A woman has told how her ‘beautiful’ Spanish neighbourhood has changed since she moved to the country eight years ago – and locals have started to become annoyed at the new residents
Christopher Sharp Trendswatch Reporter
16:51, 19 Aug 2025
A British expat has spoken about how life has changed in Barcelona(Image: Bloomberg, Bloomberg via Getty Images)
A British expat living in Barcelona has spoken out about the growing frustration among locals over the transformation of their neighbourhoods. Gemma Askham relocated to the popular Spanish city in 2017 due to her half-Spanish husband’s work and has resided there ever since.
The first six years were relatively uneventful, but a surge in expats, coupled with anti-tourism sentiment fuelled by the Southern Europe Network Against Touristification (SET) movement, has altered the local area.
The influx of foreigners and tourists to Barcelona has led to the economy adapting to their preferences and requirements, rather than supporting the locals.
While there has always been a fluctuating dynamic between expats and their adopted country, Gemma believes this was intensified following the Covid-19 pandemic.
In an article for Grazia, she noted: “In 2023, a street pedestrianisation project aimed at improving community life was completed. But there are now eight English-named brunch cafes within two blocks.”
British expats have spoken about how life has changed in Barcelona(Image: Getty)
Gemma also mentioned her 69-year-old neighbour, Toni Fontclara, who is “bemused” by people lining up at 11 o’clock in the morning for avocado on toast – “a dish not from the region, served at an unheard-of eating hour for the Spanish, with a menu in a language he doesn’t speak.”
Gemma isn’t alone in noticing the changing face of Barcelona, which has seen a decrease in tourists following years of anti-tourism protests.
Another British resident, also based in Barcelona, revealed that certain parts of the city had become significantly quieter, as visitors are being deterred from travelling there.
Laura, who has called the city home for two-and-a-half years, shared footage on social media earlier this month showing deserted streets, capturing just how tranquil they had become throughout the day.
She explained: “Day one of recording how quiet Barcelona is now the tourists don’t feel welcome. The businesses must be feeling it The streets are so quiet now. These businesses last year used to wake me up in the morning. One has just recently been renovated.”
Some expats Barcelona has quietened down due to reduced tourist numbers(Image: Getty)
The recorded footage demonstrates just how successful some of the demonstrations have proved, though opinions remain split regarding their objectives.
While certain campaigners have been urging visitors to leave, others maintain the demonstrations stem from a wish to safeguard residents, rather than alienate holidaymakers.
Professor Marina Novelli clarified: “Places like Lisbon, Venice and Barcelona are increasingly reduced to lifestyle backdrops where locals feel like strangers. The SET movement is about cross-border solidarity. Ultimately, it’s not anti-tourist, it’s pro-resident.”