Lorraine Williamson
Cities across Spain have been tightening urban hygiene rules for years, but two Mediterranean hotspots — Málaga and Palma de Mallorca — are now pushing their efforts further. Their focus is not on large-scale littering or waste management. Instead, they are targeting the everyday habits that stain pavements, unsettle residents, and damage the image of cities that rely heavily on tourism.
The shift mirrors a wider European trend. Holiday destinations facing high footfall are increasing penalties for minor street pollution, framing clean public spaces as essential to quality of life and long-term visitor appeal. For Málaga and Mallorca, this has become a matter of civic pride as much as public health.
Málaga raises the stakes with tougher penalties
Málaga’s latest public order rules send a clear message: certain behaviours will no longer be tolerated. Spitting on the pavement, urinating behind bins, or attempting to relieve oneself in a doorway can now lead to sizeable fines. The basic penalty can reach €300, but the amount escalates sharply in crowded areas or near historic monuments, rising to as much as €1,500.
City officials say the measure underlines respect for shared spaces. Málaga welcomes millions of visitors each year, and the council wants tourists and residents alike to experience clean, dignified streets rather than unpleasant traces of thoughtless behaviour. The rules follow recurring complaints from neighbourhood associations, who argue that minor antisocial acts have become increasingly visible as tourism continues to grow.
Palma focuses on the battle against chewing gum
In Palma de Mallorca, the most persistent problem is chewing gum — the small, flattened circles that cling to pavements like permanent graffiti. The port alone collects thousands every week, a reminder of the constant flow of passengers and cruise ship visitors.
To remedy the situation, the local port authority has brought in a specialist team capable of removing around 4,500 pieces of gum in a single six-hour shift. Using high-pressure steam and specific cleaning agents, crews work their way across quays and public squares, lifting years of embedded residue. The investment is substantial, but officials consider it money well spent for a city where first impressions matter.
Palma’s leaders want travellers stepping off ferries and cruise ships to find spotless surroundings rather than neglected stonework. It represents a broader campaign to rebuild the city’s reputation after years of debate around overtourism and urban fatigue.
Cigarette butts are a growing frustration
Beyond the usual complaints about litter and gum, many residents point to another stubborn culprit: cigarette butts. They turn up everywhere — scattered across pavements, wedged between café chair legs, or half-buried in the sand on popular beaches. Despite the presence of nearby bins and ashtrays, the habit persists, leaving streets and shorelines dotted with tiny plastic filters that take years to break down. Local councils say that tackling this part of the problem is crucial, both for public hygiene and for the coastal environment that draws so many people to Andalucía and the Balearics in the first place.
Clean streets as part of a city’s identity
Although their approaches differ, Málaga and Palma share a similar goal: to curate an environment that reflects the character of each city. Clean pavements help reinforce a sense of order and respect. They also help shape the story visitors take home.
A city’s image isn’t only defined by its museums or beaches. It is also shaped by what people notice at ground level — litter-free squares, well-kept ports, and pavements that aren’t covered in stains. In tourism-driven economies, these details carry weight.
Urban planners point out that visible cleanliness contributes to residents’ well-being too. When people feel their city is looked after, the incentive to treat public spaces responsibly increases.
Enforcement meets education
While Málaga leans heavily on penalties, Palma has paired its efforts with awareness campaigns. Local leaders want tourists to understand the impact of careless habits, especially on an island where public spaces absorb thousands of footsteps every day.
Málaga’s rules also emphasise proportionality. Authorities say fines will be applied only when someone’s behaviour infringes on the “rights of others”, an approach designed to avoid over-policing while still drawing a firm line.
The combined strategy across both cities reflects a growing belief that sustainable tourism goes hand in hand with respect for daily life. Cleaner streets benefit everyone — whether they live in Andalucía or disembark in Mallorca for a day’s sightseeing.
Marbella gets tough on waste disposal
A cleaner future for Spain’s tourist cities
If these measures prove successful, similar campaigns may spread to other high-traffic destinations. Spain’s cities compete fiercely for visitors, and the race for cleaner streets has become part of that wider contest. Málaga and Mallorca are taking the lead, betting that attention to the smallest habits can help shape a better urban experience long after the tourist season ends.
Sources: Malaga Hoy, Infobae