by Natasha Lair
Last updated: 9:00 AM ET, Wed March 19, 2025
Dreaming of sun-drenched European beaches this summer? Make sure your suitcase includes more than just swimsuits—unless you want to fork over a hefty fine.
In much of the Mediterranean, dressing well is a way of life.
Locals tend to save swimsuits for the sand, gym clothes for workouts, and business casual for the office reports Points Guy.
Beach destinations throughout Europe have started implementing regulations to reduce 'drunk tourism' and promote greater care for the local environment.
Their latest target? Public indecency—aka, half-naked visitors strolling through town like they’re still on the beach.
No shirt. No service.
BBC reported that Albufeira, Portugal, made waves after a group of British men took ‘bare it all’ a little too literally—dancing naked in a bar in broad daylight.
The result?
The mayor isn’t having it.
Now, anyone going shirtless or wearing a bikini off the beach could face fines of up to 1,500 euros.
And Albufeira isn’t alone. Over in Spain, Malaga recently reinforced its own beachwear ban, hitting topless tourists with fines of up to 750 euros, Time Out reported.
Barcelona and Mallorca already have similar regulations in place.
Meanwhile, Sorrento, Lipari, and Tropea have long enforced swimsuit bans in Italy, with fines reaching 500 euros.
France isn’t far behind—walking the streets of Nice, Menton, Cannes, St. Tropez, or St. Raphael in your swimwear could land you in hot water. In Croatia, Dubrovnik and Split also say no to beach attire beyond the beach.
Sure, a 500-euro fine might sting, but these rules are also about respecting local customs.
No pee in the sea
If you think what happens in the water stays in the water, think again.
Rules in place across Spain include Marbella cracking down on, ahem, “unsanctioned releases” with fines for peeing in the sea.
Vigo, in Galicia, has taken it to the next level, slapping a €750 fine on anyone caught answering nature’s call anywhere—whether it’s in the water or on the sand. And yes, that includes doing a "number two."
Why the strict rules? It’s all about keeping beaches cleaner, fresher, and less... fragrant.
Vigo’s beach laws also ban washing with soap and shampoo in the sea to protect marine life.
Moral of the story
Pack a cover-up, whether indulging in a seaside meal or exploring a coastal town. Because in Europe, beachwear stays at the beach.
And, if you’ve got to go, find a proper restroom, not the nearest wave...
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