Thousands of protesters marched through the Majorcan town of Soller over the weekend, expressing discontent with the effects of mass tourism on local life. Approximately 2,000 demonstrators gathered on Saturday in the Serra de Tramontana mountains, highlighting concerns about public transport, parking, and escalating property prices.
Protesters carried banners with messages such as "No more second homes while locals can't afford one" and "Welcome to Majorca. And where do we live?" One banner, appearing to be an anti-English statement referencing recent World Cup results, read: "The Only Thing Coming Home Is You."
Activists marched under a large banner that declared "Soller al limit," aiming to draw attention to issues they attribute to overtourism. These include difficulties for residents in accessing affordable housing due to real estate speculation and a proliferation of holiday rentals.
The demonstration led to the temporary removal of market stalls and restaurant terraces in Soller's town center to ensure public safety along the protest route. These measures were implemented on a Saturday, typically a busy market day.
Organizers emphasized that the protest was not directed against tourists themselves but against what they described as an "unsustainable economic model." The protest followed a similar demonstration a month prior, which reportedly drew an estimated 20,000 participants. In the days leading up to the recent protest, graffiti appeared on the front of a local estate agent's office.