Spain is one of the most visited countries by international tourists, and there is a good chance that Spain will soon overtake France as the most visited country. There is no doubt that tourism is good for the economy and employment, but it is becoming increasingly clear that there is also a downside to the success of tourism in Spain. In this article we look at what This newspaper “Destinations Ruined by Overtourism.”
Barcelona, Mallorca, Menorca, Galicia, the Basque Country, Jávea, Nerja and Tenerife are all suffering from mass or over-tourism. These special places have now turned into “theme parks” as local and regional governments have had to take measures to limit the number of tourists.
A few years ago it was normal to visit the destinations listed below whenever you wanted. Nowadays, this is only possible at specific times, after reservation, and sometimes for a fee. Visiting these sites is no longer as easy as it used to be. In this overview we have limited ourselves to the destinations listed therein Article He added two more destinations.
Mask (Tenerife)
In the heart of Tenerife lies the village of Masca, also called Machu Picchu in Spanish. Unfortunately, Masca also has to deal with the consequences of mass tourism. The increase in the number of visitors is affecting the natural environment and the traditional way of life of the village. Since the summer of 2024, everyone, residents of Tenerife and the Canary Islands and tourists, will have to pay an entrance fee to visit this village.
Benipica Veal (Menorca)
Menorca’s picturesque residential area of Binibeca Vell is often mistaken for a fishing village. It’s a perfect example of how Instagram-famous tourism can transform an entire community. Despite only having a population of 220, the area attracts over 800,000 visitors each year. To limit the impact, limited access times have now been introduced from 11am to 8pm, and the internal streets have been closed to non-residents.
Palma (Mallorca)
Palma, the capital of Mallorca, is known as a symbol of the fight against mass tourism in Spain. As one of the most popular destinations in the Mediterranean, the city is facing enormous pressures on its infrastructure and housing market. The municipality has already taken several measures to address these problems, such as a ban on new holiday rentals, restrictions on large cruise ships, regulation of car rentals and stricter rules for organised tour groups.
Rio Chellar (Nerja)
The Rio Chíllar in Nerja, in the province of Málaga, is a great example of how social media has turned a hidden gem into a crowded destination. Over-visiting has disrupted local ecosystems, eroded hiking trails, and polluted the river and the surrounding area. In response, authorities have taken drastic action by closing the road entirely for the summer. Additionally, plans have been put in place to control access through a private company to limit the impact of mass tourism and protect nature.
Park Guell (Barcelona)
Park Güell is one of Barcelona’s most popular tourist attractions. However, the park’s popularity has led to significant challenges for both the city and its residents. The influx of tourists has caused congestion on buses and metro lines, clogged narrow streets around the park, and created noise pollution for local residents. Barcelona has taken steps to improve the situation, including removing Google Maps routes for local buses to the park, introducing a timed ticketing system, and limiting the number of daily visitors.
The Blue Door of Cala del Portixol (Javea)
The blue door on Jávea’s Portixol beach has now become one of the most popular photo spots in Spain, seriously disrupting the tranquility of this peaceful bay. It has led to long queues to get the perfect shot, overcrowding the small car park and disrupting the local marine ecosystem. Even the owner of Puerta Azul is not happy about the situation, but has yet to take action.
Camino de Santiago (Galicia)
The Camino de Santiago, an ancient pilgrimage route, has become very popular in recent years. However, this increase brings significant challenges, especially in the last 100 kilometers of the route. The impact of the large number of pilgrims is clearly visible in the overcrowding of hostels and accommodations, the pressure on local facilities and infrastructure, and the loss of the original spiritual atmosphere.
A new term has emerged, “Torregrino,” a combination of tourist and pilgrim. Torregrinos can be identified by their focus on obtaining compostela (witness) rather than spiritual experience, their disrespect for local traditions and communities, and their excessive use of technology and social media while on the trip.
San Juan de Gaztelugatx (Basque Country)
San Juan de Gaztelugatx, a picturesque island off the coast of Vizcaya in the Basque Country, has become world famous for its role in the hit TV series The Game of Thrones. However, this sudden fame has had far-reaching consequences for this unique location. The Game of Thrones appearance has led to a huge increase in visitor numbers, causing congestion on the narrow access road, limited parking spaces and the famous 241-step staircase to begin to erode. To address these issues, a reservation system has now been set up to visit the narrow bridge leading to the island.
La Playa de las Catedrales (Logo)
Las Catedrales beach in Lugo (Galicia) is famous for its impressive rock arches that become visible at low tide. These unique formations have made the beach one of the most visited natural attractions in Spain. However, the large influx of tourists has eroded the fragile rock formations, disrupted local ecosystems, and overcrowded the limited beach space. To maintain the safety of the beach, the authorities have had to take strict measures. For example, a strict reservation system has been introduced with a limit on the number of visitors per day.
Ordesa and Monte Perdido National Park (Huesca)
The Ordesa y Monte Perdido National Park in the Pyrenees in the province of Huesca has noticed that nature has become more popular since the pandemic. Although there are fewer visitors now, the park remains a magnet for nature lovers, hikers and Instagrammers eager to take photos at the Cola de Caballo waterfall. However, the increased attention is having an impact on the natural environment, with issues such as crowded footpaths, litter accumulation, police rescues, problems with dogs (and cows) and even the theft of rare and expensive orchids.
To control the crowds, various measures have been taken in the nature park. Between mid-June and mid-September, as well as during busy weekends, it is not possible to reach the park parking lot with your own transport. Instead, a paid shuttle bus runs back and forth throughout the day between the Turla parking lot and the park entrance. In addition, a maximum of 1,800 visitors has been set in the park at the same time. This helps to regulate the crowds and protect the natural environment from being overloaded by too many visitors.
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