Parasols for Cafés, Bars & Restaurant Terraces in Spain

The right parasols for a café, bar or restaurant terrace keep every table shaded at your busiest hours, suit the style of your business, comply with any terrace permit conditions, and can be closed quickly when the wind picks up. Getting shade right matters: on a hot Spanish afternoon, a shaded table is often the difference between a customer staying for another drink or leaving.

This guide covers how to plan shade for a hospitality terrace. See our parasols on the parasols collection page.

Check your terrace permit first

If your terrace sits on a public pavement, square or promenade, you will normally need authorisation from the town hall (ayuntamiento) to occupy that space, often called a terrace licence or permit for occupying public space. Many town halls set conditions on the area you can use, the number of tables and sometimes the type, size or colour of parasols and furniture.

Before buying parasols, check your permit and your town hall's terrace regulations. On private terraces, check any rules from your landlord or community of owners.

Which of our parasols suit hospitality?

For canopy sizes and specifications, see the product pages or ask our team.

How many parasols do you need?

1. Draw your terrace layout, with every table and chair as customers actually use them.
2. Group tables into zones that one parasol can cover.
3. Add around 60cm of canopy overhang beyond the tables and chairs in each zone, so customers stay shaded as the sun moves.
4. Check walkways for staff and customers, and any clear routes required by your permit.
5. Consider several smaller parasols rather than one large one, so you can close some and keep others open.

When does shade matter most?

Plan shade for your busiest trading hours, not just midday. In Spain, lunch often runs well into the afternoon, and evening service on a west-facing terrace can bring low, strong sun straight into customers' eyes. Watch where the sun falls at those times before you finalise positions. Remember that the sun sits lower in autumn and winter, so shade falls further from the parasol than it does in summer.

Natural or Black?

• Natural suits beach bars, chiringuitos, Mediterranean restaurants and cafés with wood, rattan-look or light furniture.
• Black suits modern bars, cocktail terraces and restaurants with dark or metal furniture.

Whichever you choose, using one colour across the whole terrace looks more professional than mixing styles.

How do you keep a commercial terrace safe in wind?

• Make one person responsible on each shift for closing parasols when the wind picks up.
• Close every parasol at closing time, without exception.
• Use a base heavy enough for each parasol's size; ask our team for advice.
• Check the forecast daily, especially on coastal promenades where gusts can arrive suddenly.

How do you look after commercial parasols?

• Brush off dust, sand and leaves regularly.
• Clean marks with mild soapy water.
• Let canopies dry fully before closing them for long periods.
• Store parasols closed and covered if your terrace closes for the winter.

Visit our showrooms

See both parasols in person and talk through your terrace layout with a team that has more than 20 years of experience.

• San Javier: N-332, 81, 30730 San Javier, Murcia. Phone: +34 672 20 91 92
• Altea: Partida Cap-Blanch, 155, 03590 Altea, Alicante. Phone: +34 711 04 80 41

Frequently asked questions

Do I need permission for parasols on a bar terrace?

If the terrace is on public space, the town hall's terrace permit usually covers your furniture and parasols. Check your permit and local regulations before buying.

How big should a café parasol be?

As a guide, the canopy should extend around 60cm beyond the tables and chairs it shades.

Which parasol is most affordable?

The Hawaiian Parasol, currently €269.

What colours are available?

Natural or Black, for both styles.

Shade your terrace

Explore our parasols, or visit us in San Javier or Altea.