Words by Grace West

In a country where the summer sun seems to never set, your fun on the beach just might. If you’re thinking of testing your architectural and imaginative skills by building a sandcastle in Galicia, Spain, please, think again. In Spain's northwest province, engaging with this seemingly innocent recreation might do some damage to your wallet, to the tune of up to €1,500.

This nonchalant activity with a significant penalty is included in Galicia’s Ley de Costas, or Coastal Laws. These laws are intended to preserve the beautiful beaches, dunes, and surf zones from problems like erosion, overdevelopment, and environmental harm and, so it seems, sandcastles. Spanish Law classifies these areas as maritime-terrestrial public domains and gives coastal municipalities the authority to implement and enforce local ordinances like maintaining clear paths or managing beach cleanliness through sanctions.

These strict rules might leave the average beachgoer scratching their head, but they are intended to protect the coastal environment and keep the areas safe and enjoyable for everyone. While it may sound like satire, this law is very, seriously real. So the next time you find yourself soaking up the sun on a beautiful beach in Galicia, it might be better to put down the sandcastle mold and pick up a kite. Oh wait, you might not be able to do that either!