Spain holiday warning as British tourists face £2,500 fine for Benidorm beach game

A popular beach sports game could see people playing it be landed with a fine of somewhere between £600 and £2,500. 

Many people are gearing up for their summer holiday as the UK's dreary grey weather continues - and Spain is among one of the country's most popular tourist destinations. 

But it is important to familiarise yourself with certain basic, and in some cases, unusual rules to avoid any nasty fines. 

Since there is no state regulation applicable to the entire Spanish coastline, each place has its own ordinances that regulate coexistence and the use of beaches and outdoor spaces.

In other words, a sanction in Cantabria might not apply in Benidorm or Alicante. 

Playing paddle games

One unusual rule is playing paddle games as some Spanish coasts prohibit the sport. 

In Murcia and Benidorm, fines could range between €700 (£590) and €3,000 (£2,500). 

Sleeping on the beach

Another unusual rule is sleeping on the beach. Regulations vary across different coasts but in some communities, such as Valencia, it is considered a serious offence. 

In Andalusia, fines for camping on beaches can reach up to 1,500 Euros (£1,270). Meanwhile, in Galicia, fines for camping in protected areas can reach up to 3,000 euros (£2,540). In other places like the Basque Country, the fine for camping in the mountains is at least 500 Euros (£423) and in the Valencian Community, the fine for camping in protected areas is up to 60,000 Euros (£50,800).

The most common prohibitions on Spanish beaches are:

• Swimming when there is a red flag: This means that entering the water is prohibited for your own safety. Violating this rule can result in a fine of up to 750 Euros (£630).

• Showers with soap: Using chemical products is prohibited for ecological reasons. Using shampoos can cause nitrates and phosphates to end up in the water and affect marine life. The fine would be around 750 Euros (£630).

• Smoking: In most beaches, it is allowed. However, some regions consider them "smoke-free zones". Galicia, for example, has more than 200; Andalusia has 50 and Murcia has 13.

• Barbecues, bonfires and binging: Making fires in public spaces is prohibited, so having barbecues or bonfires on beaches is strictly forbidden and punished with fines of up to 3,000 Euros (£2,500). However, some beaches do allow such events as long as they have the corresponding municipal authorisation.

• Reserving space on the sand: In the Canary Islands, those who leave their belongings on the sand to reserve space and then leave will be fined between 750 and 3,000 Euros. In Benidorm, it can cost up to 750 Euros and in Malaga, 300.