Quick answer: Benidorm's beaches are closed between midnight and 7am, and being on the sand in those hours (including swimming) carries a reported fine of €750 to €1,200. Smoking, reserving a spot with an unattended towel or parasol, ball games outside marked zones and using soap in the beach showers are also fineable. Most visitors never see a fine, but the rules are real and police do patrol.
The rules at a glance
The fines below are the amounts reported in UK and Spanish press since the rules were tightened. The council sets the final amount case by case, so treat them as a guide, not a price list.
| Rule | Reported fine |
|---|---|
| On the beach or swimming between midnight and 7am | €750–€1,200 |
| Sleeping or camping on the beach | Up to €1,200 |
| Smoking on the beach | Up to €2,000 |
| Using soap or shampoo in beach showers | About €650 |
| Nudity on a non-nudist beach | About €650 |
| Leaving the beach into town without covering up | Up to €300 |
| Reserving space with an unattended towel or parasol | About €150 |
| Urinating in the sea | About €150 |
| Building large sand structures | About €150 |
| Ball games outside designated areas | About €120 |
Sources: Coventry Telegraph, The Independent, LBC, Travel Weekly, Modern Campground.
Can you go on Benidorm beach at night?
No. The sand is off limits from midnight to 7am, and that includes a quick walk to the water's edge or a late swim. The promenades along Levante and Poniente stay open all night, so you can still walk the seafront after the bars close.
The ban has a safety side as well as a legal one. Frank the Stagman, who runs stag weekends in the resort, has warned visitors that thieves target people who wander onto the beach at night. He also said he had never personally known anyone to be fined. Take both points seriously: the fine is rare, theft is not.
The beaches themselves open all year under Benidorm's beach ordinance, first approved in 2009. Lifeguard hours change by season, so check the flags before you swim.
Smoking on the beach
Smoking carries the largest reported fine, up to €2,000. Benidorm promotes its beaches as smoke-free, and cigarette ends are the main target. Smoke on the promenade, away from the sand, and use a bin.
Reserving spots, ball games and sandcastles
Planting a parasol or towel at dawn and leaving it is the rule that causes most rows. In August 2026, Euro Weekly News reported people claiming spots in the middle of the night again. It also noted that a towel left at dawn does not automatically mean the maximum fine.
Ball games are allowed only in marked areas. Large sand sculptures were banned on Levante after a 2016 council vote; a child's bucket-and-spade castle is not what the rule is aimed at.
Showers, toilets and covering up
The beach showers are for rinsing off sand. Soap and shampoo run straight into the sea, which is why using them is fined. Use the public toilets on the promenade rather than the sea.
Nudity is only allowed on designated nudist beaches. Walking into town in swimwear, or shirtless away from the seafront, can also draw a fine, so carry a T-shirt for the walk back to your hotel or to the bars.
Sant Joan and other special nights
On the Nit de Sant Joan (23 June), Benidorm does not allow bonfires or glass on the beach, unlike some neighbouring towns. See our Sant Joan guide for that night's rules.
How strictly are the rules enforced?
Enforcement focuses on the high-impact offences: people on the sand at night, smoking, glass and anti-social behaviour. Local police and beach staff patrol, and lifeguards report infringements. Groups on stag or hen weekends draw the most attention, so read our stag do guide before a big night.
Benidorm beach rules: FAQs
What time does Benidorm beach close? The sand closes at midnight and reopens at 7am. The seafront promenades stay open.
Can I swim at night in Benidorm? No. Swimming between midnight and 7am counts as being on the beach and carries a reported €750–€1,200 fine.
Is smoking allowed on Benidorm beaches? No. The reported maximum fine is €2,000.
Can I reserve a sunbed or spot early? You can rent official sunbeds, but leaving a towel or parasol unattended to save a spot is fineable, reportedly around €150.
Can I drink alcohol on the beach? Widely shared rule lists include drinking on the sand as an offence. We could not find a primary source for the amount, so assume it is not allowed and keep drinks to the beach bars.
Are these rules only for tourists? No. They apply to everyone on Benidorm's beaches, residents included.
The fines above are as reported in the press. Benidorm council sets and applies the final amount.