Barcelona Erupts in Anti-Tourism Protests: Water Guns and Flares Fly

Barcelona witnesses large anti-tourism protests. On June 15, 2025, Barcelona saw significant anti-tourism protests. Demonstrators marched through the city, expressing their frustration over the negative impacts of mass tourism. Many carried signs and banners with slogans like "Mass tourism kills the city." Some protesters used water guns and flares. A similar protest is planned in other Spanish cities, Venice, and Lisbon. The protests highlight growing concerns about the strain mass tourism places on local communities and resources. One protester stated, "We can't live like this anymore. Tourism is destroying our city." The protests underscore the complex relationship between tourism and local communities, raising questions about sustainable tourism practices.