Pensioners were shocked when a vacation spot began imposing fines on visitors who reserved sunbeds at a specific time each day. Near Valencia, Spain, local authorities reprimanded two elderly vacationers for saving spots on the beach before 8am. The two men, aged 75 and 80, were found not following the access and usage regulations of San Antonio Beach in Cullera, located about 25 miles from Valencia. Police were monitoring the area before 8am, which is a time when beach access is prohibited for cleaning purposes.
Both pensioners were reserving a spot on the sand near the shoreline, a practice explicitly forbidden by local laws. Officials emphasized that during certain months, reserving beach spots with umbrellas, towels, or other items, even if unattended, is prohibited. Offenders can face fines ranging from 300 to 750 euros, according to current rules, to ensure fair beach access, cleanliness, and order.
The council clarified that enforcing these rules aims to promote citizen coexistence and maintain the proper functioning of the essential public resource that is San Antonio Beach during the summer season. Prior to this summer, Valencia had warned of stricter enforcement of rules for both tourists and locals. Cullera’s coast is among many Spanish resorts dealing with issues of reserving beach spaces without use.
Efforts to combat the reservation of beach spaces, which has been a source of complaints, began in 2017 with municipal campaigns and specific ordinances. In the latest campaign, the council plans to intensify its crackdown, with fines ranging from 300 to 750 euros for minor violations and up to 3,000 euros for serious offenses.
British holidaymakers in Spain face a new ‘sunbed tax’ with fines exceeding £200 for reserving sun loungers at certain destinations. The crackdown is happening in popular areas like Barcelona and Costa Blanca due to numerous complaints about reserved sunbeds left unused for hours. Some tourists have voiced frustration, questioning the EU’s treatment of UK citizens and calling for change through peaceful means. Others support the fines, agreeing that hogging sunbeds is selfish and disruptive to other tourists.