Ticino and St Gallen, Switzerland: face coverings are banned
- Showing your face in public places
- Covering your face in public places
Fines of CHF 100–10,000.
Verified Oct 19, 2026Source: GOV.UK: Switzerland travel advice
Etiquette & taboos
Etiquette & taboos
Take five minutes to read this before you go. We sort local rules into three levels: red lines that are illegal or can get you refused entry, taboos that are legal but easily offend locals, and good manners that show respect. Every rule has a source and is marked as verified or not.
Spain: don't walk around town in swimwear
- Put clothes on before leaving the beach
- Wearing only a bikini or swimming trunks, or going shirtless, on the seafront promenade and nearby streets
Illegal in some areas; you can be fined.
Verified Oct 19, 2026Source: GOV.UK: Spain travel advice
France: face coverings are banned in public places
- Showing your face in public places
- Covering your face in streets, shops and other public places
It is illegal, with a fine of up to €150; the law also applies to tourists.
Verified Oct 19, 2026Source: GOV.UK: France travel advice
Sri Lanka: cover legs and shoulders and remove shoes and hats at Buddhist temples
- Cover your legs and shoulders, and take off your shoes and hat before entering a shrine
- Nude or topless sunbathing
At Buddhist temples you must cover your legs and shoulders and remove shoes and hats, or you will offend worshippers; nude or topless sunbathing is not allowed.
Verified Oct 19, 2026Source: GOV.UK: Sri Lanka travel advice
UAE: cover shoulders and knees in malls and other public places
- Women should cover shoulders and knees
- Wear swimwear only at the beach or pool
- Wearing see-through clothes or clothes with offensive images or words
It offends local people; some venues have their own dress codes.
Verified Oct 19, 2026Source: GOV.UK: United Arab Emirates travel advice
Egypt: dress modestly and avoid public displays of affection
- Dress conservatively in villages, mosques and markets
- Kissing or hugging in public (holding hands is usually fine)
Behaviour accepted in resorts may be seen as offensive elsewhere.
Verified Oct 19, 2026Source: GOV.UK: Egypt travel advice
Türkiye: dress properly in mosques
- Cover shoulders and knees; women cover their hair
- Ask permission before photographing people
- Wearing shorts or a vest in a mosque or holy site
It offends local people; inappropriate dress is more likely to cause offence during Ramadan.
Verified Oct 19, 2026Source: GOV.UK: Turkey travel advice
Cambodia: cover shoulders and knees at Angkor Wat and other religious sites
- Cover your shoulders and wear trousers or a skirt below the knee
- Wearing shorts or a skirt above the knee
You may be refused entry to Angkor Wat and other religious sites.
Verified Oct 19, 2026Source: GOV.UK: Cambodia travel advice
Vietnam: cover shoulders and knees at temples and cultural sites
- Cover your shoulders and knees when entering religious and cultural sites
- Wearing a vest or shorts into a temple
Respect local customs.
Verified Oct 19, 2026Source: GOV.UK: Vietnam travel advice
The Vatican and churches: cover shoulders and knees and keep quiet
- Wear a sleeved top and something below the knee, and carry a scarf just in case
- Take off your hat and keep quiet indoors
- Entering St Peter's Basilica in a sleeveless top, shorts or a miniskirt
You will be turned away at the entrance.
Not yet verifiedSource: Vatican dress code (travel guide)
Temples and the Grand Palace: cover shoulders and knees
- Wear sleeved tops and long trousers or skirts below the knee
- Take off your shoes before entering a hall
- When seated, don't point the soles of your feet at a Buddha image
- Entering in a vest, shorts or see-through clothes
- Covering a sleeveless top only with a shawl may not be accepted at the Grand Palace
You will be refused entry and will need to rent or buy a sarong at the gate.
Not yet verifiedSource: Grand Palace dress code and visiting rules (travel guide)