Europe has a range of cultural gems, from bustling Spanish cities like Barcelona to beach shelters living on small islands like coastlines and canaries. However, a global team of travel experts at Fodor has warned tourists to consider the impact of overtourism on European hotspots before taking advantage of cheap flights.
Overtourism, defined by the sustainable travel international, occurs when too many visitors flock to destinations, exceeding their ability to manage sustainably, leading to negative effects such as overcrowding, environmental degradation, tense infrastructure, poor quality of life for residents, and reduced visitor experience. Spain is the most affected by the continent, cracking down on Airbnb and holiday rentals last year. At the same time, locals in Barcelona took it to soak visitors with water guns, chanting “Tourists are going home.” According to Fodor's Travel, Spanish cities will be joined by Mallorca, the Canary Islands, Venice and Lisbon on their list of European locations “the locals don't want you.”
Barcelona
The Fodor travel team said, “Barcelona currently has over 10,000 licensed vacation rentals on platforms such as Airbnb, with the average home renting 68% more than a decade ago.”
Local governments have pledged to remove all short-term rental licenses and stand up to the city's illegal tourist apartments by 2028, but locals say it's too late, including a gathering of a neighbourhood Barcelona activist group for members of the tourism sector.
On Reddit, locals are thinking about the city's tourism issues. One said, “Barcelona has become a entertainment park built for tourists. Everything is too expensive. When you go to class or work, you have to avoid distracted tourists who randomly stop to take photos any day, week or any year.”
Another added: “Local people have been kicked out of their cities by tourists. Local businesses have been shut down because the tourism business is more profitable.”
Barcelona's historic Gothic Quarter is one of the worst affected areas as there are many tourist apartments and attractions there.
Mallorca
The beautiful Spanish destination has been popular among European residents for decades and is a recurring criminal in Fordor's “No List.” This, previously listed in 2019, remains common to find flights from UK airports with returns of less than £50 and very affordable package holidays, Responsible Travel reports.
However, according to TripAdvisor reviews, it means that some of its most popular beaches and towns are “severely overcrowded.” One said: Everything is high and the beach smells like sewage. Everyone, please keep it apart. This is not the best value for money. Full of Instagramming Airheads. What a disappointment. ”
The Balearic government fought overtourism in 2016 by introducing a tourism tax. This will increase in June, July and August in 2025. This tax also applies to Menorca, Ibiza and Formentera. Restrictions considered by the British Embassy and the Balearic government also exist in some resorts, banning overnight alcohol sales to combat “excessive tourism.”
Canary Islands
Tensions erupted last summer as protests broke out in Europe. Tens of thousands of people gather on beaches in Mallorca and the Canary Islands, reporting feed that holds signs of “Your Luxury, Our Misery” and “Canaries have restrictions.”
Travel experts have branded the “crazy change” that has brought clear economic benefits, taking into account years of “active marketing to visitors.” In the Canary Islands, the tourism industry accounted for 35% of GDP, generating 16.9 billion euros in 2023.
However, British tourists in Tenerife and Gran Canaria are underscored by locals who claim that the benefits of tourism are not dripping down on the locals.
Nestor Marello Rodriguez, secretary of the Tenerifay Society's Nature Society, previously told Euroneus:
Meanwhile, local guides in Gran Canaria emphasize the need for respectful tourism, and while many British tourists are respectful, they note that a considerable number of people come only to the sun and cheap alcohol, leading to destructive behavior.
Lisbon
Locals in Lisbon have seen the number of overseas arrivals soaring in recent years, but have expressed concern that it will be the next Venice.
With around 546,000 residents, the Portuguese capital welcomes between 30,000 and 40,000 tourists every day. Journalists and residents of the capital told the Telegraph in 2018. “In both Lisbon and Porto, the central region of downtown has become more or less for tourists. For example, Lisbon's Baisa district covers a 1.5-square-kilometer area, but currently has over 70 hotels, while tourist-style restaurants showcase international brands.
A travel expert at Fodor said an estimated 60% of Lisbon homes are holiday accommodations, reducing inventory for long-term rental units and increasing costs. They stated: “Recently ranked as the third most financially viable place in the world, the city has lost around 30% of its population since 2013.”
Venice
Famous for its canals, Italian city is a hub of history, art and culture. However, its global reputation as a romantic city rest destination means that it is always busy with visitors.
In fact, according to a recent Holidu study, the iconic city hosts 21 tourists for all residents. Venice has attracted attention for its daytripper tax and ban on cruise ships entering the lagoon, but Italian hotspots are severely overcrowded. That's why UNESCO has included it in its list of endangered cities.
The city reportedly plans to double its controversial tourism tax as mass tourism and overcrowding remain a serious issue. The €5 (£4.20) tax was introduced in 2024 to crack down on day trippers, but now has increased to 10 euros (£8.30) due to villas booked four days in advance.
