Spanish hotspot's brutal 2-word warning as Brits threatened with £648 fine
One of Spain's most popular cities has unleashed a brutal clampdown on tourists this summer. Last year, the country's iconic Costa del Sol witnessed a record-breaking 14.47 million visitors - a 3.17 per cent spike compared to 2023.
Many of these holidaymakers, particularly those from the UK, would have opted to stay in Málaga, a coastal city situated in the Andalusia region renowned for its golden beaches, stunning architecture, and nearby proximity to the steep, stomach-churning gorge of El Chorro. However, the city has updated a list of 10 strict rules tourists must follow, as part of its 'Improve Your Stay' campaign, which first launched in 2024.
These demands have now been displayed on buses, billboards and across social media, and are reportedly designed to 'ease tensions between tourists and residents' amid the string of recent protests.
According to EuroNews, the brutal warning at the top of the list of golden rules is simple: "Dress completely." Tourists are also being urged to 'not be conspicuous' and to keep the noise down, especially at night when they're in residential areas.
The fresh warning comes after Málaga controversially upped its fines for unsociable tourist behaviour, including public drunkenness, excessive noise, and wearing inappropriate clothing in public. Flouting these rules now risks a hefty €750 (approximately £649.05).
Of course, wearing a bikini or swimming shorts while you're kicking back at the beach or taking a dip in the hotel swimming pool is absolutely fine. However, if you're caught roaming the streets topless, or in your swimming costume, you could find yourself in trouble.
The clampdown follows a barrage of complaints from locals over tourists trolling the city streets - many of which are home to religious sites - without being covered up. So even if you're sweltering in 40C heat, make sure you're dressed appropriately.
The Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office has long warned Brits about the country's strict clothing laws, which many Brits are completely unaware of. In fact, it has a section dedicated to Spain's 'dress code' rules under its 'Safety and Security' page.
"In some parts of Spain it's illegal to be in the street wearing only a bikini or swimming shorts," the FCDO states. "Being bare-chested is also illegal in some areas in Spain. You could be fined if you're caught wearing swimwear on the seafront promenade or adjacent streets."
It's a similar situation over in the tourist-riddled hotspot of Algarve in Portugal, which is planning to fine tourists up to £1,250 if they're caught wearing a bikini, trikini, swimsuit and similar forms of swimwear outside of 'exempted areas'. These include seafront car parks, hotels, beaches, beach access points and swimming pools.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Daily Mirror
17 minutes ago
- Daily Mirror
Million DWP claimants may need to report change if going abroad
More than one million people across the Britain are currently claiming the Department for Work and Pensions benefit With summer upon us, countless Brits will be jetting off on holiday to soak up some much-deserved sunshine. Nevertheless, those receiving Carer's Allowance must remember to notify authorities of any changes to their circumstances where relevant. Current government estimates indicate that around 1.439 million people throughout Great Britain are presently receiving a Carer's Allowance. This Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) benefit provides £83.30 weekly and aims to assist those caring for someone for a minimum of 35 hours each week. Whilst recipients don't need to declare a change in circumstances for a day away, they must do so for extended overseas trips. The Daily Record reports that this particularly applies to foreign travel exceeding four weeks within a six-month timeframe. This means anyone planning several international getaways between now and the end of the year must verify that their dates meet guidance. Its current guidelines state: "Tell the office that pays your benefit if you plan to go abroad for more than four weeks. "You can carry on claiming Carer's Allowance if you take up to four weeks holiday out of a 26-week period." Despite this, additional guidance from Independent Age suggests that when temporarily travelling overseas with the person you care for, and they receive particular benefits including Personal Independence Payment (PIP), Adult Disability Payment, Disability Living Allowance (DLA) or Attendance Allowance, the permitted duration may be longer. The guidance also indicates that if you move to a country within the European Economic Area (EEA) or Switzerland, you may be able to continue receiving payments or make a new claim. More information can be found on here. Other changes in circumstances you may need to report Benefits claimants are required to inform the government of any relevant changes in their circumstances. As per the government's website, these may also include: Going into hospital, a care home or sheltered accommodation Any changes to your medical condition or disability Changing your doctor Changes to your pension, savings, investments or property Changes to other money you get (for example student loans or grants, sick pay or money you get from a charity) Changes to the benefits you or anyone else in your house gets You or your partner getting back-pay (sometimes called 'arrears') for salary or earnings you're owed Changes to your immigration status, if you're not a British citizen Changing your name or gender Finding or finishing a job, or working different hours Your income going up or down Starting or stopping education, training or an apprenticeship Moving house People moving into or out of the place you live (for example your partner, a child or lodger) The death of your partner or someone you live with Having a baby Starting or stopping caring for someone Getting married or divorced Starting or ending a civil partnership Planning to go abroad for any length of time
The Independent
17 minutes ago
- The Independent
What is chikungunya? Symptoms and travel advice as cases rise in France
Health authorities are warning travellers of a mosquito-borne virus that can cause debilitating joint pain, after cases emerged in areas of France. While the virus known as chikungunya is more commonly found in tropical areas of the world, cases have now appeared in France, a popular holiday destination for Brits, especially during the summer months. The World Health Organisation has now raised its concern about the virus, giving new guidelines to healthcare providers on how to help those who have contracted chikungunya. Diana Rojas Alvarez, a medical officer at the WHO, told reporters in Geneva that an estimated 5.6 billion people live in areas across 119 countries at risk from the virus. This year so far, France has reported 30 cases of chikungunya virus on the mainland and the French island of Corsica. Italy has reported one. While Europe is not currently experiencing a severe outbreak, health officials on the continent are making travellers aware of the virus as well as the rollout of a new vaccine in the UK. We have rounded up what travellers need to know about the virus, plus advice from a specialist travel doctor on how to best prepare for travelling overseas. What is chikungunya and how is it spread? Chikungunya virus disease is a mosquito-borne disease that is found across tropical and sub-tropical regions. It is spread to humans by a bite from an infected mosquito. It cannot be passed from human to human. Most cases have been found in the Americas, Africa and Asia. Brazil has the most cases, with over 141,000, followed by Argentina with over 2,500 so far in 2025. In total, there have been approximately 220,000 chikungunya cases and 80 related deaths across 14 countries/territories since the beginning of the year. La Réunion and Mayotte, two French islands off the east coast of Africa, have ongoing outbreaks of chikungunya, with the former recording 51,000 cases as of May 2025. The transmission of dengue and chikungunya virus in mainland Europe has been linked by the European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control (ECDC) to travellers who have caught the virus outside the region, then gone to countries within Europe with mosquitoes that are able to carry the virus after biting the person. 'The risk of locally acquired chikungunya and dengue virus transmissions is therefore increasing,' the ECDC said. What are the symptoms? 'Chikungunya' comes from a word used by the Makonde people in Tanzania, where the disease was first discovered in the 1950s, which means 'that which bends up'. This describes the contorted posture of infected people who experience severe joint pain. Alongside joint pain, people can also experience an abrupt onset of fever, joint swelling, muscle pain, headaches, nausea, fatigue and rashes. The joint pain can be debilitating and usually lasts for a few days, but it has been known to last for weeks, months or even years. If an infected person does not experience joint pain, the symptoms will be mild and can go unrecognised as chikungunya. Most people will recover fully from the infection. There have been some occasional cases of eye, heart, and neurological complications, while newborns and older people with underlying medical conditions are at a higher risk of severe disease. Patients with severe disease should be hospitalised because of the risk of organ damage or death. Once someone has recovered from chikungunya, they are likely to be immune to future chikungunya infections. Is there a vaccine? The UK government has approved vaccines against chikungunya disease, containing a form of the virus that has been weakened so it cannot multiply. The vaccine works by training the immune system to recognise the virus, which will then produce specific antibodies to attack it. It can only be obtained via a prescription and given to those who plan to travel abroad where the virus is present. Last month, the government released a further announcement to say that the Commission on Human Medicines has temporarily restricted the use of the vaccine in people aged 65 and over as a precautionary measure. To prevent getting bitten by mosquitoes, the World Health Organisation advises using insecticides; wearing clothing that minimises skin exposure; using window and door screens, and insecticide-treated mosquito nets; and applying certain repellants to skin and clothing. A travel doctor's guide on being prepared Dr Richard Dawood, a travel medical specialist at Fleet Street Clinic, explained to The Independent how the vaccination can help travellers prevent getting sick from the chikungunya virus. He said: 'This is a new situation for us. Until a very short time ago, we had no vaccine, and the only approach to prevention was to make careful use of insect repellents and insect precautions. 'So now we've got this extra tool in the armoury, and because the vaccine gives long-lasting protection, it's something that could be considered if you are planning to travel over a period of time. 'It's a fairly expensive vaccine, but if you're going to be travelling over a period of years to Southern Europe and beyond, it may be something that could be considered.' When asked about getting the vaccination for a trip to France, Mr Dawood advised to look at the decision in terms of where you will be travelling over the next few years rather than in the context of a single trip. 'The risk from a one-off short trip to France is probably very small,' he said. 'There's been only a very small number of cases so far. So statistically, you're not very likely to, but over time, as somebody who loves to travel and loves going to hot countries, then I would probably want to be protected against it in the long term.' Wherever you are travelling, Mr Dawood advised holidaymakers to 'do your homework'. He said: 'If there's an actual outbreak at your destination, then I would say no hesitation, definitely have the vaccine. 'Taking a bit of time and getting some really focused travel health advice for your particular trip is very worthwhile because it can save you from getting a vaccine that you don't need or that may not be sensible for you, and it can help prioritise the really important things for your trip.
North Wales Live
an hour ago
- North Wales Live
Popular holiday spot's tourism fears as Brits shun island amid local protests
There is growing concern in Majorca over a reported drop in tourist arrivals. It appears that not only are German visitors giving the island a miss, but British holidaymakers also seem to be losing interest. The Balearic island is a popular choice among European tourists. Last year alone, an impressive 13.4 million visitors descended on Majorca, including over two million Brits. The island's breathtaking landscapes - from golden beaches to majestic mountains - and lively nightlife are major draws. However, a series of protests have recently shaken this idyllic destination, with tens of thousands of locals taking to the streets to voice their discontent over overtourism. Tourists are increasingly finding themselves targeted by activists intent on generating negative publicity for the island to deter visitors. This rising hostility towards tourists seems to be having an impact, with visitor numbers falling in certain areas of the island. The resort areas most affected are Capdepera and Soller, according to the Majorca Hotel Business Federation (FEHM), as reported by the Express. The worrying situation appears to be particularly problematic in the British market, which is showing signs of slow growth, according to the Majorca Daily Bulletin. "While we don't have official statistics yet, information from our various associations indicates that Capdepera, which heavily relies on German tourism, and Soller are experiencing the most significant drops in visitor numbers," said María José Aguiló - the vice-president of FEHM. Pubs, cafés and eateries have all felt the impact of this peculiar mid-season slump, with outdoor seating areas sitting half-vacant. Some proprietors have reportedly even permitted employees to take time off during what would typically be amongst the peak trading weeks of the year. "We're seeing two distinct booking patterns emerge: advance reservations and last-minute bookings, making precise forecasting particularly challenging," explained Aguiló. FEHM's figures show that hotel occupancy levels have fallen short of projections since May, sparking concerns about what lies ahead. Nevertheless, the organisation maintains an optimistic outlook, stating it anticipates this season will match last year's performance. During the previous year, 18.7 million holidaymakers flocked to the Balearics, splashing out a staggering €22.38 billion - representing a 12% rise. German visitors continue to be the most valuable economic demographic across the Balearic Islands. They parted with €6 billion whilst holidaying in Majorca - outspending every other nation. British travellers came second, contributing €4.38 billion.
