Britons face new restrictions on Spanish beaches

As British tourists arrive on the Spanish Costas this weekend they could be forgiven for feeling that — guaranteed sunshine aside — they have not left home. Despite being famous for its laid-back lifestyle, Spain appears to be developing the British obsession for health and safety.

Resorts across the country have introduced a host of rules and regulations about what one can and cannot do on the beach — from having sex to playing music, smoking, drinking and even what time to put up a sunshade.

In Salobrena, on the Costa del Sol, turning up the radio on the beach could result in a fine of €300 (£260). Having a barbecue requires the permission of the police — one week in advance and with a €70 deposit in case of damage — or offenders could face maximum fines of €3,000. Gustavo Aybar, the head of beaches, said the purpose of the regulations, which were introduced last month, was to ensure the “proper management of the coast”.



Similar regulations have been imposed in the neighbouring resort of Almunecar, which is popular with British tourists. In Valencia, the city council’s new regulations ban pets on the beach, playing music without headphones or putting up sunshades to mark one’s spot on the beach. The sale of alcohol is also restricted to authorised areas. Lourdes Bernal, of Valencia council, insisted that the authority was no spoilsport. “We are not going to fine people for having a beer,” she said.

In L’Escala, on the Costa Brava, the authorities have banned smoking on the beach. Anyone who lights up will get a police warning. In nearby Tossa de Mar, councillors introduced fines for having sex on the beach, provoking a night-time demonstration by locals.

In Benidorm, the resort that first inspired the Spanish tourism boom when it defied the Roman Catholic Church and allowed tourists to sport bikinis, the council wants to change its “sun and sangria” image. Authorities have closed the beach between midnight and 7am. Anyone found partying or having sex could face a €750 fine. Other costly pursuits include playing with a ball outside the specified zones (€120), putting up a sunshade early in the morning (€150), bringing pets (€250) and drinking or selling alcohol (€300).