Tourists were reminded of new punitive measures in Italy

In recent years, the Italian authorities have introduced several new regulations in response to problems related to excess tourism. From hanging out on the famous and crowded Spanish Steps in Rome to visiting Venice for a day without prior reservations and paying an entrance fee, certain everyday actions can lead to punitive measures in the form of hefty fines and bans on entry. Lonely Planet reminded me about them.

A zero-tolerance approach was presented to some guests of the country. Yes, the incident before the pandemic, was when two German tourists were fined $1,058 and ordered to leave the city immediately. The reason for the punishment was that the travelers were discovered preparing coffee on a portable stove under the Rialto Bridge. Officials confirmed it was the 40th time in two months that tourists were told to leave the city for breaking the rules.

“Venice must be respected, and ill-mannered people who think they can come here and do whatever they want, must understand that thanks to the local police, they will be caught, punished, and kicked out,” Mayor Luigi Brugnaro said at the time.

Literally, in July, the mayor of Sorrento warned about new punitive measures that will apply to female tourists who walk the streets of the city in swimsuits, bikinis, or with bare breasts. “No more indecent behavior,” the official said and reported the number of fines – from $26 to $511.

However, even the most ardent tourist can sometimes make a mistake, because he may not have the information in full. We will conduct a lecture on the topic “What not to do during a trip to the main tourist destinations in Italy.

So, what is forbidden to do near the historical monuments of Italy:

1. Take pictures inside the Vatican Sistine Chapel.
2. Sit on the Spanish Steps in Rome.
3. Sit down and do not lie down in front of shops, historical monuments, and bridges.
4. Pull strollers, scooters, or suitcases on wheels up the Spanish Steps in Rome.
5. Eating or drinking in famous places in any city.
6. Eat on the streets of the historic center of Florence – Via de Neri, Piazzale degli Uffizi,
7. Piazza del Grano and Via Della Ninna – from 12:00 to 15:00 noon and from 18:00 to 22:00 dinner every day.
8. Feed the birds in St. Mark’s Square in Venice.
9. Bathing or immersing parts of the body in the Trevi Fountain. Violation is punishable by a large fine. Recently, the Italian authorities fined a foreign tourist 500 euros for dipping his feet in the fountain (details here).
10. Standing too close to the Trevi Fountain: Rome’s city authorities are considering installing protective barriers around the historic landmark.

What can tourists be punished for in Italian cities?

1. Visit Venice for one day without pre-booking and paying the entrance fee. The law will enter into force in January 2023.
2. Dive, swim, or swim in the canals of Venice.
3. Operate a drone in an urban area without a license or permit.
4. Having picnics in public places in Venice or standing too long on city bridges.
5. Join organized pub crawls in Rome. They are prohibited.
6. Jump into or otherwise damage or climb fountains.
7. Hop on public transport in Rome.
8. Cycling in the center of Venice.
9. Drink alcohol outside from 8:00 p.m. to 8:00 a.m. in Venice.
10. Hang locks on the bars of bridges in Rome and Venice.
11. Participate in group celebrations such as hen parties and outdoor ‘bachelorette parties’ on weekdays in Venice. They are only allowed outdoors during the day or on weekends.
12. Do not touch your mouth to the spout of public drinking fountains in Rome. Instead, you should put your hands under the spout of the faucet and place your finger under the stream of water to direct it into your mouth.
13. Consuming alcohol from a glass container on the streets, in public transport, and in open green areas in Rome after 22:00. Or drinking alcohol from any container after midnight in the same places.
14. Dress up as a historical person or character, such as a “centurion”, meaning a Roman gladiator in Rome, and pose for photos with tourists.

What is forbidden to do in Italian resorts and islands?

1. Walk around shirtless or in swimwear in any metropolis. This dress code is restricted to the beach.
2. The problem is particularly relevant for partying in Sorrento, where tourists can be fined up to 500 euros for violating it.
3. When hiking in Italy’s Cinque Terre National Park, wear sandals or flip-flops.
4. Walk around in inappropriate clothes and walk the streets of Praia a Mare barefoot.
5. Swim in the Blue Grotto on the island of Capri. The ban does not apply to pleasure boats. So, in dock-like 2019, supermodel Heidi Klum was fined 6,000 euros for swimming in a grotto.
6. Remove sand from the beaches of Sardinia or another beach. Tourists may face up to six years in prison.
7. Visit beaches without money. Some charge a fee to cover expenses, and most charge a fee for the use of umbrellas and sunbeds.