Protests Intensify in Albaicín Against Tourist Influx and Rising Rent. Residents of Granada’s historic Albaicín neighborhood are staging demonstrations against growing tourist pressure. Authorities and parties are debating new measures, but decisions are being delayed. The conflict is escalating on the eve of elections.
In Granada, a conflict is escalating between residents of Albaicín and the tourism industry. In recent months, this historic district, located opposite the Alhambra, has seen a sharp increase in complaints about mass tourism and the rise in short-term rentals. Local residents say that the influx of visitors and tourist apartments is making it difficult for them to reach their own homes, while traditional shops and services are being replaced by new businesses aimed at outsiders.
Pressure on the district
In the evenings, especially in May, dozens of tourists gather at the San Nicolás viewpoint to take photos with the Alhambra in the background. According to residents, streets and public transport are overcrowded, and sometimes it's impossible to pass through due to the crowds. New shops and cafes that are unrelated to local culture are opening in the area, puzzling even tourists from countries whose products are now sold here. Old establishments like Casa Pasteles or Bar Los Mascarones are trying to survive, but face market pressures.
Politics and laws
The Albayzín Habitable Association, which brings together about 400 residents, has become the center for organizing protests and dialogue with the authorities. Next week, it will hold a debate with leading parties to hear their proposals ahead of the Andalusian elections. In 2022, the Partido Popular won in Granada, and now the party is counting on strengthening its position. The city authorities have already tried to introduce new regulations to control tourist apartments, but the decision was annulled by the court on technical grounds. City Hall promises to revise the document, but residents consider these measures insufficient and are demanding more decisive action.
Economic and social consequences
Tourism remains a key sector for Granada and all of Andalusia: in 2025, the region was visited by nearly 38 million people. However, as revenues grow, social tensions are also increasing. In Albayzín, according to the association, the number of registered residents and tourist accommodations has already reached parity — 7,000 each. Many apartments are converted to tourist rentals after the previous owners pass away, and numerous key lockers appear on the doors. Some residents note that buses are overcrowded and getting home is becoming a problem.
Business under threat
Owners of traditional shops complain about decreased revenue and the closure of neighboring businesses. For example, in Plaza Larga, the last Covirán supermarket has closed, replaced by souvenir shops and trendy drink cafés. Some entrepreneurs fear their businesses won't survive the competition and may disappear in the coming years. Meanwhile, some pharmacy and restaurant owners believe tourism brings jobs and income to the city, but admit the balance between the interests of residents and visitors has been disrupted.
The issue of mass tourism and rising housing prices has become one of the main topics of the election campaign in Andalusia. Authorities have promised to resume discussions on a sustainable tourism law, which was not passed due to the dissolution of parliament. Residents of Albaicín continue to protest, fearing that the neighborhood will lose its historic character and become uninhabitable for permanent residents. Similar conflicts have already arisen in other cities of the region, such as those linked to administrative debts in Alhaurín el Grande, which affected the political career of the current head of the Junta—more about this can be found in the article about the fate of the Moreno Bonilla family and Andalusian politics.
