Anti-tourism

A union secretary said they wanted to send the message that “there’s no room for more people here during the high season” and that the tax was intended as a deterrent for potential visitors

Brits planning a break in the Balearic Islands next summer have been warned they could face a tourist tax hike.

The CCOO, a major trade union on the Spanish islands, have proposed hiking the current tourist tax to €15 a day (approximately £13.08). This would affect Brits visiting holiday hotspots such as Majorca, Ibiza, and Menorca. The proposed tax would apply for stays during July and August, the busiest months on the Mediterranean islands.

The Balearic Islands already have a tourist tax in place, which is between €0.5 and €4 a day (approximately £0.44 and £3.49). The amount of tax paid depends on whether tourists visit during the peak or low season, and the type of accommodation they stay in.

Children under 16 are exempt from paying the current tourist tax, and there’s a 50% discount for longer stays, which is applied after the eighth night. According to the government of the islands, this tax is used for purposes such as sustainable tourism initiatives and preserving cultural heritage.

The proposed increase would mean a seven night break in peak season would see each adult charged approximately £91.52 in tourist taxes.

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The CCOO made clear that the higher tax being proposed wasn’t for the benefit of the islands, but rather to keep people away. According to Majorca Daily News, General Secretary José Luis García said: “This is not an increase aimed at raising revenue, but rather a deterrent, so that the Balearic Islands send a clear message to the world that there’s no room for more people here during the high season.”

He added: “To reduce summer overcrowding, it’s not enough to curb demand; we must also act on supply.”

The news outlet also reported that the CCOO is asking the government to put a hold on new tourist accommodation places, aiming to cut visitor numbers but attract higher-value tourists. Due to the housing crisis in the Balearics, they also want the island declared a “stressed area” and for 40,000 public housing properties to be created.

The move is the latest in a long line of proposals aimed at reducing the pressure of tourism on the popular Balearic Islands. Over the summer, Majorca was named the most unwelcoming spot for British tourists in Europe, with anti-tourism protests cited among the reasons for the dubious honour.

Summer 2024 and 2025 were marked with protests across the islands, but especially in Majorca, where protestors occupied beaches while waving anti-tourist banners. A number of Mirror readers revealed they’d be ditching Spain due to the protests and what they dubbed “anti-British sentiment”.

Speaking to the Mirror over the summer, Kevin Durkin who visited various Spanish destinations over 30 years said: “Over the last few years, the anti-British sentiment has just grown. Some bar owners have put up signs telling the British to keep away and some hotel owners don’t want us either.

“I do not need Spain, they can keep their latest charges and hatred of the British. I will not be back, neither will my friends or family. Adios.”

While Linda Munro revealed that overcrowding at border control at the airport had made her summer trip to Majorca stressful: “My husband and I got through the scanners, no problem. However, the rest of the family had to queue for an hour and a half.

“On the way back, it was worse, as people were worried they might miss their flights home. Our family just made it on time. They all said they wouldn’t be back abroad anytime soon.”

Have a story you want to share? Email us at [email protected].

I’d come for the sunrise but I quickly discovered three things that can ruin even the most beautiful moment

It was just gone 5am when I arrived very tired and ready to tackle a scenic sunrise hike at one of the UK’s most popular peaks. But looking around, it appeared I wasn’t the only one who had this marvellous idea — despite the time, the car park was starting to fill up.

I could make out the faint glow of iPhones as early risers emerged from cars, clutching coffee and camera tripods, shivering in the dark. From here, the route to the summit of Pen y Fan, the highest peak in south Wales, is one of the most straightforward ways to the summit and is often described by locals as a “motorway”, so it shouldn’t have been a huge surprise to find myself surrounded by other keen walkers.

Pen y Fan rises 886 metres (2,907 ft) above a landscape of rolling high hills. It’s one of several flat-topped summits in the area, and the dramatic peak was once a mountain for the committed: avid hikers, the British Army on training exercises and reluctant school kids dragged up for the Duke of Edinburgh’s Award. These days, it attracts anyone with a phone and a sunrise, with viral social media clips turning the picturesque summit into a must-visit backdrop for selfies.

Interest in the UK’s beauty spots has surged since Covid-19 restrictions began in 2020, when an hour’s exercise was a brief escape from lockdown life. In recent years, reports of national parks, beaches, and hiking trails being overrun with crowds, litter, and queues have become almost routine as more people head for the hills, clutching their smartphones.

We set off from the car park in the dark, joining the steady stream of hikers snaking up the trail. The ‘motorway’ path was well-trodden and wide enough in parts to accommodate the crowd without too much jostling. My companions, seasoned hikers with well-worn gear, moved with practised efficiency, while I kept pace, observing the scene unfolding around us.

The trail was a mix of gravel and uneven stone, occasionally slick with dew, and the dawn light had not yet hit the high, rolling green hills, verdant valleys, and grassy mountain plateaus.

Headlamps and iPhone lights dotted the landscape like fireflies, and it was hard not to slow down and take in the absurdity of what felt like hundreds of us all crawling up the same path, multiple dogs running loose, phones flickering, and me, trying not to become part of someone’s Instagram Live.

As we crested the final rise, the line of hikers slowed to a crawl, everyone funnelling toward the summit marker. The Pen y Fan cairn, a large pile of stones that has stood since the Bronze Age, marked with a National Trust plaque and topped by a trig point, was already commanding attention. People had formed an orderly queue, patiently waiting for their turn to stand beside it for a photo.

Even in the soft pre-dawn light, it looked like a scene from a theme park: polite shuffling, polite muttering, everyone clutching phones and cameras, some even doing little TikTok dances.

Watching the strange scene, it was hard not to think about the meteoric rise of ‘TikTok travel’, the phenomenon of visiting somewhere not to discover it, but to make the place a backdrop for your own carefully choreographed content.

Don’t get me wrong: I love a good selfie. But queuing for a picture, or orchestrating an hour-long photoshoot solely for social media, is not something I have patience for.

And yet, despite the absurdity of it all, the sunrise we had come to see was spectacular. The first golden rays of light struck the ridges, catching the Llyn Cwm Llwch lake in a soft, golden glow and providing expansive 360-degree views of the surrounding countryside, including the Black Mountains, Carmarthenshire Fans, and the Cambrian Mountains to the north and west.

A thin mist lingered in the valleys below, and a “dragon’s breath” cloud inversion spread across the landscape, curling around the peaks like smoke and catching the sun’s pink-and-gold light. Even the most devoted TikTokkers paused for a moment just long enough to gape at the extraordinary panorama.

The way the glacier-carved peaks glowed, the soft light spilling over the valleys, and the atmospheric ‘Dragon’s breath’ are why Pen y Fan draws so many, why we brave the crowds, and why, inevitably, you find yourself taking a quick selfie, trying to preserve the moment without letting it slip away.

I’d come for the sunrise, but I quickly discovered three things that can ruin even the most epic mountain moment: crowds, dogs running wild off lead, and litter. None of them is enough to spoil Pen y Fan entirely, but together, they’re a reminder that our growing love for the outdoors can have unintended consequences.

I’m also self-aware enough to know I’m part of the problem. I came for the same thing as everyone else, a photogenic sunrise shared with my hiking pals.

I could have chosen one of the many quieter peaks or valleys scattered across Bannau Brycheiniog (Brecon Beacons) — there’s no shortage of them. But here I am, trudging up the most popular route with everyone else. The lure of dawn light is hard to resist, even when you know exactly how crowded it’s going to be.

As I sipped my coffee and surveyed the summit, it was impossible to ignore the consequences of Pen y Fan’s popularity. The cairn, once a quiet marker of the highest point in south Wales, had become a pivot point for human activity.

Every so often, discarded rubbish or a stray dog poo bag would catch your eye, small but persistent reminders of the mountain’s rising footfall.

Even the Central Beacons Mountain Rescue Team has had to intervene, “downing tools” during training sessions in the National Park to clear up litter, including disposable barbecues, something they described on social media as increasingly common and, heartbreakingly, unnecessary.

Another complication was dogs off-lead. Bounding freely, they sometimes disappeared from view entirely, prompting panicked calls from their owners and, presumably, even more posts in local hiking Facebook groups about missing pets.

On a slope like Pen y Fan, it’s a worry: not just for the dogs (which I love to be clear) but also for wildlife and the growing problem of erosion and mess along the most popular paths.

For all the talk of crowds and chaos and poor pet management, though, I know most people who come here care deeply about the mountains.

I’m a member of enough hiking groups to see how much affection there is for these astonishing landscapes. Most walkers are respectful; they don’t drop litter, keep dogs close, and tread carefully. A small minority spoil it with blaring music, buzzing drones, or abandoned dog poo bags. Perhaps that’s why this behaviour feels so jarring; it isn’t the norm.

What’s needed isn’t less enthusiasm, but more awareness. Simple, consistent reminders of how to “leave no trace,” and a bit of encouragement to explore beyond the same three or four photogenic peaks, might go further than any warning sign ever could.

Of course, awareness is easier to preach than practise when the sunrise forecast looks promising, and so, here I am. It turns out that it’s easy to grumble about the crowds until you realise that you’re one of them. And maybe that’s the paradox of places like Pen y Fan, they’re loved to the point of being over-loved.

Barcelona is a popular city in Spain that attracts millions of tourists year-on-year and it is famous for its art and grand architecture, but a visitor shared one thing not everyone knows about it

There are several countries in Europe that attract large amounts of tourists, including Spain, France and Italy. Many people from the UK enjoy going to Spain in particular as it is not far from Britain but offers beautiful beaches, warmer and sunnier weather, has a vibrant culture and is seen as relatively affordable to explore.

Spain consistently ranks as the top holiday destination for Brits who often visit coastal and island sites, like Majorca, Ibiza and Benidorm. A popular city in Spain for holidaymakers is Barcelona, the capital of the country’s Catalonia region. According to Statista, Barcelona’s hotels welcomed nearly 7.9 million overnight tourists in 2024.

The tourist hotspot is known for its art and architecture but locals have been protesting against the issue of overtourism in the city, which saw some tourists being sprayed by water guns.

One visitor who recently travelled to Barcelona shared one thing international visitors might not expect.

He posted a video on TikTok at the end of August showing the wet weather with puddles on the ground of a largely empty street and a small group of people shielding themselves from the rain with umbrellas.

Overlaying the clip, he sarcastically wrote: “Okay Barcelona we get it, you don’t want tourists. Message received loud and clear.”

Barcelona experiences short-lived rain showers in August and September but average temperatures this month reach 26°C during the day so it’s still warm with plenty of sunshine, as per TUI.

The caption of the tourist’s TikTok post caption reads: “The teabags I packed turned into tea in my bag.”

The clip has garnered 247,300 views, 23,800 likes and almost 150 comments, at the time of writing.

A Spain local commented: “As a Catalan we really wanted the rain so sorry but we really needed it, the heat was HORRENDOUS.”

Another agreed: “In fact, the locals were waiting for this good weather after 15 days of boiling air. Enjoy it with us.”

A third TikTok user said: “Barcelona better behave in September.” A tourist who visited Barcelona shared: “I was there, had to hide in the Burger King until it stopped raining.”

A second chimed in: “It passed very quickly and honestly makes the air much more bearable! Don’t think I could handle 40C, 30 is hot enough!”

The TikTok user who posted the clip revealed in the comments section that the rain “only lasted 30 ish minutes and it’s been sunny ever since.”

A different user, unbothered by wet weather, remarked: “A great place to visit. I love it . What’s the rain got to do with it?”

Someone else highlighted: “Better that than the heat that comes later.” A number of commenters were surprised to see rain in the Spanish city at this time of year, while others knew it is normal for there to be some rainfall.

New research suggests that British travellers are forgoing their beloved summer hotspots like Greece and Spain in favour of more far-flung destinations like Thailand

According to new research, some key non-European destinations have enticed Brits away from their typical hotspots this summer.

While Italy, Spain and Greece continue to deal with the repercussions of over-tourism, British travellers are casting their holiday sight further abroad. Virgin Media O2 data suggests that visitors to Spain have dropped by about 9% year-on-year, with anti-tourism protests potentially giving British holidaymakers pause.

Visits to Greece and Portugal are also down by 7% and 5% respectively, the data suggests. Destinations like Thailand, Canada and the US are on British travel radars this year.

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Visits to France were even eclipsed by those of the US this summer, which brought in 17% of British travellers compared to France’s 14%. Canada now accounts for 9% of trips from the UK and the United Arab Emirates has enjoyed 8% of the British tourist allocation.

Thailand and Australia both earned 5% of visitors, which may have to do with The White Lotus effect. In fact, the TV series drove so much tourism to Thailand that it threatened to bury one of the paradise islands.

The exceptionally hot weather in the UK this summer could have also influenced why Brits didn’t feel the need to storm their sunny EU holiday destinations.

When it comes to last-minute getaways however, the data shows that convenience is still a top priority for British holidaymakers. Resorts that are a short-haul flight away still saw the biggest influx of travellers. Almost 38% of Brits will take late breaks to Spain while Greece will see 25% and Italy 23%.

Christian Hindennach, chief commercial officer at Virgin Media O2 said of the latest research: “As Brits explore new holiday spots beyond Europe, we’re proud to keep them connected wherever they may roam.

He continues: “From last-minute trips to far-flung adventures, we’re committed to keeping our customers connected without the worry of hidden fees, so they can focus on enjoying their time away.”

That said, months of active overtourism demonstrations across Spain in particular has been bad news for tourism revenue in some parts of the country.

A once busy Spanish city is now “dead” as Brits have reportedly abandoned the destination for other holiday spots.. Footage has surfaced online showing the area’s completely deserted streets.

Laura, who goes by lauratravelvlogs on TikTok, has been chronicling some stark changes in Barcelona this year, having resided there herself for over two years. She noted a significant drop in visitor numbers and, for months, she’s been posting videos of Spain’s vacant streets, silent roads and empty beaches to illustrate the drastic shift in the country’s tourism landscape.

In a recent video featuring eerily quiet roads, Laura questioned: “Sorry, no one can argue that these roads leading up to the beach were not packed in 2023?”

A popular Spanish city that was once bustling with tourists is now “dead” as Brits have allegedly ditched the destination to holiday elsewhere, and it’s not the first time Spain is said to have been quiet this year

A once bustling Spanish city is now “dead” as Brits have reportedly abandoned the destination for other holiday spots, marking another quiet period for Spain this year. Footage has surfaced online showing the area’s completely deserted streets.

Laura, who goes by lauratravelvlogs on TikTok, has been chronicling the stark changes in Barcelona this year, having resided there herself for over two years. She noted a significant drop in visitor numbers and, for months, she’s been posting videos of Spain‘s vacant streets, silent roads and empty beaches – all to illustrate the drastic shift in the country’s tourism landscape.

In a recent video featuring eerily quiet roads, Laura questioned: “Sorry, no one can argue that these roads leading up to the beach were not packed in 2023?” It appears others also concur with her observations about Spain’s dwindling crowds in recent years.

Laura mentioned that there are still some tourists “for now” at popular spots, but claimed spending is at an “all time low”. She has noticed a substantial change over the past two years, and is astounded by how tranquil the city has become.

In an earlier video, Laura highlighted how deserted the city centre was during the summer because “tourists don’t feel welcome”. She suspects the protests that have occurred in Spain have deterred people from visiting altogether.

Hundreds of people have responded to the footage since it emerged online, with many eager to voice their opinions. Their reactions were quite split.

One viewer commented: “One by one businesses from all sectors will start to close – that’s the sad thing.” Another chimed in with: “There’s already a lot of smaller towns that have fallen into despair.

“So many people have lost their jobs due to the drop in tourism. It’s madness – they’ll be begging people to go back in a few years.”

A third responded: “Tourism is Spain is 40% down. The south coast of Spain was eerily quiet last week.”

Meanwhile, a fourth also remarked: “Spain is old news – there are far nicer countries to spend your money in.”

Some viewers questioned what time of day the footage was captured though, with others suggesting it’s not entirely doom and gloom. One individual said they visited in March and there were “hundreds more” people about, even though some Brits believe the resort is “finished” when it comes to tourism.

Overall, it’s been documented that Spain has been deserted by numerous holidaymakers, with eateries and coastlines appearing virtually deserted. Areas of the nation have been witnessing a drop in visitor figures for the first time since the pandemic, alongside years of anti-tourist demonstrations by residents.

In August, images from Benidorm showed a multitude of vacant seats outside various establishments and rather deserted beaches. This is particularly unusual for major holiday hotspots during the summer period.

Miguel Pérez-Marsá, the head of the nightlife association, previously told Majorca Daily Bulletin: “The tourists we’re interested in are being driven away; they don’t feel welcome and are going to other destinations.” The impact is also being felt by tour guides.

Pedro Oliver, president of the College of Tour Guides, disclosed that excursion sales have plummeted by 20% this summer. “If you generate negative news, which has repercussions in other countries, tourists opt for other destinations when choosing their holidays,” he stated.

“We are sending the message that we don’t want tourists and that everything is too crowded.”

A Briton who moved from the UK to Barcelona in 2017, has said that locals are frustrated by the influx of foreigners and that things have gotten worse since the end of the Covid-19 pandemic

A British expat living in Barcelona has said that locals are becoming increasingly frustrated with the transformation of their neighbourhoods.

Gemma Askham relocated to the popular Spanish city in 2017 due to her half-Spanish husband’s work and has resided there ever since.

Whilst the first six years were relatively uneventful, a surge in expats, coupled with anti-tourism sentiment fuelled by the Southern Europe Network Against Touristification (SET) movement, has altered the local area.

Due to the influx of foreigners and tourists to Barcelona, the economy has shifted to cater to their preferences and requirements, rather than vice versa. Gemma noted that this dynamic between expats and their adopted country intensified following the Covid-19 pandemic.

In an article for Grazia, she stated: “In 2023, a street pedestrianisation project aimed at improving community life was completed. But there are now eight English-named brunch cafes within two blocks.”

She also said that her 69-year-old neighbour, Toni Fontclara, is puzzled by people lining up at 11am for avocado on toast “a dish not from the region, served at an unheard-of eating hour for the Spanish, with a menu in a language he doesn’t speak”.

Gemma isn’t alone in noticing the changing face of Barcelona, which has seen a decrease in tourists following years of anti-tourism protests.

Another Briton, also residing in Barcelona, revealed that certain parts of the city had become significantly quieter, as visitors are being deterred from travelling there.

Laura, who has called the city home for two-and-a-half years, turned to social media to share footage of deserted streets earlier this month, capturing just how eerily silent they remained throughout the day.

She said: “Day one of recording how quiet Barcelona is now the tourists don’t feel welcome. The businesses must be feeling it The streets are so quiet now. These businesses last year used to wake me up in the morning. One has just recently been renovated.”

Laura’s footage shows just how successful some of the demonstrations have been, though opinion remains split on their intentions.

While some demonstrators have been demanding tourists leave, others maintain the protests stem from a wish to safeguard locals, rather than alienate visitors.

Professor Marina Novelli explained: “Places like Lisbon, Venice and Barcelona are increasingly reduced to lifestyle backdrops where locals feel like strangers. The SET movement is about cross-border solidarity. Ultimately, it’s not anti-tourist, it’s pro-resident.”

Brit tourists should not be used as a ‘punching bag’ for the worsening housing crisis impacting Spain, hotel bosses have warned in a major clap-back at protesting locals

Hotel bosses on a tourist-engulf Spanish island have jumped to the defence of Brits following a string of confrontational protests. Last year, a staggering 15.3 million international visitors flocked to the Balearics – a beautiful archipelago made up of Majorca, Ibiza and Menorca. The influx resulted in fed-up locals storming the streets en masse – waving banners demanding holidaymakers ‘go home’.

Arguing the rising demand of holiday rentals is pricing them out of the property market – and worsening the country’s housing crisis – residents even took to squirting Brits with water pistols to get their message across.

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The latest protest, which took place just last month, comes as activists vowed to unleash ‘misery’ for Brits during the busy summer period. However, it seems the Mallorca Hotel Business Federation (FEHM) is pushing back on the island’s anti-tourist landscape by launching a new campaign.

The initiative, which aims to thank millions of tourists for visiting the island and raise awareness of the ‘importance of tourism’ to the economy, has seen around twenty billboards distributed throughout Mallorca, using positive and welcoming messages in English and German.

According to local news site Majorca Daily Bulletin, Javier Vich, the president of the federation, said: “We cannot allow a radical minority to damage the work carried out over many years by so many people who have made tourism their way of life… Tourism cannot be the punching bag for all the structural problems of this community.”

Javier added that every month during the high season, a staggering 235,000 salaries are paid in sectors linked to tourism. This includes workers in the transport, catering, culture, leisure and hospitality sectors.

The hotel boss went on to argue that Spain risks suffering a slowdown in bookings during the summer season, and more and more Brits flock to rival destinations like Greece and Turkey – which ‘welcome tourists with a red carpet’. Even Morocco – which has long struggled to attract high levels of tourism, has seen its visitor numbers surge in recent months.

“We must also be aware of their value,” Javier warned. “Mallorca has been, is and must continue to be a hospitable land…” While the campaign may be well received by self-serving hotel bosses, that cash in on tourism, it’s safe to say the news won’t go down well with locals demanding change.

And still – despite the alarming number of protests and graffiti that have been smeared across Spain – British expat Sandra Laurie, who has lived in Spain for nine years, says Brits should continue visiting Spain. “Local businesses, restaurants, and shops have built their success on welcoming tourists from all over the world,” she exclusively told the Mirror earlier this year.

“If you have a trip planned—don’t let the headlines deter you. The Costa del Sol and other popular destinations are buzzing with life. The beaches are packed, the pueblos are alive with energy, and both locals and tourists are soaking up the sun, relaxing, and making the most of everything Spain has to offer.” Of course, Sandra says being a ‘respectful’ visitor is key to being welcomed to the sunny country.

Has rising anti-tourist sentiment put you off visiting Spain, or ruined your holiday? Email [email protected] for a chance to share your story

Visitors to the town of Portofino, on the Italian Riviera, will have to abide by new local ordnance that prohobits several common activities enjoyed by holidaymaking Brits

A sun-drenched holiday hotspot could fine rulebreaking Brits more than £400 after it introduced sweeping bans restricting a slew of typical summer activities.

Italian officials in Portofino, a stunning coastal town on the country’s Riviera in Liguria typically swimming with thousands of tourists at a time, have introduced bans after growing weary of the massive activity. From today, new ordinance will prevent the up to 100,000 people who travel there a year from walking barefoot, enjoying picnics, and drinking booze on the community’s streets.

The ordnance, which has been introduced to protect the “peace and quiet of residents and tourists”, also introduces a series of other bans.

READ MORE: Brits abroad warned to brace for more summer holiday protests from anti-tourists

Signed by Mayor Matteo Viacava, it prevents people from walking through the town barefoot, topless, or while wearing nothing more than swimwear.

Per the rules, alcohol can only be consumed in restaurants, bars and designated areas, with begging and lying on the streets, walls, sidewalks and in local parks also banned. The new rules come into effect immediately, and will last throughout the summer season, when thousands of Brits will be mingling with the roughly 400 locals during a picturesque summer break.

Those who break the rules will risk a potential hefty fine, with penalties ranging from as low as £22 to up to £433 as Italian officials try to discourage unruly tourists.

Portofino has jostled with problem visitors for years, with the increasingly popular town having hit headlines years ago for similar restrictive measures. In 2023, officials banned tourists from visiting several local vantage points, officially citing concerns over local pedestrian footfall.

The earlier crackdown led to the creation of “no-waiting zones” in which tourists were prevented from pausing at locations – usually the most popular ones – deemed especially crowded or prone to bottlenecking.

Much like the latest raft of bans, rule flouters were threatened with hefty – although less pricey – fines. Anyone caught on the wrong side of the ordnance was ordered to pay up €275 (£242), with town administrators stressing at the time that, again like the latest rules, they were meant to protect the local quality of life.

Mayor Viacava told news outlet Leggo the rules were placed after select areas of the Portofino borough became so crowded that police were called in to “control pedestrians”.

He said: “The ordinance prohibits gatherings in certain areas of the borough where getting around is so difficult that police must be called in to control pedestrians. This is a common sense safety measure.” He added in a statement to Il Secolo XIX.: “Our goal is not to drive tourists away or discourage them from visiting.

“Everyone must do their part to contribute to the beauty of Portofino by behaving properly.”

Bibury in the Cotswolds is rightly described as the most beautiful village in England – but the sheer number of tourists who visit every day is off-putting

William Morris once hailed Bibury as “the most beautiful village in England”. Given his expertise in aesthetics as the esteemed poet and artist who spearheaded the Arts and Crafts movement in Britain, I’m inclined to trust his judgement on such matters.

And he certainly wasn’t mistaken about this gem in the Cotswolds, a little north-east of Cirencester. Before my visit, I had seen numerous photos of Bibury and was half-convinced they were the result of some clever photographic manipulation — could it really be that beautiful in reality?

The answer is a resounding yes. Imagine the quintessential storybook British village with a dash of Harry Potter magic — even then you might not quite capture the sheer loveliness of the place. Bibury is enchanting, whimsical and could be considered the crowning glory of the Cotswolds, an area renowned for its beauty.

The tranquil river Coln meanders through the village centre, flanked by charming low stone bridges. Nearby, cows leisurely graze beside the road adjacent to the Swan Hotel, which looms over the village and boasts perhaps the prettiest beer garden in the country.

The Bibury Trout Farm nearby nurtures fish that grace the plates of restaurants throughout the Cotswolds, including those at Jeremy Clarkson’s pub, The Farmer’s Dog, where I ate it — you can read what I thought here.

The true gem of Bibury is undoubtedly Arlington Row, a sequence of cottages initially constructed from the local stone in 1380 next to the River Coln as a monastic wool store, and later converted into weavers’ cottages in the 17th century. It’s probably the most photographed street in the Cotswolds — and potentially the entire country.

As you amble down the slender lane beside the cottages, having crossed a quaint stone bridge over the river to reach them, the weight of everyday life just seems to disappear. I strove to balance my respect for the privacy of residents with an irresistibly wide-eyed admiration for their astonishingly attractive homes. Hopefully, the people lucky enough to live here enjoy the fact that, like Buckingham Palace, thousands of people take pictures of their homes every day.

And that brings me to the one thing about Bibury that is a bit off-putting: the number of tourists here is way out of proportion to the size of the village and its ability to cope with them. The 600 or so people who live here are sharing these narrow lanes and pretty fields with coaches, tour groups and day-trippers every day — thousands of them.

One resident, Lynn Edward, who has lived in Bibury for six years, told The Guardian this year: “We have such a beautiful place that we want to share, but the level of tourism and the hordes of people that come has just made it entirely unpleasant, and the infrastructure doesn’t really cope with it.

“All they want to do is come and take a photograph. They don’t stay in the village. They don’t linger enough to really ingest the beauty and historic value of the place. It’s literally, I think, to take a selfie.”

I knew in advance that Bibury was a tourist attraction — and obviously I was here as a tourist. But I didn’t appreciate just how many people there would be on a random weekday afternoon.

But it was obvious even before I got to the village centre, with groups of tourists strolling in the middle of the road en route, long lines of parked cars beside the river, several different languages from all over the world to be heard and people of all nationalities standing on Bibury’s pretty stone bridges to grab a selfie. Some of them were not especially inclined to bother moving when it was clear others wanted to get across, instead taking their time to get that perfect shot for Instagram — and some claim the rocketing number of visitors to Bibury is down to the boom in travel and tourism influencers on social media.

There’s even a large car park on the outskirts of the village, where visitors are charged £5 to park before walking into the heart of the village. There is enough space for 300 cars but villagers say even this is not enough on some days, Express reports. The narrow lane between the car park and the village is a tight squeeze when trying to cope with two-way traffic as well as all the tourists on foot.

While you might assume that such a large number of tourists would also bring a significant economic benefit, people in the village don’t seem convinced. Victoria Summerley, a journalist and author who has lived here since 2012, says: “[The villagers] would say [the tourists] don’t put any money into the village.”

It is clearly a difficult balance. While tourism can bring benefits and people are often proud to share the beauty of where they live with visitors, it is understandable that villagers who call Bibury home are frustrated by the extent to which it has now become a tourist attraction. It is undoubtedly a staggeringly beautiful place, and lives up to its billing as “the most beautiful village in England”, even considering the amount of competition in the Cotswolds alone. So if you do visit, please try and be as respectful as possible of the people who live here.

Things to do in Bibury

Arlington Row

A row of cottages originally built of local stone in 1380, next to the River Coln, is probably the most photographed street in the Cotswolds, possibly even the country. A short circular route runs from the Swan Hotel to the cottages and back along a track to the hotel.

Bibury Trout Farm

Bibury Trout Farm is one of Britain’s oldest trout farms. Founded in 1902, you will find its trout on the menu in restaurants around the Cotswolds. It is open to the public while being a working trout farm producing hundreds of thousands of trout (brown, blue and rainbow) a year. It also has an on-site smokery. You can buy the trout on site and in the village shop. Entry to the farm costs £9 for adults.

Swan Hotel

The beautiful Swan Hotel is perhaps the most prominent building in Bibury, its walls covered in greenery. You can stay here or simply book a table for lunch or dinner. It also has arguably the most beautiful beer garden in Britain, with deckchairs set almost on an island surrounded by the tranquil River Coln.

Eleven Bibury

With interiors designed by Laurence Llewelyn-Bowen, Eleven Bibury is a mixture of cafe, restaurant, art space and shared working space just across the main road from the river. Grab a brunch, a slice of cake or coffee and escape the crowds of tourists outside.

A new report has named one Canary Island destination the most tourist-dense island in all of Europe, and singled out one EU country in particular for overcrowding

As housing shortage protests grow in intensity across Europe, one EU country is still taking on the brunt of overcrowding. A new report reveals that Spain is home to Europe’s most overcrowded islands.

Using data from the European Commission, the report from BookRetreats.com ranked Europe’s islands by tourist density – measured in overnight stays per square kilometre. The spatial metric reveals how physically saturated some destinations have become, especially on islands where land, housing, and infrastructure are limited, according to the analysts.

Malta topped the list with the highest tourist density of any island in Europe. Equally significant, the report revealed that four of the top five most tourist-dense islands on the continent are Spanish islands.

Across these islands, tourism levels have reached the densities of most major cities. According to the report, while Malta is small enough to fit into London five times over, it sees more than 38,700 overnight stays per km². Of these year-round visitors, British travellers make up the largest share.

READ MORE: Tourists from huge European country flood Canary Islands and it’s not just Brits

The tourist impact is most visible at peak sites like the Blue Lagoon on Comino, where daily summer crowds reach up to 12,000. In response, authorities have recently capped visitor numbers at 4,000 per day and introduced mandatory booking to help protect the fragile coastal environment.

Protests are also growing across the country and governments are now considering enhanced restrictions to manage the pressure on infrastructure. In Ibiza and Formentera, officials have responded with new Tourism Containment Measures. The reforms ban new short-term lets in apartment buildings and step up enforcement against unlicensed holiday rentals in a bid to ease the strain.

On Sunday, June 15, the Menys Turisme Més Vida platform also organised a protest in Palma calling for an end to touristification. The group issued a statement the next day, insisting: “Let us be clear. We will not stop. This fight does not end here.

“We will not allow one more measure of tourism growth, nor one more attack on our language and culture, on migrants, on the territory, or on the working class.”

Elsewhere in Spain, governments have pushed back even further on holiday lets, including a crackdown on 65,000 Airbnb listings. In the Canaries, a new holiday rental law could also ban newly built properties from being used by tourists for 10 years after construction.

“Tourism has transformed many of Europe’s islands, but the pace and scale are no longer sustainable,” says Sean Kelly, co-founder of BookRetreats.com.

“When local systems are stretched and communities are pushed out, it’s a sign something needs to change. That’s why it’s so important we look at the data, understand where the pressure is highest, and start making more informed choices about where and how we travel.”

Deterred by escalating anti-tourist sentiment in Spain? Don’t worry, this beautiful EU island offers equally stunning beaches, history and architecture – all without the threat of angry protestors

Avoid the angry protestors on this stunning European island just over three hours from the UK.

For decades, sun-worshipping Brits have been flocking to sunny Spain – partying in the hectic regions of Magaluf and Benidorm, or chilling out in the more laid-back coastal gems stretching across the Costa del Sol. Lured in by golden sandy beaches, crystal clear waters, cheap booze and stunning history, the country has watched its tourism rapidly boom.

Last year, Spain and its slew of insatiably popular islands, witnessed a record-breaking 94 million international visitors – a 10 per cent spike from the year before. However, the influx sparked backlash amongst locals, who argue the skyrocketing demand for short-term holiday lets has priced them out of the property market. 2024 witnessed a string of protests erupt across the country, with banner-holding residents demanding Brits ‘go home’ and never return. This anti-tourist rhetoric has spiralled in recent years, with fresh vows of demonstrations to take place during the insufferably busy summer.

If you’ve been put off by the clashing protests, Joanne Lynn, a European travel expert over at Riviera Travel, recommends visiting Malta instead. Situated in the central Mediterranean between Sicily and the North African coast – Malta may only span some 122 square miles, but it certainly packs a powerful punch.

Here, you’ll find a UNESCO city dripping in history, ancient ruins, stunning architecture and pristine beaches. Highlights include the ‘Blue Grotto’ – a network of six sea caves that has been branded the perfect dupe of Italy’s Amalfi Coast – and the Saluting Battery ceremony in the capital, where a restored canon is fired Monday through Sunday twice a day.

Speaking exclusively with the Mirror, Joanne explained how the country has ‘largely avoided’ this kind of tension thanks to the island’s more ‘measured approach to tourism and strong emphasis on maintaining local culture’. “While the island can certainly get busy, particularly around popular beach areas during peak season, it has not experienced the same degree of backlash or protest seen in places like Barcelona,” she said. “Crucially, Malta hasn’t faced the same pressures on housing markets or local infrastructure, which has helped preserve a generally positive relationship between residents and visitors.”

Last year, Malta welcomed 3.6 million tourists – almost 20 per cent more compared to 2023. But despite its growing popularity, Joanne says travellers can still enjoy a ‘fulfilling experience without the added concern of tourism-related unrest’. “Overall, Malta’s combination of high-quality restaurants, museums, historical tourist attractions and quiet towns makes it a great choice for anyone looking to avoid demonstrations across Europe, while still being able to experience a wonderful summer trip abroad,” she added.

Of course, this is not to say that everyone on the islands loves the sudden influx of Brits. Certain areas, such as Comino – a small island of the Maltese archipelago, have become super crowded in the busy summer months. Back in 2022, a local group named Movimenti Graffiti stripped the area of its deckchairs and sun beds to make it clear that Comino should be protected ‘not plundered’.

You can fly directly to Malta from most major UK airports, including Glasgow, Belfast, Liverpool, and London Stansted, with flights taking an average of three hours and 15 minutes. If you’re flexible with dates, you can grab return fares for as little as £50 in June.

Accommodation on the island is equally affordable, with a slew of no-thrill hotels, hostels, and apartments available. For example, a week’s stay (Monday, June 9-16) at The Rose Hostel in St Julian’s will set you back £349. This is based on two adults staying in a seven-bed mixed dorm. However, if you want a more luxurious trip – check out Grand Hotel Excelsior.

Located in Valetta, this stunning resort boasts a large outdoor and indoor pool, a private beach, spa, and three restaurants. You can splurge out on the Superior Deluxe Double Room with a sea view for £1,659 on the exact same dates.

*Prices based on Skyscanner and Booking.com listings at the time of writing.

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