Nestled in Spain’s mountainous Basque Country on the Bay of Biscay is a resort town known for its white sand beaches, world-class culinary scene and vibrant festivals.
Widely considered one of Europe’s most beautiful cities and the ‘culinary capital’ of the Basque Country, San Sebastián receives millions of tourists each year.
The city has three main beaches, La Concha, Ondarreta, and Zurriola and last year, Which? named San Sebastián as Spain‘s ‘best coastal town’.
And while tourism is great for the local economy, the influx of visitors has led to overcrowding issues in the city’s busiest areas.
According to one study, cigarette butts represent between 30 per cent and 50 per cent of the waste collected on the beaches.
To manage this, tourists will face new beach rules which should be in effect by 2026 as part of an effort to conserve the famous coast.
The city council has announced a plan that would ban smoking on all beaches, curb noise from music and speakers and set new rules for pets.
Among the new measures is the total ban on smoking on beaches.
Widely considered one of Europe’s most beautiful cities and the ‘culinary capital’ of the Basque Country, San Sebastián receives millions of tourists each year
According to one study, cigarette butts represent between 30 per cent and 50 per cent of the waste collected on the beaches
The city has three main beaches, La Concha, Ondarreta, and Zurriola (pictured)
With this initiative, San Sebastián would become the second Basque town to ban smoking on its beaches, after Zarautz, where new rules came into force on 7 October.
In a statement posted on X, San Sebastián City Council revealed the new regulations would be start to be discussed this week and come into force in June 2026.
It said: ‘The City Council will launch the participatory process to amend the Beach Ordinance on Monday October 20.
‘It will address three major areas; the prohibition of smoking on the beaches, allowing dog access also during summer nights and the limitation of sound devices.’
The new rules include some changes for pet owners as during the summer, dogs will only be allowed on the beaches from 9pm to midnight, according to Euro News.
Previously, dogs were only allowed on public beaches between September 1 and May 30.
The council claims that growing complaints have made formal rules necessary and is inviting its locals to share their thoughts on the proposals, with the aim of the new rules being fully implemented by June 2026.
It comes as earlier this year, La Concha beach in San Sebastián introduced a new rule reducing the number of parasols allowed on the beach by a third, from 440 to 290 as a direct response to the impacts of climate change on the coastline.
The new rules include some changes for pet owners as during the summer, dogs will only be allowed on the beaches from 9pm to midnight
The new rule, implemented by a national coastal authority, requires parasols to be placed at least six meters from the water to account for the new, higher high-tide line.
Meanwhile, Palma, the capital of Mallorca, has implemented a total ban on party boats, new tourist rentals and youth hostels.
The mayor Jaime Martinez outlined the tough new measures, saying the ban on more tourist rentals comes into immediate effect.
Party boats will be completely banned from Palma’s sea front where they dock, starting next season.
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Tourists face tough new rules in Spain’s ‘best coastal town’
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