Rules: street drinking and behaviour

In parts of Platja de Palma, S'Arenal and Magaluf there are special rules against "booze tourism": shops can't sell alcohol from 9:30 pm to 8 am, happy hours, open bars and organised pub crawls are banned, and drinking in the street is fined. In many other towns drinking in public is also banned by local bylaws.

Other rules worth knowing: in Palma and many villages people don't walk around in swimwear or shirtless (some places fine it), fires and barbecues are not allowed in the countryside or on beaches, and taking sand, stones or posidonia from beaches is prohibited.

In Platja de Palma, s'Arenal and the Punta Ballena and Magaluf area, drinking alcohol in the street carries a fine of €500 to €1,500; it's only allowed on the terraces of bars, restaurants and hotels or at authorised festivals. What surprises people is that the rule covers the beach and the promenade too, not just the bar streets. Elsewhere on the island each town hall sets the rules, and many ban it too: if in doubt, have your drink sitting on a terrace.

With fire the rule is strict: between 1 May and 15 October you can't light one on forest land or near it, and that includes portable barbecues and camping stoves in pine woods. Taking sand, stones or posidonia from the beach is also banned, even as a souvenir. In Palma and many villages, walking into a shop or bar in swimwear or shirtless is frowned upon and some town halls fine it: always carry something to cover up.

Frequently asked questions

Can you drink alcohol in the street in Mallorca?

In Platja de Palma, s'Arenal and Magaluf it's banned, with fines from €500 to €1,500, except on the terraces of bars, restaurants and hotels. Many other towns also ban it in their bylaws, so the safe option is to drink only on terraces.

Are barbecues allowed in Mallorca?

Not in the countryside or woods, especially from 1 May to 15 October, the wildfire danger season, when using fire on or near forest land is banned. Bonfires and barbecues aren't allowed on beaches either.

Can I walk around Palma in swimwear?

Better not. In Palma and many villages people don't walk around in swimwear or shirtless away from the beach and promenade, and some bylaws fine it. Put on a T-shirt and something over your swimwear to go into shops, bars or churches.

Updated in October 2026