German and Austrian outlets reported a ban on building sandcastles on beaches in the southern part of Tenerife, citing fines of €500‑€1,500 for violations in Arona and Arico. The claim spread via social media and was echoed by some Spanish TV channels.
Investigations by local Spanish newspapers El Día and Atlántico Hoy, as well as the fact‑checking platform Newtral, found no such regulation. The municipal councils of Arona and Arico stated on their websites that sandcastle building is not prohibited and no fines are imposed. They traced the rumor to a 2009 draft ordinance that would have limited "large sand structures" but that proposal was never adopted.
The false report originated from posts on Facebook and Twitter and was later amplified by several media outlets before being officially denied by the local authorities.
Entities: Arico · Arona · Tenerife