Tourists heading to Italy this summer should be aware of a little-known rule that could see them kicked out of swimming pools

British holidaymakers heading to Italy this summer should be aware of a little-known rule that could see them banned from public swimming pools.

In swimming pools across the country, wearing a swimming cap is mandatory for visitors.

According to the travel experts of Sun Campthe rule applies for hygienic reasons.

They said, “The idea is that by wearing a swim cap, you keep dander, hair, and other debris from your head out of the pool.”

The rule can be frustrating for parents with children, as they have to put the swim cap on as soon as they want to get in the water and take it off when they get out.

Campsites can request an exception to this rule, and some sites where it’s an official rule don’t always enforce it.

Another rule that applies to Italian swimming pools is that you must first wash your feet or take a shower at the entrance of the pool and sunbathing topless is prohibited.

In a message on Mumsnet a woman sought clarification on the matter and asked if it was a new rule.

She wrote: ‘I looked at campsites in Spain and Italy and saw that in Italy a swimming cap must be worn in most public swimming pools.

“When I was in Italy before, this wasn’t the case, so I don’t know if it’s something new that has been sourced or if it’s just in certain places. Anyone know what’s going on?’

Many suggested that the rule has been around for years, but recently they started enforcing it more.

Someone wrote: ‘Yes, it seems to be a fairly new rule to be enforced by campground and hotel staff.

“We have been to Italy many times and last summer was the first time that no one was allowed in the pool without it.”

In a post on Mumsnet, a woman sought clarification on the matter and asked if it was a new rule

Another said: ‘It’s not new. I have been here since 1994 and have always experienced this. They may be enforcing it more now, but it’s always been a general rule.

“They may not insist that kids with short hair do it, but long hair and adults generally do. ‘

While another wrote: ‘For hygiene reasons it has been the rule in public swimming pools in Italy for years but since Covid they have really tightened it up.

‘It doesn’t have to be very tight, however, the slightly looser fabrics are also ok.’

No specific date is given when caps became compulsory in Italian swimming pools, but it is a long tradition and has been maintained for many years.

It comes after British tourists were fined heavily for breaking a list of Italian beach etiquette rules, which included eating an ice cream or a sandwich.

Residents and tourists in Sant’Antioco, a town on the island of the same name in southern Sardinia, were shocked by the list of 23 activities banned on the beach.

The list includes playing sports, using rocks to stabilize an umbrella, and consuming all kinds of foods.

The regulations, drafted by Ignazio Locci, mayor of Sant’Antioco, state that the maximum allowance for food is £430.

Residents and media in the city, which is a popular destination for foreign holidaymakers and Italians alike, have criticized the restrictions.