A number of European holiday hotspots have introduced strict dress codes for tourists, with potential fines for anyone who flouts the rules in Spain, Portugal, Italy and Croatia
Sun-seeking Brits heading to the Mediterranean this summer have been slapped with a strict warning to cover up or face a devastating blow to your wallet.
Popular hotspots across Spain, Italy, Portugal, and Croatia are waging a war on skimpy attire, leaving unprepared tourists vulnerable to eye-watering fines just for walking around in their bathers.
While stripping down to your bikini, swim shorts, or speedos is perfectly fine while you’re catching rays by the pool or lounging on the sand, wandering into local towns or popping into a shop without putting some proper clothes on is now a major financial gamble.
Here is everything you need to know about the strict dress codes catching holidaymakers out.
Spain
Major Spanish destinations are leading the charge against shirtless strollers and bikini-clad shoppers, the Mirror reports.
- Majorca: If you’re caught sporting beachwear away from the designated coastal zones and pools, you could be slapped with a massive penalty of up to £500. The strict rule also targets anyone walking around town topless. Furthermore, a growing number of restaurants have put up firm signs explicitly banning customers from entering in swim gear.
- Barcelona: Walking through the city streets in just your swimwear can trigger a swift fine of up to £260.
- Malaga: Leaving the sand and strolling into the historic city centre without covering up could see you hit with a €300 (around £259) penalty.
Italy
Italian authorities are heavily cracking down on what locals deem a threat to public decency, targeting tourists who rock up to lunch spots straight from the beach.
- Sorrento: Since 2022, local leaders have outlawed swimwear anywhere away from the immediate beach and pool areas. Topless walking is also strictly banned, with rule-breakers facing fines of up to €500 (£433).
- Portofino, Positano, and Capri: These glamorous holiday hubs have all adopted mirroring regulations, with matching €500 (£433) penalties for anyone spotted roaming the main towns in their beach kit.
- Venice: The historic canal city has zero tolerance for bare-chested tourists or anyone exploring the historic centre in swimwear. Offending visitors face immediate on-the-spot fines of up to €250 (£216).
Portugal
Portugal has also stepped up its enforcement against flashing too much flesh away from the Atlantic waves.
- Albufeira: The popular Algarve party town introduced strict new rules as part of a wider, aggressive crackdown on anti-social tourist behaviour. Anyone caught strolling down the town streets in their beachwear faces astronomical fines ranging from €300 all the way up to a staggering €1,500 (£259 to £1,298).
Croatia
The Adriatic coast isn’t letting tourists off lightly either, with severe penalties waiting for those who refuse to cover up.
- Dubrovnik: Holidaymakers are completely banned from entering the famous UNESCO World Heritage Old Town in swimsuits or without a shirt on. If you break the rule, you could be hit with a €700 (£606) fine.
- Split: Walking around the historic city streets in improper attire carries a starting penalty of €150 (£129).
- Hvar: The famous party island has introduced its own set of rules, punishing anyone caught wandering the local town streets shirtless or in swimwear.
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