Tourists jetting off to one of Spain’s sunny destinations should know about lesser-known rules that will land you a hefty fine.
A range of activities including swimming at night and playing loud music can see you part ways with hundreds of euros. The majority of fines are in place to help be more mindful of others whereas some are deterrents to participating in unlicensed activities.
The travel team at Slingo has put together a guide to rules for travelling to Spain in 2024 so that holidaymakers can enjoy the summer without stress.
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Night swimming
The city of Benidorm announced they will be charging tourists between £650 and £1,020 for going to the beach between midnight and 7am. That includes swimming in the sea or sleeping on the sand.
The people at Slingo said: “This rule has been introduced to reduce the risk of any swimming-related accidents during the times when lifeguards are not available. In order to not waste the resources of local emergency services, it’s best to keep your beach activities to the daytime.”
Mindful recreation
Taking your clothes off on a non-nudist beach could land holidaymakers a fine of £560. However, there are nudist beaches available in most Spanish holiday destinations, “so if you wish to sunbathe naked, there are places to do this respectfully”.
Drinking alcohol and smoking cigarettes on the beach in Benidorm also is strictly forbidden, with fines of £650 and £1,700 respectively. This is due to littering issues, as well as a concern for people’s health, Express reported.
Taxis
GOV.UK has warned British tourists to only use registered taxis in Spain this summer, as passengers caught travelling with unlicensed taxi services could get fines of up to 600 euros (£510).
The people at Slingo said: “This is due to transport risks, so make sure you book your taxi or airport transfer through a licensed firm.”
Noise pollution
Alicante has announced they will be issuing heavy fines for noisy tourists, from playing loud music on the beach to talking too loudly in your accommodation.
These regulations are tighter versions of rules the city council implemented in March 2019, and could cost Brits up to 30,000 euros (£25,667). Everyone wants to have a good time on holiday, but you can have fun and respect others at the same time.
Unlicensed parties
Slingo said: “If you’re travelling to Majorca or Ibiza this summer, be wary of where you’re partying. Authorities are closing in on any unlicensed or unruly parties and will issue a fine to anyone involved in the organisation and marketing of the event, as well as attendees. This could result in a £25,000 fine.”
These parties are usually held at villas and private homes, without the safety measures of emergency exits, capacity limits, and trained security staff that licensed bars have.
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