Strolling around a holiday resort in a bikini or lighting a cigarette on the beach can come with a hefty fine this summer depending on where you are.

Travellers should note these six bans being imposed in some popular places.

Ban on bikinis in Albufeira

Walking around in just a bikini or swimming togs, or shirtless, can land you in hot water in Albufeira, a popular resort town in the Algarve, southern Portugal, from July.

Under the town’s code of conduct, tourists can wear swimwear only on beaches and in designated bathing areas, as well as in outdoor hotel areas.

Violations will not come with immediate fines, José Carlos Rolo, mayor of Albufeira told Portugal’s Lusa news agency. Ahead of the ban, the town ran an awareness-raising and information campaign. After that, offenders can face fines of up to US$2,000 (RM8,459).

In Czech Republic and Poland, visitors are not allowed to take photos while in the vicinity of military bases and offices. — Photos: Pixabay

Taking photos in wrong places

The Czech Republic and Poland have banned photography at all military installations. Tourists are advised to exercise caution at landmarks such as Prague Castle near the Defence Ministry.

Offences can result in fines of up to US$4,600 (RM19,456). Watch out for signs reading “Zakaz fotografovani” meaning “no photography”.

The ban also applies to 25,000 sites across Poland including military facilities, power stations, bridges, tunnels, airports and harbours. Offenders risk 30 days in prison and fines equivalent to up to US$5,400 (RM22,840) and your camera could also be confiscated. If in doubt, do not take any pictures.

Sites covered by the rule have signs indicating the ban on photos, according to the British Foreign Office’s travel advice on Poland. However, the labelling may be poor or illegible.

In many places, like in Italy's Limone sul Garda, drinking alcohol in certain public spaces is illegal so stick to drinking non-alcoholic beverages like a lemonade.

Stick to lemonade in Limone sul Garda

The picturesque town of Limone sul Garda, on the north-west bank of Italy’s Lake Garda, is renowned for its lemon groves, which are terraced on the slopes.

Anyone exploring Limone might want to stick to lemonade and other non-alcoholic drinks this summer, though. A ban on drinking alcohol in public parks, gardens and on pavements, introduced in April, will remain in force until Nov 1, 2025.

Offenders risk fines of up to US$570 (RM2,410).

Campers, beware in Greece

Greece has banned campers from pitching tents on the beach, so forget the idea of spending a night gazing out at the sea.

The ban also includes parking caravans and motorhomes and applies to beaches, coastal strips, forests and archaeological sites, according to the British Foreign Office. Parking in residential areas for more than 24 hours, except in specially designated car parks, is also forbidden.

The ban, which came into force in May, is checked regularly and people face penalties accordingly, say members of Germany’s car club ADAC. Offenders risk a US$345 (RM1,459) fine.

Many offences like riding a motorbike without a helmet or using a mobile phone while driving come with hefty fines under Greece’s new road traffic code.

No smoking on French beaches

Under a new law banning smoking in public spaces including parks and gardens, lighting a cigarette on beaches is forbidden all over France from July 1, according to French Health Minister Catherine Vautrine.

The ban is to protect young people, she said, adding: “The freedom to smoke ends where children’s right to clean air begin.”

Offenders risk fines of US$155 (RM656).

No free photos for divers in Thailand

Scuba divers must have a special permit to take photographic equipment along on dives in order to protect Thailand’s fragile coral reefs and the marine ecosystem off the coast.

The Thai government requires divers to have an Advanced Open Water Certificate or be able to prove at least 40 deep dives in their logbook, its website says. Although fines are not mentioned, guides and tour operators are required to terminate dives immediately in the event of violations. – dpa