Why Many Locals in Spain Dislike Foreign Tourists?

Okay, let’s be real—Spain is gorgeous.

Sun, tapas, beaches, parties… what's not to love? That’s why tourists flock here by the millions every year.

But here’s the thing: not everyone’s thrilled about it.

A lot of people who actually live in Spain are kinda over the whole tourist wave.

From noisy nights to sky-high rents, it’s not all sunshine for the locals.

So, let’s dive into what’s really going on and why some folks in Spain are starting to give the side-eye to foreign visitors.

Overcrowded public spaces
Rising rental prices
Loss of culture
Noise and partying
Disrespecting local customs
Environmental degradation
Job market strain
Seasonal overdependence
Infrastructure under pressure
Drunk tourist behavior

Overcrowded public spaces

When it's tourist season, cities like Barcelona or Seville can feel packed to the brim. Imagine trying to get to work, grab a coffee, or just chill in the park, and it's wall-to-wall people with selfie sticks. It's not fun.

Locals often feel like they've lost access to their own neighborhoods. The spaces that used to be peaceful are now flooded with tour groups, long lines, and loud chatter in every language except Spanish.

Too many people in small spaces
Long lines at local shops
Overbooked public transport
Little personal space

Rising rental prices

This one's a biggie. Tourists don't just visit—they rent Airbnbs. And that's jacked up the prices for everyone else.

In some cities, entire buildings are now short-term rentals. That means locals are being pushed out of their homes just so someone can have a two-week holiday.

Area	Rent before tourism	Rent now (approx.)
Barcelona	€700	€1200
Madrid	€650	€1100
Valencia	€600	€1000

Loss of culture

A lot of locals feel like their traditions and way of life are slowly disappearing under all the tourist noise.

Things like local markets, festivals, or even mom-and-pop shops are being swapped for fast food chains and souvenir stands. It's like the charm of the place gets watered down.

Traditional spots becoming tourist traps
Local stores replaced with global brands
Fewer authentic cultural events

Noise and partying

Let's not sugarcoat it: some tourists treat Spain like one big, cheap nightclub. And yeah, locals are tired of that.

They're just trying to sleep or get through work the next morning, and meanwhile someone's screaming in the street at 3 AM with a giant sangria in hand.

Loud music at night
Street drinking
Public urination
Unsafe behavior

Disrespecting local customs

Some visitors forget they're guests. That means walking into sacred places half-dressed, climbing monuments, or just acting like rules don't apply.

A little cultural respect goes a long way, but not everyone gets the memo. Locals notice—and they don't love it.

Ignoring dress codes
Disrupting local events
Rude or entitled behavior

Environmental degradation

When you're hiking or chilling at the beach, it's easy to forget someone has to take care of that place. A lot of tourists don't clean up after themselves—and it shows.

Locals see their beautiful natural spots getting trashed, literally. Plastic bottles, food wrappers, even sunscreen in the water… yikes.

Issue	Tourist Impact
Beach litter	High
Trail erosion	Medium
Noise pollution	High

Job market strain

It might sound weird, but the tourism boom doesn't help everyone. In fact, it can make jobs worse for locals.

Most of the tourism-related jobs are seasonal, low-paying, and pretty unstable. And even then, some positions go to outsiders instead of local workers.

Seasonal work only
Low wages in hospitality
Competition from foreign workers

Seasonal overdependence

During the summer, it's like the population triples in tourist-heavy cities. That kind of surge makes it hard for locals to live their normal lives.

Shops run out of stock, prices go up, and everyday stuff becomes way more stressful than it should be.

Too much demand for services
Empty shelves in stores
Price increases during peak times

Infrastructure under pressure

More tourists = more people using public stuff. Buses, roads, hospitals—you name it.

Locals end up waiting longer for basic services, or they just avoid certain areas altogether during peak months.

Service	Normal Use	Tourist Season Use
Public transit	Medium	Overloaded
Hospitals	Local only	Mixed use
Trash services	Normal	Overwhelmed

Drunk tourist behavior

Last but not least… the drunk stuff. Public vomiting. Shirtless dudes in churches. Yelling at 4 AM.

Not all tourists act wild, but enough do that locals have started to expect it—and resent it. It makes people feel like their hometown is a free-for-all.

Public drunkenness
Street fights
Disrespect to locals
Noise at night

So yeah, Spain is still an amazing place to visit—but if you’re heading there, maybe try to be a little more chill than the average tourist.

Locals aren't asking for much—just some respect for their homes, their peace, and their way of life.

A little effort goes a long way.

You’ll have a better time, and so will the folks who live there all year long.

Sources:

The Guardian: "Spain's Locals Push Back Against Mass Tourism"
El País: "The Real Cost of Airbnb in Spanish Cities"
BBC: "Why Locals Are Protesting Overtourism in Europe"
Statista: Data on rental price increases in Spain
Interviews from locals published in Vice and Euronews

Disclaimer:

This article isn’t meant to bash tourists or scare anyone off from visiting Spain. It’s just shining a light on how things feel from the other side—the local side. Every place is different, and not all experiences are the same. But being mindful never hurts, right?

Images sources:

Wikimedia.org, Pixabay.com

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