Albufeira is looking to revise its code of conduct and plans to prohibit men from going topless in a pair of shorts or women wearing bikinis in public areas away from hotels and the beach.
Street drinking would also be outlawed as part of a new code of conduct proposed by the city council, with fines of up to €1,500 for those caught.
Matt Mavir, who runs Last Night of Freedom, said Albufeira’s reputation as one of the UK's favourite destinations would be under threat if new rules are seen to be too strict.
“Parts of the new code of conduct ban things like urinating on the street or having sex in a public place, and I fully endorse the toughest of rules for antisocial behaviour like that,” said Matt, whose Tyneside-based company has organised more than 50,000 parties over 25 years.
“But to crack down on people wearing a bikini or men taking off their shirt in the heat, I think we can all agree that these rules feel petty and are likely to be unworkable.
“We’ve seen other European destinations bring in tough rules to try and deter party tourism from Britain and they’ve never worked so far. But I think it will lead some Brits to just feel fed-up at being targeted for the bad behaviour of a vanishingly small minority.
"Our customers are normal people and those booking stag and hen parties through professional companies aren’t the ones causing trouble.
"Most of our clients are looking for a fun, memorable time, not causing a scene or upsetting locals.
"If people feel like they’re being unfairly targeted, they could simply just go somewhere else.”
Albufeira’s Mayor, Jose Carlos Rolo, has defended the new rules, which aim to preserve the town’s family-friendly reputation by clamping down on anti-social behaviour.
A consultation has now been launched and if approved, the new laws could be introduced for the summer.
The city attracts thousands of Brits celebrating stag and hen dos every year.
And for now, Matt has advised groups planning to visit to stay informed: "We’ve been doing this for decades and work with local businesses to always make sure our clients follow the rules and respect the local community – I hope for Albufeira’s sake, that the local authorities don't push people away by being too over-zealous.”
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The best thing for the Algarve would be less highly intoxicated British, the type that cause these laws to be passed. Nobody here will miss these types of patrons.
By Mark Dahnke from Algarve on 27 Feb 2025, 03:44
About time too. It will not drive away the tourist it hopefully will stop the "larger louts" let them got to anywhere but here.
By m shaw from Algarve on 27 Feb 2025, 10:22
My first vacation in Albufeira was also my last, just because of those a-social Brits. If Albufeira is going ahead with this, I just may try again some time.
By Nelly from Other on 27 Feb 2025, 10:46
This is an absolute disgrace & just shows the EU's feeble attempts to punish us for voting unanimously for Brexit! Britons will never surrender & will continue to exercise their human rights to wander around the streets of Albufeira naked, urinating & defecating wherever they see fit.
By Mark Barber from UK on 27 Feb 2025, 10:58
At last!
By Alison from Algarve on 27 Feb 2025, 11:19
Completely agree. Most people look very ugly or obscene in swimwear due to bad body maintenance, and when they have had alcohol their behaviour makes things much worse.
By John Cowan from Algarve on 27 Feb 2025, 11:24
Please, put this in motion in all the algarve!!! Nobody wants to see 300 pound people in speeds or fishnet dresses and bikinis at restaurants or supermarkets miles from the beach. When people lose common sense, laws have to be made.
By Paul Neto from Algarve on 27 Feb 2025, 11:38
Good riddance then! We don't need those digenerates here.
By nunof from Lisbon on 27 Feb 2025, 12:15
Well done Albufeira change the scenário.
By J.Novaes from Lisbon on 27 Feb 2025, 13:41
The guy complaining makes money from the hens and stags so obviously will be against some of the proposed rules. It may help in getting families to holiday here again
By Paul from Algarve on 27 Feb 2025, 14:23
'Clickbait' title to the piece. Less may visit, but hopefully, the quality of the visitors will go back up to previous years.
By Steve from Algarve on 27 Feb 2025, 14:53
Good news for the Algarve.
By Shawn from Lisbon on 27 Feb 2025, 15:02
The UK has some of the nicest, most friendly and upmarket visitors in the world. Generous, interested and adventurous in many destinations they are wonderful guests!
However, to get these high-value visitors there is one thing you must do - get rid of the cheap, drunken, sloppy and selfish UK larger-louts!
Travel is a privilege, not a right - and Portugal (not alone in this), has chased tourist numbers and not tourist quality.
So, close down the likes of "Last night of Freedom" and the likes - and by all means target the bad behaviour, I am happy to hear this may be a 'fast-disappearing' group from the UK.
If you can't respect your hosts then just don't visit - Portugal and anywhere else for that matter.
By Tony Williams from Other on 27 Feb 2025, 18:33
Good news, those are the low life's the Algarve and every other resort in Portugal can do without!
By Greg from Other on 28 Feb 2025, 08:14
Whilst recognising many nationalities act in different ways to have their ‘fun in the sun’, I don’t think Albufeira, or any other destination in Portugal should have to put up with this type of tourist. It reflects badly on British people in general, when in fact many are decent .This badly behaved minority would certainly not be missed. Please act with more common decency, or find another country where ‘anything goes’.
By Willem du Plessis from Algarve on 28 Feb 2025, 16:41
Ban the wedding trade in the algarve period.
We dont want stag and hen parties and the louts than destroy our home
good riddance
By James from Algarve on 28 Feb 2025, 21:40