As the summer sun beats down on Europe, the heat isn’t just coming from the sky. A fiery wave of resident frustration has boiled over into the streets, with mass protests against overtourism erupting in popular hotspots across the continent. For travelers seeking a peaceful getaway, the message is clear: some of your favorite destinations are now centers of civil unrest, with locals demanding their cities back from the crushing weight of mass tourism.
From Spain to Italy, organized demonstrations have become a regular feature, fueled by soaring housing costs and strained public services. While the protests are largely aimed at policymakers, the atmosphere can be tense and unpredictable, with some activists directly targeting tourists with water guns and chants of “Go Home!” The U.S. State Department has taken note, issuing advisories for Spain and Italy citing “civil unrest” and urging travelers to avoid demonstrations. Before you get caught in the crossfire of a cultural reckoning, here are 19 destinations facing significant protests, and some fantastic, nearby alternatives where you can still get your European fix.
Spanish Hotspots on High Alert
Spain has become the epicenter of the anti-tourism movement, with coordinated protests across the mainland and its famous islands.
- Barcelona: This Catalan jewel is ground zero for resident frustration.
- Instead Visit: Girona. Just a short train ride away, Girona offers the same enchanting Catalan culture and labyrinthine medieval streets without the overwhelming crowds.
- Madrid: The capital hasn’t been immune, with locals protesting the hollowing out of their neighborhoods.
- Instead Visit: Salamanca. Home to one of Europe’s oldest universities and a Plaza Mayor that rivals Madrid’s for grandeur, this sandstone city is a vibrant and beautiful alternative.
- Palma de Mallorca: The gorgeous capital of the Balearic Islands has seen thousands march against the housing crisis.
- Instead Visit: Menorca. Swap the crowded sister island for Menorca’s pristine, undeveloped beaches and a decidedly more laid-back vibe.
- Ibiza: Even the legendary party island is pumping the brakes, with locals protesting unsustainable tourism.
- Instead Visit: Formentera. A quick ferry from Ibiza, this tiny, tranquil island is a slice of pure Mediterranean paradise, prized for its crystal-clear water and white-sand beaches.
- The Canary Islands (Tenerife, Gran Canaria, Lanzarote): These Atlantic havens have seen some of the largest protests, with tens of thousands demanding a sustainable future.
- Instead Visit: La Palma. Known as “La Isla Bonita” (The Beautiful Island), this lesser-known Canary Island is a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve, perfect for hiking and stargazing.
The Andalusian Uprising
Spain’s sun-drenched south is feeling the heat in more ways than one.
- Seville, Granada & Málaga: These three jewels of Andalusia have all seen street demonstrations against a tourist model they say is pricing them out of their own homes.
- Instead Visit: Cádiz or Córdoba. Swap the big three for Cádiz, an ancient and atmospheric port city with a killer seafood scene, or head inland to Córdoba to lose yourself in the breathtaking arches of the Mezquita-Cathedral.
Basque Country & Beyond
The backlash has spread to Spain’s diverse northern regions.
- Bilbao & San Sebastián: Famous for their art and world-class food, these Basque cities are now also known for protests against “touristification.”
- Instead Visit: Santander. This elegant Cantabrian capital offers a beautiful bay, golden beaches, and a gateway to the stunning Picos de Europa mountains.
- Valencia: Spain’s third-largest city is also pushing back.
- Instead Visit: Zaragoza. Midway between Madrid and Barcelona, this city on the Ebro River boasts incredible Roman history and one of Spain’s most impressive basilicas.
Italian Cities Join the Chorus
The frustration has firmly crossed the Mediterranean into Italy.
- Venice: The poster child for overtourism, Venice continues to see protests despite new entry fees.
- Instead Visit: Trieste. This grand port city on the Slovenian border has a fascinating Austro-Hungarian past, literary cafes, and its own beautiful canals, minus the suffocating crowds.
- Milan & Genoa: From the fashion capital to the historic port, Italians are making their voices heard.
- Instead Visit: Turin or Bologna. Swap Milan for the aristocratic grace of Turin, with its Alpine views and Egyptian museum, or trade Genoa for the culinary heaven and colonnaded streets of Bologna.
- Naples & Palermo: The vibrant, gritty hearts of Southern Italy are protesting the strain on their unique cultural fabric.
- Instead Visit: Bari or Catania. Get your authentic southern Italian fix in Bari, the capital of Puglia, or in Sicily’s second city, Catania, a vibrant Baroque hub at the foot of Mount Etna.
Portugal’s Popular Capital
- Lisbon: The charming, tram-filled hills of Lisbon have become a stage for protests against a housing crisis fueled by tourism.
- Instead Visit: Coimbra. For a dose of history and charm, head to Coimbra, home to Portugal’s oldest university and a rich Fado music tradition that rivals Lisbon’s.
The summer of protests marks a clear turning point for European travel. The message from locals, often lost in the sensational headlines, is not necessarily “go away forever,” but a desperate plea for a more sustainable and respectful way forward. Navigating this new and evolving reality requires more than just a guidebook; it demands awareness and a willingness to adapt. At Travel Off Path, our core mission is to empower you with that knowledge, helping you explore the world thoughtfully. By choosing a lesser-known alternative or simply being more mindful of your impact, you can still discover the incredible soul of Europe, even when the most well-trodden path is showing its cracks.
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