Abstract
The occupancy of public spaces for private purposes is causing increasing conflicts in several urban tourist destinations. Concretely, sidewalk cafes (which basically consist of tables and chairs) have become a matter of controversy. This research aims to compare both legal framework and factual occupancy concerning sidewalk cafes in urban tourist areas of two Spanish cities (Seville and Barcelona). Content analysis of the legal framework and fieldwork have been the main methods used. Results point to the limited capacity of city ordinances to restrain the increasing occupancy of public space. This phenomenon is more significant in the high-density areas of city centres but it is tempered in those areas where there is a specific regulation.