750 Euros for Peeing in the Sea? Crazy Fines That Could Ruin Your Vacation

The bathing season in Europe is at its peak, and millions of tourists are visiting the beaches of the Mediterranean and the Atlantic Ocean. However, in recent years, against the backdrop of increasing congestion on the beaches, complaints from residents, and efforts to protect the environment, more and more destinations are tightening rules of conduct — and in some cases, bringing back old regulations, with fines that can reach hundreds and even thousands of euros.

Turn down the speaker: huge fines for music

Israelis — and not only them — love to arrive at the beach with a portable speaker, but in Portugal, this habit can cost dearly. The country's bathing regulations, enforced by the National Maritime Authority (AMN), prohibit the use of audio equipment in a way that creates noise that is a nuisance and disturbs the rest of others. That is, the ban is on the noise — not on the mere possession of the speaker. The fine for individuals starts at 200 euros and can reach up to 4,000 euros. In the case of legal entities or businesses, it may climb to tens of thousands of euros. In addition, the authorities are authorized to confiscate the equipment.

Strict dress code: from the beach to the restaurant? Get dressed

In many tourist areas in Europe, they no longer look leniently at those who leave the beach and continue to walk around the streets, shops, and restaurants in a swimsuit only or without a shirt.

• Italy: in picturesque Sorrento in the south of the country, walking in a bikini or swimsuit outside beach areas can lead to a fine of up to 500 euros. Also in Varenna on the banks of Lake Como, one can be fined up to 200 euros for walking without a shirt or in a swimsuit outside bathing areas.

• Spain: here too, the rules change from city to city. In Barcelona and some destinations in Mallorca, walking in a swimsuit only outside beach areas can lead to a fine of up to about 300 euros. In Malaga, where the municipality even runs a campaign calling on tourists to dress fully in the streets and public spaces, fines can reach 750 euros.

• Croatia: also in the popular coastal cities of Split, Dubrovnik, and Hvar, there are restrictions on revealing clothing in city centers. According to the "Euronews" website, those caught walking topless in areas where it is prohibited may be fined up to 150 euros.

The towel war: do not save a spot in advance

We all know well the culture of "saving spots" at the hotel pool, but on some European beaches, it can cost you a fine. In the coastal town of Calpe in Spain, it is forbidden to place umbrellas, chairs, or sunbeds on the beach before 9:30 AM to "reserve" a spot, and equipment left unattended for more than three hours can be collected by inspectors. Violators risk confiscation of the equipment and a fine of up to 250 euros.

Do not take sand — and do not leave your towel on it

The beautiful beaches of Europe have been receiving tighter protection in recent years, and in some places, the rules for tourists have become particularly surprising. On the famous La Pelosa beach in Sardinia, Italy, it is forbidden to spread a towel directly on the sand, for fear that grains of sand will stick to it and disappear from the beach along with the visitors. Therefore, bathers are required to spread a mat under the towel, and violation of the rule can lead to a fine. And it does not end with the towel. In Sardinia, it is also forbidden to take sand, shells, and other natural materials from the beaches as a souvenir, and the fines for those caught with such "loot" can range from 500 to 3,000 euros. Also in Greece, they take the protection of the coastline seriously. This year, the list of beaches receiving the strictest protection was expanded to 250, and on them, it is forbidden to place sunbeds, umbrellas for rent, and other commercial facilities.

The selfie that can cost 275 euros

Found the perfect spot for a picture? Do not linger too long. In Portofino on the Italian Riviera, there are "red zones" where pedestrians are forbidden to linger, as part of the fight against the tourist crowds that gather at popular photo spots. The rules, which have been dubbed the "selfie ban" over the years, do not actually forbid taking pictures: it is allowed to take out the phone and take a picture, but it is forbidden to stand in place for a long time and block the passage. The restricted areas are located, among other things, near the busy piers of the town, and the regulation returned to force also in the 2026 tourist season. Those who do not hurry to continue on their way risk a fine of up to 275 euros.

Toilets in nature? Fines for urinating in the sea

If you are one of those who are too lazy to go to the beach toilets and prefer to "do it in the sea," you should be careful. The city of Vigo in the Galicia region in Spain imposes a fine of up to 750 euros for what local regulations define as "physiological relief on the beach or in the sea." The rule came into effect back in 2022 — and yes, it is explicitly phrased so that it also includes relief inside the sea water.

Smoke-free beaches

Cigarettes continue to disappear from European beaches. In France, in July 2025, the nationwide ban on smoking was expanded also to beaches bordering bathing areas during the bathing season, and those who violate the ban risk a fine of 135 euros. In Spain, there are already many smoke-free beaches by virtue of local and regional regulations. Recently, the country took another significant step when the government approved a bill that will ban smoking and vaping also on beaches throughout Spain. However, as of now, the proposal still needs the approval of the parliament and is not in effect nationwide.

Expensive hair washing: ban on soap in beach showers

Another common habit is to use the beach showers to wash hair or soap up before returning to the hotel. In some coastal municipalities in Spain, the use of showers is limited to rinsing with water only. In Alicante in Spain, for example, the regulations explicitly prohibit using soap, gel, or shampoo in the beach showers. The violation is considered a minor offense, and a fine for it can reach up to 750 euros.

The bottom line: before you hurry to spread the mat, turn on the speaker, or light a cigarette, it is worth taking a minute and reading the signs at the entrance to the beach. The rules change from country to country and sometimes from city to city — and a mistake that seems innocent on vacation can end in a painful fine.