‘Less tourism, more life’, they demand.
Many cities all over Europe are suffering under the yoke of overtourism, with services and infrastructure stretched to the maximum, and gentrification squeezing locals out by soaring living prices.
For the last few years, anti-tourism protests have spread across the continent – and now they have started going overboard.
Take Palma de Mallorca, for example: the classic Mediterranean destination descended into chaos as Spanish riot police clashed with protesters as the third summer of demonstrations turned violent.
Residents of Spanish island Mallorca are protesting the overtourism of their home on 26 Sunday July. Menys Turisme, Mes Vida (Less Tourism, More Life) organized the demonstration to fight back against how mass tourism is currently impacting the cost of living for locals. pic.twitter.com/syf2Ug0tSB
— The Independent (@Independent) July 26, 2026
Mallorca’s streets were filled with protesters on July 26 as residents marched to protest mass tourism, which they say is harming the Spanish island’s culture and environment pic.twitter.com/c4PwVtWJNy
— Reuters (@Reuters) July 27, 2026
Daily Mail reported:
“More than 25,000 people are said to have flooded the streets of Mallorca’s capital, Palma, to fight against holidaymakers who flock to the island over the summer.
Protesters who claimed the holiday hotspot had ‘reached its limit’ fought with officers. One clip saw a protester being whacked with a baton, before another jumped at a police officer. Angry protesters were seen leaping over barriers. Police were seen hitting several people in response.”
Watch: police and protesters clash.
La manifestación contra la masificación turística en Mallorca ha culminado con momentos de tensión. La Policía ha arremetido contra manifestantes con la porra. Hay al menos un herido https://t.co/BJMZuegRG3 pic.twitter.com/UHNxePEszl
— elDiario.es (@eldiarioes) July 26, 2026
Rioters threw bottles at the police, and rubber bullets were shot into the crowd to disperse them.
Watch: baton charges and rubber bullets fired.
Cargas y heridos en la manifestación “Mallorca al límite”
70.000 personas participaron este domingo, entre porrazos y disparos de goma, en la manifestación contra la saturación turística, organizada por más de 150 organizaciones.
➡️ https://t.co/OUqPX1zOnj pic.twitter.com/QPdbxJKmcc
— Diario Socialista (@DSocialista_) July 27, 2026
“Demonstrators held signs with slogans including ‘tourists go home’, ‘tourism = destruction’, ‘save Majorca’ and ‘less tourism, more life’. One banner showed a picture of a gun with text reading: ‘Forced to live in struggle.’
They were pushing for an end to mass tourism on the island, claiming that the influx of visitors has made their lives worse.”
Read more from 2025:
WAR ON ‘OVER-TOURISM’: Coalition of European Activists Calls for a Day of Protests on June 15th – ‘Southern Europe Network Against Touristification’ Wants to ‘Save Their Communities’
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