The popular Spanish city of Valencia has introduced a wave of strict new rules and hefty fines for tourists, with penalties for some offenses reaching as high as €3,000 (£2,500). The local government says the crackdown is necessary to ensure that the city’s thriving tourism industry remains compatible with the day-to-day lives of its 840,000 residents.
Innovation and tourism minister Paula Llobret stated that the objective is not to discourage visitors, but to manage tourist behavior more effectively. “We want Valencia to remain a city where tourist mobility is compatible with the day-to-day life of those who live here,” Llobret said, emphasizing that the city is committed to a “responsible tourism model.”
The new regulations target a wide range of anti-social behaviors. Visitors caught littering—including dropping cigarette butts, chewing gum, or paper—or failing to clean up after pets, now face fines of up to €1,500 (£1,250). Even more serious infractions, such as urinating or spitting in public spaces, carry steeper penalties climbing to €3,000.
Beyond general conduct, the city is also clamping down on group transit to reduce congestion and improve safety. Cycling and e-scooter tours are now capped at a maximum of 10 people, a significant reduction from the previous limit of 15. Larger groups must split up and maintain a mandatory distance of at least 50 meters from one another. To assist with this transition, the city council has launched a “responsible cyclist” campaign, which includes a ten-point code of conduct for those navigating the streets on two wheels.
These measures complement a broader legislative effort to curb rowdy “stag and hen” celebrations. Under proposed rules, groups participating in such parties in public spaces between 10:00 PM and 8:00 PM—or 9:30 AM on Saturdays—could be fined between €750 and €1,500. The city is also taking a hardline stance against lewd behavior: wearing items that depict human genitalia or carrying explicit sexual props through the streets could result in a fine of up to €750. If passed, Valencia would become the first Spanish municipality to enact regulations specifically targeting these types of pre-wedding parties.
Valencia’s shift reflects a growing trend across Spain as local governments grapple with the impacts of mass tourism. Nearby Benidorm has recently banned two-seater mobility scooters to curb accidents, while Tenerife has introduced steep £2,500 fines for a variety of beach-based anti-social behaviors, including littering and loud music. From stricter drink-driving laws to limits on the size of guided tour groups in Mallorca, Spanish authorities are increasingly prioritizing the comfort of residents and the preservation of public spaces over the unchecked expansion of tourist activities.
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