Spain has rolled out several stringent regulations recently, including rules about appropriate clothing for tourists.
Fines can soar up to £500 for those ignoring the dress code. In Barcelona, which welcomes around 27 million visitors annually, authorities are issuing £250 fines for anyone caught wearing bikinis or swim trunks in public spaces.
Ibiza, renowned for its vibrant pool parties and nightlife, also enforces a strict policy where British holidaymakers could be slapped with £500 fines across the Balearic Islands, including Mallorca, Menorca, and Formentera. The regulation extends to shirtless wanderers; hence, it’s essential to stay clothed even in the sweltering heat.
The UK Foreign Office (FCDO) advises: “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.”
Attire regulations aren’t just for those peeling off. Some locales in Spain forbid face coverings for religious or cultural motives in public areas.
Spain has even stricter rules about what visitors should wear on holiday in certain resorts, with bistros and bars refusing entries to those kitted out in getup linked to “drunken tourism”. These measures aim to clamp down on the overindulgence culture at these vacation spots that creates havoc for other guests and local constabulary.
Some local pubs have outlawed happy hours and open bar offers, and restrictions have been installed on alcohol sales from vending machines, self-serve booze dispensers, organising boozy pub crawls and party cruises, and ‘off-license’ purchases between 9:30pm and 8am.
