When most of us think about Magaluf, we think of people enjoying the sunshine, heading to the beach and having lots of fun drinking and partying. However, the Majorcan party spot has seen its popularity falter recently – and an eye opening video shows the sad reality of the once bustling spot.
Earlier this summer, empty sunbeds were spotted and bar owners admitted they were opening up later to cater for the new type of tourists they were receiving.
It’s believed the decline in crowds has been caused by the clamp-down on rowdy trousits. The infamous party strip went under the microscope when former Majorca politician, Jose Ramon Bauza, slammed Punta Ballena as “500 metres of shame”.
Bauza’s comments came after a teenage girl was tricked into performing sex acts for a supposed free holiday, only to receive a cocktail named ‘Holiday’. On top of this, fines reaching up to £50,000 were introduced for tourists caught balcony jumping.
Plus, in a crack down on ‘drunken tourism’, alchocol regulations were implemented. Not only were drinks dished out by all-inclusives pared back, £1,300 penalties for street drinking were implemented and there were mandatory night-time shutdowns of bottle shops.
It seems that all of these rule changes have had an impact on the number of people choosing to visit. And as a result, one toursist has shared the reality of what Magaluf looks like this summer.
Sharing a video on TikTok earlier this week, they questioned: “Has Magaluf Strip changed forever in 2025? Not what I expected in August 2025.”
The British woman, named Alex, has worked in the travel industry for over 20 years and lived in Majorca since 2005. The YouTuber, who boasts just short of 50,000 subscribers, admits she’s “absolutely passionate about promoting the island positively”.
However, she could not believe her eyes recently as she explored Magaluf.
She visited the vibrant area around 11pm and showcased how quiet it was while walking down the strip. The road, where taxis often drive down, also appeared empty most of the night.
Alex said: “I thought it would be a lot busier than this, I am quiet suprised to see Magaluf like this. It looks more like April… I can’t believe it. It’s not looking very busy at all.
There were a lot of security guards waiting outside bars, however Alex said they were “not needed really”.
She added: “Is this the way Magaluf is going?”
The Majorca local believes that Palma Nova could be “the new Magaluf” as she has observed this area being busier. However, she confessed it “still [isn’t] the crowds expected in August”.
On YouTube, people shared their thoughts about the way the party spot has changed. One said: “Back in the day, you wouldn’t be able to move in Magaluf in the peak summer months.”
Another observed: “Dead atmosphere, it’s a bit sad. It’s got an end of season feel about it. I remember going more than twenty years ago in August and the streets and bars were all packed.”
One other said: “Feel very sad to see the bars empty like that. If this continues a lot of bars will close the doors this season and not reopen next year.”
Another shared: “I repped there in 2008 for Thomas Cook in the hotel which used to be Majorca beach now Meliá south beach, we used to take 500 people onto the strip on bar crawl once a week, it used to be rammed.”
Others also confessed they’ve ditched Majorca in favour of destinations that are more affordable and tourist-friendly.
One said: “I’m going to Rhodes next Saturday. It costs less than half of what I’d have to pay in Majorca. And they welcome tourists.”