Europe Erupts Against Overtourism – Local Resistance

Europe’s most beloved destinations are facing a wave of local resistance in summer 2025, as communities from Spain to Italy and Greece push back against the relentless surge of tourists. Frustration over rising housing costs, environmental strain, and the erosion of local culture has boiled over into street protests, creative demonstrations, and a flurry of new regulations aimed at curbing the excesses of mass tourism.

In Barcelona, demonstrators armed with water guns and banners forced tourists out of popular areas, chanting slogans like “Your holidays, my misery.” Similar scenes unfolded in Mallorca, where thousands blocked tourist buses and set off flares to demand limits on visitor numbers and short-term rentals. In Italy, Genoa’s residents paraded a cardboard cruise ship through narrow streets to highlight the impact of cruise tourism, while in Venice, protests targeted new hotel developments and high-profile luxury events. Even Paris saw staff at the Louvre striking against overcrowding, locking out large crowds of visitors.

The roots of this backlash are deep: locals blame unchecked tourism for soaring rents, the conversion of homes into short-term rentals, and the loss of neighborhood character. Environmental concerns are mounting as well, with the influx of visitors putting pressure on water supplies, waste management, and public services—especially on Greek islands where tourists can outnumber residents by more than 100 to 1 during peak season.

Governments are responding with a mix of new taxes, stricter rules, and crowd control measures. Cities like Barcelona, Venice, and Amsterdam have raised tourist taxes, while others are capping or banning new short-term rentals to protect local housing. Venice has introduced an entry fee for day-trippers, and Athens now limits daily visitors to the Acropolis. These efforts reflect a growing recognition that tourism’s benefits must be balanced with the needs of residents and the preservation of cultural and environmental assets.

Key Points:

• Summer 2025 has seen a surge in anti-tourism protests across southern Europe, with creative demonstrations and calls for tougher regulations.
• Locals are demanding action on housing affordability, environmental protection, and the preservation of local culture.
• Cities are responding with higher tourist taxes, rental restrictions, and visitor caps at major attractions.
• The struggle to balance tourism’s economic benefits with its social and environmental costs is reshaping travel in Europe’s most iconic destinations.