Mallorca grapples with tourism surge, protests and safety incidents

On July 26, a large demonstration in Mallorca against overtourism ended with an unprecedented police crackdown; the authorities have not yet identified those responsible. Balearic Government president Marga Prohens had previously warned that the island must "manage success to avoid dying of success."

Activist collectives including Menys Turisme, Més Vida and the Coordinadora Anticapitalista occupied the Cova de sa Grava cove near the Gran Meliá Hotel to protest what they describe as the de‑facto privatization of the coastline, unfurling banners and announcing further actions in Sóller.

German actress Anja Schüte, a regular winter visitor to the island, reported being robbed twice within days, losing roughly €4,000 in cash and personal items. Police say crime rates on the island have risen.

Mallorca now receives about 13‑14 million tourists each year, creating overcrowded beaches, higher prices, a housing shortage for locals and frequent large‑scale protests – a June 15 rally attracted between 8,000 and 30,000 participants demanding limits on tourism development.