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Date Published: 18/05/2022

Cover up: Tourists in Spain warned of fines for going topless

Many areas of Spain ban bikinis on the street and the authorities won’t hesitate to dole out hefty fines

The summer is well on its way and as temperatures heat up, thousands of tourists from the UK and the rest of Europe are preparing to pack their bags for a relaxing get-away to sunny Spain. According to easyJet, Spain is still the preferred destination for Britons and an estimated 30% of Brits plan to head to the Mediterranean country this summer.

But Spain is well known for some rather wacky rules and regulations, and tourists are advised to be aware of the local laws to avoid nasty fines on their trip.

1. Swimwear

With temperatures climbing steadily, most holidaymakers will be heading to the beach and stripping off to enjoy the sun and sea, but in Barcelona and the island of Mallorca, bikinis are strictly for the seaside.

Women wearing swimsuits and men going topless on the streets are prohibited, and carry fines of up to 300 euros. In some areas even walking from your car to the beach not fully dressed is banned, so it’s best to stay covered up until you hit the sand.

2. Smoking

Javea in Alicante has banned smoking on all its beaches, while Barcelona has also brought in the rule and the habit is also prohibited in many parts of the Balearic and Canary Islands.

Cigarette butts account for more than 30% of discarded waste along Spanish coastlines and most data suggests they take between 18 months and 10 years to decompose. Most beaches that ban smoking have provided designated areas but tourists caught lighting up where they shouldn’t face fines of up to 2,000 euros.

3. Shampoo and soap

Beaches across Spain provide showers and foot baths for bathers, but the use of shampoo or any kind of soap is strictly prohibited because of the risk it poses to marine life if it gets washed into the sea.

Using these chemicals at communal beach facilities can carry a penalty of up to 750 euros.

This ban is also in place at many tourist apartment pool areas, so it’s best to check the signs carefully before taking the chance.

4. Balconing

Balconing – the practice of jumping from a hotel balcony into the pool or climbing from the terrace to another apartment – is becoming more and more prevalent across Spain.

For some foreign tourists in Spain, this can even be fatal and as a deterrent, the Balearic Islands government has introduced a massive 60,000 euro fine for any caught balconing.

5. Alcohol

The Balearic Islands have been well publicised in its attempt to crack down on drunk and disorderly behaviour, limiting all-inclusive drinks packages and banning happy hour deals.

But many areas of Spain have their own ways of controlling alcohol consumption, and in Barcelona and Madrid tourists will be fined 600 euros if caught drinking on the streets. Large illegal parties are also a growing trend in holiday hotspots like Ibiza and anyone caught attending a gathering in an unlicenced premises can face a fine of up to 300,000 euros.

Image: Pixabay

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