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British tourists warned over ‘towel wars’ in Mallorca, say ‘completely unacceptable’

British tourists warned over ‘towel wars’ in Mallorca, say ‘completely unacceptable’

Residents living in a popular summer hotspot for British tourists have warned of escalating wars – over towels. Holidaymakers are now fighting for the best spot on Majorca’s beach – and it’s getting worse.

Residents of the Balearic island claim that some tourists are waking up at the crack of dawn to reserve straw-covered parasols in the front row, just inches from the sea. Similar to scenes seen in hotels with sun loungers, they claim that we are now seeing battles on the beach.




Many foreign holidaymakers mark their territory early in the morning and claim to have put up dozens of umbrellas long before the big crowds arrive.

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“While half of Mallorca is still asleep, the towel war has already begun in Playa de Palma,” reports the Spanish press. “German holidaymakers have not only ‘reserved’ their sun loungers at the hotel pools at sunrise, but have now also transferred this habit to the beach. With towels hanging from the parasols early in the morning, tourists secure the best spots right on the sea.”

Local media footage taken last weekend near a large hotel in Playa de Palma, popular with German tourists, showed more than ten parasols ‘occupied’ in the early morning.

Towels hang from almost all the poles, many of which are from nearby hotels. “The strategy of the holidaymakers is probably to ‘reserve’ the best spots and then have a quiet breakfast,” Ultimahora reports.

Palma City Council operates a sun lounger and parasol rental service on this stretch of beach through an external company, available daily from 10am to 7pm, The Sun reports. Staff are usually on site from 8.30am, setting up the loungers for the day and taking them away in the evening.