One of Spain’s most popular tourist destinations to ban thousands of souvenirs
ONE of the most popular Spanish holiday destinations is set to introduce strict new rules when it comes to souvenirs.
Tourists hoping to take something rude home may find themselves struggling to find something, under the new restrictions.
Barcelona city council is hoping to ban any sales of souvenirs that are “offensive or in bad taste”.
This includes “penises with the Barcelona brand and t-shirts with sexist, homophobic or simply bad taste messages.”
Local councillor Jordi Coronas has slammed the souvenirs and said they “degrade” Ciutat Vella, the oldest neighbourhoods in the city
He said: “[They] devalue the most visited streets in Barcelona. They are a shabby mess.”
Barcelona’s deputy mayor for economy, Jordi Valls backs the initiative, but warned that it would be hard to rule what is “bad taste”.
He said: “It is difficult to standardize it because what is considered in bad taste is a matter of very high subjectivity.”
The motion has been approved but is not yet confirmed when it will be enforced.
It’s not the only way Spain is cracking down on souvenirs.
Tourists could be fined up to €200 (£170) for buying anything from illegal vendors.
Also known as “manteros,” fake souvenirs are often sold on top of a blanket along the busy beach strips, such as sunglasses and handbags.
Plain-clothed officers are to patrol Costa Blanca during the summer, and fine any holidaymakers caught buying things.
Another souvenir that could get you in trouble is sand.
Tourists have been fined thousands of pounds after trying to take sand from beaches in Sardinia home with them.
Taking pebbles from beaches in the UK is not allowed either – here’s what you need to know.
And ditch the novelty stamps in your passport too.
Places like Checkpoint Charlie in Berlin, and the city of Ciudad Mitad del Mundo in Ecuador – where the equator runs through – offer the fake stamps for tourists to commemorate their trip.
However, they could see you turned away at the border, due to not being official stamps and invalidate your passport.
Other Spanish fines
AUTHORITIES in Majorca are cracking down on tourists by imposing fresh bans on drinking on the streets and graffiti.
Any tourist breaching the new rules could be slapped with a fine of £1,300.
The penalty can be increased up to £2,600, in case the grounds of the offence are more serious.
Fines for graffiti, vandalism and loud slogans have also been increased to £2,600.
If minors are found to commit graffiti vandalism, their parents will be held responsible – and will be forced to pay the fine amount.
Flooding the streets with banners, posters and advertising brochures is now prohibited,
Destroying listed buildings, monuments, and other important public areas would be considered a serious offence – and could attract fines up to £2,600.
In 2020, Brit tourist Tina Sibley was banned from her flight to Phuket after getting a Machu Picchu stamp in her passport.
We’ve revealed the souvenir you should always bring home with you instead.