Do you know the swimming pool rules in Italy?

31 March, 2021 | Update: 20/12/2024

The sun is shining high in the Italian sky. You’ve just returned from a picturesque village at the edge of the hills, and later there’s a delicious Italian pizza waiting for you. But now, it’s time to cool off. Sunscreen on, you’re heading to the pool, ready to dive in. But suddenly, the lifeguard gives you a questioning look: where’s your swimming cap?

Contents

• Swimming caps in Italy
• Why are swimming caps mandatory in Italy?
• Cultural differences
• Avoid fines and issues
• Campsites without swimming cap rules
• Pool rules at your campsite

Swimming caps in Italy

In France, long or loose swim shorts are often prohibited. On Italian campsites, swimming caps are mandatory to keep the pool water clean. If you forgot to pack one, you can usually buy a swimming cap at the campsite shop or reception.

Why are swimming caps mandatory in Italy?

The reason Italians enforce this rule is similar to why the French require tight-fitting swimwear: hygiene. Swimming caps help keep skin flakes, hair, and other debris from your head out of the pool water.

Not all tourists are thrilled about this rule. For children especially, it can feel like a hassle. Swimming cap on when they want to dive in, swimming cap off when they’re out of the water—and repeat that about ten times an afternoon. Campsites are aware of this inconvenience and aim to make their guests’ stay enjoyable. Some campsites apply for exemptions to waive the swimming cap requirement, while others officially maintain the rule but rarely enforce it in practice.

Other common rules for Italian pools include washing your feet or showering before entering and a ban on topless sunbathing or swimming.

Cultural differences

The swimming cap rule in Italian pools can come as a surprise to some tourists, especially if it’s not a rule in their own country. But as it turns out, this is simply an example of cultural differences. In Italy, hygiene in public spaces is highly valued, and swimming caps are seen as an effective way to keep the water clean.

While some countries might be more lenient, Italians tend to be stricter, and this is reflected in their rules. It’s always a good idea to be aware of these rules when you’re on holiday so you can adapt to local customs—even if they might feel a little unusual at first.

Avoid fines and issues

To avoid unnecessary problems or fines, it’s helpful to check the pool rules at your Italian campsite in advance. Swimming caps are usually a must, and if you forget yours, you might be denied access to the pool.

There are other rules to keep in mind too, like washing your feet or showering before diving in and wearing the right swimwear. But don’t worry, these are easy to manage! All you need to do is ask at the reception or quickly glance at the rules so you can enjoy your swim without any surprises.

Campsites without swimming cap rules

How do you feel about wearing a swimming cap? Is it no big deal, and maybe even part of the holiday vibe? Or would you prefer to stay somewhere without this rule? If it’s the latter, here are a few Italian campsites where swimming caps aren’t mandatory. At Hu Park Albatros Village (Tuscany), Miramare Camping Village (Venice), and Camping Le Palme (Lake Garda), you can dive in without a cap.

Pool rules at your campsite

Have you chosen a campsite with a beautiful pool and want to know what swimwear to pack? On Eurocampings.co.uk, you can find this information under the facilities for each campsite. If swim shorts are prohibited or swimming caps required, it will be listed under ‘Swimming’. Handy, right?