Are you planning a hot summer vacation? Risk tossing an extra salon or kaftan into your luggage or coughing a large fine.
Italy is cracking down on those seeking a slightly covered sun. Both tourists and locals are no longer able to wear the beach away from the sand and the ocean. The idyllic Amalfi coast, particularly Sorrento, presents fines for those who flaunt the rules of swimwear. Break these rules and you can see tourists being slapped with a fine of hundreds of pounds.
Tiger.co.uk travel experts warn:
“In popular destinations on the Amalfi Coast and Sorrento, tourists who break this rule could face a fine of up to 500 euros (£421).”
Don't forget, this dress code extends to the bare chest of your town. There are several exceptions to the rules – hotels with beach clubs and direct beach access will not see holiday makers not being punished to return to lounge spots with minimal outfits, MirrorOnline reports.
Public courtesy is the order of the day, specifically tailored to prevent beach-covered tourists from snaking through the town centre and diving into shops and eateries without wearing proper clothing.
The swimsuit ban in Sorrento, which has been in effect since 2022, was introduced after the town's then-Mayor Coppola expressed concern about politeness. He said those who roamed bikini and topless were “seemed by the majority as contrary to the common sense that characterised politeness and civilized cohabitation.”
He further commented: “The continued nature of this situation can cause discomfort and anxiety among the resident population and visitors, leading to negative judgments about the quality of life in our town, affecting its image and tourism.”
This is not an isolated case. The same rules apply to Barcelona. In Barcelona, beach fans will be fined about £260 if they do not store their swimsuits on the beach. Mallorca also enforces a dress code and punishes anyone who ignores it with a fine of up to £500.
British planning Spanish holidays should also be aware of regulations on other beaches. The Tiger team warned: “In popular Spanish areas such as Barcelona and Costa Blanca, tourists will be fined 250 euros to book sunbeds, meaning they are getting up early to bag the spots for you.
Last year, new rules were introduced to prevent beach fans from booking spots with towels and sunbeds, but they've been left open for hours. This practice exacerbates the struggle for space on already crowded beaches, where others fight for the spot or simply give up.
