Beachgoers in southern Spain could soon have to pay to freshen up after a day on the sands in one resort that is set to trial a “smart shower” in a bid to reduce water consumption.
Almonte Council is piloting a water-saving project on Matalascañas beach in Andalusia, a Spanish region for which 2023 was the driest year in the last three decades, and the fifth driest ever recorded. Though rainfall and reservoir levels improved somewhat over 2024 and 2025, overall, the region has been in a six-year drought period, severely affecting agriculture, olive groves, and the wider economy. Water scarcity is at crisis point in well-known holiday spots such as Huelva, Cadiz, and Malaga, where most of the regional population is concentrated.
Vaya , no basta con el dinero por aparcar mientras estas en la playa o el aparca coches de turno, ahora también tenemos que pagar para ducharse… pic.twitter.com/SRc9XVpr9g
— Andreu | Construyendo Oply (@oply_es) June 24, 2026
Against that background Malaga has restricted some of its beach showers, though critics maintain that such facilities represent only around 0.24% of water consumption and are an important offer within the tourism sector. Now, the Matalascañas scheme is also causing controversy, as some fear the currently free-to-use smart metered shower is a precursor to more widespread charges for people to clean off after enjoying la playa.
Though showering is complimentary during the trial, the new facility at Matalascañas is designed to be activated through coins or a paid-for QR code, at a price of €1 per minute.
@tactica_aerea otro rinconcito de estas playas de la costa de Huelva 💫😏🥰📸 #DronEspaña #EspañaDesdeElAire #VistasAéreasEspaña #FotografíaAéreaEspaña #DronMadrid #DronBarcelona #DronValencia #DronSevilla #DronBilbao #DronGranada #DronMálaga #DronToledo #ExploraEspaña #RutasAéreasEspaña #DescubreEspaña #VisitaEspaña #EspañaEnImágenes #TurismoEspaña #PaisajesDeEspaña#parati #seguidores#huelv#almonte #RutasAéreasEspaña #matalascañas ♬ PLAYA J JÓSE EL NUEVO PROSPECTO – Jjose el nuevo prospecto
Complainants on social media say that large families could see a chunk of their holiday budget disappear down the drain if the shower charges go ahead, making them less likely to spend money on snacks or beach attire at local businesses. Others question the practicality of a system that is operated by mobile phone, pointing out that water and mobile phones are not typically a good combination.
Another potentially controversial aspect of the paid-for showers could be their impact on etiquette. With many resorts and holiday spots now issuing fines for improper attire or toplessness in the streets, taking away a facility that allows people to wash down and put on a clean T-shirt seems counterproductive.
However, more eco-conscious commentators acknowledge that free beach showers can encourage unnecessary water consumption. One Instagram user wrote: “Every year in the summer, there’s a lot of unnecessary water waste by kids and adults alike. Paying for water makes you think twice about wasting it.” Others insist that a family of four, for example, could easily have a quick rinse for one euro by sharing their time in the shower.
In a country where tourists have been blamed by some for a cost-of-living crisis, and many Spaniards say they cannot afford a holiday at their own beaches any more, the row over paid-for showers appears to be symptomatic of more general concerns about the changing face of beach culture.
