If You Play Loud Music on the Beach, You Could Face a 50 Million Won Fine in This Country

Regulating 'Minpae' Tourist Behavior During the Peak Summer Season

As the peak summer tourist season begins, the Portuguese government has announced it will crack down on playing music through portable speakers on beaches. Violators face fines of up to 36,000 euros (approximately 51.18 million KRW).

According to recent reports from Euronews, the Portuguese Maritime Authority (AMN) stated that individuals playing music through speakers could be fined between 200 and 4,000 euros (approximately 280,000 to 5.69 million KRW), while groups could face fines ranging from 2,000 to 36,000 euros (approximately 2.84 million to 51.18 million KRW). They also warned that portable speakers used to play music could be confiscated.

The photo is not related to the specific content of the article. [Image source=Pixabay]

Although there is no specific volume threshold classifying noise as a disturbance, any resident or tourist disturbed by noise can directly report it to the local maritime police. In addition, the Portuguese Maritime Authority has banned ball games outside designated areas, camping outside campgrounds, and lighting fires.

Other European countries are also regulating various behaviors by tourists that harm local residents.

Barcelona, Spain, banned smoking on beaches last summer to prevent beachgoers from suffering secondhand smoke and to stop beaches from being littered with discarded cigarette butts. Last month, Dubrovnik, Croatia, prohibited pulling wheeled suitcases (carriers) on the pebble-covered old town streets, requiring travelers to carry them instead. Violators face fines of about 400,000 KRW. This measure was introduced following complaints from local residents about the severe noise caused by dragging suitcases.

Sorrento, a representative tourist city in southern Italy, has imposed fines ranging from 25 euros (approximately 35,000 KRW) to a maximum of 500 euros (approximately 700,000 KRW) since July last year on tourists who walk around the streets shirtless or wearing only swimwear such as bikinis. Sorrento finalized this ordinance stating, "Walking around the streets in revealing attire causes discomfort to residents and undermines the dignity of Sorrento."