Party towns, new rules: San Antonio slumps while Magaluf and Benidorm push more upmarket

San Antonio's party district, once filled with young British revelers, now struggles with an empty and hollow nightlife scene. The Asociacion Empresarial de Ocio Nocturno Noches de Ibiza (AEON) described this past summer as "the worst in history," with fewer visitors and reduced police presence. Few British bar owners cited rising costs and a lack of affordability as reasons to move away from the strip.

Despite public vote attempts to rename the "West End," the label was dropped due to low turnout. A new boulevard opened in July, but the painted mural downtown remains a symbol of the area's declining appeal. In contrast, Magaluf faces a similar decline, with a shift from stag weekends to a more balanced mix of visitors. Benidorm has seen a decrease in pub and club visits, with only 9.8% of tourists citing them as a reason for their trip.

Both towns are grappling with the challenge of maintaining their party reputation while attracting a wider range of visitors, as Spain aims to promote tourism without the excesses of drunken nights.