Irish holidaymakers warned as Spain set for major anti-tourism protests

Irish holidaymakers planning to visit Spain this summer have been warned of new and serious travel advice as major anti-tourism protests are set to take place across 10 cities of the popular holiday destination.

On June 15, anti-tourism demonstrations are planned for cities such as Palma (Majorca), Ibiza, Lanzarote, Tenerife, Barcelona, Valencia, Bilbao, Donostia-San Sebastián, Santander and Pamplona.

The protests, organised by the campaign group 'Menys Turisme, Mes Vida', meaning 'Less tourism, more life', aim to address growing concerns over overcrowding, rising living costs, the impact of mass tourism on local communities across the country, the impact of housing supply for local citizens as well as anti-social behaviour, particularly surrounding alcohol.

Spain has already clamped down on Airbnb's across the country in an effort to curb the number of tourists. The Spanish Consumer Rights Ministry recently revealed that over 65,000 Airbnb properties were ordered to be removed from the site for breaching regulations such as unclear ownership, discrepancies between listed and official records and missing licence numbers.

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The Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) have issued the advice below for tourists regarding protests:

"Public gatherings and demonstrations can at times take place with little or no warning. We recommend that you stay clear of demonstrations and follow the advice of the local authorities.

"Protests may cause disruption to transport and other services. Be prepared to adjust your travel plans at short notice if necessary, and allow yourself extra time for your journey. You should also check for travel updates or transport delays before and during your trip to Spain. 

"While the protests are not directed towards tourists themselves, they may lead to travel and other disruptions for tourists."

Pup crawls have also been banned in certain areas to reduce noise and disturbances in residential areas and anti-social behaviour.

Barcelona in particular has extended its ban on organised pub crawls in the popular Eixample District from the hours of 7pm until 7am, which came into effect from June 1, 2025. The ban also includes the promotion and organization of such events with a €900 fine in place for anyone breaches these rules.

Other popular areas such as Majorca and Ibiza have also taken measures to curb excessive drinking and public disturbances which include restrictions on public drinking and limitations on alcohol consumption at all-inclusive resorts, where guests are now limited to six drinks per day.

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Spanish authorities are actively enforcing these strict regulations with rule-breakers facing fines from €100 to €3000 depending on the severity of the offense

New rules also require tourists to provide proof of legal accommodation when entering Spain, with fines of over €9000 for non-compliance. Additionally, accommodation providers must collect personal data from guests, including passport details and contact information.

The DFA have advised Irish tourists to stay informed of local laws and customs and adhere to the guidelines in place.

For more information on Spanish guidelines visit the DFA website