Spain. Spain is another country where all the beaches are public, and hotels are not allowed to restrict access to outside guests who wish to come for a bit of surf and sun. However, some hotels and resorts offer sunbeds and other amenities exclusively to their guests, leaving outside visitors to fend for themselves.

No, it is legally impossible to "own" a private beach in Spain due to the Ley de Costas (Coastal Law). This law mandates that the entire Spanish coastline, specifically the Dominio Público Marítimo-Terrestre (DPMT), is public property that must remain accessible for general use. The public domain includes the beach, the surf zone, and a strip of land inland from the high-tide line. While some luxury villas or hotels may appear to have private beaches, they are actually subject to a "Right of Way Easement" (Servidumbre de Tránsito), meaning the public is legally entitled to walk across that land to access the sea. In 2026, the Spanish government continues to strictly enforce these rules, and any illegal fences or walls built to block beach access can be demolished by authorities without compensation, ensuring that "the beach belongs to everyone" remains a core legal tenet.