Barcelona, Mallorca, Ibiza: All The Beaches In Spain Where Smoking Is Banned

Beach-goers who break the rules face fines of up to €2,000.

All across Spain, beaches are cracking down on visitors smoking. 

Hundreds of seaside destinations already prohibit lighting up and more bans have been introduced this year across the country's islands and mainland. 

On the Balearic Islands, 28 beaches have brought in smoke-free zones. 

Last year, smoking was prohibited on all of Barcelona's beaches following a successful trial in 2021.

Beach-goers who break the rules face fines of up to €2,000. 

Spain's islands are cracking down on smoking on the beach

Some of Spain's most popular beaches, located on the Balearic Islands, have become cigarette-free zones

A ban on smoking was brought in earlier this on 28 beaches including Playa de Talamanca in Ibiza, Platja Gran in Menorca, and Sant Joan in Mallorca.

The latest seaside destination to follow suit is Caló des Moro in San Antonio on the island of Ibiza. 

The council said the ban hopes to protect the health of local residents and keep the sands cleaner. 

Fines for transgressors vary between municipalities but could be as high as €2,000.

Barcelona's beaches become smoke-free zones

On the mainland, the tourist hotspot of Barcelona introduced a ban on smoking on all of its 10 beaches last summer. 

It is designed to protect the environment and ensure the right of citizens to enjoy a clean, unpolluted space, free of smoke and cigarette butts.

Those who break the rules could receive a €30 fine.

"I think it's fair, to keep the beach clean. Also because of the environment. But being able to control every single person will be extremely difficult” said Antonella Bellotti, an Italian tourist.

She suggested keeping a designated smoking area “with trays for ashes and cigarette butts. To keep everything clean."

The city council says the pilot program in 2021 significantly reduced the number of smokers on the beach and cigarette butts in the sand.

Spain pushes to ban smoking from all its beaches

Barcelona was the first major city in Spain to ban smoking on beaches. It joins hundreds of other seaside destinations in prohibiting cigarettes. 

Beaches in Catalonia, Andalusia, Murcia and Galicia also forbid lighting up. 

A countrywide law is currently being debated that could turn all of Spain’s beaches into smoke-free areas.

Smokers have left five billion cigarette butts at beaches worldwide every year, which end up in the sea and take decades to decompose.

Evelyn Varkonyi, a tourist from Austria, says the ban is necessary “because most people throw cigarettes in the sand.”

“I don't do it. But I can understand. And it's not good for nature."

Watch the video above to see how Barcelona is preparing for the summer smoking ban.

RECENT NEWS

Private Ski Butlers, Live-in Chefs And Rare Cigars: Inside Switzerlands Ultra-luxury Travel Boom

American travellers have visited Switzerland in record numbers, leading to a surge in overnight stays. Read more

From Oscar Winners To Blockbusters: What Are The Worlds Most Cinematic Destinations?

While New York and London lead the way, Madrid and Argentina surprisingly rank high as popular filming locations. Read more

Bare All Or Be Gone: Why Swimsuits Could Soon Be Banned From German Nudist Beaches

While naturism dates to the 19th century in Germany, it is falling out of favour with young generations today. Read more

Festivals, Island Sun And City Breaks: Where To Travel In Europe This Spring

From Amsterdam’s raucous King’s Day to Corfu’s Garden Festival, spring in Europe is full of unforgettable events. Read more

Illegal Hotels, Pools And Hot Tubs: Santorinis Building Crimes Are A Disaster Waiting To Happen

Authorities have released details of dozens of illegal buildings on the Greek island of Santorini, which seismologists s... Read more

Greenlands Big Tourism Push: Why The Worlds Largest Island Wants More Visitors

Icebergs the size of skyscrapers and ancient glaciers: The wonders of Greenland are becoming easier to reach than ever. Read more