Tourists heading to Spain on their summer holidays this year should be aware about some certain dress code rules that could land you in trouble if not followed. The popular European destination has introduced some new rules for holidaymakers, especially when it comes to what you can and can’t wear.
People wearing bikinis and swimming costumes could land in a spot of bother if they wear them outside a beach or poolside setting. Those heading to restaurants, bars and even beach promenades in swimwear could face a fine.
The cost of fines vary from area to area, but tourists could see themselves facing up to £500 for anyone flouting the ban. Barcelona has begun dishing out £250 penalties to people in their one and two-pieces in public.
In the Balearics, tourists can face £500 fines on the islands such as Ibiza, Mallorca, Menorca and Formentera. The rule also applies to anyone walking around bare chested in the heat, so visitors need to keep their tops on at all times.
Spain’s dress code isn’t just limited to those stripping down in the sun. People who use face coverings for religious and cultural reasons may not be allowed. This includes locations such as town council buildings.
The Foreign Office has detailed a number of things tourists should know about before heading to Spain, including dress codes. It wrote: “In some parts of Spain it’s illegal to be in the street wearing only a bikini or swimming shorts. Being bare-chested is also illegal in some areas in Spain. You could be fined if you’re caught wearing swimwear on the seafront promenade or adjacent streets.
“For security reasons, some public authorities in Spain do not allow the burka or niqab to be worn in their buildings. If you visit town council buildings wearing a burka or niqab, you may be asked to remove it while inside.”
Earlier this week, insurance experts at One Sure Insurance warned tourists could also be at risk of fines for wearing football shirts in certain parts of Spain during the Euros. Travellers could face the risk of being fined up to £500 for breaking new public rules, which also include a clamp down on alcohol laws.
Alcohol consumption is being restricted by local laws in the popular destinations of Majorca, Magaluf (Calvia), Playa de Palma, Ibiza, and San Antonio (San Antoni de Portmany) in resort areas. There’s also been a restriction on happy hours with discounted drinks, open bars, alcohol vending machines, self-service alcohol dispensers, pub-crawls, party boat trips, and off-licence alcohol sales being prohibited between 9.30pm and 8am.
A spokesperson at One Sure Insurance said: “As the Euros kick off this month, we are seeing increasing numbers of British tourists head to their holiday destinations to enjoy matches in the sun. This has meant increasing bans on specific clothing items including football shirts and novelty wear to promote a more respectful environment.
“Majorca has seen multiple restaurants targeting clothes associated with drunken tourism. We’ve also seen that wearing just a bikini or being bare chested with swimming shorts away from the beach could land tourists fines of up to £500 in various locations.”
