Marbella cracks down on beach barbecues with mandatory digital bookings

Marbella City Council has launched a new digital booking system for beach moragas and public barbecue areas. The move comes as part of efforts to manage high seasonal demand and protect the local environment. Users must now reserve their spot in advance or face penalties. Moragas are a long-standing Andalucian tradition where groups gather on beaches to cook food over open fires. In Marbella, these events take place in designated areas featuring fixed barbecue structures shaped like boats filled with sand. The council has now made it compulsory to book these spaces online before use.

The online platform is free to use and allows reservations up to 60 days ahead, though bookings must be made at least three days in advance. Confirmation is sent electronically once the slot is secured. Authorised zones are spread along Marbella’s coastline and in selected parks, with time slots typically running from 8pm to 1am during summer.

Failure to comply with the new rules carries consequences. Anyone using a moraga or barbecue area without a reservation risks fines or removal from the site. Additional penalties, ranging from €300 to €3,000, apply for violations of cleanliness and environmental regulations. The system aims to improve safety, reduce overcrowding, and minimise environmental harm. All users must now follow the booking process and adhere to the rules when using public barbecue facilities. The council has stressed that enforcement will be strict during peak periods.