UK tourists visiting Tenerife could face fines of up to £2,500 for breaking new rules introduced to protect the island's coastline. On October 7, La Laguna City Council passed a series of motions targeting activities such as camping, overnight stays, littering, smoking, and playing loud music.
New restrictions across popular beaches
The restrictions apply to popular spots in the north of the island, including Bajamar beach, La Barranquera, and Jover, all of which fall under the council's jurisdiction. One rule covers all beaches and natural pools in the municipality: visitors are prohibited from using soap, shampoo, or other hygiene products in public showers and bathing areas.
Tenerife is not the first place to adopt such measures. Across Europe, local councils are trying to protect the environment while catering to large tourist populations. In Andalusia, authorities have installed a 'smart shower' costing up to 86p per one-minute session to reduce water consumption. In Italy, anyone caught leaving personal belongings on the beach overnight faces a £425 fine.
Environmental efforts and black flags
According to Spanish media, La Laguna City Council has described the ban as a 'fundamental tool' to increase protection of these spaces. Tenerife is currently dedicating £70m to clean up its coastline, with the island's 31 municipalities working together to achieve 'zero waste'.
In 2023, tourist hotspot Playa De Las Americas was singled out for being notoriously messy and dirty. Just a few weeks ago, a TikTok user claimed some of Tenerife's beaches were contaminated with human faeces. Each year, Ecologists in Action reveals rankings of Spanish beaches in the most serious environmental conditions, handing out 48 black flags to beaches it believes are polluted or have poor environmental management. The organisation's 2025 report awarded Tenerife two black flags, one of which went to Playa Jardín, a popular urban beach with black volcanic sand in Puerto de la Cruz.
