Tourists hit with €750 fines for buying illegal souvenirs in Spanish hotspot
Palma Police have begun to impose fines on people who buy products from illegal street sellers in the Majorca holiday hotspot, in a bid to stop the sale of counterfeit items
Holidaymakers eager to score a discount could find themselves slapped with a hefty fine.
Knock-off sunglasses sellers and fake handbag hoikers have long been a fixture of tourist destinations in Spain. Despite being illegal, police have struggled to clamp down on the trade. If you've ever been to central Barcelona, then you will have seen the impressive speed with which towels laden with budget goodies are folded up and whisked away whenever a police officer nears.
Now a police force in Spain have decided to put pressure on the buyers as well as the sellers, to see if that has an impact.
Palma Police have begun to impose fines on people who buy products from illegal street sellers. In one case, eleven sunglasses were seized from the seller as evidence of illegal vending, while the buyer was fined for "making a purchase from an unlicensed street vendor on the public way", Majorca Daily Bulletin reported.
The police have not said whether the person fined was a tourist or a resident. Police received new powers to arrest buyers at the end of May. The town hall of the Majorcan city has launched an information campaign to warn both residents and tourists about the risks of purchasing products from unauthorised vendors.
The police force has said that this type of trade harms legal establishments and can result in a financial penalty for the buyer. Sellers are subject to fines of between €750 and €1,500 (£641 to £1,282). For buyers the range is €100 to €750 (£85 to £640).
UK sunseekers may want to brush up on Spanish regulations before heading to the country this year, given how much local authorities there seem to love a fine.
Organising "unauthorised gatherings" could see Brits forking out as much as €750 for blasting tunes too loudly. In places like Valencia, setting up unapproved tents or shelters might land you a fine ranging from €1,501 to €3,000.
Spain's beaches are increasingly becoming smoke-free areas, with lighting up potentially costing you up to €450 in fines, while sipping a drink on the sands or promenade could set you back between €1,501 and €3,000.
Caught with a tipple in public? You could be coughing up to €3,000. Majorcan hotspots such as Llucmajor, Palma, and Magaluf have even curtailed alcohol sales from 9:30pm to 8am and clamped down on happy hour promotions.
For those who throw loud parties without permission, a €750 fine awaits, and Valencia's crackdown includes hefty charges of up to €3,000 for unsanctioned tent pitching. Many beaches have now become smoke-free zones, with a ciggie potentially costing you up to €450 in fines, and penalties for boozing on the beach or promenade ranging from €1,501 to €3,000.
READ MORE: Brits avoid Spain after protests and warn 'we won't go if we're not wanted'
Spain has also put a cap on daily visitors at certain beaches in the Balearic and Canary Islands. Platja d'Aro, in Costa Brava, has announced fines up to €1,500 for appearing in public "with clothing representing human genitals" in a crackdown on stag and hen dos from Blighty.
The bylaw specifically bans people from appearing "on the public thoroughfare without clothing or only in their underwear or with clothing or accessories representing human genitals or with dolls or other accessories of a sexual nature".
There's also new information required for those wanting to book digs or hire motors. Information gathered by hotel owners, private rental providers and car hire companies will now be passed on to the Spanish Ministry of Interior to bolster the country's national security.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Scottish Sun
5 hours ago
- Scottish Sun
Major evacuation as 1,500 passengers ‘trapped on train for 2 hours with no air con' in sweltering heat
People were led onto the tracks to fend for themselves RAIL CHAOS Major evacuation as 1,500 passengers 'trapped on train for 2 hours with no air con' in sweltering heat Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window) Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) HORRIFIED Brits were evacuated after being trapped on a train for two hours with no air con. Weary passengers have slammed Thamelink after their morning service from Bedford to Brighton came to a screeching halt on the hottest day of the year. Sign up for Scottish Sun newsletter Sign up 4 Fuming passengers were forced to wait in carriages with no aircon for two hours Credit: Twitter 4 The train broke down between Elephant and Castle, and Loughborough Credit: Twitter 4 Everyone was evacuated onto the tracks Credit: Twitter The train broke down between Elephant and Castle, and Loughborough - but ticketholders were left waiting in their carriages during the sweltering heat today. There was no air conditioning, and a major evacuation was eventually carried out after several hours. People were led onto the tracks to fend for themselves, and claimed they were given no instruction on where to go next. One passenger fumed on X: "Absolutely disgraceful from Thameslink Bedford to Brighton service train broke down the passengers left sweltering for almost two hours before being taken off in the middle of nowhere with no direction all left to their own." Another ranted: "Stuck on train to Brighton between Elephant & Castle & Loughborough junction past 20 minutes, rammed with people, hottest day of the year why are there no aircon and no windows that can be opened? there is no ventilation. "Medical issues waiting to happen." A third vented: "[Thameslink] you will have hell to pay. We've been stuck on this hot and humid train for over an hour. "The doors were closed because we were told we may be moving. That was 15 minutes ago. It's like an oven in here and we're being slow cooked." A spokesperson for the train operator initially wrote: "Due to a fault on a train between London Blackfriars and Herne Hill, some lines are blocked. We're working to gather more information on this incident." In a separate reply to another passenger, they said: "We are aware of your location (and the lack of working A/C on the train) and are working with response teams to get you moving as soon as possible. "Please do not attempt to self evacuate as the tracks are still live." In a statement to MailOnline, Thameslink confirmed: "Earlier today, a fault on a train near Loughborough Junction brought all services to a halt in the area, three of them outside station platforms. "Without power and air conditioning on such a hot day, we pulled all resources from across Sussex and Kent to get personnel on site to safely evacuate passengers as quickly as possible along the track. "This would have been a difficult and uncomfortable experience for our passengers and we are truly sorry. "With safety our top priority, the safest place was to remain on the trains while we worked our hardest to get help to those on board. "There is engineering work taking place today, which means this is the only route Thameslink trains can take south out of London and severe disruption is expected for the rest of the afternoon. "Anyone travelling south of London is currently advised to use Southern services from Victoria but you should check the latest travel advice at "Passengers delayed by 15 minutes or more are also entitled to compensation, with details on our website." A London Fire Brigade spokesperson said: "We were called at 11.46am today to assist around 1,500 railway passengers who are on board two trains which are stranded near Loughborough Junction station. "The power to the railway line has been isolated and crews are currently working alongside staff from Network Rail to lead the passengers from the trains to the station. "Around 25 firefighters are currently in attendance." British Transport Police added: 'Officers were called to Loughborough Junction Railway Station at just before 11am today (21 June) to reports of a train broken down nearby. "Officers assisted Thameslink and Network Rail and all passengers have been evacuated safely.' This comes as an amber heat health alert has been issued for the whole of England until 9am on Monday. The alert - a step up from the yellow heat health alert issued earlier this week - warned that "significant impacts are likely" across health and social care services because of high temperatures. But, the Met Office has also warned of thunderstorms across northern parts of England today. A yellow thunderstorm weather warning is in place from Nottingham up to above Newcastle. It will come into force from 3pm and last until 4am on Sunday. The Met Office warned there could be "frequent lightning, large hail and gusty winds", along with a chance of flooding. Parts of eastern England could climb higher than the 32.2C seen on Thursday and become the hottest day of the year so far. Met Office spokeswoman Nicola Maxey said: "There are scattered thunderstorms coming through. "Some of the rain could be quite intense, and frequent lightning, hail, gusty winds and some heavy downpours, which we haven't seen for a while. "Some of the ground is quite hard at the moment, and when you get heavy rain hitting hard ground, it can cause surface water issues. "You might find surface water on the roads, drains finding it difficult to cope and a small chance of homes being flooded." It comes after hundreds headed out early this morning to watch the sunrise over Stonehenge in celebration of the summer solstice. Those who marked the year's longest day elsewhere experienced 18C temperatures in Salisbury and Greater London by 5am, according to the Met Office. The weather agency also confirmed that Yeovilton in Somerset and Crosby in Merseyside had the highest recorded overnight figures in England, both reaching 19.7C by 6am. The mercury in Cumbria and Lancashire also reached highs above 19C. An official heatwave is recorded when areas reach a certain temperature for three consecutive days, with thresholds varying from 25C to 28C in different parts of the UK. Aidan McGovern, meteorologist at the Met Office, said: "At the moment, the temperatures will be highest towards the east, [with] lower temperatures in the west compared with Friday but still high humidity, so it's going to feel oppressive in many places, and [there is] always a chance of some showers developing as the day progresses, particularly towards the west. "Temperatures [will be] peaking at 31 to 33, or 34C, somewhere between London and Midlands and north-east England." 4 Passengers claimed they were left to fend for themselves on the tracks Credit: Twitter More to follow... For the latest news on this story keep checking back at The Sun Online is your go-to destination for the best celebrity news, real-life stories, jaw-dropping pictures and must-see video. Like us on Facebook at and follow us from our main Twitter account at @TheSun.
Scottish Sun
7 hours ago
- Scottish Sun
Georgia Kousoulou and Tommy Mallett get married for a second time as they say ‘I do' in stunning outdoor wedding
take two Georgia Kousoulou and Tommy Mallett get married for a second time as they say 'I do' in stunning outdoor wedding Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window) Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) THE Only Way Is Essex lovebirds Georgia Kousoulou and Tommy Mallett have had a second wedding. The reality TV stars put on a lavish event on the Spanish island of Mallorca on Friday, which also marked Georgia's 34th birthday. Sign up for the Entertainment newsletter Sign up 3 Georgia Kousoulou and Tommy Mallett have had a second wedding ceremony Credit: Instagram/@georgiakousoulou 3 The couple first met while filming Towie Credit: Instagram They first tied the knot in 2023 in an understated ceremony, but finally got to have their "dream wedding." "Our Dream wedding finally happened," they posted to Instagram alongside two photos from their outdoor ceremony. "Best day of our lives. Surrounded by so much love. Can not wait to get all of our pictures & videos back to show you how incredible it was & you'll be able to watch it all." Georgia looked stunning in an embellished white gown complete with a thigh-high split and which she paired with a strappy pair of silver stilletos. Tommy opted for a sand coloured suit and open white shirt for his big days. They married at an opulent Spanish villa and said 'I do' under a canopy of red flowers. The couple's two children, Brody, four, and Gigi, seven months were in attendance as were plenty of their Towie friends. Some of the other reality stars to be at their nuptials included, Chloe Ross, Sam Mucklow and Danielle Armstrong. Their friends gushed over the stunning ceremony in the comments section of Georgia's Instagram post. "No words!! Still speechless.. everything was perfect from start to finish. Wedding of the year! You looked breathtaking. Thank you for letting us be part of the day.. love you so bloody much 🤍 ROUND 2 BABY!!!!!" wrote hairdresser Amber Dowding. Inside Tommy Mallet and Georgia Kousoulou's luxury family holiday to Mallorca Danielle Armstrong added: "Literally the best wedding EVER!!! Love you guys congratulations 🥂 Round 2 later." Wedding planner, Johanna Lane commented: "My gorgeous friends & the best bride & groom ever 🙌 What a day." Georgia previously opened up to The Sun about the couple's first wedding. ecember 2023 was a much more low-key affair and ended with a humble Chinese takeaway. "We came back to mine and had a Chinese. It was unreal. It is so me and Tommy," she said. "I literally got back, got my PJs on straight away and we had a Chinese." She added: "The best bit about it was that we hired tables. So we had a top table…And we all just stuffed our faces with Chinese … it was actually brilliant. So good."
Scottish Sun
8 hours ago
- Scottish Sun
The Spanish love these three drinks to keep them cool in summer – here's how to find them in the UK
One only has two supermarket ingredients DRINK IT IN The Spanish love these three drinks to keep them cool in summer – here's how to find them in the UK Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window) Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) WHILE the UK is set to hit 30C this week, us Brits are still not as good at coping with hot weather as Spaniards. And when it comes to drinks, Sangria might seem as Spanish as a siesta when it comes to beating the heat, Sign up for Scottish Sun newsletter Sign up 4 The Spanish have three drinks they love for when the weather gets hot Credit: Alamy 4 Agua de Valencia is also a popular drink Credit: Alamy But there are three drinks that are little known here that Spaniards favour to keep hydrated when the sun is out. The most family-friendly of the three is the non-alcoholic horchata de chufa, which has a creamy consistency like a milkshake, but is made from chufas or tiger nuts, which are a root. It's packed with iron, potassium and antioxidants and often flavoured with cinnamon or lemon. I first encountered it when I visited relatives living in Alboraya, on the outskirts of Valencia, where tiger nuts are grown in the fields and where the most popular horchata parlours, known as horchateria, are based. My grandma took one mouthful and declared that it was a drink that could send you mad, so I think it's fair to say that it might be a bit of an acquired taste. But for many Valencians, it's up there with paella as giving a little taste of their city. A lovely spot to enjoy it is at the Mercat Colon near the Turia, which is a gorgeous 100-year-old art nouveau market hall in the city centre, renovated and now used to house bars and shops. Orxata Daniel, one of the most popular horchaterias, has a base there so you don't need to catch the metro out of the city centre if you want to try the drink the Spanish go mad for. You can also buy it pre-bottled in the UK now (£14.95 for two on Amazon) although it's not a patch on the freshly made drink. If you're after a thirst-quencher that includes something a bit stronger, then Agua de Valencia is a potent cocktail that's fairly easy to knock up at home, with ingredients easily bought at supermarkets here. San Sebastian cider season It's another drink that uses what the Valencians find in abundance in their lands, but this time the key ingredient is orange juice. Oh, and cava, gin and vodka, of course. When I first tried this delicious cocktail on a bar crawl through the bohemian district of Rusafa, next to the main city train station, I had no idea quite how much booze it contained, thanks to the fresh orange juice used as a mixer. Safe to say, I certainly discovered just how alcoholic it was when it came to the next day's hangover. I even had it as a signature drink at my hen do as it's a real crowd-pleaser and one that suits most people's taste buds, if not their tolerance of alcohol! To find it in the UK, restaurants like Bar + Block or Iberica, which have a number of eateries across the country. 4 If you don't want alcohol you can try horchata Credit: Alamy One drink that really is a taste of summer for Spaniards across the country is tinto de verano. In the same way that we might enjoy a white wine spritzer on a sunny day, this is their equivalent, but with red wine. It's often made with either gaseosa soda or lemonade and the name translated means summer red wine. This is probably the closest to the sangria that we Brits know and love when we head abroad, but a little bit less alcoholic and so better for keeping hydrated in the heat without risking a hangover. Most Spanish restaurants will serve it, including popular ones like Al-Andalus Tapas Bar in Oxford or The Ginger Pig in London. Hopefully the warm weather is here to stay for a while now it's finally arrived, so you can't really go wrong with trying out Spain's top tipples to find your favourite. It's a little taste of the Med but without even leaving your own back garden. In the mean time, we've found the cheapest places for an Aperol Spritz in Europe.
