New Beach Laws in Gran Canaria: What Tourists Can and Can't Do

Gran Canaria, a sun-soaked gem in Spain’s Canary Islands, is shaking up the beach experience in 2025. From how you rent a lounger to how you behave by the waves, new rules are being introduced to better manage tourism, protect natural spaces, and create a more pleasant experience for everyone.

Whether you’re visiting for the volcanic landscapes, charming towns, or just that perfect patch of sand, here’s what you need to know before your next beach day on the island.

Pay-and-Display Machines Are In: Say Hello to Sunbed Parking Meters

If you’re planning to sunbathe at El Perchel, Puerto Rico, or Playa de Mogán, you’ll now find newly installed pay-and-display machines on the beach. These machines look and work a lot like parking meters—but instead of a car space, you’re paying to stretch out in comfort.

Here’s how the system works:

• Choose the service: sun lounger, umbrella, or both
• Insert cash into the machine
• Collect your printed ticket
• Keep the ticket with you while using the beach furniture

The ticket acts as your proof of payment, so make sure you don’t lose it while you're taking a dip. This new system was introduced after multiple tourists asked for the ability to pay in cash—a service that hadn’t been available due to previous security concerns.

Prefer Plastic? Card Payments Still Available

Good news for the digital crowd: card payments are still accepted. If you prefer to use a bank card, simply walk up to one of the beach attendants. They carry handheld card machines and will help you pay the old-fashioned way—no need to use the new totem-like pay machines if you’re not dealing in cash.

Willy García, the Mogán Town Council’s Councillor for Beaches, said the update strikes a balance between security and visitor convenience. “Many people—especially international visitors—still travel with cash. After evaluating the options, we decided to install these machines to make the service more accessible to all.”

Whether you’re team cash or team card, the system now works for everyone.

Gran Canaria Introduces Strict New Beach Rules in 2025

But sunbed payments aren’t the only change. As part of a larger initiative to tackle overtourism and preserve the island’s delicate ecosystems, Gran Canaria has also announced a set of strict new regulations for beachgoers—especially along the Agaete coastline and surrounding public areas like promenades and coastal paths.

These rules are aimed at protecting the environment, maintaining public order, and ensuring that both locals and tourists can enjoy the beach without disruption.

Banned Activities Now Include:

• Smoking or vaping on beaches
• Playing loud music from speakers or phones
• Barbecuing or cooking in public beach areas
• Blocking access paths with personal belongings or setups
• Collecting natural elements like seashells, sand, or rocks
• Engaging in sexual activity (yes, they had to spell that one out!)

What Happens If You Break the Rules?

Local authorities aren’t just making polite suggestions—they’re ready to enforce. Fines start at around €25 for minor infractions like smoking or playing music, and can escalate to a hefty €3,000 for more serious violations.

The goal isn’t to scare off visitors but to promote more responsible tourism. After all, Gran Canaria is more than a beach holiday—it’s an island with a unique microclimate, thriving ecosystems, and communities that call it home.

From the tropical greenery of Agaete in the north to the golden dunes of Maspalomas in the south, the island’s diverse landscapes are worth protecting. And that starts with setting limits on the behaviors that put these places at risk.

Why Gran Canaria Is Taking Action Now

Gran Canaria is no stranger to mass tourism. In 2024 alone, Spain welcomed more than 94 million visitors, with the Canary Islands continuing to be one of the most visited regions in the country.

While tourism supports the local economy, it also brings challenges—overcrowded beaches, noise pollution, environmental degradation, and rising tensions between visitors and locals.

That’s why we’re seeing a broader shift across Spain. From Barcelona’s crackdown on noisy rentals to the Sagrada Familia’s new “selfie zone”, authorities across the country are trying to create smarter, more sustainable tourism experiences.

Gran Canaria’s new beach rules and pay systems are part of that movement.

How to Be a Respectful Beachgoer in Gran Canaria

Want to enjoy Gran Canaria to the fullest while keeping things respectful? Here are a few quick tips:

• Bring both cash and card so you're ready to pay for sunbeds
• Use headphones instead of playing music out loud
• Take your trash with you, especially plastics
• Don’t take “souvenirs” like sand or shells—leave nature as you found it
• And yes, keep the PDA to a minimum.

The Bottom Line: More Rules, Better Beaches

Gran Canaria’s beaches are some of the most beautiful in Europe. With a few small adjustments—like grabbing your sunbed ticket and being mindful of your surroundings—you can still have that perfect beach day in paradise.

As the island continues to balance tourism with preservation, these new systems aim to make things better for everyone—locals, visitors, and the natural environment.

So grab your towel, stay chill, and follow the signs. Gran Canaria’s beaches are evolving—and they’re still just as stunning.‍