Popular Portuguese beach resort says no to bikinis in public
20 February 2025
Albufeira, a popular family-friendly getaway destination on the Portuguese Algarve coast with stunning beaches, has taken on a wilder side in recent years. A booming nightlife scene draws party-loving tourists, which regularly cause "scandals" due to being "naked". But nudity no more: To prevent "excessive behaviour", the Albufeira city council banned bikinis in public spaces.
The city's new Code of Conduct bans people from being "partially nude" in public places like streets, public areas, and public transport. Clothes that are not allowed include bikinis, trikinis, swimsuits, trunks, and briefs. "Deviants" could be fined between €300 and €1,500, and local police will enforce it. The city council is also planning to ban drinking alcohol on the streets.
 | Marta Tuna With the rise of mass tourism becoming a hot topic in Europe, such dress code laws are becoming more popular. In beach cities like Barcelona and Palma de Mallorca in Spain, as well as Dubrovnik and Split in Croatia, laws now ban walking around in swimwear beyond designated beach areas. In Italy, the city of Sorrento on the Amalfi Coast has introduced fines of up to €500 for wearing bikinis or going shirtless in public spaces away from the beach, aiming to maintain decorum and respect for residents. |
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