Tourists visiting Calpe, a town on Spain's Mediterranean coast, may face significant fines for reserving beach space. This new regulation aims to ensure fair access and maintain cleanliness on the beaches.
The town council issued a reminder that under the Municipal Ordinance of Use and Management of the Coast, beachgoers are prohibited from setting up chairs, hammocks, and umbrellas before 9 a.m. to avoid obstructing beach clean-up efforts. Violators risk having their belongings removed and facing fines of €250 (approximately $270).
Additionally, any beach items left unattended for more than three hours during the day are subject to removal. The council noted ongoing complaints from visitors who arrive mid-morning to find beach spaces already claimed with unattended belongings.
The problem of tourists reserving beach spots is also prevalent in nearby Benidorm, as reported by local news site Información.
Spain has seen a growing backlash against mass tourism. In Barcelona, authorities announced plans to ban apartment rentals to tourists by 2028 in response to housing cost issues and mass protests. Similar measures have been implemented in Ibiza and Mallorca, targeting party boats and public drinking. In the Canary Islands, residents protested against the impact of excessive tourism on housing affordability and the environment.
These measures reflect Spain's broader efforts to manage the impact of tourism on local communities and resources.
