Spain's notorious sunbed wars have intensified, with holidaymakers now arriving at beaches in darkness, armed with torches and mobile phones, to secure prime spots before sunrise. The earliest recorded attempt so far this season took place at 5:31am, according to local reports.
Videos captured by bemused residents show sunbeds, umbrellas and towels being set up just metres from the sea on popular beaches, including Playa del Cura in the Costa Blanca resort of Torrevieja. The first row of sunbeds on Spain's busiest shores is typically full within an hour of the early-morning rush.
Spanish newspaper Información describes the ritual as 'an invisible race, without a podium or medal, but with a highly coveted reward: the best place just a few centimetres from the sea'. The Facebook page of Proyecto Mastral, a local weather and customs group, noted: 'At 5:31am in the morning, the first umbrella was already in place. By 7am, the shore was practically full. It's not an exaggeration.'
The report details how families coordinate their efforts, with one member planting an umbrella while another stands guard, before a relay brings children, coolers and towels once the sun heats up. By 7am, the waterfront resembles 'a festival of colour, folding chairs and half-voiced conversations, as if a working day had begun... in swimsuit'.
While municipal ordinances technically prohibit leaving objects unattended on the beach, the practice is generally tolerated unless complaints arise. However, critics argue the 'express reservation' effectively creates banned zones for latecomers. The same daily problem continues to affect beaches in Benidorm, where early-morning setup and later return remains a persistent issue.
