A trip to the beach should be relaxing. It should be a time to paddle in the sea, maybe read a book, sunbathe and have a beer. But it doesn’t always go that way; when beaches get crowded, they can also get pretty rowdy. Not all of us want to hear tinny techno from a nearby portable speaker, or get a noseful of smoke from a stray cigarette.
That‘s why one beach in northern Spain has announced plans to try and cut down on antisocial behaviour and create a more welcoming beach environment for everyone.
San Sebastián is a coastal town right next to the French border in Spain’s Basque Country, and it’s very popular with tourists. Local people and community groups have become increasingly unhappy with the ways in which some people use their beaches, with the number of noise complaints growing in recent years, and litter piling up by the shore.
As a result, the council has decided to draw a line in the sand – literally. Several things have been banned from San Sebastián’s beaches, including smoking and loudspeakers. According to figures from AZTI, a non-profit, up to 50 percent of refuse found on the seaside was cigarette butts, so this could go a long way in clearing things up.
All the new regulations coming to San Sebastián in 2026
There are three main things outlined by the new legislation: the banning of smoking and loudspeakers, and a new rule allowing dogs onto the beaches in the evenings. Until now, dogs were completely banned between May and September, but this change means they’ll be welcome daily between the hours of 9pm and midnight. During the day, though, the beaches will remain animal-free.
The council believes that ‘this updated regulation responds to clear social demand and seeks to improve coexistence, environmental quality and collective well-being’, but it is inviting locals to share their thoughts through a consultation which is currently ongoing. If the town gets behind the plans, it’s hoped that they will come into effect next June, euronews reports.
Overtourism across Spain
San Sebastián isn’t the only place in Spain struggling with rowdy visitors. In fact, Benidorm is set to ban ‘offensive’ trinkets in order to preserve its reputation, and the government recently brought in new legislation to clamp down on short-term holiday rentals. Barcelona has seen massive anti-tourism protests in the past couple of years, and down in Mallorca, islanders have signed an open letter telling property speculators to stay away.
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