Spain holidays

Swimming has been banned at certain beaches in theBasque region of the North of Spain after Portugese man o’ war stung swimmers, landing at least two people in hospital

Sunseekers have been banned from swimming on some beaches after a spate of Portuguese man o’ war stings.

On Thursday alone, seven people received nasty stings from the jellyfish-like animal, bringing the total number of people hurt by the creatures’ 10-metre-long tentacles in Bizkaia this past week to 14. Overall, 36 swimmers have been stung in the Basque Country in the past week.

The warm summer waters of the north of Spain and southwest of France are particularly welcoming to man-o’-war, which aren’t actually jellyfish but siphonophores, a group of animals that are closely related to the blobby critters. The man o’ war invasion comes after multiple giant “alien” jellyfish were found washed up on a British beach, causing concern among the country’s barefoot beachgoers.

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This week, several people required medical attention from Osakidetza’s Emergency Service at the scene of the incident, with two being sent to the hospital for treatment.

The Basque Government’s Department of Health explained that swimming is generally best avoided if jellyfish or Portuguese man o’ war are present, and touching them, even if they are on the sand, is not recommended. In the event of a sting, it is advisable to go quickly to the first-aid station, not scratch or rub the area, and clean the area with seawater, never fresh water.

Debris should be removed with tweezers, not with your hand unless wearing gloves. It is also advisable to apply cold or ice in a plastic bag to the area for five minutes.

A series of measures are currently in place at beaches in the area, ranging from the display of a yellow ‘jellyfish’ flag warning of their presence to a total ban on swimming, which is communicated via a red flag.

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Over in the UK, Joel Gabirel, an engineer and amateur photographer, shared pictures of the creatures after he stumbled across them while on holiday in Llandudno, Wales. The 31-year-old was out for an early morning walk along the coast when the tide was out, when he spotted what he calls “danger pancakes” blending into the sand.

“Jellyfish are already dead by the time you find one. They’re 95% water and dehydrate within minutes of washing ashore. They’re basically a digestive system with some tentacles. They don’t have a brain. But they can still sting. Seeing the jellyfish and their sizes really surprised me,” he said.

Joel said he didn’t even spot the larger ones at first because he thought they were rocks. The beachgoer seems to have stumbled across several different types of jellyfish. The species with straight lines running from its peak down to its edge appears to be a compass jellyfish.

“With brown markings reminiscent of a compass, this jellyfish is really quite distinctive. A summer visitor to our shores, the compass jellyfish feeds on small fish, crabs and even other jellyfish. They give a nasty sting, so if you spot them during a visit to the beach – look, but don’t touch! Once they have stung something, jellyfish often leave the tentacle behind and can continue to sting using it even when not connected to their body,” the Wildlife Trust explains.

A British tourist has slammed holidaymakers as “selfish” after capturing crowds of people sprinting to reserve sunbeds at a Spanish hotel – and she never got to use one herself

A British holidaymaker claims the sunbed scramble at her Spanish resort was so ruthless she didn’t manage to nab a lounger during her entire week-long break.

Adele Gough, 35, watched in amazement as fellow guests gathered by the pool gates at 9am before sprinting forward and flinging towels onto sunbeds. She watched the frantic scenes at the four-star GHT Oasis Park Hotel in Lloret de Mar, Spain, last week,

Adele, a hotel cleaner from Great Shefford, Berkshire, found the behaviour so “selfish” she refused to take part – and didn’t manage to secure a lounger throughout her entire getaway. She said: “At first I found it all pretty funny and typical of holiday-goers. It was entertaining to watch. But I do think it’s a bit selfish, as most of the sunbeds just sat there with a towel on them all day.” Adele is speaking out after a couple watched a hotel worker come close to being trampled.

Have you been swept up in a sunbed battle? We’d love to hear your war stories. Email [email protected]

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Adele, who was marking her birthday on the trip, said there weren’t any obvious regulations about bagging sunbeds, which she reckons sparked the frantic dash each morning.

Rather than waste her mornings queuing and sprinting, Adele opted to avoid the sunbed battle altogether. She said: “There weren’t any signs or rules posted anywhere around the hotel so all people could do was wait until the lifeguards opened the gates and then rush in. I decided not to bother so I didn’t end up using the sunbeds at all this holiday.”

Adele is not the only sunseeker who has found herself swept up in the sunbed wars.

Mark Hunter was shocked to see the chaos unfold from his hotel balcony. The 38-year-old watched on as determined holiday-goers raced for a lounger with their towels in tow as the pool gates opened.

One woman tripped over a chain barrier near the edge of the frame but quickly recovered, while others weaved past her in the dash. Mark was particularly surprised to see children pushed and jostled in the desperate rush for a prime pool spot. The madness unfolded after a tourist related their surprise at how empty the sunbed scene was at their resort in Spain.

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Mark, a corporate manager from Ireland, filmed the clip at Hotel Playas de Torrevieja at around 9.54am on Friday (2 Aug), while on holiday with his wife Tara and their son Jake.

“I was shocked to see grown adults reduced to scrambling for sun beds,” he told Luxury Travel Daily. “It is exactly the same every morning — there are grown adults pushing past children to get a sun bed by the pool.”

After watching the chaos unfold, Mark’s 12-year-old son asked if he could take part the next morning. He added: “My little boy did want to be involved in the chaos the next morning as he thought it looked fun. We did let him queue and he was the fastest to a sunbed!”

Mark shared the clip on TikTok, where it has left viewers stunned with over 2,400 likes so far.

The nine devices have been placed around the city to count the number of visitors around the Barri Vell and map their routes across the city using mobile devices

Spain has ramped up its monitoring of UK tourists by installing nine detectors in the tourist haven of Girona‘s Old Town – a famed Game of Thrones filming location and one of Catalonia’s most distinctive Medieval quarters – to keep tabs on visitor numbers.

The local council has rolled out a network of sensors designed to tally the influx of sightseers around the Barri Vell and track their movements throughout the city via mobile devices.

Armed with mobile phone signals, the nine gadgets can discern whether passersby are Girona residents or out-of-towners, as confirmed by officials in this European Union holiday favourite. The tech is also savvy enough to tell if someone is staying overnight in the city or just popping in for a few hours. It other similar news, a warning to Brit tourists planning all-inclusive holidays to Spain.

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“We will be able to adapt events to see if one area needs more promotion than another and to improve the balance between locals and visitors,” Gemma Geis, Girona’s deputy mayor, explained to the Catalan News Agency (ACN).

Key locations such as the Barri Vell, Independència Square, Santa Clara Street, and Catalunya Square are under surveillance, along with spots like the History Museum and the Tourism Office on La Rambla, reports Birmingham Live.

“Knowing the routes people take per day and hour will also allow local authorities to adapt events so residents’ daily lives can be more compatible with visitors,” Geis elaborated.

READ MORE: Warning to Brits who risk £2,500 fines in Spain for common holiday mistakes

Girona, nestled in the Costa Brava, is a huge hit with British holidaymakers. The charming inland town is characterised by TUI as a place where “pretty, pastel-coloured buildings edge the river Onyar.” Near Girona, there are other popular towns offering stunning views and a vibrant atmosphere. Quiet during the winter, they all become lively during the summer. These include: Cadaqués, Roses, Figueres, Castelló d’Empúries, and Empuriabrava.

The airline, which competes with the likes of Easyjet, Jet2, and Ryanair, further suggests: “But for a taste of city life, head for Barcelona.”

TUI continues to describe the allure of Catalonia’s stylish capital, noting: “Catalonia’s trendy capital doesn’t do anything by halves, with its surreal Gaudi architecture, fashionable shops, and cobbled Gothic quarter.”

According to Newsletter Costa Brava, the province of Girona welcomed a total of 8.5 million tourists during the summer months of June, July and August. The town offers the perfect blend of history, culture and scenic beauty, catering to all types of travellers – and of course, it is one of the main filming locations for the well-known Game of Thrones.

Brits heading on summer holidays to the likes of Italy and Spain are being warned of strict dress code rules especially when it comes to wearing swimwear in public

Brits planning to hit the beach or pool on their holidays may want to take note of some strict swimwear rules, or risk a potential £425 fine for wearing their bikinis.

In recent years, a number of holiday hotspots including Italy and Spain have clamped down on dress codes for both locals and tourists, when it comes to bikinis and swim shorts.

Italian hotspot Sorrento has banned the wearing of swimwear outside of beaches and pools, with authorities arguing that the move upholds public decency and respect for locals. The rules have been in place since 2022, and anyone flouting the restrictions could face a fine of up to €500 (approximately £425). It comes as Brits have been issued a stark warning about the habit that could land them a prison sentence while abroad.

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It’s worth noting that you’re not going to get a fine if you’re walking around your hotel or beach club, or if you’re on the beach itself. The crackdown is in place to stop people then heading out to the town and trying to enter shops and restaurants in just their swimming attire. The ban doesn’t just apply to swimwear; it also applies to visitors who walk around the town topless.

It’s not just Sorrento that has this dress code in place. For tourists heading on Spain holidays to the likes of Barcelona and Majorca, similar restrictions apply. People can only wear their swimwear on the beach or poolside, but if they head out to the towns then they could be slapped with a fine. In Barcelona that can be up to £260, while in Majorca that can be up to £500. Like Sorrento, this also applies to men walking around topless.

There are other European holiday spots where dress codes are in place. For example, tourists heading to Greece have been warned to consider the shoes they wear carefully.

At historic sites including the Acropolis in Athens, shoes such as high heels are banned because they can damage the landmarks. The ban has been in place since 2009 as part of preservation efforts.

In fact, a statement on the Acropolis website explains: “Most types of shoes are allowed at the Acropolis, except for high heels that have been forbidden in 2009 at all of Greece’s ancient monuments. The ban was put in in place due to the damage that the sharp soles were adding to Greece’s ancient sites.” If you want to visit and you’re wearing heels, you could risk being denied entry to the site. Rule-breakers face fines of around €900 (£771).

Do you have a travel story that you want to share with us? Email us at [email protected]

Valencia, Alicante, Madrid, Barcelona, Seville, Malaga, Ibiza, Palma, Girona, Tenerife South, Lanzarote and Santiago airports are due to be impacted by workers downing tools over the coming weeks

Brits heading for Spain are facing more travel chaos as 3,000 striking workers target 12 airports.

Valencia, Alicante, Madrid, Barcelona, Seville, Malaga, Ibiza, Palma, Girona, Tenerife South, Lanzarote and Santiago airports are due to be impacted by workers downing tools over the coming weeks, which are among the busiest travel weeks of the year.

The strikes involve more than 3,000 Azul Handling baggage handlers and are due to kick off on August 15, 16, and 17, and then every Wednesday, Friday, Saturday, and Sunday until the end of the year. By law, the workers have to provide a “minimum service” yet to be determined, but the action could still have a major impact on travellers.

Azul Handling provides baggage handling services to Ryanair at its Spanish bases. The strikes have been announced after hospitality workers on 12 Spanish islands revealed their own walk-out plans.

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The industry action will coincide with the long bank holiday weekend at the end of August and the days before most children return to school, potentially spelling major headaches for UK holidaymakers. Around 18 million Brits head to Spain each year, with the bulk of those trips coming during the school holidays.

The strike will affect all bases and work centres in Spain and will take place between 5am and 9am, noon and 3pm and 9pm to 11.59pm. The union has said its decision to strike is based on what it sees as a lack of stable job creation and consolidation of working hours for permanent part-time staff, as well as a disagreement with bosses over bonuses.

It has also claimed there are issues with how workers are sanctioned and what it sees as an “abuse of overtime”. The strike is motivated by sanctions imposed on workers who refuse to work non-mandatory hours, with penalties of up to 36 days without employment or pay.

“UGT regrets having to go to these extremes and all the damages that may occur, for which the direct responsibility will be solely and exclusively the company and its reckless action with the workforce,” the unions said in a statement.

Jose Manuel Perez Grande, federal secretary of the FeSMC-UGT Air Union, claimed Azul Handling maintains “a strategy of precariousness and pressure on the workforce that violates basic labour rights and systematically ignores union demands.”

The FeSMC-UGT Air Sector demands that the company withdraw the sanctions, comply with the opinions of the Joint Commission and immediately open a real negotiation process, which will improve the working conditions of the more than 3,000 workers affected throughout the national territory.

A Ryanair spokesperson said: “Ryanair does not expect any disruption to our operation as a result of these third-party handling strikes in Spain.”

A travel blogger has admitted his latest trip to Spain has ‘completely changed’ how he sees the country after he visited one little-known town he claims is the ‘Cuba of Europe’

A seasoned traveller has admitted his latest European adventure has “completely changed” how he sees Spain, prompting him to ask why nobody had ever told him about a little-known town before. Rob Adcock, who documents his worldwide trips on TikTok, shared his experience after visiting an Atlantic coast city he believes should be talked about more.

Heading through the destination‘s sun-kissed streets, Rob gushed that he felt “like an extra on a movie set”. He revealed: “Someone described it to me as being like the ‘Cuba of Europe’ and they are not wrong – because my camera roll has never taken such a beating.”

Teasing his followers by refraining from giving away its location at first, Rob offered shots of the city’s historic buildings, al fresco dining options and coastal backdrop.

“It’s by the sea so it’s that little bit cooler than the other cities around it,” he said. “And it’s not an expensive place – it’s the perfect mix of a city and a beach break.”

Rob added that accessibility is great, noting that “you can walk everywhere” as “nothing is too far”, which enabled him to get around on foot rather than shelling out for expensive taxi journeys.

“The nearest airport is a £4 train ride and you can fly here through Skyscanner for just £34 in the middle of summer,” he said, sharing a screenshot of an online flight booking as proof.

Rob confessed: “I couldn’t have told you anything about this place before I got here, but now I will not stop whanging on about it to anyone who will listen.”

But where is this haven? “Get it in the chat,” he urged. “[Tell them] you’re going to Cadiz for the weekend.”

Writing in response, one TikTok user revealed they were equally as impressed: “I was there for a day’s stop on a cruise. Went nuts taking pics of old doors. Fell in love with the place.”

A second person noted: “The fish market is amazing too, great bars and restaurants nearby to eat all the delicious seafood and the chicharron de Cadiz is so yummy with a glass or two of Manzanilla or Fino.”

A third praised the content: “Thanks this looks amazing and right up my street.” Whilst a fourth shared: “Great surfing there!”

Cadiz is the southernmost point of mainland Spain and mainland Europe.

The city’s dedicated tourism website states: “Its location has determined its clear maritime vocation and its exclusive dedication to the sea since the earliest days of its founding. Considered the oldest city in the West, the Phoenicians, Greeks, Romans, and Arabs all passed through here, and Spain’s first democratic Constitution was drafted here.”

It adds: “The city, popularly known as the “Silver Cup”, has an unmistakable seafaring flavour, and highlights the grace and hospitality of its inhabitants, as demonstrated by its famous carnivals; very interesting monuments such as the Cathedral , the Walls, the Parish of Santa Cruz, the Genovés Park, the Puerta de la Caleta, etc.

“All of them places of undoubted charm, to which we must add its gastronomy and its famous and beautiful beaches, such as La Caleta, Santa María del Mar, or La Victoria.”

Some restaurants in Spanish holiday hotspots like Majorca, Malaga and Zaragoza are reportedly taking on the rule

Brits jetting off to Majorca for their summer holidays need to be aware of a new rule being rolled out in some restaurants across the Spanish island, according to reports. If tourists are planning to treat themselves to a dinner as a group, a typical request is now being ‘banned’.

The Majorca Daily Bulletin reported that holidaymakers considering splitting the bill at restaurants will be in for a shock in certain spots. Juanmi Ferrer, president of the CAEB Restaurants Association in Mallorca, was quoted as explaining that some dining establishments are starting to stop customers from settling the bill separately.

Ferrer said: “There is one bill per table, and it is up to the customers to deal with the payment. Some don’t want to pay for the wine, others specifically ask to pay for their dish. This gets complicated for the staff, and there can be items that no one is charged for. It is time-consuming and even more so if the bill doesn’t add up.”

In an era where tapping your bank card is quicker and more convenient than counting cash, dividing up a dinner tab usually leads to extra hassle for the staff, as opposed to guests doing the maths with cash in hand. Ferrer noted in the report that “only 30-40%” of diners opt to pay with bank notes and coins in 2025.

Ferrer highlights that the hassle of settling bills just piles onto the already tough workloads of restaurant workers. This is made even worse by a staffing shortage, an effect from the pandemic, it is claimed, that continues to plague the hospitality sector, reports Wales Online.

The “one table, one bill” rule is gaining traction in Spain. Holiday hotspots like Zaragoza, Málaga, and parts of Barcelona are adopting the policy, as reported by Euro Weekly.

Restaurants are implementing this approach in two main ways. Either, outright banning the splitting of bills, or permitting it but imposing a surcharge for each card transaction, usually between €1 and €2.

A Zaragoza restaurateur reportedly started this practice after finding it too time-consuming to process multiple payment requests simultaneously. This became particularly problematic during peak seasons like summer, when tourist numbers swell.

Is this allowed and what can I do when eating out?

Spanish legislation doesn’t specifically mention that businesses have to accommodate split payments, so restaurateurs are at liberty to set their payment policies. So, in essence, yes. Spanish restaurants can legally decline to split bills, provided they communicate their policy upfront through menu notices, visible signage and verbal explanation.

Plan how you’ll settle the bill before sitting down to dine to avoid any hassle. Discuss with your group whether to pool cash together or nominate one person to foot the bill and sort out transferring via bank transfer later.

If possible, ask for separate bills when you order. This helps the restaurant in managing payments more efficiently from the outset. Splitting bills can put additional strain on busy staff, so your patience and understanding will be appreciated.

Is Majorca the same as Mallorca?

Majorca and Mallorca are two names for the same island. “Majorca” is how you spell it in English, whereas “Mallorca” is the spelling in Spanish and Catalan, which is the official name. Both names are used interchangeably, but Mallorca is the more widely accepted and technically accurate term.

A British man living in Benidorm has claimed the party city may be ‘finished’ after witnessing its surprising ’emptiness’ this summer, and people claim it’s all down to cost

A British expat living in Benidorm has claimed the renowned party city is “finished” as tourists are being “priced out,” with some claiming they are instead flocking to a more affordable destination. Harry Poulton, a TikTok influencer known for sharing his travel advice on the Spanish resort, suggested in a recent video that Benidorm might be “finished” after noting the streets this summer appeared more empty than usual.

In a clip which has racked up over 125,000 views, hints at the city’s rising costs as a potential reason for its decline. “[Is] Benidorm finished? Where is everybody? It’s the middle of July, and it’s absolutely dead,” he noted.

The 24-year-old, originally from Brighton, remarked: “Normally at this time of year, Benidorm’s mentality – it’s busy, there are people absolutely everywhere,” according to Luxury Travel Daily. Harry added that he’d just been down to the beach, and there was simply nobody around.

“I’ve been down the Benidorm strip; hardly anyone there. Bars [aren’t] even that busy – what’s going on? Is everyone going to Tenerife now? I’ve only been away a week.”

Harry also expressed his astonishment at the lack of crowds, noting that even during usual peak hours around 7pm, the streets remain deserted.

His observations have sparked a flurry of theories among TikTok viewers, one of whom commented: “Have to say hotels are getting more and more expensive. Crazy prices.”

Meanwhile, a different user suggested where all the missing tourists might be. “Everyone is going to Salou, Spain,” they said. A third person agreed: “It’s got too expensive.”

A fourth individual lamented: “People are fed up with being robbed, mate [sic].”

Meanwhile a fifth TikTok user expressed: “Getting too expensive. Used to be my go-to holiday. However, I cannot afford Benidorm this year. Other Spanish places half the price.”

In a separate video, meanwhile, Harry reiterated his frustration with the rising costs in the city. The content creator asserted: “Benidorm is getting expensive. Everything this year has gone so much more than last year. I’m not the only one that feels this way.”

Reacting to a follower who had spent nearly £1,000 for a week’s stay in a single room, Harry sympathised: “Ouch, that’s got to hurt. Don’t get me wrong – eating out, drinking, all those sorts of things are still very reasonable, especially price-wise compared to the UK.

“Everything has got really expensive; not just in Benidorm, but in general.”

And he concluded, reflecting: “Is Benidorm falling off? Or is it just the world in general? Mad, really – what are holidays? What’s a cheap holiday now?”

Brits abroad have been warned to brace for more summer holiday protests from anti-tourists, meanwhile.

The Southern European Network Against Touristification (SET) group, already revelling in the widespread disruptions caused on a Europe-wide day of action on June 15, is threatening there is more disruption to come. In a strong statement they said: “Common sense is changing.

“The myth of tourism as economic salvation is over. Touristification is no longer a problem perceived by a few. It has become a widespread concern across generations, social classes, cities and regions. And this is just the beginning.”

The group added: “Given the situations we are witnessing everywhere, there is no doubt that more actions and mobilizations will take place here and there this summer, much like there might be more anti-touristification actions on 27th September for World Tourism Day. The struggle against touristification is growing, expanding, and is being organized. Because our lives are worth more than their profits.”

Llucmajor, a district in the south of the Balearic island, has found itself facing Birmingham-levels of uncollected waste, with residents complaining of terrible smells and rats

Residents in part of Majorca have become overwhelmed by great piles of stinking rubbish.

Llucmajor, a district in the south of the Balearic island, has found itself facing Birmingham-levels of uncollected waste. Great mounds of mouldy food, household rubbish, and general gunk have been building up in the streets.

The roasting hot southern Spanish weather is making things worse, as the sun heats up the black sacks, turning them into putrid whiff bombs. This is a particular problem in a neighbourhood that is home to a large poultry farm, controversial not just because of the intense pong of hot chicken waste, but also due to allegations that the animals live in poor conditions.

“This is not an isolated case. We residents are tired of excuses and the lack of response. We demand immediate solutions,” one resident told the Majorca Daily Bulletin.

READ MORE: Huge boost for Brits as five-months of airport strikes come to an end

Others have complained that the situation is not new and that Llucmajor has suffered such unpleasantness for far too long.

PSOE spokesperson Jaume Oliver said: “In Arenal, the population doubles starting July 15 due to tourists and second-home residents. The town hall knows that the same thing happens every year, and yet they don’t increase services. We are not ruling out taking legal action against the town hall.”

Another resident blamed a “systematic failure of the waste collection service” for not dealing with the rubbish build-up. “With this heat, the smell is unbearable, and at night there are tons of rats. It’s disgusting and scary,” they told Crónica Balear.

“We have been experiencing collection failures for months, but what has happened in recent days has surpassed all limits.”

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According to local reports, the council’s contracts with waste collection companies expired in May. The town hall has said that there will soon be a tender for the service. “In the meantime, FCC is obliged to provide the service until a new contract is awarded. The company is having problems with trucks and sick workers. In some areas, it is using leased vehicles.”

The situation in Llucmajor is similar to that in Birmingham, where residents are dealing with the consequences of more than 100 days of strikes by the city’s refuse collectors.

The Mirror’s Sanjeeta Bains visited Brum in June, stopping off at Balsall Heath, an inner-city area. There she found “a horrifying trail of stinking rubbish including food waste from local takeaways lying just yards from people’s front doors.”

“Flies swarmed around half-eaten burgers and dirty nappies, and even after getting back in the car, there was no escaping the foul smell. I had to fight the urge to drive home and get straight into the shower. And to make things worse, brazen fly-tippers have been emboldened to take advantage of the council chaos.”

Often caused by unfamiliar local rules or simple mistakes, a holiday fine can quickly turn an enjoyable break into an expensive ordeal. Make sure you know the rules and don’t get caught out

More and more Brits are being slapped with fines when abroad, with many falling victim in one country in particular.

Recent research by Ski Vertigo found that nearly 30% of British holidaymakers receive at least one fine during their trip each year. Often caused by unfamiliar local rules or simple mistakes, these fines can quickly turn an enjoyable holiday into an expensive ordeal.

Perhaps unsurprisingly, given the number of Brits who head there each year and the country’s love of rules, Spain is the place where UK tourists are currently getting fined the most. Fines in Spain often relate to issues such as littering, smoking in prohibited areas, parking violations, and failure to follow beach rules. Many tourists unintentionally break these regulations because they differ significantly from what is allowed in the UK.

READ MORE: Huge boost for Brits as five-months of airport strikes come to an end

Here are some of the laws in Spain you might find yourself accidentally breaking, and the fines you’ll face if you do:

• Leaving rubbish in public spaces: fines up to €600 (£520)
• Smoking near children or in no-smoking zones: fines range from €30 to €600 (£26 to £520)
• Parking in restricted areas or without proper permits: fines start at €80 (£70)
• Ignoring local signage about behaviour on beaches or in parks: fines vary, but can be as much as €200 (£175)
• Throwing away bus tickets before reaching the destination: €100 (£87) in destinations such as Madrid and Barcelona
• Drinking in public places: fines vary based on location, but can reach €600 (£521)
• Pet restrictions: many public spaces have limitations on pets; fines can exceed €500 (£430) for violations
• Wildlife protection: disturbing wildlife or disrupting protected areas can also result in substantial penalties

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Ski Vertigo suggests several practical tips for UK tourists to avoid fines while abroad:

• Always dispose of litter in designated bins
• Follow local smoking regulations carefully
• Check parking rules before leaving your vehicle
• Respect local customs and signage, especially on beaches and in protected areas

Michele Massa, CEO of holiday rental agency Ibiza Summer Villas, said: “The increase in travel fines across popular destinations like Spain is a direct response to the growing challenges posed by mass tourism. It’s important for travellers to respect local customs and regulations to avoid unexpected costs.

“Checking the local government’s tourism website or consulting a travel agent can be invaluable. Additionally, packing light and being mindful of your behaviour in public spaces can significantly reduce the risk of incurring fines.”

A woman travelled with three of her friends to Alicante, Spain, and shared before-and-after snaps of their tans on their return – but people were left with the same concern

A group of Brit holidaymakers have been slammed online after sharing before-and-after snaps of their tans following a trip to sunny Spain. Lizzy Pittaway and three of her pals travelled to Alicante for five nights – plenty of time, it seems, to have caught some nasty sunburns.

Prior to jetting off, the group posed at the airport to show their pre-holiday skin colour as they stood in front of a Boots store. Then, on their return to the UK, they repeated the pose to show off the effects of the sun. Lizzy, from West London, shared the before-and-after video to TikTok, which quickly went viral with 895,000 views and 800 comments.

Many of those who commented criticised the ladies’ newfound “red” look, however.

“You were in Boots, why didn’t you buy sun cream?” one TikTok user asked in response.

Another person asked: “Tan or burn?” A third urged: “Girlies wear sunscreen. The locals feel bad for you when you walk around red as a lobster. It looks painful. I say this as a white as a ghost Spanish girl, skin cancer is not a joke.”

Meanwhile a fourth offered kinder feedback, declaring: “Looks like you had a very good time.”

In response to the backlash, Lizzy said: “We did use factor 50 sun cream consistently. And the lighting makes us look way redder than we actually were.”

She told What’s The Jam: “This has been a trend on TikTok for a while now so we thought it would be a bit of fun for when we went on holiday. We posted several TikToks while out in Alicante, including outfit checks each evening, but for some reason this one just blew up.”

The 21-year-old continued: “I think mostly because people were shocked and outraged by the video, not necessarily because they liked it. Whilst she explained that she posted the video “without too much focus” when their return flight home was delayed.

“I posted it while we were waiting at the airport and it wasn’t until the next day when I was like, ‘Whoa, this has actually gone quite big’,” she admitted. “The reaction was very mixed – friends and family thought it was quite funny and light-hearted, which was our motivation behind posting it.

“But then it started to get picked up by Spanish people, which is where most of the views and comments came from. They were quick to judge us and say that we were all sunburnt, don’t know how to use sun cream, and are going to get skin cancer.”

Lizzy added: “While I completely understand the dangers of sunburn and skin cancer, we were all extremely cautious on holiday. We even did a pre-order at Boots prior to the holiday that we picked up at the airport, mostly made up of sun creams.

“Some of the comments were restricted because they were quite harsh. Luckily, I am able to take the comments and they haven’t affected me too much as I know the truth behind the video. But for some, many of these comments could be damaging, as people don’t often consider that there is someone on the other side receiving them. There was also a lot of division within the comments section with many people arguing among themselves.”

While the university student and her pals covered themselves in cream every day, she admitted that “a few of us did get a little bit sunburnt”.

“But nothing unusual that we hadn’t experienced before,” she stated. “We were continually applying sun cream and were in the shade or pool for most of the day.

“I would say that it is quite hard to avoid getting a little bit sunburnt when visiting another country and trying to explore the area. We did try to stay inside or in the shade when it got to the highest UV levels in the day and apply extra factor 50 sun cream to be safe.”

Lizzy closed: “In no way did we intend for the video to promote getting sunburnt as obviously that is not cool and can be seriously dangerous. When we posted it, we obviously knew that we weren’t as sunburnt as the video made out and so didn’t think much of it.”

“But the labelling of us as ‘guiris’, which I initially didn’t know the meaning of, is untrue as we were up to date with how to stay safe in Spain.”

Brits heading to the likes of Spain, Egypt and Portugal for their summer holidays could find they’re paying pay hundreds of pounds more this year

Families have seen some holiday prices to top hotspots rocket by nearly quarter this summer, research has revealed.

The jump means travellers looking forward to their break abroad risk having to shell out hundreds of pounds more than last year.

Analysis by the website TravelSupermarket for the BBC revealed big price rises in a host of destinations popular with Brits. The data compared all-inclusive seven-night family breaks departing this August with a year ago.

Prices to Cyprus have leapt 23%, from an average £950 per person to £1,166. The cost of a week away to Egypt has soared by a fifth – almost £200 each – from £980 to £1,176. Jetting to top getaway Spain has risen by 9%, or from £835 to £913 And a typical week away to Portugal will cost £972 per person this summer, against £936 last year.

READ MORE: Man visits every country in Europe – and one ‘dull’ place was the absolute worst

For those looking further afield, the analysis found the United Arab Emirates has seen the steepest price rise overall. A week away now costs an average £1,525 per person, up 26% – or £300 – from £1,210 per person in 2024.

Chris Webber, head of deals at TravelSupermarket, said: “Like most things, family summer holidays have become more expensive over the past 12 months — and our data backs that up. We’ve seen price rises of between 4% and 26% across popular destinations like Spain, Greece, Turkey, the UAE and Portugal. These increases are likely tied to rising fuel prices driving up flight costs, along with hotel expenses rising due to energy costs – which in turn pushes up food and drink costs for all-inclusive packages.”

It is not all bad, with some destinations actually cheaper this year. For instance, a week in Italy will cost an average £1,128 per person this summer, or £137 less than a year ago. Tunisia is also around £30 better value, at an average £763.

READ MORE: ‘Entitled dad asks to swap plane seats for son – but his reason wasn’t valid enough’

And while accommodation and flights may have risen, other holiday costs have come down.

Research published last month by the Post Office found Brits planning foreign holidays will be quids in thanks to the pound’s strength. Sterling has shot up against a host of currencies – in some cases, by a lot. For instance, the pound’s 30% rise against the Turkish lira in the past year means holidaymakers jetting there will have £116 more to spend for every £500.

In many cases, car rental prices have also fallen. A study by iCarhireinsurance.com last month revealed that the average cost of a week’s car hire this summer is £369, 43% lower than the 2022 high of £652, but still 19% more than in 2019 (£310).

Do you have a story to tell us? Email us at [email protected].

A Madrid judge demanded that the Airbnbs, all located in the same city-centre building in the Spanish capital, must close down due to “the illicit and unsanitary activities”

Ten holiday flats have been shut down after a family was tormented by the guests, it has been reported.

A Madrid judge demanded that the Airbnbs, all located in the same city-centre building, must close down due to “the illicit and unsanitary activities” that had taken place there, The Guardian reported.

Vomiting and sex in the communal areas, as well as drunken, destructive, and lewd guest behaviour, had caused one family stress, anxiety, and sleepless nights. This was judged to have inflicted psychological damage on the family, which includes two children, and violated their fundamental right to privacy.

Two years ago, the family hired lawyer Miguel Angel Rubio after their efforts to stop the chaos via the council and the flat owners failed, it was reported.

Have you been impacted by a holiday let? Email [email protected]

READ MORE: Spain’s new Airbnb rules expected to ‘trigger domino effect’ in other holiday hotspots

The lawyer documented the misery they had to endure, including guests having sex in the communal areas and vomiting in the courtyard of the 60-flat block close to Plaza Mayor. A security guard had to be hired after lift fittings and mailboxes were broken, and multiple police visits were made.

“The family came to me and told me that they’d been to the police who’d come with a decibel meter and had fined the owners €16,000. But the problem is that [the companies that own these flats and others] can make more than €150,000 in rents in a single weekend, so a €16,000 fine is nothing for them. So I had to bring a case on the grounds that the family’s fundamental rights were being violated – and it succeeded,” Mr Rubio said, The Guardian reported.

Around 75% of the flats in the block were holiday lets. “The family have one tourist flat above them, another below them, and more tourist flats near their bedrooms,” the lawyer added.

Madrid’s 44th Court of First Instance ruling—that the flats must stop being used as holiday lets—is a significant one, as the properties were registered legally but their presence was judged to infringe on the family’s rights.

In the ruling, the judge noted “the constant noise, the breaking of shared fixtures, the filling of the lobby with suitcases at all hours, and the presence of shopping trolleys filled with towels,” before the family were awarded €37,000 in damages.

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Mr Rubio claimed they had been the victims of “real estate bullying,” as they’d been offered “ridiculous” amounts by property firms involved in the holiday let business to sell their apartment, 20Minutos reported.

The judge rejected the rental owners’ claims that the family was only experiencing the same kind of day-to-day disruption any neighbour could expect. “The actions were not merely irritating but also unsanitary, indecent, and even illegal,” the judge added.

Last week, Spain introduced a new register for holiday lets, which saw a huge number of properties deemed illegal. Around 20% of the total holiday lets in the country have been removed.

Influencer Harry Poulton, who lives full-time in the Spanish holiday hotspot of Benidorm, said conmen are targeting tourists at the side of main roads and his issued a call to action

A British expat has warned that tourists are getting robbed in Benidorm.

Happily, there is one thing holidaymakers can do to avoid the same fate. Harry Poulton, known on TikTok as @harrytokky, claims that the robberies are going underreported and should be taken more seriously.

The influencer, who lives full-time in the Spanish holiday hotspot, said conmen are targeting tourists at the side of main roads.

“If you’re renting a car, if you’re driving to Spain on the motorways — do not pull over,” Harry said in a video.

“Not for someone that is on the side of the motorway with their hazards on, trying to flag you down. There are signposts in Spain at the moment, all the way from Barcelona up to Valencia and Alicante, saying ‘Be warned: highway robberies.’

Have you been targetted by highway robbers while on holiday? Email [email protected]

“People are being flagged down — there are normally two people in these cars. One will try to ask for help while the other distracts you. They then rob all of your valuables out of your car.

“This scam is happening all the time in Spain and in parts of France. But no one seems to be speaking about it. Has anything like this ever happened to you before? This is a warning. It is not worth it. Do not pull over.

“You might be doing a good favour, you might think you’re helping someone out. But next thing you know, you could have all of your valuables stolen.”

The British Embassy in Madrid has previously issued a similar warning, urging holidaymakers to “watch out for ruthless gangs of modern-day highway robbers who are preying on people driving foreign-registered vehicles and hire cars.”

In a two-year period, police in the Catalonia region of Spain dealt with 126 British victims of robbery on the AP-7 motorway between the French border and the Valencia region.

British consulates across mainland Spain said they receive regular reports of roadside robberies occurring along the coast between Barcelona and Alicante, across Andalucía in the south, and in the Madrid region. Consular staff estimate that one in 20 of all emergency passports issued last year due to theft were following motorway robberies.

Earlier this year, Moggy McIntyre told The Times how she and her husband Greg were victims of ‘highway pirates’. They stopped on a motorway on the outskirts of Barcelona after being flagged down by a driver who spoke to them in fast Spanish they couldn’t understand.

“After a few minutes, he gestured for us to wait and walked back to his car as if he was going to get something. Then he suddenly drove off,” Moggy explained.

“We were like, ‘What was that?’ It was so weird, because we couldn’t see anything wrong with the car. So we got back in, and only then did we realise that my handbag was gone.

“It had been in the footwell of the passenger seat, so the person I saw in the back of their car must have sneaked out and taken whatever they could. We didn’t see or hear a thing.

“Thank God I had picked up our phones and credit cards. But they got our passports — both my British and Australian ones — and also lots of inconvenient things like my Australian medical card, make-up, and glasses.”

The president of the local health services union, José Manuel Maroto, told elDiario.es that club owners must start forking out for private ambulances to help ease the burden on the service

Services have been pushed to the brink in Ibiza due to partying holidaymakers.

The ambulance service on the Spanish island is facing collapse, a union has warned, due to the huge number of clubbers falling ill after taking drugs. A third of all call-outs the ambulance service makes are to clubs, some of which can hold as many as 10,000 ravers.

It is the latest strain on the Balearic island, which attracts around 3.4 million tourists a year—many times more than its 160,000 permanent residents.

The president of the local health services union, José Manuel Maroto, told elDiario.es that club owners must start forking out for private ambulances to help ease the burden on the service.

“It’s inconceivable that businesses with an income of millions of euros a year can’t provide this service, which is saturating the emergency services at the expense of the local population,” he said.

Do you have experience of this side of clubbing in Ibiza? Email [email protected]

“The clubs are obliged to employ nurses and other health workers, but not ambulances—the cost of which is borne by public services.” According to Maroto, only one major club, DC-10, uses a private service.

Although the dealing of recreational drugs such as MDMA is illegal on Ibiza, as it is in the rest of Spain, many dealers operate on the island. The high cost of drinks in many of the superclubs means taking illicit substances is often cheaper.

The Hollywood star Will Smith was at the inauguration last month of UNVRS, the island’s biggest club, where the cheapest entry is €100 (£86) and drinks can cost €25.

A study by the local paper El Diario de Ibiza showed that the island is the third most expensive destination in the Mediterranean after Saint-Tropez and Capri.

“Sadly or not, drugs are the cheaper option. Not trying to vouch for them, just saying. Drinks are crazy expensive—a vodka soda should be around €22–25, but even a beer is €16–18. Club entry is €50–100,” one Reddit user recently wrote on a forum about the costs of clubbing in Ibiza.

Unlike in the UK, where venues that serve alcohol are legally obliged to provide free water to customers, clubs in Ibiza make a huge amount of money from selling it bottled and canned to dehydrated drug takers. According to one person on Ibiza Spotlight, they were charged €13 for a 330ml can of water in the superclub Pacha.

Data on the number of recent drug deaths in Ibiza is hard to come by. However, a 2017 study in European Psychiatry found that 58 drug-related fatalities were recorded in Ibiza from 2010 to 2016. Of those, 87% were men, while more than a third were Brits—by far the biggest single group.

Renee Roebuck, from Rotherham, loves Benidorm in Alicante, Spain so much that she visits three times a year and saves all her money for her regular, blow-out trips

A Benidorm-obsessed nan who has been to the British tourist hotspot over 100 times has explained what keeps her coming back for more.

Renee Roebuck just loves Benidorm. She has visited the Spanish holiday location for the past 31 years and says other destinations simply don’t compare. While many travelers come for the sunny weather, beautiful beaches, and historic Old Town, there’s another very special reason why this 81-year-old loves Benidorm: Tribute bands.

Happily, the Alicante settlement is crawling with them. Renee spends her days decked out in merch watching a different cover band or singer every night. Sometimes even joins artists on stage for a boogie. The nan isn’t the only holiday-goer who loves a good show.

Do you have a travel story to share? Email [email protected]

New research from TUI shows that nearly nine in 10 Brits enjoy watching tribute acts while on holiday. And 68% of survey participants dub it one of their favourite forms of entertainment during a trip abroad – with tribute acts beating out alternatives like karaoke (43%) and nightclubs (37%).

Renee visits the sunny spot alongside her husband Alan and occasionally her children and grandchildren. The full family often spends two weeks in Benidorm over Christmas. “Benidorm is my happy place,” said Renee, a former fruit market worker, from Rotherham.

“Ever since my first trip, I’ve never looked back. I go with my family four to five times a year, and I can’t get enough of the lifestyle there. I don’t go out much in England, so I can save money to go to Benidorm more often. If I had my way, I’d never come home.

“My favourite thing to do is to watch a tribute act – I see a different one every night when I’m on holiday.”

After a cancer diagnosis at the age of 60, Renee was forced to have two-thirds of her stomach removed. Ever since, the nan has been determined to live life to the max.

For her, this involves lounging in the sun and listening to classic tunes performed by local tribute artists – especially Bob Marley and Take That. But Renee and Alan both love the variety of bands that Benidorm has to offer.

Renee’s granddaughter, Lauren Chant, works as a Travel Advisor at TUI’s Sheffield Superstore and books her nan’s holidays, which often become trips for the whole family.

Renee said: “I like to stay in a nice area just outside of the hustle and bustle, and always book with TUI as they book tribute acts to come and perform at the hotel. When I have stayed at apartments, I’ve ended up walking to the hotels or bars to be able to see the entertainment.

“I go to Benidorm so often that the performers even remember me now – they’ll bring me up on stage and chat after the shows. It’s different to going to see a big band or famous singer as, with tributes, you’re able to get to know them properly – and they’re all ever so good at what they do.

“They engage with the audience more and you get a real feel for their personalities.”

When it comes to booking a holiday, almost a quarter of Brits (24%) admit that the entertainment on offer in a holiday destination or hotel is a deciding factor.

Tribute acts in particular appear to be a priority for holidaymakers – with 85% of survey participants attending at least a couple of acts during a week’s vacation. Despite her many visits, Renee hasn’t tired of the holiday spot.

She added: “Benidorm really does have it all. You can find busy or quiet places, a lovely beach, and you’ll never get bored there – there’s plenty to do, especially if you love the tributes. I’m able to really make the most out of life when I’m there, and I’m always up dancing.

“It’s just brilliant. I’ll keep going every year, as many times as I can, for the rest of my life.”

Spain is the most popular holiday destination for Brits, but there are new rules to be aware of if you are travelling in 2022 – including passport rules and EHIC cards

Spain remains the top holiday choice for UK travellers, with millions flocking there annually to bask in the sunshine, explore its vibrant cities, and savour authentic Spanish dishes. This year looks set to follow the same pattern, with travel industry insiders forecasting a record-breaking summer for overseas getaways.

When planning a Spanish holiday, or any international trip, it’s crucial to stay informed about current regulations and entry criteria. This has become especially vital following the post-Brexit changes that have been implemented.

For example, Spain, alongside other Schengen zone countries, now mandates that UK passport holders must have passports with a “date of issue” within 10 years of their arrival date. Additionally, passports must remain valid for at least three months beyond the planned departure date from the Schengen area, reports the Liverpool Echo.

The UK Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) states: “Check with your travel provider that your passport and other travel documents meet requirements. Renew your passport if you need to. You will be denied entry if you do not have a valid travel document or try to use a passport that has been reported lost or stolen.”

British passport holders are permitted to enter Spain and the broader Schengen region for holidays, family visits, business purposes, cultural or sporting events, or short-term educational programmes, for up to 90 days within any 180-day timeframe. Upon arrival, your passport will be stamped, and it’s crucial to ensure you get another stamp when leaving.

If not, it could appear as though you overstayed the 90-day limit, potentially causing issues if you attempt to re-enter the Schengen area later in the year.

To enter Spain, you might need to present a return or onward ticket, proof of sufficient funds for your stay, travel insurance documentation, and confirmation of your hotel booking or proof of address if you’re staying at your own property. If you’re lodging with others, such as family or friends, an invitation or proof of their address may be necessary.

Importing meat, milk or products containing them into Spain is prohibited, with exceptions for items like powdered infant milk, baby food, and special foods or pet feed required for medical reasons. Moreover, if you’re carrying cash or travellers cheques amounting to 10,000 euros or more, you must declare it to the authorities.

After declaring, you’ll receive a certified document indicating that the money was brought with you. Failure to produce this document could result in your money being confiscated upon departure.

Brits on Spain holidays should take note of new rules around Euro notes in holiday hotspots including the Canaries as you could find your cash is refused

Brits planning Spain holidays this year will no doubt be looking to withdraw some cash for shopping, food and souvenirs but there’s a new rule in place you’ll need to be aware of.

Although nowadays most people will favour card payments over cash, the latter can still be useful especially if you’re out and about and find yourself in a shop or restaurant that doesn’t accept card.

However, UK holidaymakers heading to Spain, the Canary Islands and the Balearic Islands may want to take note of new rules regarding Euro notes.

Firstly, if you can, avoid withdrawing €500 notes at the currency exchange or bank. The European Central Bank and the Bank of Spain officially ceased production of these notes in 2016, but a small quantity of these purple notes are still in circulation. Although they are legal tender, their usage is becoming increasingly challenging, reports Bristol Live. The hefty value of the notes, along with their link to illicit activities, has resulted in many establishments refusing to accept them.

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If you withdraw money and receive a €500 note, insist on smaller denominations instead. You can also take large notes to a Spanish bank for exchange.

Of course when it comes to cash, most of us will opt for smaller amounts at a time, but if you’re thinking of using up some older €50 notes from previous holidays, you may want to get rid of these quickly. This is because Spain’s central bank has started phasing out old and damaged €50 notes from circulation. This scheme, which kicks off this summer, aims to bolster the security of cash transactions and thwart fraud.

The new changes are being rolled out, so if you’ve got a holiday booked this summer you won’t suddenly find that all of your cash isn’t accepted. However if you do have some Euros lying around the house, you may want to consider using them up on your next holidays.

It’s also worth checking the state of your banknotes, especially if they’ve been crammed into a purse at the bottom of a drawer or suitcase for a few months. That’s because as part of the new rollouts, old and damaged banknotes will also be gradually withdrawn from circulation.

This could mean that tourists might find their worn or torn notes being rejected by cashiers. When you’re swapping your holiday money, make sure any €50 notes are in tip-top shape, and ask for replacements if you spot any damage.

Tattered notes can be exchanged at any Bank of Spain branch or selected partner banks, but don’t forget to bring some form of identification like your passport. They won’t exchange counterfeit or deliberately damaged notes.

For those who usually toss their spare change into a jar after their holiday, it’s worth noting that some countries may soon ditch one and two cent Euro coins too. Countries such as Ireland, Belgium, and Italy have already ceased using these coins, rounding up cash transactions to the nearest five cents instead, and they’re no longer being produced. Meanwhile a number of other Eurozone countries are doing the same,

Do you have a travel story you want to share with us? Email us at [email protected].

The National Police is getting serious about unruly behaviour on the islands best known for debauchery, heavy drinking and drug taking

Hundreds of extra police officers have been sent in to deal with unruly partygoers on five Spanish island resorts.

The National Police is getting serious about unruly behaviour on islands best known for debauchery, heavy drinking and drug taking. The force bolstered its ranks in the Balearics by 4.33%, on top of reinforcement of around 300 officers as part of the special Operation Summer measures.

A further 163 officers will be transferred to other locations in response to the Balearic Police Headquarters’ commitment to improve public safety during the peak tourist season. Palma, Ibiza, Maó, Ciutadella, and Manacor will all see their ranks bolstered by extra officers, Majorca Daily Bulletin reported.

This year’s reinforcement represents a significant increase compared to 2024, especially in terms of new recruits. A total of 130 trainee police officers are being sent in across the island, tasked with patrolling the sunshine islands and guarding the borders.

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The special Operation Summer officers, some of whom are sent out with dog units, are brought in to control the swollen population of the Balearic Islands during the holiday seasons.

Islands such as Palma and Ibiza are huge draws for party people from across the world. As much as this serves as a massive boost to the local economies and has cemented their reputations as the centre of worldwide nightclub culture, locals are growing increasingly tired of criminality linked to an industry so closely connected to the drug trade.

The boosted police ranks will also help enforce a series of anti-social behaviour-related laws that have been legislated in recent years in a bid to control the impact of holidaymakers.

In May 2024, the government of the Balearic Islands banned on-street drinking and the sale of alcohol in supermarkets between 9:30pm and 8am in party hotspots including including San Antonio in Ibiza, and Playa de Palma and Magaluf in Majorca. Potential fines for those caught breaking these rules have risen from between €500 and €1,500 (£430 – £1290) to as much as €3,100 (£2,580).

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The bolstering of the police force comes after a string of high profile incidents involving Brits heading out to the party islands.

TikTok influencer Erika Barrachina travelled from London Luton to the Balearic Island with Easyjet. During her journey, she found herself amidst passengers who were “screaming” and “hitting each other”.

She vented: “My trip yesterday London – Ibiza with easyJet was a real horror! I was scared, a plane full of real English animals! We don’t want this type of tourism in Ibiza, they should stay at home!”

Days before the incident, Spanish police had to raid a Ryanair flight after five passengers reportedly wreaked havoc mid-flight on a trip from Newcastle to Alicante. The mayhem unfolded aboard the Boeing 737 service departing from Newcastle International Airport bound for Alicante-Elche Miguel Hernández Airport.

The disturbance was severe enough to warrant authorities boarding the plane once it touched down. The captain was granted urgent clearance to land due to the passengers’ disorderly conduct.

An EasyJet spokesperson said at the time: “Flight EZY2307 from Luton to Ibiza on 16th May was met by police on arrival due to a group of passengers behaving in a disruptive manner. EasyJet’s cabin crew are trained to assess all situations and to act quickly and appropriately to ensure that the safety of the flight and other passengers is not compromised at any time.

“While such incidents are rare, we take them very seriously and do not tolerate disruptive behaviour onboard. The safety and wellbeing of passengers and crew is always easyJet’s highest priority.”

Do you have a story to tell us? Email us at [email protected].

Spain is rolling out its new nationwide register affecting holiday rentals including properties in the Canary Islands and Balearic Islands in a bid to help combat the issues of overtourism

Brits planning Spain holidays should be aware of a new rule that’s coming into force as of today (July 1) across the mainland, as well as the Canary Islands and the Balearic islands.

The holiday hotspot is launching its new nationwide register for any property used for tourism, whether that’s seasonal or a short-term rental. Under the Single Tourist Rental Registry, property owners will need to register to get a code that verifies they are legally allowed to use the property for tourism.

This will include entire homes, individual rooms within a property that’s rented out separately, and homes listed on the likes of Airbnb and Booking.com.

The register was already rolled out in January, but at that time it was still optional; now it’s mandatory. According to local publication Canarian Weekly, the Spanish Ministry of Housing says it’s had a total of 199,686 applications to date, the majority of which were for holiday rentals.

If a property is not on the register, then legally it won’t be able to be advertised online, and owners could face fines or even be suspended from being able to offer the home as a holiday rental.

READ MORE: Brits heading to Spain, France and Greece this summer issued ’24-hour warning’

If you’ve got a holiday booked to Spain, the good news is that you don’t need to do anything, as the responsibility lies with the holiday rental platforms and property owners to obtain the correct registration. In fact, one of the aims of the register is to protect tourists from unregulated and potentially unsafe rentals.

When you book a holiday rental in Spain, you should be able to see if it has a valid registration number before you finalise your booking, with the idea that it will offer holidaymakers extra peace of mind before they part with their cash.

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The move comes as Spain’s holiday hotspots have been hit with a number of protests from locals in recent years, due to the burden of overtourism. The volume of holiday rentals is seen as a contributing factor to homelessness on the islands, with locals being priced out of areas or struggling to buy homes in areas where properties are used for tourism.

It’s estimated that over four million foreign visitors descended on the Canaries in the first quarter of this year alone. Local officials have been taking steps to try and mitigate the impact of overtourism. For example, Tenerife has introduced a new online booking system for some of the trails in Teide National Park, a UNESCO World Heritage site.

Meanwhile over in Fuerteventura they’re taking similar measures with a new tourist tax for those who want to visit spots such as the wild beach of Cofete, the awe-inspiring sand dunes of Correlejo and the vast sea caves of Ajuy.

The move comes after official figures showed that Fuerteventura had a 7.8 per cent increase in tourists between January and March, compared to the same period last year. As a result, the hotspot’s infrastructure is under mounting pressure across the likes of roads, water supply, waste management systems and accommodation capacity.

Has your holiday been affected by anti-tourism protests? Email us at [email protected].