Mapped: The parts of Majorca and Tenerife targeted by protesters – and where to go instead
For the first time in many decades, holidaymakers are thinking twice about visiting their favourite Spanish destinations.
According to a poll conducted by Majorca Daily Bulletin, 58.8 per cent of respondents are reconsidering a holiday to the island following the demonstrations against mass tourism that have occurred in 2024.
Throughout the year there have been a string of protests across Spain, with a particular upswell of activity in the Balearics and the Canary Islands – and, especially, Majorca and Tenerife.
These have ranged from large marches to the blockading of beaches and the distribution of fake parking fines and false information about dangerous jellyfish. Protest groups argue that mass tourism has exacerbated a housing crisis on the islands, and that its unfettered growth is deteriorating the quality of life for locals and damaging the environment.
Tourists should be aware that the demonstrations have been peaceful (the use of water pistols in Barcelona notwithstanding) and for the most part activists are not aiming their anger directly at tourists but rather the tourism industry. So for the majority of visitors, holidays to Spanish islands will go ahead without any sign of unrest.
Still, if you are particularly keen to protest-proof your next holiday to Majorca or Tenerife, below we have outlined where the action has taken place, and recommend some quieter spots where you are far less likely (although, we must stress, not fully immune) to encounter friction on your holidays.
Majorca
The protest hotspots
Cala Petita, Porto Cristo, Cala Murta, Cala Magraner, Cala Morlanda and Cala Bota
In August 2023, a protest group placed fake signs (written in English) on beaches around eastern Majorca. They warned of jellyfish, falling rocks, and said it was a three-hour walk to the beach which was actually a few metres away. Just underneath, in Spanish, it said “Platja Oberta”, meaning “Beach Open”.
Palma de Majorca
In May 2024, around 10,000 demonstrators marched in the capital of Majorca holding posters that read “SOS Residents” and “Enough Mass Tourism”. Protests also took place on the neighbouring islands of Menorca and Ibiza.
Sa Rapita
In June, a few dozen protesters from the group Mallorca Platja Tour (MPT) gathered near the Sa Ràpita yacht club and huddled under a single parasol to symbolise the crowding that locals suffer during the peak season.
Caló des Moro
Later that month, around 300 protesters occupied the beach of Caló des Moro in Santanyi. Leaflets explaining the protest were handed out to tourists.
Balneario 6
In August, around 100 anti-tourism protesters stormed the infamous party beach of Balneario 6 in Arenal. They held banners that read “tourists go home”.
Cala Morlanda and Cala Varques
In August, a protest group symbolically prevented access to a number of coves in the Manacor area. They placed fake “fines” of €300 (£254) on the windscreens of hire cars for “contributing to the destruction of Majorca”.
The corners without protests
Puerto Pollença
Home to a swathe of boutique hotels, Puerto Pollença is a popular base for walkers and cyclists to explore the nearby Tramuntana mountains and the north coastline.
Formentor
One corner of Mallorca so far untouched by protests is the Formentor Peninsula, north of Port Pollença. The Telegraph’s Travel destination expert, Annie Bennett, writes: “It offers superb facilities, is fringed by towering pines, and tempts with a sea in a near immaculate state. The curious little island that lies off the coast can be circumnavigated by tourist crafts buzzing about the busy waters and there are many water sports to be enjoyed.”
The north-west coast
Majorca’s rocky northern coastline is by no means undiscovered, but it has not been the focus of protests thus far. Cala Deià is a delightful little cove with translucent waters, fringed by dramatic rocky cliffs (and was once a favourite spot of the English poet Robert Graves). A bit further west, the town of Banyalbufar moves at a slower pace than other corners of Majorca, and is a good jumping off point to visit nearby vineyards.
Tenerife
The protest hotspots
Santa Cruz de Tenerife
In April, thousands of people protested in Tenerife’s capital calling on the local government to limit tourist arrivals. This was part of a wider coordinated protest across the Canary Islands – one of the biggest in history.
Playa de las Américas
In October, thousands of demonstrators stormed the popular Playa de las Americas resort in Tenerife chanting, “This beach is ours”. This was part of a wider protest which also saw action in Maspalomas in Gran Canaria and Puerto del Carmen in Lanzarote.
Playa del Camisón and Playa de las Vistas
In December 2024, protesters defaced and sprayed 230 sunbeds with phrases such as “Canarias se defiende” (“the Canary Islands defend themselves”) and “Canarias no se vende” (“the Canary Islands are not for sale”).
The corners without protests
Northern Tenerife
For luxury without the crowds, Puerto de la Cruz on Tenerife’s north coast has been luring well-heeled guests for over a century. The top hotel in the area is the Hotel Botánico and The Oriental Spa Garden.
San Cristóbal de La Laguna
Set inland, and therefore less likely to be blighted by protests, this pretty little town is lined with brightly painted mansions and ornate wooden balconies. It was once Tenerife’s capital and features on the Unesco World Heritage list.
San Miguel de Tajao or La Caleta
To avoid the crowds, and the protesters, you could base yourself in a smaller fishing town like San Miguel de Tajao which is known for its excellent seafood restaurants. Another possible spot is La Caleta, a sleepy fishing village on the west coast which is home to a sleek, adults-only hotel Royal Hideaway Corales Beach, which has two Michelin-starred restaurants.
