Thousands Protest Mass Tourism in Palma de Mallorca

Thousands of residents marched through Palma, Spain, on July 26, 2026, to protest the impact of mass tourism on the island of Mallorca. Organized by the grassroots collective Menys Turisme, Més Vida, the demonstration targeted soaring housing costs, overcrowded infrastructure, and the proliferation of short-term holiday rentals. Participants claimed that annual tourist numbers exceeding 19 million have driven housing prices up from 2,207 to 4,062 euros per square metre.

Attendance estimates varied significantly, with National Police reporting approximately 30,000 participants while organizers claimed up to 70,000. The march began in Plaça Espanya and moved toward Ses Voltes. While largely peaceful for most of the event, the demonstration turned violent when police blocked the planned endpoint. Reports indicate police used batons and rubber bullets, while some protesters threw bottles at officers, resulting in seven injuries, two of them serious.

Local business interests, including the Mallorca Hotel Business Federation, have countered these demands by emphasizing the economic importance of the tourism industry. Separate from the protests, Swissport workers at Palma Airport announced a series of strikes starting July 27 and continuing through early August due to unresolved labor demands, further disrupting travel to the region.