Planning a sizzling summer getaway? Make sure you toss an extra sarong or kaftan into your luggage or risk coughing up a hefty fine.
Italy is cracking down on scantily clad sun-seekers; both tourists and locals can no longer parade around in their beach wear away from the sand and sea. The idyllic Amalfi Coast and particularly Sorrento have introduced fines for those flaunting the no-swimwear rule. Breaking these rules could see tourists slapped with hundreds of pounds-worth of fines.
Advice comes from travel experts at Tiger.co.uk, who warned: “Despite the sunny weather, Italy has banned the wearing of swimwear outside of beaches and pools in a bid to uphold public decency and respect for locals.
“In the popular destinations of the Amalfi Coast and Sorrento, tourists caught breaking this rule can face fines of up to €500 (£421).”
Don’t forget, this dress code extends to bare-chested wanderings through the towns. There are some exceptions to the rule – beach clubs or hotels with direct beach access won’t see holidaymakers penalised for traipsing back to their lounging spots in minimal attire, reports MirrorOnline.
Public decorum is the order of the day, specifically tailored to prevent beach-clad tourists from meandering into town centres, and popping into shops and eateries without donning appropriate garb.
The swimwear ban in Sorrento, which has been in effect since 2022, was introduced after the town’s then Mayor Coppola expressed concerns about decorum. He stated that people walking around in bikinis or topless were “seen by the majority of people as contrary to decorum and to the decency that characterises civilised cohabitation”.
He further commented: “The continuation of this situation, as well as causing discomfort and unease in the resident population and among visitors, could lead to a negative judgment on the quality of life in our town, with consequences for its image and for tourism.”
This isn’t an isolated case; similar rules apply in Barcelona, where beachgoers are fined roughly £260 if they don’t keep their swimwear to the beach. Majorca also enforces a dress code, penalising those who ignore it with fines up to £500.
Brits planning holidays in Spain should be aware of other beach regulations too. The Tiger team warned: “In popular areas of Spain like Barcelona and Costa Blanca, tourists can now be fined €250 for reserving sunbeds, meaning waking up early to bag a spot for you and the family is no longer allowed. This rule was introduced following numerous complaints about sunbeds being reserved for hours with no one in sight.”
Last year, new rules were introduced to prevent beachgoers from reserving spots with towels and sunbeds, only to leave them unoccupied for hours on end. This practice only exacerbates the struggle for space on already crowded beaches, leaving others battling for a spot or simply giving up.