The southern Portuguese city of Albufeira introduces a crackdown on public nudity and swimwear, imposing fines of up to €1,500 for offenders, aimed at preserving its reputation and catering to family tourism.
Albufeira's New Swimwear Ban: Tourists Face Fines for Beach Attire on Streets
Albufeira's New Swimwear Ban: Tourists Face Fines for Beach Attire on Streets
Albufeira, a popular Portuguese tourist destination, tightens its regulations on public attire to maintain a family-friendly atmosphere.
In a bold move to enhance its image and maintain a welcoming environment, Albufeira, a vibrant beachside city in Portugal's Algarve region, is making plans to prohibit tourists from wearing swimwear in public areas beyond the beach. The updated code of conduct will officially ban any form of partial or complete nudity, including wearing bikinis or being shirtless on city streets. Those flouting these new regulations could face hefty fines of up to €1,500 (£1,250).
This decision follows a series of incidents that have marred Albufeira's reputation, particularly after viral videos surfaced last year showing tourists engaging in inappropriate behavior, including dancing naked in public. In response, local authorities held an emergency meeting involving community leaders and law enforcement to discuss measures that would curb "excessive" behavior among visitors.
Mayor José Carlos Rolo emphasized the importance of making Albufeira a "multicultural, family-friendly and safe destination" with these changes, which also explicitly ban public sexual acts. The new measures would apply to outdoor terraces visible from public spaces as well, putting business operators on notice that they could also face significant fines for any misconduct happening under their roofs.
Currently, the proposal is out for public consultation and may come into effect in time for the summer tourist season, aligning with the city’s initiative to cater more towards family-oriented visitors while preserving the natural beauty and cultural integrity of Albufeira. This aligns Albufeira with other European cities that have similar laws in place, such as Barcelona, Dubrovnik, and Nice, signaling a shift in how popular tourist destinations manage their public spaces and visitor behavior.
