Brits face £500 fines for wearing bikinis on popular holiday island

British tourists could face fines of more than £500 for wearing bikinis and speedos in certain areas of a popular European holiday island. Many popular tourist destinations have in certain areas, such as town centres and in shops and restaurants. On this island, which is popular with British tourists, you can be fined for a number of reasons if you break local rules.

The island of Hvar is off the coast of , close to the town of . The island has introduced certain rules for tourists over the years, and recently, for bars and restaurants as well as individuals who pass certain noise levels. This was done in an attempt to change the island's reputation from a rowdy party destination to a relaxed and family-friendly place for a summer getaway.

Brits should know the other hidden fines that could hit them while they are holidaying on the island. For those wearing speedos or bikinis when not at a swimming pool or on the , there are fines of €600, which is around £514.

Meanwhile, people who decide to go shirtless in the town centre can be hit with a fine of €500, which is around £428. Among the rules in place to curb excessive party tourism is fines for public consumption of alcohol (drinking in public spaces), which is a whopping €700, around £600.

One rule might surprise Brits the most, but it's one that they should definitely know about. On Hvar, there are fines for removing noble pen shells from the beach.

These fines are €67 (around £57) per shell, so if you decide to take a few of these you could be hit with a serious penalty charge.

According to Adriadic Croatia International, the noble pen shell is threatened with extinction, which they describe as "an alarming situation." Researchers say rising sea temperatures are causing the shell to wipe out.

The shells appear large with a slightly open mouth and can be found on the beach or in the water. Although they might look intriguing, tourists should leave them where they found them to avoid facing fines and to avoid contributing to their extinction.