Sadly, the housing unaffordability is a worldwide phenomenon in big cities.

My family just returned home from 38 days in Europe and we were in Barcelona for 3 nights two weeks ago and booked our tours/sites for early morning with the exception of Park Guell which was not very crowded. We stayed just near the Gothic Quarter and didn't notice too many crowds there or along the beaches. I think we were lucky. Florence and Rome were very busy and Lisbon and Porto were somewhat crowded in the touristy areas. This seems to be a double edged sword in that businesses rely on tourism but it impacts local lives. I hope a balance can be found to please everyone.

I've been waiting for your take. As another expat who has lived in Europe 25 years and the last two in Barcelona, I've witnessed the behaviours that are frustrating locals. As a tourism professional, I have been alarmed at the effects of AirBnBs and huge groups of tourists and sympathize with the anger, even while I strongly disagree with protesters assaulting tourists with their water pistols. It is not the fault of the unsuspecting tourist, it's the local government, businesses and property owners not sharing the wealth of tourism. With that said, tourists are just an easy target for anger at social issues that have nothing at all to do with tourists, but crime and the natural evolution of economies, but most of all the imbalance of the government's lack of controls on tourist business. There definitely needs to be broader discussions (and maybe even some initiatives to help local people learn how to capitalize on the industry). I am really glad to hear you share the tips I have been telling my clients for years: travel off-season, try to choose local businesses to support vs. conglomerates that take the profits elsewhere, be courteous to locals and be mindful of noise when out at night.

The abuse of charges in airbnb it’s incredible. They blamed the tourists instead they should blame the government for not having any regulations and that’s increasing regular rents. Not fear for citizens and neither to tourists

I was really looking forward to my trip to Barcelona/Madrid/San Sebastian in September, but after reading about the protests I’m really discouraged and considering cancelling. Not because I would feel unsafe, more so because I find it hard to justify spending hard earned dollars in a country that doesn’t want me.

Hi Patrick...We need a cap on AirBNB in Barcelona! The locals are suffering and not able to rent long term because of this! I blame it on the corrupt local government. Thanks for sharing❤ from Barcelona 🇪🇦

my friend who works at a school that does yearly trips to Spain just told me that they are not going there this coming school year

We just got back from visiting Barcelona in mid June. It was beautiful, but very crowded. I can’t imagine how much worse it is in July and August! This is a world wide problem though, not just a Barcelona problem. You see the same over crowding and lack of affordable housing in every major city.

I would never travel to a tourist destination in peak season. I went to Barcelona at the end of January for my birthday last year. It wasn't perfect weather, but still much better than the Midwest in the winter.

You don’t have to tell me twice I’m canceling my plans to visit.

Patrick, thank you, you for talking about this. It is an issue world wide. We live in Southern Utah, USA and have the same problem with the greatly increased number of tourists visiting the National Parks. We are planning visit to Barcelona in October when it is a little cooler and fewer tourists.

I was in Barcelona in June. There are a lot of "trash tourism" in Barcelona. These people only visit Barcelona to drink and make noise. It's sad but real...

Unfortunately this is a global issue. I will not visit Barcelona to do my part in helping local people realize their energy needs to become more focused on policy than people.

Planning on going to Spain next year for 2 weeks, from North to South, but with recent events, my family and I are reconsidering our plans. To protest is one thing, but to squirt water on tourists’ faces and harass them is quite another. I wouldn’t want to spend my hard earned money in a place where I’m not welcomed.

Welcome to Vancouver Canada. Exactly the same problem we’ve been having since essentially 1997.

Thank you for the video, we just stayed a week in Barcelona and had left before the protest, when we heard the news we were very sad. Hope we can all work something out where the locals will be better off too!

As a Spaniard, let me tell you something: WELCOME TO SPAIN AND THANK YOU FOR YOUR VISIT! This does not represent the Spanish people. It is just a few individuals who were influenced by the government, which, by blaming tourists, is shirking its responsibility for the problem, for which only the government is responsible. Do not be afraid to come to Spain because we will welcome you with open arms.

I live in very touristic city in another part of Europe. We have the same problem with affordable housing and too much short term rentals - it really affects social life for locals. I'm sometimes a tourist also, like we all (never been in Barcelona though) and I can see why people use airbnb. I'm always using hotels, hates airbnb, but when I started to travel with bigger group than 3 people, I found that privately owned flats are sometimes only reasonalble option. And not because of the price but because of comfort. Hotels rarely have family rooms. Especially bigger ones; and they always say that they can't assure me that if we rent two or three rooms - they will be next to each other (I travel with teenagers, I won't leave them unattended and we want to be together). I think it's rarely spoken of when we discuss overtourism.

I know of two cancellations. One is still going to elsewhere in Spain, the other is skipping the country. Maybe the protesters will get their wish

I´m coming to Barcelona 2-3 times per year since 1999 - for the last 15 years it´s no fun in the spring and summer month´s. I totaly unstand the local´s, when even for me as a tourist it´s too crowded. For the last 12 Years I´m come from Nov - Feb to the city and have the best Time

As soon as everyone stops going they will complain of no tourist money

Me and the wife just got back from our trip to Barcelona and Mallorca last week. We had an amazing time and everyone was super friendly to us had absolutely no issues. I can see why it’s frustrating because there were ALOT of tourists including us 🤣.

Sadly this is a problem world wide. I can empathize with the citizens of Barcelona. We have the same problem right now in New York.

Great video 👍 I used to work in Edinburgh and during the summer months it was almost impossible to easily move through the city due to the sheer number of tourists, with car parking costing double during August. However, tourism is a big employer and a major driver of the local economy, so there is a balance to be struck.

The problem I personally see is that, a city is built to house people for either commerce or industry. It comes alive with business (in any form). So if there was industry and the city protested it and shut it down, the city would too die off eventually (like Detroit). So for Barcelona historicly it has been commerce. And now tourism. The jobs are due to tourism. The rising housing prices (which means increased wealth for their owners) is due to tourism and the commerce it brings. So the protest is actually about “not getting an equal share” as all protests are usually is.

Where do Spaniards go on holidays. Do they travel within Spain or outside. In the US most of Americans travel within the USA during the summer. I noticed that there were many Europeans in Barcelona. I heard that Barcelona is a very popular bachelor and bachelorette destination for European, is this true?

they shouldn't blame tourists, they should blame their politicans. the tourists bring money to the city.

I visited Barcelona last june and watched many of your videos before I went. I was not expecting it but I did find “tourists go come” splattered on walls and in little notes on the floor when I visited La Barceloneta. On the night of san juan, I met a few people in the hostel I was staying at and we went to the beach to see the fireworks. Even though I speak spanish, we were talking in english as a common language and boy, I felt we were being treated VERY differently by the locals on the street. We were yelled at multiple times 😂😂😂 But overall my experience was very positive and I understand the struggle of local folk.

Barcelona was terrific in March 2023. Thanks for the info, Patrick.

Just go where people want you to come...was in Madrid recently. Very nice people. Very helpful... Also Portugal 🇵🇹..lovely people.

Its not only "over tourism" its the total lack of respect for the country and people they visit many tourists show nowadays..

Not quite the same issue in San Francisco - it’s already very expensive for locals to live there, and the tourist “business zones” (looking at you: fisherman’s wharf, Pier 39) are avoided by locals anyway for the tourist traps that they function as.

Cool, but did the protesters have that same energy towards foreign shop and restaurant owners/workers?

I was there in May 2024 Barcelona and there were no protesters but last yr 2023 May there was some.. I love Barcelona and sorry that tourism has hurt the economy..tourism should help and drive the economy ..hope it gets better as I love ❤️ this beautiful City..

Thank you Patrick for this very enlightening video. The tourists who come must know that they are and will always be welcome in our city.

I will be in Barcelona in August, and there's no way i'm canceling my trip. I am always respectful towards the countries i visit, so, it;s not gonna be any different this time. I booked a hotel, in the Eixample area. I honestly feel the locals on this subject, but they should take it on their government, not the tourists. Tourists are the easy target, and without them, Barcelona will only lose. Airbnb and similar platforms are mostly owned by locals, just as tourist agencies bringing tourists in. So, they should figure the solution out, between them. As long as someone is paying money and supports the city's economy, they should be respected. Those who earn a fortune from tourism but won't share it with the local community, should be forced to do so. The tourists are doing nothing wrong. Its nobody's fault Barcelona is one of the best and most beautiful places to visit.

Commenting for engagement loll, I've been very worried about this myself I'm glad you've made this ❤

I went to Barcelona last year, your videos were so helpful. It's a great city and I'm glad the people are standing up and the country is doing something about it. (Here in the US the housing market is horrible- nothing is being done) I was very respectful, stayed in a hotel, went to small restaurants, and took public transportation quietly like a local. I do plan on going back, but you make such valid points. People need to respect the city and people that live there. 🙏

My last trip to Barcelona, since I had a car with plates from Portugal, I decided to stay in Badalona and just take the metro into Barcelona, rather than risking my windows being busted out in the 24 hour parking garages, even the ones with an 24 hr attendant since many non Spanish cars are frequently broken into as part a Barcelona's welcoming gesture to tourists or outsiders....

Go to Greece, folks. It is much better than Batcelona and the peope are friendly.

first of all, big congratulations to you Patrick for everything you do when it comes to Barcelona... professional and simple, useful and free, serious and yet witty... compliments... 30 years Barcelona is a part of my life and apart from the era "corona" I'm usually here once a year... all the problems of Barcelona have only one root cause, which is the incompetent city authorities who only react to the consequences, and then it's always hasty and bad... my hometown Split (Croatia) is living the same fate, which is ten times smaller in number than Barcelona, ​​but proportionally the same percentage of tourists pass through it... the old part of the city died, because people moved out, they turned their flats into apartments and restaurants, and the city died, all thanks to incompetent city officials, authorities who were elected and paid to prevent this from happening... the domestic people are protesting but mostly those who did not grab part of the tourist money... the ban on private apartments (Barcelona) will result in a black market that will only make things worse... the solution lies in the construction of new flats outside the center which will be offered to the local population at an acceptable price on the condition that they will not be turned into apartments, the city center must be protected by booking appointments for visits, cruisers should be limited as much as possible... in essence, all this can only be solved having in mind the "Peter principle" which teaches us that the administration encourages incompetents at the top of the hierarchy and then we have what we have... best regards...

I am in Barcelona now, never thought I cancelling. Been here for a week, so far everyone has been very friendly.

Airbnb and Vrbo definitely have their down sides, but it makes me sad to see a total ban. When I travel to another country, I want to experience it like a local and I don't feel I can do that in a hotel. Staying in an apartment means you get to shop at a local grocery store for your meals. It means you can go to the local bar on the corner in the evenings for a drink. It means you can interact with local people in a more meaningful way. Wherever you choose to travel, please be respectful of the people living there that have to put up with "us tourists" in their daily lives. If you travel solo, hire local guides (yes, Patrick is a local, and he is fabulous! We hired him in May of this year). Also, if touring in a group is your thing, consider going with a tour company that takes you to local restaurants and puts you up in locally run hotels. Travel isn't just about seeing the sights. Talk to the people who live there. Find out what their lives are like and what concerns them. Don't cancel your trip. Go and learn.

This is a public policy issue in Barcelona (and in other major tourist areas in different countries). Local governments need to take notice and pursue policy solutions balancing both tourism and the needs of local populations. For example, one potential solution might be to limit the number of AirBNB-style rentals per square kilometer. Bringing together local populations, government, and other stakeholders to come up with policy solutions tailored to each area is really the best way to address over-tourism.

We have over-tourism in Florida too...but we don't wet or insult our tourists. After all, the economy is good for it.

One final point Patrick, pure respect is to treat a person the way they want to be treated not how you would want to be treated we are all different so something that would not offend you might offend somebody else.

I'm one of these people who had to leave Barcelona years ago and find another place to live because of house prices and the lack of jobs not related to tourism. I feel sad watching what this city has become. I dislike the way my local fellows protested against tourists but the whole situation it's not fair. I can't afford to come back to my family and friends.

I visited in May this year. Stayed in a hostel. And it was absolutely crowded in Las Ramblas, Boqueria market etc. But I went early morning to the Gothic Quarter etc and it was absolutely lovely without any crowds. Hope the locals get a good deal from the government regarding housing

I guess this is a global issue. When planning our trips (from home in Eastern Belgium) my wife and I now avoid overly touristic places, and generally cities, as much as we can. Also, to be honest, now that our children are young adults, we appreciate being able to travel off season, which helps avoiding the crowds.

We were in Barcelona in May, for 2 weeks, and had no issues whatsoever. Everyone was very friendly. We loved Barcelona. We stayed away from La Rambla. We went once, but there's really nothing there we were interested in, and it was very crowded. But if you get away from La Rambla, Barcelona is very nice to walk around in. The part we enjoyed most was Passieg de Gracia and Rambla de Catalunya.

It's an amazing video analysis on that situation. A pity, unfair for locals and tourists as well while a few are taking their slice without taking care at all. Thanks Patrick for doing such a great and polite analysis, not easy.

I was about to book a trip to Barcelona/madrid for my family for the first time. I’ve been watching your videos to prepare myself for my trip…then I found this one…thank you for telling me about what is going on so I will not go on a trip there. I live in Boston which has the second highest rent to the us (Hawaii is number one). I would never blame tourists for the rent being unaffordable. Thank you

According to Google the biggest group of tourists in Barcelona are the Spanish. I live in the Netherlands and Amsterdam has the same problem. The biggest group of day tourists in Amsterdam are the Dutch. Just don’t blame foreigners.

Hi Patrick, my family and I just returned from a 3-weeks' trip in Italy and Spain. Barcelona was awesome, and I remember seeing the protest in the city centre, though it was pacific. Overall, Barcelona is a great city to live in, and people are friendly. Today, as it stands, Barcelona is a much better city than Milan for example: people are friendlier, food price is much cheaper, less pickpockets and local transportation is much more affordable. I definitely agree with you that overturism in a city of 1.7 million may be an issue. If I were the local authorities, I'd seriously think of setting local quotasfor tourists in the summer months on a first come, first served basis. Local people do suffer from "touristy" prices, but as you rightly said tourism in Barcelona amounts to 14% of the local GDP. It's a double-edged sword. In the end, the situation in Barcelona isn't so dramatic and I'd rather live in Barcelona than Milan anytime. Great video!

I was in Barcelona last year for my birthday. I was planning to go back next year but will now cancel. I don’t want to get attacked by the locals.

Did you know Airbnb started in 2008. It absolutely no restrictions just infiltrated cities and towns and caused loss of affordable housing and caused people to move further from their jobs and families/friends. Absolutely no restrictions whatsoever for at least 15 years!!! Just give all these Airbnb-types the complete heave-ho in one year’s time. Then maximum fees if they violate these laws. Don’t let them tell you that they’re “mom and pop” landlords when in fact they’re running a business in residential neighborhoods. Do not give them any leeway- they’ve had a free ride for 15 years at least!

I saw u at the gothic quarter two days ago! You were leading a huge group :) My fifth day in Barcelona today and everyone has been nothing but friendly and cordial. As long as we the tourists are sensible and polite first, most people are extremely nice.

I just returned from Barcelona last week. We did not have any problems.

I moved to BCN at the tail end of the pandemic. I had a cheap room, but then the owner told me to move when tourism started to pick up again. No doubt to Airbnb the place. My second room was perfect, then after 2 months everyone was moved out by the building owner, it’s on Airbnb now. Since this happened twice to me in 4 / 5 month, I assume a lot of locals are having the same issue.

I was in Barcelona that weekend. I was in tourist areas but not the protest area. For what it's worth, I didn't even know about the protests until I saw it in the news when I got home. Everyone in the restaurants and the workers in the major sites were all very nice and positive.

Yes, go there off season! February is perfect! And support the local restaurants... they are also the best!

Go to Madrid. Safer cleaner and we welcome everyone.

Stop talking about this. Its a minority of people. Locals lo ve tourists❤ The architecture, history, beach, close to France. I am traveller myself, and been a tourist guide in Barcelona and loved it. Met lovely people❤️ Stay safe from pickpockets ❤️

Thank you very much for the update on the protesting. We are visiting Barcelona in September and will unfortunately only be there for one full day. Your videos and feedback have been very helpful in our planning.

Cities all over are dealing with this - hear of protests in Juneau. Alaska too!

I have been living in Barcelona for14 years also, I think this is a one of incident and this video is really sensationalising and scare mongering. pick pockets yes ,be careful!! but the locals attacking the tourists this is the first incident I have heard of.

Thank you for making this video. I have plans to be in Barcelona in September, mostly doing a horse riding tour but unfortunately I will be there during the America's cup time frame. I was thinking of canceling but now I think it will be okay. I am on the local. I am in a hotel and I do sympathize with the reasons why they are having these protests. I hope this helps everyone

We love Spain and strive to be respectful and kind. We try to stay in areas where locals live and experience life in the barrios so we can absorb the culture. We have met the most wonderful and amazing people. It always makes us cringe when there are other fellow tourists who are loud and disrespectful. We are guests and need to respect them and their culture.😢

My wife and I will be in Barcelona the last week of September. Coming from the US. We are staying in a hotel and plan on eating at local places. We have a day trip to Madrid planned as well. We plan on doing everything we can to help the local economy. We plan on spending a lot of money, so we hope people be peaceful to us because we will give that respect in return. Please Visit Memphis Tn in the US we want the tourist money.

Thanks Patrick for this video. My mum and I visit Barcelona a few times a year. It's our second home. Please people, don't cancel you trip, because of the one sided video's you might have seen about the protests. As long as you respect the locals, they will make you feel welcome. And just like Patrick says, explore other beautiful surroundings of Barcelona. Go to Gaudi's Crypta Guëll or Torre Bellesguard for instance. Go visit some beautiful parcs, like Parc del Guinardó or Parc del Turó del Putxet, where you have some breathtaking views. Las Ramblas is ok, but Barcelona has a lot more to offer than this crowded street.

Was there for Formula 1 in June. Had no problems. Had a great time and can’t wait to go back.

I need to travel there soon because of work- and I feel a bit discouraged… I believe this is a worldwide phenomenon and sadly the ones to hold accountable for this gentrification caused mainly by digital nomads, are the wealthy owners of entire buildings or realtors, etc… who have more than one property and the governments not regulating the side effects of the modern exodus.

We were there from the 5th to the 9th and didnt see any protests. We had a great time.

Also a bus route going to Park Güell has been blocked/erased from Google maps. Now locals can use it without tourists.

Great video. Barcelona is such an amazing place. We visit every year and have made some good friends in the city. I 100% agree that you should spend your money with local businesses. Why go to Starbucks when the city has so many great coffee spots! Not to mention amazing locally owned restaurants. My other tip would be just to walk and walk some more. So many amazing squares and parks to see. We have been to all the main “attractions” after so many years visiting. We come back because we love the city and the people. If you’re visiting Barcelona, please, just be respectful and you will have an amazing time!

Real estate speculation and house flipping is rampant the world over and a major cause of soaring rents and housing costs.

In my opinion tourism makes every country progressive and Spain have lots of food business like restaurants, groceries and etc. and most of the people live from tourists. What will happen with the businesses establishments there? How can they pay their workers? Most (local) people there will have no more job. Thanks for sharing your video.

We have the same issue in Italy, you cannot rent anymore because everything is an Air bnb now and super expensive. IT's not a Barcelona situation it's everywhere in Europe, because there are loophole that politicians do not care about. So take it to your mayor not to the visitors, they only make you richer. But it's true inflation is killing the future. I am Italian living in Australia and got more opportunities here than in my hometown. But I will be visiting Barcelona very soon for two weels. I love that city, I would like to live there.

I have been there 5 times since 2015 and really just be a good person and don’t be rude and a typical obnoxious tourist and you’re gonna be fine. I think the people that live in the city. The sense that I get is, they don’t mind tourism just don’t destroy your culture and the way of life.

My wife and I are visiting Barcelona in early October. We were concerned after we saw the protests a few weeks ago. Your video has allayed some of our concerns. A lot of what you advise is common sense and decency. Treat the locals (and everyone you encounter) with dignity and respect. We always welcome visitors who come to my home town in Austin, Texas. I'm hopeful we will be welcomed and treated well when we visit Barcelona.

Airbnb is ruining my neighborhood here in Florida

I was in Barcelona, Madrid, Granada, and Malaga in March. Madrid was more crowded than Barcelona. Then we went to Porto and Lisbon. They were way more crowded than Spain. I suggest off season and planning tourist spots first thing in the AM and arrive early.

There are so many empty houses in BCN and the vast majority of these homes are owned by locals as second and third homes not rented to tourist or other locals!

I've been living in BCN for 14 years as well, work in tourism, and I've seen so much change since I moved... When I was trying to buy a house, right about that time they were not allowing more touristic licenses, most of the flipped picture perfect houses originally meant to be for Airbnb or touristflats, didn't even have a connection for a washing machine, inimini kitchens (more for show than anything else), and still, the prices have only gone up. To stop the prices from going up further, BCN has been divided into parts in which rents are controlled by the government, to make sure people are not taking advantage of their people, however there's always loopholes. I couldn't be more happy with the elimination of licenses by 2025. It was turning into Paris, where locals do not live in the city, but in the outskirts. The concentrations of tourism in certain parts of the city make them more susceptible to robberies too, and an incredible rise of homeless, drawn to the city in hopes of a better life and simpathy from tourists, only to find that they are also not welcome as they are not good for the image. OH PLEASE PEOPLE KEEP YOUR SHIRT ON...!! We know it's hot, but keep your clothes on... You just gotta treat the place you're at as if it were your home, respect is EVERYTHING

Hello from Barcelona Patrick the housing crisis is not just because of the mass tourism it’s also because of no recent regulations in the for the rent, especially after the digital nomad visa!

Great vid Patricio. As a 12 yesr expat and fellow tour guide in Barcelona i could write a book about my own opinion but for now ill spare you and jut support the vid with a comment 🙏🏻

I was planning to go to Barcelona next year…but I don’t know…maybe I’ll just visit some states here in the United States..

We’ll be there in December. I’m hoping for lower crowds. I live in a tourism Mecca (Orlando), so we know how NOT to act. :)

To be honest if the locals can't make money for themselves working to extract the money the tourists (who by the way have worked all year saving up for a holiday with spending money to buy whatever tourist crap is shown to them) then they need to look at themselves and figure out what they are doing wrong. Look at the shocking situation where the tourists never visit and then decide what is best. Water shortages and other issues are the fault of the government. Remember some of us don't live where the weather is good and if we can't go on a friendly welcoming holiday to a sunny place for essential relaxation, then we will eventually start fighting for it.

Sounds like Barcelona’s housing situation is similar to San Francisco’s housing market 😧

I live in NYC. Cry me a river.

I am a local, your take is pretty accurate.. congrats. Finally some rational thought Most people are not against tourism but against the excess of it. This is mostly due to inefficient city, region and state management.. the problem are our politicians that didn’t planned for a more structured model of tourism.. the “market” doesn’t solve all problems i guess

@Patrick the same problem in Portugal... the mass tourism in the historics barrios, have explode whit the prices of rentals for residents... The short rentals also help to the prices and the houses in the barrios are just for tourists ... airbnb etc

Thank you for the clarifications. We are going in September, staying for 5 days and then boarding on a cruise.

Just got back from Spain yesterday and spent our last day in Barcelona, it was by far the worst part of our trip. The overcrowding in the touristy areas was a real problem. All of the other areas of Spain we visited were amazing and beautiful. The people and food were amazing. Highly recommend visiting this beautiful country, just stay away from the touristy cities.

I went to France and Spain in June. France was nice and beautiful, but I felt unwelcomed in Barcelona. It also smelled like pee and there was dog poop on the sidewalks. I was there 3 days. I feel like there are so many better places than going there. Now, a comment on their "housing crisis" that's everywhere. Same here in the USA. It's not caused by the tourist.

Tourists are the least of Spain’s problems

I think tourism is a two edged sword. What would be some other areas of Spain that have less tourist and maybe benefit from more tourism?

The issue is not enough housing is being built (due to cost saving) and has been an increasing issue for decades worldwide. I'm in London and we have the same issue but acknowledge its lack of building. Cities expand. It's how they became cities in the first place. Tourism is just being used as a scape goat. My (Spanish) ex lives in Guadalest, Alicante. It's a mountain village of around 200 people and receives over 2 million visitors a year without issue. They work hard to attract tourists. With these (now violent) protests (and the ones in Alicante last weekend) staged by people who misunderstand the problem my ex and her business partner are now worried for the future of their business. The world just needs to put the financial crash behind it and build houses again.

That's right! Prohibiting Air BnB won't solve the problem it will just deprive Barcelonians of their main source of income. They just need to build more affordable housing, like it is done in Tokyo. Telling tourists that they are unwelcome is just a shot in the leg for Spain.