The move is the latest initative aimed at minimising the impact of tourists across the country. A popular Spanish tourist destination is set to introduce new curfews on bars, restaurants and nightclubs due to noise complaints from residents. Authorities in Spain’s popular Costa Blanca region of Alicante have approved the new legislation, which is expected to come into force before the peak holiday season begins in spring.
The new ruling means bars will have to close at 12.30am on weekdays and 1am on Friday, Saturdays and on the eve of national holidays. Nightclubs will be required to close their doors at 1am during weekdays and 3am on the weekend. And new applications for terrace spots are also being halted, as are new licences for nightclubs, bars, restaurants, cafes, karaoke bars and even bingo halls. The curfew applies to two areas of Alicante City designated as Acoustically Saturated Zones (ZAS).
This includes parts of the Old Town and the area around Calle Castaños. Police will be on hand to ensure closing times are observed, bar terraces cleared and to disperse revellers from the area. The ruling is also expected to impact 24-hour shops, which will also be required to comply with the new legislation. The move is the latest in a raft of initiatives aimed at reducing the number and impact of tourists across Spain.
Overcrowding, strained resources like water and the increasing scarcity and cost of housing have become pressing issues across the country, especially in major cities. Malaga and Barcelona are both tightening regulations on short-term rentals predominantly used by tourists. A 2024 YouGov study found that nearly a third of people living in Spain said there are too many foreign travellers in their country.
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