Europe Cracks Down On Beach Behavior: Fines For Reserving Spots And Playing Music

If you’re one of those vacationers that rises early, drapes their towel across the best-placed sun lounger at the pool or beach, and then heads to breakfast, you might not be welcome in Spain.

Local councils in the southern European country are cracking down on beach spot hogging.

If you try to reserve your place early in the morning, you could face a fine and have your property removed.

It’s not the only European country getting tough on bad beach behavior. Here are the new rules for beachgoers on the continent.

Spain will fine tourists who reserve beach spots

Some municipalities in the coastal Alicante province of Spain are cracking down on those who reserve places on the beach.

Local authorities in the city of Benidorm, popular for its nightlife, have ruled that the first six meters before the shoreline should not be occupied at any time to allow people to walk by the water.

In nearby Calpe, beachgoers who set up umbrellas, chairs or hammocks before 9.30 am face a fine of up to €250.

The measure “prohibits the indiscriminate occupation of the public domain,” according to the council

Calpe authorities are also considering a ruling that will allow the removal of umbrellas or sun loungers left unattended for more than three hours at any time of day.

Local police or cleaning staff will be able to take away the beach equipment and transfer them to the Municipal Deposit.

For several years, Calpe city council has received “numerous complaints about the reservation of space on the beach during the summer,” as beachgoers arrive mid-morning to find meters of the sand occupied by empty loungers.

As well as irritating other beachgoers, setting up umbrellas and chairs early in the morning makes life difficult for beach cleaners.

Local councilor Pere Moll said the new rulings were imposed to “guarantee the work of the beach cleaners.”

You could be fined for listening to music on Portugal’s beaches

Meanwhile, authorities are cracking down on beachgoers playing loud music in Portugal.

Those using portable speakers to blast music could face fines of up to €36,000.

The restrictions were announced by the country’s National Maritime Authority (AMN) and prohibit the “use of sound equipment and noise-generating activities which, under the terms of the law, may cause discomfort.”

The fines range between €200 and €4,000 for individuals and between €2,000 and €36,000 for groups.

Numbers limited on Sardinia’s beaches

On the Italian island of Sardinia, beaches are fighting sand-stealing and overcrowding with number caps and entry fees.

The famed pink Spiaggia Rosa on Budelli island remains off-limits to visitors. Walking on the beach will land you a €500 fine, while anyone caught pillaging the sand could have to pay up to €3,500.

On the main island, beaches including Cala Brandinchi and Cala Mariolu are limiting the number of beachgoers permitted each day.

One of Sardinia’s most popular beaches, Pelosa, has limited visitor numbers to 1,500 a day and imposed a €3.50 entry fee.