Spanish Resort Town Imposes Fines on Indecent Party Attire
The Spanish resort town Platja d’Aro on Costa Brava has introduced fines for indecent costumes and sex dolls in public. Located about 60 miles northeast of Barcelona, the town aims to curb rowdy behavior at bachelor and bachelorette parties.
Starting late June, individuals wearing costumes depicting genitalia or carrying sex dolls could face fines up to $811 (€750). More severe antisocial behavior could incur penalties up to $1,620 (€1,500), although specific offenses are not clearly defined.
The new regulations also ban walking shirtless or in a bikini in urban areas away from the beach. Platja d’Aro, a town of 12,500 residents, attracts up to 150,000 visitors daily during summer weekends.
The town council has approved these fines and will hire additional police to enforce them. Offenders can appeal penalties without immediate payment. The local police force, which will receive 12 more officers during peak tourist season, is tasked with maintaining order.
The measures follow a recent incident where a groom was taped to a lamppost while his friends caused a disturbance, prompting complaints from residents. Town authorities believe that similar actions are common in other towns, and each should address them independently.
Platja d’Aro's police force will see reinforcement during the six-month peak tourist season, which includes many weddings and associated parties. Visitors causing disturbances come from across Spain and abroad. The town’s permanent residents include people from 80 different nationalities.
City Hall plans to work with local businesses, including hotels, bars, and restaurants, to ensure better coexistence with tourists. This initiative comes amid growing protests in Spain over overtourism, including threats to disrupt Mallorca airport and new regulations on public drinking and party boats in the Balearic Islands.