SPAIN has long been a favorite holiday destination for Brits – but new rules across the country could now affect your trip.
To prevent visitors from making life difficult for locals, regulations have been put in place, ranging from drink limits to dress codes.
two
Here we go through a list of the changes and what they could mean for your trip to Spain this summer.
Drink Limits
In parts of the Balearic Islands, all-inclusive guests are limited to six drinks a day at their hotel resorts, to reduce public intoxication.
Previously, there were no limits on holidaymakers who paid for such packages, but the local government has implemented the change, with past disorderly behavior being an issue.
The rules apply to both Magaluf and Palma in Mallorca, as well as parts of Ibiza, meaning pub crawls and drink offers, such as two-for-one and happy hour, are also banned.
The sale of alcohol in shops is prohibited between 9.30 pm and 8 am.
to dance
In certain parts of Catalonia, authorities have banned dancing in beach bars, again to try to reduce drunken behaviour.
In the meantime, fireworks are banned at other beach spots, to prevent fires.
Football shirts
Restaurants in Mallorca’s Playa de Palma have enacted a dress code that locals hope will limit anti-social and drunken behaviour.
Football shirts are banned as part of the code, while going topless isn’t an option either.
Swimsuits and items purchased from street vendors will also avoid being served to customers, with some places posting QR codes on their entrances so guests can check the dress code.
swimwear in public
Playa de Palma is not the only place in Spain where swimwear is considered inappropriate.
Both Barcelona and Malaga have also banned tourists from walking the streets in bikini or swimming trunks without a top.
Fines of up to £300 can be handed out to rule breakers.
travel guides
The swimwear rule isn’t the only new regulation introduced in Barcelona as the city tries to maintain a certain image this summer.
City officials have also limited the number of people who can join tours to 15, to prevent the streets from filling up with visitors.
In addition, tours are only allowed to travel in one direction and are limited to 24 blocks.
Megaphones are also banned after complaints about noise nuisance from local residents.
urinate in the sea
The popular holiday resort of Vigo has banned peeing in the sea with fines of up to €750 (£640) for anyone caught.
The coastal region in northwestern Spain has issued the new warning banning urination “in the sea or on the beach”.
It is now a minor violation due to a health and hygiene risk meaning tourists will be fined if they break the rules.
barbecue
The beach may seem like the perfect place for a barbecue, but in certain parts of Spain you can be fined.
In San Pedro Del Pinatar, in Murcia, a fine of €1,500 could be the penalty for any seaside cook.
The medieval town of Salobreña also bans the use of barbecues on beaches and those caught breaking the rules will face a hefty €3,000 fine.
He and Stag have been warned of stricter rules in the Costa del Sol this summer, while several beaches in Spain have also imposed smoking bans on their beaches.
two