Approximately 100 residents occupied Cala Saladeta beach in Ibiza recently to protest the impact of overtourism on the Spanish island. The demonstration, organized by the Ibiza Youth Association, was a call to reclaim public spaces from overwhelming tourist crowds.
Protesters distributed watermelons and presented a manifesto criticizing a tourism model that they argue caters to wealthy foreigners and famous partygoers. The group stated that the current model pushes local culture and residents out of public and private spaces, reducing their lives on the island to precariousness.
The manifesto highlighted concerns that housing, food, and other living costs have become unaffordable for residents due to the influx of tourists. The activists expressed a desire to restore tranquility to the island's coves and public areas, which they feel should be accessible for locals to enjoy, even during the busy summer months.
Ibiza, known locally as Eivissa, received nearly 1.2 million tourists in the second quarter of 2025, according to data from the Balearic Islands Statistics Institute. The island's population significantly increases during the summer season.
The Ibiza demonstration is part of a broader trend of growing frustration over mass tourism across Spain. Similar protests have occurred in other popular tourist destinations, including Barcelona and Mallorca, where residents have voiced concerns about overcrowding and the economic and social impacts of large-scale tourism. Ibiza Island Council President Vicent Marí has stated that the island has been a "pioneer" in efforts to combat tourist overcrowding.