Tourism is a major source of income for many European Union countries, but it is increasingly becoming a source of frustration for local communities as well. So-called “overtourism” is prompting residents to protest against the shortage of available housing and the rising cost of living. Greece is among the four European countries experiencing the strongest local backlash, placing it among the destinations considered most hostile toward travelers.
As tourism continues to boom across Europe, tensions with local communities are rising. Spain, Italy, France, and Greece rank as the top four European countries where local opposition to mass tourism is strongest, according to a new study by the digital entertainment platform JB.com, which was reported by Euronews today. However, it should be emphasized that the study evaluated 30 countries based on the intensity of anti-tourism protests, the media attention these protests receive, tourist taxes, and the ratio of visitors to permanent residents. It does not measure the actual attitudes of the population toward tourists, but rather focuses primarily on protests, media coverage, and regulatory measures related to tourism.
The official figures may help explain why: during the first four months of 2026, the number of tourists visiting Spain increased by 3.4%, while the country expects a 7.1% rise in passengers arriving on international flights this coming June compared with last year, according to Spain’s Ministry of Tourism. At the same time, Italy and France are also expected to record increases in visitor numbers this June, by 12% and 2.6% respectively, compared with June 2025.
In contrast, Cyprus and Albania are the most welcoming countries for visitors in Europe, according to JB.com, with no recorded anti-tourism protests and minimal regulatory pressure on travelers.
The study analyzed the intensity of protests, the level of media attention they received, tourism tax rates, and the ratio of visitors to residents across 30 countries worldwide.
Which cities are leading anti-tourism protests?
Spain, which ranks first among the 30 countries analyzed, has seen anti-tourism protests and demonstrations in more than 40 cities across the country, from Barcelona to the Canary Islands.
In Barcelona, which attracted approximately 20.1 million tourists in 2025—0.6% more than in 2024—protesters marched through the city center in June 2025 carrying signs reading “Tourism is killing Barcelona” and spraying tourists with water pistols.
In addition, Venice, Rome, Florence, Naples, and Milan have all been the sites of anti-tourism protests in Italy.
Activists have sabotaged locking systems used in short-term rental accommodations in an effort to express their dissatisfaction with the lack of affordable housing for local residents.
In an attempt to curb overtourism, Venice has reinstated specific dates from Friday through Sunday in April, May, June, and July during which day-trippers are required to pay an entry fee to visit the city.
Meanwhile, France has witnessed nationwide protests in Marseille, Nice, and Paris, alongside a growing anti-cruise-ship movement that reflects strong local resistance to the expansion of tourism in both inland and coastal areas.
