If you’re heading to a beach in Spain this summer, you might want to brush up on the local rules first.

Many once-accepted activities are now banned in some parts of the country, with fines ranging from a few hundred euros to as much as €3,000.

As coastal councils continue to tighten beach regulations, thousands of holidaymakers are being caught out simply because they didn’t realise the rules had changed.

Using shampoo in beach showers

First of all, beach showers are there to rinse off sand and saltwater – not to have a full wash.

Spain’s Coastal Law prohibits using shampoo, shower gel or other hygiene products in public beach showers because the chemicals can pollute groundwater and damage fragile coastal ecosystems.

In some municipalities, offenders can face fines of up to €750.

Reserving your spot with an umbrella

Getting up at dawn to claim a prime spot on the beach might be a summer tradition, but many councils now ban leaving umbrellas, chairs or towels unattended to reserve space.

Popular destinations including Torrox, Velez-Malaga, Tarifa, Almuñecar, Motril, Benidorm, Calpe, Torrevieja and Denia have introduced rules allowing authorities to remove abandoned equipment.

Depending on the municipality, fines can range from €300 to as much as €3,000.

Walking around town in swimwear

Leaving the beach in just a bikini or swimming trunks could also prove expensive.

Cities including Malaga, Marbella, Barcelona and Palma have local ordinances banning beachwear away from the seafront i.e. walking around shirtless.

In Malaga and Marbella, fines can reach €750 for anyone walking through streets or shopping areas wearing only swimwear.

Drinking alcohol in public

That cold beer on the promenade or beach may seem harmless, but drinking alcohol in public is prohibited across much of Spain outside licensed terraces and authorised events.

Enforcement is particularly strict during the busy summer months.

Depending on where you are, fines can range from €100 to €600, while some parts of the Balearic Islands have penalties of up to €3,000 under anti-excess tourism rules.

Smoking on the beach

More than 890 beaches across Spain are now smoke-free.

Unlike some other rules, there is no nationwide ban, with each municipality deciding whether smoking is allowed.

In places where smoking has been prohibited, fines can range from €30 to €700.

In Mogan, Gran Canaria, smokers who also throw cigarette butts onto the sand could face combined penalties of up to €1,800.

Before heading to the beach this summer, it’s worth spending a couple of minutes checking the local council’s website.

Beach regulations vary from one municipality to another, and knowing the rules beforehand could save you hundreds – or even thousands – of euros.