The historic Spanish city with 'too many tourists' - not Madrid or Barcelona

Spain is a tourism superpower, but locals are campaigning to reduce the number of visitors to some of the country's most popular cities. In May, many thousands of activists took to the streets of 14 hotspots across the country, including in the Canary Islands, to highlight what they say are negative concequences of overtourism, such as the impact of holiday homes, hotels and holiday rentals on rents and the supply of properties for residents, inequality and sewage outflows into the sea.

Organisers detailed that protesters would march in Bilbao from the Plaza Teatro Arriaga at 12pm on May 18. Campaigners said they have "made clear the rejection of the current economic model based on overtourism, speculation, inequality, and infinite growth on a very limited land". They added that "the struggle will be taken to key spaces of the predatory model: public events, political gatherings, and tourist symbols will become scenes of protest until real change is achieved".

Demands include a "real hotel and vacation mortorium", protection of natural spaces, and a "real" tourist tax, whose revenue is injected into conservation projects.

Large infrastructure projects, such as the expansion of roads, ports and airports, have also been slammed.

Why is Bilbao so popular?

Bilbao in Spain's northern Basque region has been described as a "fantastic city" that is "very easy to get around", thanks to its metro system.

Tourists are advised to visit the old town, and see the Guggenheim Museum of modern and contemporary art.

In addition, hopping around some pintxo bars, which serve small bites of food, is recommended.

A Reddit user has listed some bars and the food it is best to eat at them:

• Txiriboga for croquetas

• Melilla y Fez for pintxo moruno

• Motrikes for champiñón a la plancha

• Joserra for bocadillo de bonito

• El Globo for txangurro

• La Viña for montadito de jamón

Tripadvisor also recommends catching international opera stars at the Palacio Euskalduna, as well as walking around the historic neighbourhood of Casco Viejo.

Shoppers can enjoy spending some Euros at the Mercado De La Ribera.