Málaga residents have staged protests against mass tourism, arguing that they are being priced out of their own neighbourhoods due to short-term rentals.

18:51, Sun, Jul 20, 2025 Updated: 19:01, Sun, Jul 20, 2025

Nerja beach. Malaga province, Costa del Sol, Andalusia, Spain

Malaga has released a new set of rules for tourists. (Image: Getty)

Visitors should keep noise levels to a minimum, particularly during the night, and avoid loud music or shouting in residential areas.

They've also been urged to dress respectfully. While beach attire and bare skin are acceptable on the sands, they're not suitable for city strolls.

Tourists should remember that pedestrian zones are not meant for scooters and bicycles, and they should use designated bins and toilets.

Locals have grown weary of littering, public intoxication, and other disrespectful behaviours, with fines reaching up to €750 for violations.

Brits visiting Malaga this year have been urged to be on their best behaviour or risk hefty fines. The southern Spanish city has introduced a new set of rules for tourists that go beyond the usual travel advice. The Improve Your Stay campaign, aimed at curbing unruly behaviour, has unveiled a 10-point list of dos and don'ts, with penalties for non-compliance.

Tourists have been told to "cover up and keep quiet", with the message displayed on buses, billboards, and social media platforms. Improve Your Stay seeks to alleviate tensions between visitors and locals, who argue that the city is struggling under the strain of mass tourism.

Playa de la Malagueta beach with high-rises

Tourists visiting Malaga have been told to dress respectfully. (Image: Getty)

Last year, Málaga residents staged several protests against overtourism, arguing that they were being priced out of their own neighbourhoods due to short-term tourist rentals.

There was also an incident where locals covered the city with anti-tourist posters and stickers bearing slogans like: "This used to be my home", "go f****** home", "stinking of tourist" and "this used to be the city centre".

Spain as a whole continues to struggle with excessive tourism, an issue plaguing several cities, including Barcelona, San Sebastián, and Seville.

Ongoing protests have prompted warnings from the Foreign Office about potential disturbances during holiday periods.

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