Granada gets tough on stag and hen parties

Loud singing, drinking in the street and general nuisance behaviour could net fines for tourists wherever they are from.

The Alhambra city is one of Spain's most popular for stag and hen parties – along with Barcelona and Benidorm – and some hoteliers are even becoming wary of agreeing bookings for large groups of friends as they frequently return late at night causing a racket and disturbing other guests.

Some premises have even suffered major damage to fixtures as a result of carelessness or vandalism whilst under the influence of alcohol.

In 2016 alone, police in Granada issued 57 fines, mostly for alcohol consumption – which is banned except in licensed premises or private or tourist accommodation – for making too much noise, and for vandalism.

Already, eight fines have been dished out this year since April.

Obscene costumes or props, use of whistles and megaphones could also see revellers fined.

At least one person has been seen riding a donkey down a main street whilst drunk, police say.

Officers stress their initial approach will be to tell offenders what they must not do and 'redirect their behaviour', since tourists from other parts of Spain – let alone from abroad – are unlikely to be familiar with local bye-laws.

Those caught reoffending will be fined.

Sanctions for anti-social, uncivil or unseemly behaviour in public in Spain tend to run into hundreds of euros.