Home to world-renowned landmarks like La Sagrada Família, a surrealist cathedral that looks like it’s built from a sponge, the Alhambra Fortress, one of Europe’s most impressive medieval castles, and endless miles of pristine Mediterranean coastline, Spain seems to be on everyone’s radar this summer.
Unless you’ve familiarized yourself with the 3 new rules for visiting, however, you may be in for a bit of a shock, or if you aren’t careful enough, even hefty fines.
And no, sir, we’re not referring to the upcoming travel permit Americans will need to visit Spain, and much of Europe in the near future, but rest assured, we will keep you on the loop on that one through our TOP Entry Checker.
In reality, Spain is tightening regulations within the country, and from this summer onward, you could get slapped with a $3,530 fine for drinking in public, and other seemingly innocent behavior:
Drinking In Public Is Against The Law
As the Managing Director of a hoppa noted, Spain has unveiled a slate of new travel regulations to counter the record levels of tourism expected this season.
They primarily impact rowdy tourists and troublemakers, but they also have the potential to affect good-intentioned visitors who have simply not been informed about the latest developments. If you get caught on the wrong side of the law here, you could be hit with fines between €1,500 and €3,000.
The first rule refers to public drinking: if law enforcers catch you drinking not only on the streets, but also in parks, and even ‘on benches’, you could be written one of those wallet-wiping penalties.
In places like Palma de Mallorca, a popular tourist destination for Americans seeking sun and culture this summer, alcohol can’t be sold between 9:30 pm and 8 am, not to mention the restrictions placed on happy hour deals.
No Crazy Partying
The second part of the crackdown focuses on public gatherings.
Listen, we know very few Americans are heading to Spain exclusively for bachelor/bachelorette parties, or how Brits call those, ‘stag and hen-dos’, but if you happen to be one of the very few who are flying all the way to Ibiza for an epic weekend of partying, you will want to reel it in a little.
No excessive noise, no loud music in public settings, and no disrupting the peace: in other words, don’t stroll down the main street arm in arm with your pals, looking hammered and belting out Mr Brightside. Oh, and definitely keep your clothes on.
Any individuals appearing ‘on the public thoroughfare’ without garments, or in their underwear, or with ‘accessories representing human genitals’—we guess funny-looking shirts with phallic prints are banned?—or ‘dolls or other accessories of a sexual nature’ could get fined.
A Range Of Beach Fines To Be Handed Out
Finally, if you’re heading to the beach in Spain this summer, be sure to check the local regulations, as they can vary significantly from one municipality to another.
In general, pets are not allowed on most beaches, with the exception of guide dogs, and fines of up to €3,000 can be distributed. Using soap and shampoo in beach showers is also prohibited across Spain, and doing so could result in a €750 fine.
Additionally, littering the beach will cost you between €750 and €1,000, and swimming while a red flag is up might set you back as much as €3,000.
These are universal rules that apply to most beaches in the country. However, in places like Benidorm and Malaga, there are additional restrictions: ‘reserving’ spots with towels or umbrellas can land you a fine of between €300 and €750.
In Valencia, sleeping overnight on the beach can cost you anything from €40 to €1,500, and if you’re planning on playing paddle tennis in Benidorm or San Javier, be prepared to pay up to €3,000 in penalties.
Pro Tip
Heading to Spain this summer?
There are many more aspects about Spanish culture you need to be sensitive to, such as local tipping practices, that are wildly different than those of America.
Lucky for you, with our new European Tipping Calculator, you can verify how much in tips you’re expected to leave, without upsetting anyone. Try it out for yourself here.
Vinicius Costa
Vini, our senior lead writer at Travel Off Path, has over 60+ countries under his belt (and currently weaving tales from Paris!), and a knack for turning off-the-beaten-path experiences into informative stories that will have you packing your bags.
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