that visitors were parking wherever they pleased.
Frustrated tourists eventually turned back, realizing they weren’t going to get to the beach anytime soon. The protest, which started around 11:30 AM on Sunday, continued until around midday.