Cala Saladeta became the setting for a major protest against mass tourism on Sunday, as around 100 people gathered to demand a change in Ibiza’s tourism model.

Organised by the Associació de Joves d’Eivissa, the demonstration took the form of a “Xindriada Popular” — a public gathering designed to reclaim one of the island’s most popular coastal spaces for residents.

During the event, protesters read a manifesto arguing that Ibiza is reaching its limits under the current tourism model and called for what they describe as tourism degrowth.

“The Island Is at Its Limit”

The central message of the protest was that Ibiza’s current level of tourism is increasingly affecting the everyday lives of people who live on the island.

The organisers pointed to the growing pressure on beaches and public spaces, as well as rising housing, food and general living costs.

They argued that the expansion of luxury tourism has benefited those able to afford it while making life increasingly difficult for younger residents trying to establish themselves on the island.

The group also criticised what it sees as the loss of local culture and identity from public spaces, arguing that Ibiza's traditions and landscape are increasingly being presented primarily as tourism attractions.

A Protest at One of Ibiza’s Most Popular Beaches

Cala Saladeta was deliberately chosen for the action.

The small cove near Sant Antoni is one of Ibiza’s best-known beaches and can become extremely busy during the summer season.

Protesters arrived early in the morning, laying out towels across the cove before gathering for the reading of their manifesto.

The organisers said the timing was intended partly to avoid the severe access and parking problems that regularly affect the area during the busiest hours of the day.

The message was clear: local residents want to be able to enjoy Ibiza's beaches and natural spaces during the summer too.

“We Want Our Calas Back”

One of the strongest demands from the group was the idea that Ibiza's coves should once again be accessible spaces for residents.

The organisers called for the island's beaches to be cleaner, calmer and less overcrowded, arguing that residents should not have to give up access to their own coastline during the tourist season.

Their criticism is not aimed simply at individual visitors, but at what they describe as an economic model that has allowed tourism to dominate an increasing share of life on the island.

Why Young Residents Are Speaking Out

The protest was particularly focused on the experience of Ibiza's younger generation.

The Associació de Joves d’Eivissa says young people face a difficult situation: tourism provides many of the island's jobs, but the same tourism-driven economy can contribute to high living costs and limited access to housing.

The group argues that young residents are increasingly unable to enjoy Ibiza in the same way as visitors because beaches, nightlife, accommodation and other spaces are shaped around the tourism economy.

In their view, the issue is therefore not simply the number of tourists, but the balance between tourism and the quality of life of people who live on Ibiza all year round.

The Group Wants Tourism Degrowth

Rather than calling for further tourism growth or greater efforts to spread visitors throughout the year, the protesters are demanding a different approach.

The group has explicitly rejected the idea that desestacionalización, or extending the tourist season, is the answer.

Instead, it is calling for “decrecimiento turístico” — tourism degrowth — arguing that Ibiza does not need more visitors during the winter and already receives too many during the peak summer months.

This represents a significant challenge to the traditional strategy of extending Ibiza's tourism season and increasing visitor numbers outside July and August.

Airport Expansion Also Targeted

The Cala Saladeta protest is not expected to be the group's final action.

The Associació de Joves d’Eivissa has announced plans for another protest focusing on the proposed expansion of Ibiza Airport.

The group sees the airport project as directly connected to the wider debate about the island's tourism model and the number of visitors Ibiza can accommodate.

The campaign therefore appears to be developing into a broader movement focused on tourism, housing, public spaces, infrastructure and the future of the island.

A Growing Debate About Ibiza’s Future

The demonstration at Cala Saladeta reflects a debate that has become increasingly visible across Ibiza and other popular Mediterranean destinations.

Ibiza's economy depends heavily on tourism, which provides employment and generates significant economic activity. At the same time, the island faces growing concerns around housing affordability, congestion, overcrowding and pressure on infrastructure and natural spaces.

For many residents, the question is becoming less about whether Ibiza should have tourism and more about what kind of tourism the island can realistically sustain.

The young protesters at Cala Saladeta are calling for a fundamental rethink of that balance.

Their message is that Ibiza should remain a place where people can not only visit, but also live, afford to stay and enjoy their own island.

The debate is unlikely to disappear as the 2026 summer season comes to an end.