Cities Turned into Theme Parks: Airbnb Faces Growing Backlash in Spain

With nearly 100 million international visitors in 2024, Spain has cemented its place as one of the world’s top travel destinations. But that same popularity is sparking a deepening housing crisis, especially in cities like Madrid, Barcelona, and Valencia, where a surge in short-term rentals on platforms like Airbnb is squeezing out long-term residents.

The Spanish government is taking action. Earlier this month, the Ministry of Social Rights, Consumer Affairs and the 2030 Agenda demanded the removal of nearly 66,000 Airbnb listings that allegedly violate tourism accommodation laws. The move is part of a broader crackdown aimed at easing the pressure on locals who can no longer afford to rent or buy in their own neighborhoods.

The issue is not just economic but cultural. Residents complain that city centers are being hollowed out, turned into “theme parks” catering to tourists rather than locals. In Barcelona, activist Raquel Pérez expressed frustration over being pushed to share apartments or move out of the city entirely. “I am in favor of eliminating the licenses for tourist apartments and converting them into long-term rentals,” she said.

Official figures highlight the scale of the problem: Spain has over 400,000 tourist-use housing units, while the housing deficit is estimated at up to 450,000 dwellings. The situation has prompted the Madrid High Court to order the removal of 5,800 Airbnb listings in key regions including Andalucia, Catalonia, the Balearic Islands, and the Basque Country.

Airbnb, for its part, is fighting back—appealing the decisions and accusing the government of using “indiscriminate methodology” to target listings that may not require licenses. Still, even local governments are stepping in. Barcelona plans to end tourist apartment licenses by 2028, forcing more than 10,000 units back onto the local market.

The conflict has stirred debate not only among policymakers and property owners, but also among travelers themselves. Some, like tourist Lara Sorbili from Argentina, appreciate the convenience and affordability of Airbnb—but acknowledge the harm it causes. Others, like Deborah Murphy from Ireland, support tighter regulations: “There are so many hotels already available. You take housing away from people who could live there.”

As tensions rise, Spain is becoming a test case for how tourist-heavy destinations balance economic gains with housing access, local livability, and the right to the city.