In most algarve beaches, it is often seeing open umbrellas and towels extended in the area of lunchtime, while their owners take the opportunity to leave, many times for hours. This behavior, rooted in the habit of “marking place” next to the water, tends to be seen as a normal practice on Portuguese beaches. However, in several Spanish coastal areas, this seemingly harmless gesture is punished by law and can cost up to 750 euros.
According to the Spanish newspaper El Mundo, leave the umbrella or any other object to occupy space on the beach, without physical presence, configures an infringement that can be fined in different Spanish municipalities. Reason is that the beach is considered a maritime-terrestrial public domain, subject to common-use rules and safeguarding the safety of all users.
In Spain reserving place is illegal
According to the same source, the practice of placing the umbrella and being absent for long periods is no longer tolerated in locations such as Benidorm, Fuengirola, Malaga or Elche.
In these tourist destinations it is forbidden to occupy the sand before 8 or 9 am, or use marked areas for emergencies, cleaning or people with reduced mobility.
In Elche, for example, the police remove the equipment left in the early hours of the day. In Benidorm, the fine can reach the maximum value of 750 euros. In these cases, if the assets are collected by the authorities, the owner will still have to pay the removal and storage costs.
Other prohibitions that surprise tourists
It adds the publication that not all restrictions concern the use of umbrellas. On certain Spanish beaches, building sand castles or digging deep holes can be sanctioned, especially when the structures are left on site and represent a risk of accident.
In Nigraph, in Galicia, the high depth holes are expressly prohibited due to the danger of collapse or falls. On beaches with a faster, also group riding by the sea or playing the ball can give rise to fines whether to interfere with rest or access to water by other bathers.
Games, Tents and Structures: There are rules for everything
Municipalities also impose limits on the installation of tents or bulky structures in the area of the most close to the sea, especially in the moisten track of the Areal. These barriers can make it difficult to clean or block the path to the sea, and are the target of supervision.
According to the same source, even collective games, such as football or volleyball, are targeted. When they occupy excessive space or disturb the beach environment, they require prior authorization. In municipalities, such as Malaga, Marbella or Benidorm, these infractions can cost up to 3,000 euros. Already in Cadiz, letting abandoned objects or disturb other users with play is also subject to penalties between 100 and 750 euros.
Shared beach, clear rules
It refers to what the application of these measures aims to ensure the balanced use of the public space, ensuring that the leisure of some does not compromise the right to enjoy others. Although some standards may surprise, the goal is to avoid abusive use and improper appropriation of common areas, especially in the months of higher tourist affluence.
For the Portuguese who plan to cross the border this summer, it is worth reviewing the habits before extending the towel.
Also read:
