Ibiza and Magaluf ban pub crawls and happy hours in radical blow to partygoers

Majorca and Ibiza have launched a brave attempt to shake their “party island” reputation by banning pub crawls and happy hours in three tourist hotspots.

The restrictions, which apply to Playa de Palma and Magaluf in Majorca and Sant Antoni in Ibiza, mark a concerted effort by the regional government to clamp down on binge-drinking.

The law - understood to be the first of its kind in Europe - prohibits the organisation and promotion of pub crawls.

It also bans happy hours and says party boats can no longer advertise in the three zones, nor can they pick up or drop off revellers there.

Free bars, adverts for alcoholic drinks, and alcohol vending machines are also now forbidden, while shops selling alcohol must close from 9.30pm to 8am local time.

The new regulations also ban the practice of jumping from hotel balconies into swimming pools, popularly known as “balconing”.

The activity has led to many injuries and several deaths. Anyone caught doing it will now be forced to leave their hotel and may face fines.

The legislation will initially apply for the next five years along a stretch of Majorca’s capital Palma and its Magaluf area, and the West End area of Ibiza.

Local authorities say the measures are necessary to improve the quality of tourism on the islands and the wellbeing of both tourists and residents.

Businesses caught violating the new law could face fines of up to €600,000 (£510,000) or be shut down for up to three years.

While the government hopes the rules will help "fight excesses" and "force a real change in the tourism model of those destinations", critics have complained the restrictions will hurt the local economy.

Jose Tirado, president of Majorca's Tourism Services and Businesses Association, told Spain's state television he found the restrictions “exaggerated and disproportionate.”