Holiday crackdown as Spanish hotspots target beach behaviour and boozy celebrations with hefty fines

Holidaymakers heading to Tenerife will have to stick to a raft of strict new rules when visiting some of the island's popular beaches and natural swimming pools.

Located in the north of the holiday hotspot, La Laguna is home to a historic old town recognised as a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

The municipality also boasts several beaches and natural pools, where visitors will now be banned from smoking and playing loud music.

Littering and camping are also prohibited on the beaches, while sound equipment can only be used in emergencies or during official events, the Independent reports.

Holidaymakers will also be forbidden from using hygiene products, including soap and shampoo, in public bathing areas and showers near the beaches and natural pools.

La Laguna City Council approved the new regulations on October 7, with those caught breaking the rules reportedly facing fines of up to €3,000 (£2,540).

Among the locations affected is Bajamar beach, a popular spot featuring natural seawater swimming pools, showers and changing facilities.

El Arenisco is a coastal bathing spot and beach in Punta del Hidalgo that falls under the regulations, as does La Barranquera in Valle de Guerra.

Jover is another area where the rules have been introduced. Located in Tejina, it boasts a natural pool.

There is also a shower that uses fresh water sourced directly from the nearby mountain. 

It is hoped the regulations will help improve 'accessibility, safety, and hygiene along its entire coastline', according to La Laguna Council.

The mayor of the City Council, Luis Yeray Gutiérrez, said: 'This document aims to improve our management capacity over these highly visited locations throughout the year, both by local residents and visitors, guaranteeing an ideal balance between the enjoyment of these bathing areas, the preservation of the marine environment and citizen coexistence.' 

Meanwhile, Ángel Chinea, Councillor for Beaches and Swimming Pools, added: 'Another fundamental aspect of this ordinance is that it establishes clear rules for the development of activities and the occupation of public domain, establishing a specific sanctioning regime based on the level of severity of the damage or impact generated in these environments of great landscape value.'

New rules have been proposed recently at another Spanish hotspot – Valencia.  

Millions flock to Valencia every year, many of whom to celebrate major life events – whether that's a birthday or getting married – and bring plenty of chaos with them. 

But the city council has drafted up new rules to tone down the antics once and for all, Olive Press reports.

Group gatherings for private celebrations could be banned from taking place on public streets between 10pm and 8am from Sunday to Friday. 

Meanwhile, on Saturdays and the eve of public holidays, this could be extended to 9.30am under the proposed regulations. 

Party goers not following the rules and allowing hen dos or birthday bashes to spill out onto the streets without permission from the council might find themselves landed with a fine of between €750 and €1,500.

Common characteristics of many stag or hen parties could be targeted under the new rules too. Sexual props, clothes or accessories that feature human genitalia and inflatable dolls in public spaces could all be banned.

Anyone caught with such items may also be landed with a proposed fine of up to €750.  

If the planned rules are introduced, it would make Valencia the first Spanish destination to target hen and stag dos specifically.