Nerja to fine tourists for bagging a spot on beach

Nerja is to introduce fines for selfish beachgoers keen to secure a prime spot on the town’s beaches this summer.

The sanctions are due to be enforced from May onwards, with anyone reserving space using towels, deckchairs, tables, or parasols to be handed a €30 spot fine.

This is a widespread practice throughout the Costa Tropical, with many opting to pop down to the water’s edge first thing in the morning or even at night.

It has led to frequent arguments between rival bathers, with some even descending into violent confrontations.

The announcement is one of the key points on Nerja’s first regulatory law on the use of its beaches that has been developed by the three-party council team, currently available in the citizen participation section of the website www.nerja.es.

Beaches councillor Cristina Fernandez said that it is “inconceivable that a beaches law did not exist in a tourist municipality par excellence [sic] such as Nerja.

“It is a document that we have prepared with the advice and help of a consultant who has drawn up similar papers for other Andalucian towns.”

Other changes include the prohibition of sand sculptures unless authorised by the council and camping except on specific days.