Ibiza Residents Protest Overtourism on Popular Beach

Recently, around 100 residents occupied a beach in Ibiza. Their aim was to protest against overtourism, a growing issue in Spain. The group gathered at Cala Saladeta, a well-known tourist spot, as reported by Balearic public broadcaster IB3. This protest was organized by the Ibiza Youth Association, a local group that seeks to address problems posed by mass tourism.

Ibiza, part of Spain’s Balearic Islands in the Mediterranean Sea, attracts a large number of tourists each year, particularly in the summer months. The island, known locally as Eivissa, welcomed nearly 1.2 million tourists in the second quarter of 2025, according to the Balearic Islands Statistics Institute.

Participants in the protest expressed their opposition to overcrowding caused by tourism. They distributed watermelon, symbolizing a demand for locals to enjoy the island’s public spaces. Their manifesto, shared by local outlet Cadena SER, highlighted concerns that local land and culture are being sidelined for tourism purposes.

“Our land and our culture are being directly pushed out of public spaces, and increasingly out of private spaces, displayed solely as tourist attractions,” the group stated.

The manifesto criticized a tourism model focused on attracting wealthy foreigners and notable partygoers, arguing that this approach has driven up the cost of living, making essentials like housing and food unaffordable for residents.

The dissatisfaction among Ibiza’s young population stems from their belief that their enjoyment of the island is compromised by visitors. They oppose an extractive tourism model that exacerbates the island’s precarious living conditions. As the manifesto noted, the island’s natural attractions, such as its coves, once peaceful, have now become the group’s focal point.

“We want to reclaim places of tranquility,” activists stated. “We have decided that we want to reclaim places of tranquility, even during the summer.”

Ibiza Island Council President Vicent Marí addressed the protests, emphasizing that Ibiza has been a pioneer in dealing with tourist overcrowding. This situation mirrors broader tensions in Spain regarding mass tourism. In recent years, residents of Barcelona have protested against similar issues, and Mallorca has also seen incidents related to tourism, such as pickpocketing near the capital, Palma.