British vacationers may incur significant penalties while enjoying their stays in Spanish resorts, due to the implementation of a new "sunbed tax."
Strict Sunbed Rules in Popular Spanish Resorts: What British Tourists Need to Know
British holidaymakers visiting Costa Blanca and Barcelona, among other popular Spanish destinations, should be aware of strict sunbed rules aimed at preventing sunbed reserving and overcrowding. These measures were introduced to address complaints about sunbeds being hogged by towels or belongings, leaving others without available spots.
Violating these rules can result in fines of up to €250 (£210) [1][3][5]. Items left on sunbeds before approximately 9:30 AM may be removed by authorities or hotel staff [1][5].
The new sunbed rules are part of a wider set of local laws in Spain focusing on controlling public behaviour, including smoking bans on beaches and restrictions on wearing swimwear away from beach areas [2].
In a recent incident at the H10 Salauris Palace in Salou, near Barcelona, a British couple, Jo and Martin, were outraged when they returned to find a stern warning card left on their towels after leaving their sunbeds for 30 minutes. They claimed that other hotel guests had left their spots unattended for several hours with no consequence [4].
The rush to claim limited loungers has resulted in 'stampedes,' heated arguments, and even physical fights between frustrated guests [6]. Some guests have taken legal action against hotels for failing to enforce sunbed policies [7].
Holidaymakers who leave their sunbeds unattended for over three hours could face fines and the removal of their belongings. Hotels have implemented measures such as time limits for unattended towels or a parking ticket-style system to manage numbers [8].
Council leaders in Calpe, Costa Blanca, have given local police authority to remove unattended sunbeds or towels left on beaches before 9.30am [9]. Brits have been urged by travel insurance comparison site, Tiger, to think twice before laying out towels on beaches in Spain due to potential hefty charges [10].
It's essential for tourists to respect these rules and the local beach and public conduct rules to ensure a peaceful and enjoyable holiday. Ignoring these rules could lead to fines and disrupt the holiday experience for everyone.
References:
- The Sun
- The Local
- Daily Mail
- The Mirror
- Guardian
- The Telegraph
- The Independent
- The Express
- The Local
- Tiger Travel Insurance
Tourists visiting Spanish resorts like Costa Blanca and Barcelona must be mindful of strict sunbed rules, including not leaving belongings on sunbeds before 9:30 AM, to avoid fines of up to €250. It is also crucial for tourists to respect other local laws related to beach and public conduct to maintain a peaceful and enjoyable holiday, as violating these rules could lead to fines and disrupt the experience for everyone.
