Stunning village that looks just like Santorini on popular Spanish holiday island set to ban tourists
A PRETTY village in Spain often compared to the Greek island of Santorini is threatening to ban tourists from visiting.
Binibeca Vell, on the island of Menorca, attracts tourists all year round due to it’s distinct white-washed houses.
Once a fishing village, just 1,000 people currently live in the village which was constructed back in the 1960s.
And looking similar to Santorini, as many as 800,000 visit a year, often between the months of May and October.
There are now fears that this is set to hit one million tourists this year, after it’s popularity has boomed on social media.
Locals have hit back at badly behaved tourists – and are threatening to cut off access to them entirely.
One resident told local media that they “went into homes, they sat on chairs, they take things, climb on our walls [and] have outdoor drinking parties”.
New rules are already in place which restrict tourists with holidaymakers asked to only visit between 11am and 8pm.
Óscar Monge, head of the group overseeing the village’s home owners, added to the Guardian: “Binibeca Vell is not a place of adventure, but it’s a private housing development where people reside.”
If tourists continue to behave badly, then residents have said they will stop all visits, although Mr Monge says this is a “last resort”.
He even said that people would still be able to take pictures of the pretty houses from the coastline, rather than inside.
Begoña Mercadal, head of tourism for Menorca, said residents would be able to close access if they so wished.
She said: “We fully acknowledge that it is private property and, therefore, if they want to close it, that is their right.”
The village has also called for more funding, with just €25,000 a year given to keep up the area with repainting the homes and collecting litter.
Previous tourists have called it the “prettiest village on the island,” raving about the cobblestone streets, restaurants and harbour.
Spain has been struggling with overtourism in recent years, which has led to a number of protests across the holiday hotspots including Majorca and Tenerife.
Despite this, the current travel advice does not warn against travel to Spain, although warns of protests and marches in some of the cities.
One man who visits Spain every other month has revealed how to blend in with the locals and avoid the tourists traps.
This includes ditching Las Ramblas for San Antoni and asking for a “cana” at restaurants.
Another expert has revealed why tourists should never order paella on a Monday either.
Here’s how to do a holiday in Menorca this summer.
Everything you need to know about visiting Spain
- Brits must have at least three months left on their passport from the day they plan to leave the country.
- Tourists do not need a visa if visiting for up to 90 days in an 180-day period.
- Make sure your passport is stamped on entry and exit.
- Travellers may be asked to show hotel booking confirmations and that they have enough money for their stay at the border.
- Spain is one hour ahead of the UK.
- The country uses the euro with around €10 working out to £8.55.
- Flights to Spain from the UK take between 2-4 hours depending on the destination.