Italy’s most iconic cities—Venice and Rome—have launched a sweeping crackdown on tourist behavior as overtourism reaches critical levels. From swimming in canals to eating on historic steps, visitors now face fines ranging from €25 to €500 for violating local codes.
đźš« New Rules in Venice:
- No eating or drinking while sitting on monuments, bridges, or steps
→ Fine: €100–€200 - No swimming or bathing in canals
→ Fine: €350 - No littering or dumping trash
→ Fine: €350 - No walking bare-chested or in swimwear
→ Fine: €250 - No biking, camping, or feeding seagulls within city limits
Rome and Florence are following suit, introducing tourist taxes, visitor caps, and short-term rental restrictions to preserve urban life and heritage.
🧠Why It Matters:
- Italy welcomed over 60 million tourists in 2024
- Local residents report rising noise pollution, overcrowding, and cultural erosion
- Venice now limits tour groups to 25 people and bans megaphones to reduce disruption
The Italian government frames these measures as part of a “sustainable tourism transition”, balancing economic benefits with cultural dignity and public hygiene.