When people on a cruise go out to visit ports, they’re usually dressed pretty casually. Of course, if they’ve done some research before their cruise, they hopefully know the countries that don’t allow you to wear anything with a camouflage pattern, since you could wind up with a fine, jail time or both, depending on laws of the country in question.
Split Cracks Down on Dress Code
Welp, another country has decided it’s had enough of cruise passengers who are dressed, they feel, inappropriately. Except it’s not about wearing camouflage. It’s about being considered underdressed.
Why Is Split Enforcing These Fines?
Split is located on the southern coast of Croatia. It’s known for its buildings that go as far back as the 4th century, as well as its beautiful coastline.
Home to about 330,000 people, Split has become a popular stop for cruise lines, especially during the warmer months – to the tune of about 900,000 visitors per year.
Unfortunately, enough of those tourists – most likely the ones going to Split’s beaches – apparently didn’t give the city the respect it deserves. So, in an attempt at preserving the dignity of Split’s historic and cultural core, the city has recently introduced fines for tourists who are caught walking around Split in swimwear, lingerie, “bra tops,” or going shirtless.
Except at the beach, of course.
What Are the New Fines?
Tourists who are caught dressed inappropriately will be fined up to €150 (currently about $174).
The city has also passed another ordinance for public drinking. Anyone who’s caught drinking in public places (read: beaches, parks, or while walking in the streets) could get hit with another €150 fine.
So if you’re caught walking around Split’s Old Town in just your swimming trunks with a beer in your hand? Be prepared to fork over €300 (nearly $350).
Other ports have similar rules
Split isn’t the first town to introduce such fines for inappropriate dress.
- Croatia’s most-visited port town, Dubrovnik, has had a similar ordinance on the books, about wearing swimming attire in public, since 2020. Each visitor who breaks that law can be fined 1,000 Kuna (currently about $144).
- In the city of Albufeira, Portugal, guests wearing bathing attire or who are topless can be fined up to €1500 ($1,632).
- In Italy, both Venice and Sorrento will fine visitors for being shirtless, or wearing a bathing suit on the street. Fines can range from €25 to €500 (roughly $27 to $544) for dressing against the towns’ respective images.
- Both Mallorca and Barcelona, Spain have laws as well. Wearing swimwear while not at the beach can result in a €300 to €500 (about $326 to $544) fine.
Heads up that even if you just wear a cover-up, that will be enough to keep the fines away. So cover up, buttercup!
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