Barcelona residents are pushing back against over-tourism, protesting rising rents, evictions, and vanishing communities as the city plans a 2028 ban on short-term tourist rentals.
Tourism vs. Survival in Barcelona
On a hot Sunday in Barcelona, the city’s postcard streets turned into protest zones. Angry locals squirted tourists with water pistols, waved banners, and shouted a clear message: “Go home!”
Tourists filming the spectacle at cafés looked stunned. Others took cover as a luxury store was plastered with anti-tourist stickers. But for the locals, it was more than a stunt — it was survival.
Barcelona welcomed over 15 million visitors last year, almost ten times its population. But behind the sunshine and selfies, residents say they’re being pushed out.
“Your AirBnB Used To Be My Home”
Marina, a local protester, summed up the growing tension. “We cannot live in this city. The rents are super high because of BnBs and expats.”
Her banner read: “Your AirBnB used to be my home.”
Others called for a ban on massive cruise ships. One sign read: “Over-tourism is killing the city.”
The protest route passed Barcelona’s most iconic landmark — the Sagrada Familia. The city’s blend of Gaudí architecture, sun, and beach life continues to attract millions. But residents say the price is too high.
Evictions, Skyrocketing Rents, and Disappearing Locals
Pepi Viu, 80, was recently evicted from her longtime home. Her landlord, she believes, wanted more money than her pension could provide.
Now staying in a hostel, Pepi is desperately searching for a place she can afford. Rents have risen 70% since she last signed a lease.
“There’s only tourist flats now,” she says. “But we residents need somewhere to live!”
Joan Alvarez is another local under threat. His family has lived in the same apartment for 25 years. Now, the landlord wants him out.
“It’s not just about the money,” Joan explains, his cats circling the patio. “Housing shouldn’t be big business. This is my home.”
Barcelona’s Radical Response: Ban on Short-Term Rentals
Under increasing pressure, Barcelona has announced a total ban on short-term tourist rentals by 2028. Over 10,000 tourist apartment licences will be revoked.
It’s a radical move. And not everyone supports it.
Jesus Pereda owns two tourist flats near the Sagrada Familia. He says the ban is misguided. “They stopped giving out new licences ten years ago. Rents still went up. So how are we to blame?”
He adds, “Without tourism, Barcelona would face an existential crisis. It’s 15% of Spain’s GDP.”
Protest, Policy, and Polarization
The protest ended with chants of “You’re all guiris!” — a local term for foreigners — and firecrackers launched at a major hotel. Tourists inside, including children, were visibly shaken.
This was not an isolated event. Similar protests took place across Spain, Portugal, and Italy. The message is spreading fast.
But there’s still no clear solution. Spain is expecting more tourists this summer than ever before.
The tension between economic reliance and cultural survival has never been sharper.
As one protester shouted through a megaphone:
“We don’t want to kill tourism. We want to save our city.”
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