It’s no secret that Barcelona is a wonderful place to visit. The city has a lot to offer tourists, from the spectacular architecture of Gaudí to the sandy beaches, great food and nightlife. However, Barcelona has become a victim of its own success. Barcelona’s overtourism is a serious issue, and the vast number of visitors is having a detrimental effect on the local residents and the feel of the city, as rental prices rise and people protest against tourism.
I don’t ever want to tell people not to visit Barcelona, but things can’t go on as they are, so what can we do? In this article, I want to help you to visit Barcelona responsibly and suggest some solutions to overtourism in Barcelona.
I believe that even small changes can make a big difference, so let’s work together to see if we can save Barcelona and make it a wonderful place to visit, live and enjoy for everyone!
What is Overtourism?
Let’s start with the basics. Overtourism refers to a situation where the number of tourists exceeds the capacity of a destination, leading to negative effects on the environment, local culture, infrastructure, and the quality of life for residents.
Overtourism can destroy the very appeal that makes a destination attractive in the first place, become it becomes overwhelmed by visitors, leading to overcrowding and environmental degradation, as well as rising living costs and social tensions when local people reach breaking point.
How Many Tourists Visit Barcelona?
A look at the data helps to understand how serious Barcelona overtourism is.
According to El Pais, Spain is expected to record 95 million visitors in 2024, breaking last year’s record of 85.1 million.
The provisional data from the National Statistics Institute for June 2024 suggests that 9.3 million people visited Spain that month, which is a 12.1% increase on the 8.3 million people who visited Spain in June 2023. In the first 6 months of 2024, the number of tourists to Spain increased by 13.3% compared to 2023 figures, setting a rising trend.
Catalonia is the top destination in Spain, and according to the Tourism Observatory of Barcelona, 15.6 million tourists visited the city of Barcelona in 2023.
To put that in context, the population of Catalonia is 7.6 million, with 1.6 million of the residents living in Barcelona. So that means the number of tourists coming to Barcelona is nearly 10 times (9.75) times the number of residents.
When numbers peak in July and August, it’s easy to see how Barcelona can be overwhelmed.
What Causes Overtourism?
Of course, tourism can contribute a huge amount to the economy, providing jobs and revenue for local people and their businesses. But you can have too much of a good thing.
Mass tourism didn’t really begin anywhere until the 60s and 70s, when air travel became more accessible for more people, and we had more disposable income to spend on travel.
Spain became a popular destination for British people, attracted by the sunny weather and exotic feel compared to the grey streets back home. After the death of dictator Francisco France in 1975, the country opened up further and visitors from all over the world began to visit Spain.
The 1992 Olympic Games had a major impact on tourism to Barcelona, when the seafront was transformed from warehouses to beaches, and Barcelona became the city that had everything tourists looked for in a holiday – sun, sea, sand and sangria.
Since then, the city’s popularity has continued to grow, with low-cost flights and a range of affordable accommodation options like Airbnbs, and social media showing more people than ever before what the city has to offer.
Barcelona is not alone in the struggle against overtourism. Other popular destinations like Venice, Amsterdam, Lisbon and the Balearic Islands, among others, are all facing similar challenges that have only really become apparent in the last 10-15 years.
Perhaps we should have seen this coming. More careful management of supply of accommodation and flights could have helped limit the number of visitors. Different ad campaigns could have promoted alternative destinations or encouraged people to visit at a different time of year.
There is no easy answer to over-tourism, but it is obvious that we all need to work together to help manage it and avoid ruining these destinations for ourselves, local people, and future generations.
What Does Overtourism in Barcelona Look Like?
How do you know if a place is suffering from overtourism? In Barcelona’s case, there is no shortage of media coverage about the problems of overtourism, with anti-tourism protests hitting headlines, as well as the measures that the city is taking to try and solve the problems.
These are some of the main ways we can see that overtourism is affecting Barcelona and the everyday lives of its residents:
Overcrowding in Popular Areas
Popular areas like La Rambla, the Gothic Quarter, and the beaches at Barceloneta have become heavily congested, especially during the peak tourist season in July and August. The sheer number of people makes it difficult to visit and enjoy these places, with locals choosing to stay away and go elsewhere.
La Rambla used to be a popular street for local residents to stroll down, where they would buy from vendors on La Rambla or go shopping in the Boqueria Market. Now it is almost entirely dominated by tourists, and attempting to walk down La Rambla means battling crowds, risking pickpockets and being surrounded by hundreds of other people trying to do the same.
The same goes for the streets around La Sagrada Familia and around the Gothic Cathedral, where large tour group block streets as they blindly follow a guide waving an umbrella. There is no peace for anyone, and locals don’t enjoy coming to these beautiful places anymore.
Noise and Disturbances at Night
Party-loving tourists who drink heavily have caused issues for residents when they make a lot of noise in apartment blocks and in the streets. Vomiting and urinating in the street, in doorways and other public places leaves residents fed up with their behaviour and unable to enjoy their own homes.
Pressure on Infrastructure and Public Services
Barcelona’s public infrastructure, including transportation, waste management, and public spaces, has struggled to keep up with the demands of millions of tourists in addition to those of the residents.
This often leads to issues on public transport when the metro and buses are busier, making it harder for locals to take their usual journeys like commuting to work or doing their shopping. One notable recent example was a bus line that ran close to Park Guell was so busy with tourists that local people couldn’t even board the bus or had to stand the whole journey.
The drought that has affected Catalonia and Barcelona this past year has affected all residents, with restrictions on usage, fountains being switched off and strict restrictions on water used for crops and livestock. However, such limits on usage weren’t impacting tourists as they either weren’t aware of the situation, or many hotels and accommodations weren’t imposing any restrictions.
In addition, the high volume of visitors has led to environmental damage in some areas, including littering and pollution of beaches and parks and wear on tear on historical sites.
Rising Cost of Living
The surge in tourism has driven up the cost of accommodation and everyday goods in Barcelona. The popularity of short-term rental platforms like Airbnb has led to a reduction in long-term housing for locals, pushing up rental prices and making it harder for residents to find accommodation they can afford.
According to property website Idealista, rent prices in Barcelona have increased by 18 percent over the past year. Over the past decade, rent rose by 68 percent and the cost of buying a house increased by 38 percent, forcing many long-term residents to move out of the city centre.
Barcelona is the city with the most expensive rent per room in Spain, reaching an average of €550 per month, and €625 per month per room in Ciutat Vella (Old Town of Barcelona). For apartment rental, average rent per month reached an all-time high in July 2024 with an average cost of €1193.41 as reported by Catalan News.
Erosion of Local Culture and Identity
The high number of tourists in Barcelona has led to a shift towards catering to tourists rather than preserving authentic services and cultural activities for local residents. Traditional markets like La Boqueria are more focused on serving tourists rather than locals, with an increasing number of stalls offering pre-packaged foods and souvenirs rather than fresh local produce.
Shops that have been part of their local communities for generations have closed, with souvenir shops, cannabis stores or other services purely aimed at tourists appearing in their place. This changes the whole feel of a neighbourhood and makes it harder for people to live there and still get access to the things they need.
Tensions Between Tourists and Residents
All of these issues including noise, disrespect for local customs, and the transformation of residential neighbourhoods into tourist hotspots have caused resentment among residents.
This year has seen more protests against the negative effects of tourism, with locals taking to the streets to show their frustration.
At the beginning of July around 2,800 anti-tourism protesters marched in Barcelona, carrying banners with slogans including “Tourists go home”, and “Barcelona is not for sale”. Some also used water pistols to spray water on the visitors on Las Ramblas and cordoned off restaurants and hotels with red tape.
This was widely reported in the media and it feels like the city has reached breaking point!
What is Barcelona Doing to Combat Overtourism & Its Effects?
Barcelona City Council has implemented several overtourism solutions to address some of the problems caused by tourism on this scale, but so far with relatively little success – if the recent protests are anything to go by.
Regulations on new hotels and tourist apartments and short-term rental platforms like Airbnb were introduced which required hosts to obtain a special license to rent out their properties, and limited the number of such licenses available in residential neighbourhoods.
This year Barcelona’s Mayor Jaume Collboni announced that more than 10,000 tourist apartment rentals will be banned by 2028, so I am interested to see if this proposal goes ahead (it is expected to face legal challenges) and to see how this affects tourism levels and accommodation prices in the city.
The city has limited the number of cruise ships that can dock at the port each day and brought in a cruise tourist tax for visitors who stop off here for a short period, with aims to increase that further.
Other tourist taxes for overnight stays are increasing, with the money raised being used to fund projects that benefit the city, such as infrastructure improvements on roads and bus services, cultural preservation, and initiatives to promote sustainable tourism.
Other measures such as promoting off-season tourism, diversifying attractions, and limiting visitor numbers at popular sites like Park Güell and the Sagrada Família can help to spread out visitors but the number of people coming to Barcelona keeps growing!
What Can You Do as a Visitor to Barcelona?
I would never tell you not to visit Barcelona. I don’t think it’s realistic, and why should you miss out on exploring this incredible city when so many others have done before you?
That said, there are lots of things that tourists can do to make their stay more sustainable and reduce overtourism in Barcelona so I think we all have a responsibility to do what we can, while still enjoying Barcelona as a destination.
I have a separate article about how to be a responsible tourist in Barcelona which covers everything I can think of, but these are some of the key overtourism solutions that I believe will make the biggest difference:
Visit Barcelona in the Shoulder or Off-Season
Barcelona is a hugely popular destination, so try to plan your visit to avoid peak times around summer and other school holidays. Barcelona is also popular as a weekend destination, so if you are able to take time during the week and avoid the weekend you will find it much quieter – and much more enjoyable as you won’t need to battle the crowds!
While it will probably be busy no matter when you visit, visiting Barcelona in September or October is much more enjoyable than during the peak of the summer holidays, when the weather is still fabulous and there are some excellent local festivals. Spring months like April and May are also great times to visit when the weather is good and prices are cheaper too.
➡️ Take action: When to Visit Barcelona
Spend Longer in Barcelona
While I admit that Barcelona is a tempting weekend destination, and perfect for a city break from the UK, a weekend in Barcelona is only enough to see the highlights, so if you can afford to spend more time here then you will be rewarded with being able to properly explore and discover more of Barcelona’s hidden gems, as well as get to know more of Catalonia on day trips too.
The more time you have here, the more treasures of Barcelona you will discover – far beyond the buildings of Gaudí and crowded beaches. While both of these things are part of what makes Barcelona so special, if you take the time to properly get under the skin of the city you can experience more than you could ever imagine during a short break.
➡️Plan your trip: How Many Days in Barcelona is Enough?
Pick Your Accommodation Wisely
One of the major issues affecting local residents is the cost of living in the centre of Barcelona. The rise of Airbnb and other short-term apartment rentals has pushed prices up as tourists pay far more per night for a short stay then someone paying for monthly or yearly rent.
If you can, choose a hotel over a short-term rental apartment, or a private room in a hostel (or a dorm bed if you’re on a budget!), or even a room in a local person’s apartment like Airbnb used to be.
Choose an independent boutique hotel over a chain hotel so your doesn’t go to a huge international company, and consider the sustainable credentials of the hotel as well. Some hotels are working hard to be eco-friendly, with various measures in place from saving water to becoming carbon neutral. I am working on a list of eco-friendly hotels and will try to recommend a sustainable option for every neighbourhood in Barcelona!
➡️ Choose Where to Stay: Accommodation in Barcelona
Don’t Follow the Crowds
Like any major tourist destination, certain areas in Barcelona are more popular than others, as most people tend to stick to the same routes to get around, with a flow of people along the main thoroughfares. Instead of blindly following the crowds, if you see a quiet street, walk down it and take the scenic route.
Barcelona is a fabulous city to get lost in, so explore the quieter neighbourhoods away from the main attractions to catch a glimpse of Barcelona without the crowds. Take a walk through Sant Antoni and Poble Sec and check out the street art at les Tres Xemeneies, or head up to Sarrià and stroll around the fancy area of the city.
One of the best ways to escape the crowds is to go hiking just outside the city, in the hills of Collserola Park and Tibidabo. Get some fresh air, stretch your legs and get gorgeous views of Barcelona and the Mediterranean beyond.
➡️ Decide What to Do in Barcelona: Hidden Gems in Barcelona
Choose Your Tours Carefully
If you take part in any tours or experiences while you are in Barcelona, try to make sure that the guide is from Barcelona or Catalonia, so you are putting money back into the community. Then choose a small group tour or a private tour so you’re not following around a hoard of people and blocking others from moving around freely.
I particularly like the tours run by Devour and Walks. Devour have some incredible food tours in Barcelona, including one in Gracia, that will help you to explore the neighbourhood, visit local businesses and taste some of the best food in Barcelona – see their tours here.
I also use GetYourGuide to find tours of the places I visit, as they show a selection of suitable tours from several providers so you can check the size of the group before you buy.
Eat the Local Food and Buy Seasonal at the Market
The food in Barcelona is delicious, and it can be cheap too if you stick to local restaurants and avoid tourist traps and fast food joints. Catalan restaurants tend to stick to more seasonal menus too, using fresh produce from the area, thus reducing your carbon footprint.
Buying fresh food to prepare back at your accommodation is also a wonderful opportunity to try seasonal fruit, vegetables and fresh seafood. Markets in Barcelona are still thriving, so by all means take a stroll through La Boqueria, but don’t miss out on the neighbourhood markets that are still essential parts of the city – including Santa Caterina or Sant Antoni for example.
➡️ Navigate the Menu: What to Eat in Barcelona
Buy Authentic Souvenirs
Everywhere you look in Barcelona there are souvenir shops selling cheap magnets, I ❤️ BCN t-shirts and other generic horrors. Please don’t buy your souvenirs here. Among all of the tourist tat there are still local businesses and artisans selling unique and special gifts and souvenirs to remind you of your time in Barcelona.
Support local artists by buying some artwork, buying Catalan sweets from a bakery or a bottle of wine from a vinoteca. Not only will you have a more authentic souvenir but you’ll also be supporting the same family businesses who continue to serve the local community as well.
➡️ Get Ideas for What to Buy: Souvenirs to Buy in Barcelona
Be Respectful of People Living in Barcelona
It can be frustrating having thousands of tourists right outside your front door (I know from living in the Gothic Quarter for many years). Be mindful of local people and of fellow tourists as you explore.
The main streets in Barcelona get very crowded, and when these streets are narrow like in the Gothic Quarter or El Born it creates human traffic jams. Be patient and try not to block the streets as you stop to take photos or have a chat.
When you come back to your accommodation at night, be respectful of your neighbours. People living next to or below holiday apartments in residential blocks often complain of noisy tourists drinking and partying into the early hours so keep the noise down and only party where they can’t hear you.
It is also never acceptable to piss in the street. Try not to drink so much that you puke on someone’s doorstep, and cover up a little when you’re not on the beach so people on their way to work or with their families don’t have to see all of your bits on show – you can be fined for just wearing a swimsuit in the city so be respectful.
Also, learning a few words of Spanish or Catalan can really help how people receive you – a simple bon dia (hello) and merci (thank you) in Catalan will go a long way – as will a smile!
Learn About Catalan Culture
One of the things that makes Barcelona so special is Catalan culture which is unique within Spain. Catalonia has a complex history with Spain, and Catalans are proud of their culture which was violently repressed during Franco’s dictatorship.
There are various cultural experiences you can have in Barcelona to see some of this for yourself, from watching local festivals, taking a cooking class or learning some Catalan words so you can greet people in their own language.
➡️ Learn More: Cultural Experiences in Barcelona
Give Something Back to the Community
So much of tourism seems to be about the tourists themselves, and of course it’s your vacation or holiday so you absolutely should have a great time! However, consider what you can do for the local community while you are here.
That could be as simple as staying in family-run hotel instead of a big chain, eating in a local restaurant or choosing a responsible tour operator that supports small businesses.
But, if you want to do more, consider supporting a local charity or community project. There are lots of amazing organisations in Barcelona that help different groups of people in the city, and I have chosen Esperança Barcelona as my community project partner – you can donate or volunteer your time to help support them.
Esperança means hope in Catalan, and the organisation provides homemade meals and clothing for homeless people in Barcelona every weekend. It is completely run by volunteers and they help anywhere from 80 to 120 people every weekend, with the food costing around €350 to €400 each weekend.
Whether you join a weekend walk to deliver food to the homeless, help to prepare the food or donate money or supplies like travel-sized toiletries or clothing, small things can make a big difference, so any donations and help are greatly received!
➡️ Support our Community Project Partner
Explore More of Catalonia (and Spain)
Barcelona isn’t the only destination worth exploring in Catalonia, and you can easily take day trips from Barcelona by train or arrange tours to places outside the city. Game of Thrones fans will want to head to Girona, the Dali museum in Figueres is another spot, as is the Montserrat monastery.
However, to really explore, head up the coast to enjoy the calas beaches and coves of the Costa Brava, or head inland to medieval villages or go hiking in the Montseny mountains. Visit wine and cava country in the Penedès, enjoy the beaches of Sitges or the Roman ruins at Tarragona to name but a few.
Outside of Catalonia there are some incredible places to explore in the rest of Spain too, many of which can be reached easily by train from Barcelona. For example, I had a wonderful few days in Zaragoza which is a seriously underrated city in my opinion, and conveniently located on the high-speed train line between Barcelona and Madrid!
➡️ Plan an Extended Trip in Spain: Explore Spain Destinations
I hope this has helped to provide some solutions to overtourism in Barcelona, with these suggestions for what we can all do to help reduce our impact on the residents of Barcelona, and have a more enjoyable trip at the same time!
If you have any more suggestions I’d love to hear them, this is a collaborative effort so please leave a comment below or head over to our Facebook group to share your thoughts!