On Friday, July 25, 2025, authorities on Mallorca were forced to close the tunnel of Sóller due to severe traffic congestion, mirroring a situation that occurred the previous day. The closure aimed to prevent a complete gridlock within the municipality, as vehicles attempting to enter the town created queues stretching over seven kilometers back to Raixa, according to reports.
The escalating traffic problems are occurring as Mallorca anticipates potentially inclement weather, prompting tourists to shift their focus from coastal areas to villages in the Serra de Tramuntana mountain range. This influx of visitors is exacerbating existing concerns about tourism saturation and its impact on local infrastructure and residents’ quality of life.
The situation in Sóller has been building for years. According to municipal data from April 2025, the town’s roughly 3,000 registered vehicles are overwhelmed by as many as 20,000 vehicles during peak tourist days. Residents have expressed increasing frustration, fearing they will be unable to exit or return to their homes due to the constant congestion. The closure of the Sa Mola tunnel on April 16, 2025, served as an early warning sign of the challenges to come during the high season.
The congestion isn’t limited to Sóller. Images released in late July 2025 depict widespread saturation on major roads across Mallorca, highlighting the broader strain on the island’s transportation network. The issue has sparked debate about the balance between economic benefits derived from tourism and the environmental and social costs borne by local communities.
The growing discontent among residents has fueled calls for action. A demonstration, planned for May 25, 2024, under the slogan “Mallorca no se vende” (Mallorca is not for sale), signaled a recent level of organized opposition to mass tourism and the resulting housing shortages. The protest reflects a wider trend of resistance to overtourism seen in other parts of Spain, including the Canary Islands.
As of August 2025, the tourism sector remains the cornerstone of the Balearic Islands’ economy, with approximately twenty tourists for every resident. However, this reliance on tourism is accompanied by increasing pressure on resources, including beach capacity and road infrastructure. The long-term sustainability of this model is increasingly questioned as the island struggles to cope with the demands of a growing number of visitors.
The Consell de Mallorca has not yet announced any long-term solutions to address the recurring congestion issues. Further closures of the Sóller tunnel are anticipated as the peak tourist season continues.
