Before travelling abroad, it’s always a good idea to do some research into your destination. From the airport bus routes to local tipping practices, it helps to be clued up on local customs, laws and traditions.
Even though locals – and, if you’re lucky, local authorities – are often more accepting towards tourists getting things wrong, there are many lesser-known laws in popular holiday destinations that can land visitors in trouble if they aren’t aware of them.
Not the sort of trouble that turn trips sour due to behaviour that’s obviously inappropriate, such as stripping off to pose beside sacred trees or smashing ancient sculptures, but innocent mistakes that could easily lead to issues.
Charles Hay, who was director of consular services for the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office between 2011 and 2014, said: “Every year British nationals find themselves on the wrong side of the law unexpectedly, resulting in fines or in some cases arrests or even jail sentences. It is important to remember that laws and customs can vary greatly from country to country and what may be perfectly legal in the UK could be subject to a fine or even a jail sentence in another.”
While the application of some such laws and punishments, such as those regarding jaywalking, can be inconsistent, it helps to know what to avoid to stop your summer holiday bills climbing with fines (or worse).
We’ve rounded up some of the more obscure and unknown laws from popular tourist destinations to keep you in the know during your visit.
Spain: Cover up and avoid using soap and shampoo on beaches
A little-known law in Spain requires people to cover up when walking on public streets. Although not really applicable to beaches, you can be hit with a fine of up to €300 if you don’t wear a shirt or walk around in just a bikini or swimwear.
On the topic of beaches, make sure you don’t use soap or shampoo when showering after being on the sand. Due to concerns over the impact of chemicals found in soaps on marine wildlife, doing so could result in a fine of €750.
Anti-tourism banners in Barcelona
(AFP via Getty Images)
Venice: Don’t feed the pigeons
In 2008, the mayor of Venice pushed through a ban on feeding pigeons in the city in a bid to try and control numbers and the spread of filth.
It had once been something of a tourist favourite to feed…
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