Ibiza youth occupy Cala Saladeta to demand limits on mass tourism

Approximately one hundred residents, coordinated by the Ibiza Youth Association, staged an occupation of Cala Saladeta beach to highlight the strain of overtourism on the island. Participants handed out watermelon slices while demanding that locals regain access to public beaches and coves, which they say have become dominated by wealthy tourists and famous partygoers. Their manifesto argues that one outlet tourism model inflates housing, food and other living expenses, making daily life precarious for islanders.

The protest references data showing nearly 1.2 million tourists visited Ibiza in the second quarter of 2025, swelling the population each summer. The group calls for the coves to be “clean and peaceful” again, emphasizing a desire for tranquility even during peak season. In response, Ibiza Island Council President Vicent Marí noted the island’s pioneering measures to curb tourist overcrowding.