Gran Canaria is one of the most popular Canary Islands, and according to our guide, it’s the best one for indigenous culture and city sights (along with spectacular scenery and, of course, beaches).
However, its high levels of tourism can be a detriment to the lives of locals and to the island’s environment. To combat that impact, a whole host of new rules for behaviour have just been announced.
According to Canarian Weekly, the regulations cover the Agaete coastline of Gran Canaria and apply to promenades, beaches, and other coastal areas.
The bans include smoking or vaping on beaches, and playing loud music. Tourists are also prohibited from cooking or barbecuing in public spaces, blocking access to paths, collecting shells or rocks and also engaging in any sexual acts – because no one needs to see that.
Recommended: What is the Spain ‘tourism ban’? The areas affected and what you need to know.
While the new rules have been brought into place to make life more pleasant for locals and tourists, it’s also to preserve Gran Canaria’s habitat. The island has its own microclimate, after all, with the Maspalomas sand dunes in the south, cool peaks around the Tejeda crater in the centre, and tropical valleys such as Agaete in the north. Worth protecting, right?
For those opting to ignore the new rules, you can bet you’ll be hit with a (potentially hefty) fine. According to the Express, minor infractions could incur a fine of between £25-£629, but more serious offences could be anywhere between £630-£1,258. The highest amount tourists could be charged is a whopping £2,517 – that’s around €3,000.
More on overtourism in Spain
Spain welcomed a whopping 94 million visits in 2024, but these bans in Gran Canaria are one of many policies to keep visitor numbers and behaviour under control.
Recently, we’ve reported on the Sagrada Familia introducing a ‘selfie zone’ to curb overcrowding, as well as drastic new rules on holiday lets across Spain.
There’s some information here about how to be a more sustainable tourist – and check out our newly updated list of the world’s most sustainable travel destinations.
Did you see that one of Europe’s most beautiful countries could soon introduce a new tourist tax?
Plus: Madrid and Lisbon will soon be connected by a direct train.
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