Surprising travel laws that could cost Brits over £400 in fines

• The strangest laws for popular holiday destinations explained
• Punishments range from £40 fines to time in prison

Taking a selfie could land you in trouble in Sri Lanka, while wearing board shorts in a French swimming pool could see you turned away altogether. 

To help holidaymakers avoid an awkward run-in with local authorities, travel experts at eShores have revealed five of the most surprising laws from around the world that tourists should know before they travel. 

Here are some of the strangest laws that travelers may not be aware of. 

1. Thailand – It’s against the law to step on a coin 

Thailand’s banknotes and coins feature images of the King and are protected by law. Even stepping on a dropped note or coin to stop it blowing away can be considered as disrespectful to the monarchy and may result in jail time. 

2. France – You must wear Speedo-style swimwear in public pools 

Forget baggy board shorts. Many public swimming pools in France require swimmers to wear tight-fitting trunks for hygiene reasons. Loose shorts retain more water leading to slippery puddles when you exit the pool, they also pick up more dust and dirt which contaminates the pool water. 

If you are unprepared, most swimming pools sell appropriate swimwear on-site for around £20.  

3. Sri Lanka – Turning your back to Buddha for a selfie is illegal 

Turning your back to a Buddha statue for a selfie is considered a major cultural insult. It’s considered highly disrespectful to Buddhist images and can lead to a fine of nearly £112, arrest or even imprisonment in Sri Lanka.  

Similarly, depicting Buddha’s face or body as a tattoo can lead to tourists being arrested or deported.  

4. Venice, Italy – It’s illegal to feed pigeons 

Feeding pigeons in Venice is banned to help protect the city’s historic buildings and monuments from damage caused by acidic bird droppings. Visitors caught throwing food to birds can face fines starting from around £42. 

5. Barcelona, Spain – It is against the law to wear swimwear away from the beach 

Wearing a bikini, swimming trunks or going shirtless is prohibited in many public areas of Barcelona away from designated beach and pool zones. Wandering around the city centre in just a bikini, swimming trunks or without a shirt could lead to fines ranging from £100 to £260. 

Gavin Lapidus, Company Director at eShores, said, “It’s really important that travelers are aware of local laws and customs, as the rules in destination countries may be very different to their own.  

“While some of the stranger laws around the world may seem odd to us, it’s crucial to check each destination before traveling. Places often have restrictions on what medicine can be taken into the country, unique driving laws, different guidelines about gender and sexuality, as well as a myriad of other local rules. The two most important things are to do your research in advance and to respect local laws and customs.”