Swimming cap: obligatory in Italy?

On holiday in Hungary (yes, something different for once ) I spoke to a Dutch couple. They had actually wanted to go on holiday to Italy for years, but did not like the obligatory swimming cap in the pool. Until now, that had even prevented her from booking a holiday in Italy: it became Lake Balaton instead of Lake Garda.

It's not the first time I've heard this story, so I thought I'd write a blog about it.

Is a swimming cap compulsory in Italy?

First of all, the answer to the pressing question. Is a bathing cap mandatory? Yes, according to the letter of the law it is mandatory to wear a bathing cap in public swimming pools and swimming pools on campsites. This has to do with strict hygiene requirements according to Italian legislation.

Because hardly anyone thinks of packing bathing caps for the whole family in the luggage, you can often buy them on the spot. Or you get such a disposable copy at the swimming pool or the spa and wellness center.

You also sometimes see renting or borrowing. But I find that completely strange. Talk about hygiene.

Why a swimming cap in Italy?

Good question that is often asked to Google, as we noted earlier. It is just like with the obligatory swim briefs (the so-called Speedo regulation) in France. It has to do with a kind of Mediterranean obsession with germs.

From a hygienic point of view, you should therefore generally wear a bathing cap in every swimming pool. Much to the chagrin of many tourists. Most find it annoying, especially for children: in the swimming pool, swimming cap on, out of the pool, swimming cap off.

And also if you're on the decorating tour for a handsome Italian or Italian such a bathing cap is but a turnoff, of course.

Does it work?

There will be those who say that a swimming cap prevents the water from getting dirty with dander, hair and other filth that can come off your head. But that dirt can of course also be in other places on your body.

In addition, you often see that the bathing cap is only pulled over the head because it has to be: the tufts of hair or sometimes even long hair often just come out from under. A bit like feminist women wear the obligatory headscarf in Iran.

Moreover, it is not the case that Dutch or Belgian swimming pools are very dirty because we do not have to wear a swimming cap here. So I think it's more of a cultural thing than a hygienic necessity.

Instead of a swimming cap, it is better to ask people to take a shower before entering the pool. If everyone does that, you are already a long way further with hygiene.

Anyway, country wise, country honour. In Italy we simply have to deal with the swimming cap.

Are there any exceptions?

In almost all public swimming pools of any depth you will have to wear a swimming cap and in principle it is also mandatory for campsites. Especially for campsites where many people come, such as those around Lake Garda and in high season.

Campsites can apply for an exemption from the swimming cap requirement and some have done so in recent years. For example, because they have received many complaints from their Dutch and Belgian guests.

The campsite will have to demonstrate that it has taken measures to ensure that the water remains clean.

If a campsite has been granted such an exemption, the bathing water must then be checked extra for pollution. And many campsites are not interested in that.

Never worn a bathing cap before

We have actually never put on a swimming cap in Italy before. The campsite had an exemption for it or the campsite did not enforce the injunction.

Incidentally, it is not always enforced on campsites without a bathing cap exemption. That's how it often goes in Italy: there are rules, but you don't necessarily have to stick to them.

And we never go to public swimming pools, because we always have a private swimming pool, a lake, a river or the sea nearby.

But if you're concerned about the swim cap, I can imagine you don't want to take this risk.

Update: we also have experience with a swimming cap campsite and it must be said: once you get used to it, it's not that bad. Everyone has one on, so you're not the only one walking/swimming for l*l.

Campsites without a swimming cap

There are quite a few campsites where you don't need a bathing cap. Not even according to the official rules. In any case, you see it less often at smaller campsites or campsites that are not located in the tourist areas.

You can often deduce from the photos on Google or those of the campsites themselves whether there is a swimming cap requirement or not. Or take a look at the camping regulations that you can often find on the website. And otherwise Zoover or another review site often offers a solution.

There are certainly big ones too campsites on Lake Garda without a swimming cap obligation:

• Camping Bella Italy
• Campsite Piantelle
• Campsite Du Parc
• Camping Lido
• Campsite Piani di Clodia
• Camping Village Weekend

You will also find a number of these campsites in the list with the most beautiful campsites around Lake Garda!

If you know of more campsites around Lake Garda without a swimming cap obligation, please let us know.

More and more campsites realize that not all tourists are inclined to pull a piece of plastic over their head.

Camping Village Weekend on Lake Garda has installed extra filters and pumps for this holiday season and then applied for an exemption from the government, I read The Telegraph.

The Dutch director Loek van de Loo explains: 'There are 80% Dutch people on the campsite. Everyone is happy with the abolition of the swimming cap requirement. You immediately saw no one with a swimming cap on. We are now getting extra checks from the authorities, but that's fine.'

All I'm saying is: if you really want to go to Italy, don't let something like the swimming cap obligation stop you. If you don't want to wear one, there are plenty of options.

You can easily find out via Google or the campsite itself whether swimming caps are enforced or not. Some booking websites even offer search filters to find the 'campsites without a swimming cap'.

What do you think about the obsession with swimming caps in Italy?