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There will be fewer chiringuitos on Cartagena beaches this summer
The council has reduced the number of beach bar licences and introduced stricter criteria to try to improve quality
Cartagena City Council is launching a new tender process for the concession of chiringuito beach bars along its coastline, but is reducing the number of available licences from more than 50 to just 33 this year.The aim is to improve the quality of the services provided by the chiringuitos, to avoid any beach bars remaining empty all summer long, and to get rid of those that previously received a lot of complaints about noise and uncleanliness.
Specifically, the 33 chiringuitos will be distributed among the beaches of Cartagena East (Cala Reona-Cabo de Palos-La Manga), Cartagena West (Isla Plana-La Azohía), Cartagena-Mar Menor (from La Manga del Mar Menor to Punta Brava) and El Portús.
Running a beach bar is very different from owning a normal bar anywhere else in Spain. In order to be able to operate a chiringuito on the beach in Spain, the bar manager must receive special permission from the local authorities via a bidding process.
The concessions for opening Cartagena beach bars in summer, which are managed by the Council’s Coastal Department, will be awarded for one season at a time, with the possibility of annual renewals up to a maximum of four years.
This system allows the Council to swiftly address non-compliance without waiting for the next full tender cycle. The new process is expected to be finalised before Easter to ensure successful bidders can open in time for the high season.
Key changes in the bidding process for the 2025 season include limiting each bidder to just one beach bar each, preventing monopolisation; a greater emphasis on aesthetics, sustainability and service quality; and the requirement for licences to be renewed annually.
Bids will be evaluated on a 100-point scale, with points being awarded for factors such as price, the use of sustainable materials, integration with the environment, food quality, allergen information, menu variety, ability to book online, acceptance of card payments and also 10 points for any kiosk that has solar panels on the roof.
Bidders must submit a 10-page report detailing how they meet these requirements.
Following the beach bar tender, the city will issue separate contracts for sun loungers, parasols and inflatable bouncy castles on the water. The Council also plans to invest €330,000 in improving beach furniture, including accessible toilets, shaded areas and foot washing stations, particularly to benefit the elderly and those with reduced mobility.
Image: Ayuntamiento de Cartagena
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