Hiking in flipflops along the Cinque Terre coastline is banned.
Summer holiday season is in full swing in Italy with visitor numbers returning to pre-pandemic levels.
But vacationers looking to kick back and relax should take note of Italy’s latest tourism rules.
Several holiday hotspots have introduced fines in a bid to crack down on inappropriate behavior.
Here are the rules and regulations you need to watch out for to avoid risking costly penalties.
Sitting down in Rome
Rome’s famed Spanish Steps have been the victim of several incidents of bad behavior recently.
In June, two American tourists launched an e-scooter down the historic monument. A Saudi visitor was arrested a month earlier after driving a Maserati down the famed staircase.
Many tourists are unaware that even just sitting on the steps comes at a price.
While it is no surprise that escapades like these result in heavy fines, many tourists are unaware that even just sitting on the steps comes at a price.
Perching on the UNESCO monument can result in a fine of €250, which can increase to €400 if the steps are dirtied or damaged.
Eating in the streets in Florence
Grabbing a panino to munch on the go between sightseeing stops is illegal in some areas of Florence.
Street snacking from noon to 3 p.m. and 6 p.m. to 10 p.m. is banned along four roads in the center: Via de’ Neri, Piazzale degli Uffizi, Piazza del Grano and Via della Ninna.
Those found picnicking in public along these streets face fines of up to €500 ($509).
Stripping off in Sorrento
The seaside town of Sorrento near the holiday hotspot of the Amalfi Coast has banned inappropriate attire in public.
Wearing a swimming costume or walking around topless could land you with a fine of up to €500 ($509).
Wearing flip-flops in Cinque Terre
With stunning cliffs lining the coast, many visitors to the Cinque Terre try out its hiking trails.
With stunning cliffs lining the coast, many visitors to the Cinque Terre try out its hiking trails. … [+]
But the area’s mountain rescue teams have become so frustrated by the number of tourists getting injured because of inadequate footwear that rules have been imposed.
Those who choose to go walking in flip-flops or flimsy sandals face fines between €50 ($56) and €2,500 ($2,826).
Building sandcastles in Eraclea
The beach of Eraclea near Venice prohibits the favorite seaside pastime of building sandcastles. The local council claimed they “obstructed the passage.”
Castle constructors could be fined €250.
Picnicking in Venice
Although settling down on a canal side, church steps or even a historic monument for a quick al fresco lunch may be tempting, the practice is banned in Venice.
Four German visitors were recently hit with fines of €1,050 ($1095) each for using an 18th-century wellhead as a picnic table.