On these beaches in Malaga, fines of up to 750 euros are imposed for reserving a spot with towels or umbrellas.

The traditional practice of getting up early to reserve a spot on the beach by planting umbrellas, setting up chairs, or even with a towel, has been left behind in parts of the coast of Málaga. For several years now, in the Axarquía coast, some towns have implemented fines for those who engage in this practice. In Rincón de la Victoria, the fine can be as high as 750 euros and in Torrox up to 300 euros.

This is outlined in the Municipal Ordinance for the Reservation of Spaces on Beaches, which includes other municipalities of Axarquía such as Vélez-Málaga, Algarrobo, and Nerja, among others. This regulation establishes penalties for improper occupation or abandonment of belongings on the beaches, offenses that are considered minor within the basic regulatory framework.

Fines of up to 750 euros in Rincón de la Victoria

In Rincón de la Victoria, this prohibition started in 2020, as recorded in a municipal decree dated July 15 of that year. It specifies that it is not allowed to reserve physical spaces on the beaches at any time of day or night by placing belongings without the physical presence of the owner for more than one hour. In this town, the offense, considered a misdemeanor, is punishable with fines ranging from 60 to 750 euros.

In Torrox, fines range from 30 to 300 euros. If items such as umbrellas, towels, or chairs occupy a space on the beach and their owner does not show up for a long time, the authorities will remove these items. Owners have up to 14 days to collect them before they are considered "waste," and retrieving them costs 30 euros. As stated by the mayor last summer, Óscar Medina, the purpose of this initiative is not to generate revenue but to eliminate this "uncivic" behavior.

Another municipality in Axarquía that includes this ban is Nerja. Within its Municipal Ordinance for the Use and Enjoyment of Beaches, Article 11 specifies that "the presence, before 08:00, of umbrellas, parasols, deck chairs, and/or other belongings, with the purpose of reserving the physical space of the beach as long as their owner is not with them" is prohibited. In these cases, fines could start from 30 euros (fee that the owner of the removed objects would have to pay).

This is also included in the Beach Ordinance of the municipality of Algarrobo. In its Article 14: "The presence of umbrellas, parasols, tents, tables, deck chairs, and other belongings, without the presence of their owner, with the purpose of reserving physical space on the beach, is prohibited". In this case, a fee of 30 euros must also be paid to recover these objects.