Across the globe, and especially throughout Europe, destinations popular with tourists are increasingly taking decisive action to tackle unruly visitor behaviour and mitigate the damaging effects of overtourism. As cities and towns grapple with the pressures of swelling tourist numbers, local authorities are rolling out new rules and penalties aimed at preserving public order, protecting fragile ecosystems, and safeguarding the quality of life for residents. Italy has now joined this growing movement, introducing a fresh wave of fines targeting tourists who flout local regulations.
Venice, one of the continent’s most visited and treasured cities, has taken the lead by publishing a detailed list of “unacceptable behaviour” on its official government website. This step reflects rising concerns about misconduct by holidaymakers in a city renowned for its delicate urban fabric and cultural heritage.
Venice’s municipal authorities are clear about their intent. “Current regulations enforced by the Venice City Council Municipal Police forbid certain behaviour to preserve urban cleanliness and landscape, and also for reasons of safety and public hygiene,” the official website explains. Those caught breaching these rules face administrative fines ranging from €25 to €500 (£22 to £440), a measure designed to safeguard both the city’s cultural heritage and the well-being of its residents.
This tightening of restrictions in Venice is part of a wider European trend. Across the continent, popular tourist hotspots are pushing back against the excesses of holidaymakers. In Portugal’s coastal town of Albufeira, for example, tourists risk fines of up to €1,500 (£1,320) simply for wearing swimwear away from the beach.
Similarly, Spain’s Balearic Islands—including Mallorca and Ibiza—have introduced penalties of up to €3,000 (£2,640) for public drinking, while even the seemingly trivial act of reserving a sunbed and then leaving it unattended can now lead to fines.
Authorities emphasise that these measures are not intended to discourage visitors but to protect local communities and ensure that respectful travellers can enjoy these destinations alongside their residents.
Visitors are prohibited from consuming food or drink while seated on the ground, monuments, bridges, steps, wellheads, or high-water walkways, with fines ranging between €100 and €200 (£88 to £176). Bathing, diving, or swimming in the canals is strictly forbidden and carries a fine of €350 (£308). Similarly, littering or dumping rubbish in public spaces is punishable by the same fine of €350 (£308). Additionally, walking around bare-chested or in swimwear is not allowed, with offenders facing fines of €250 (£220).
These rules highlight the urgent need for Europe’s most popular destinations to reclaim their public spaces during peak tourist seasons when the pressures on urban infrastructure and local communities are most intense. As cities like Venice strive to balance tourism and tradition, visitors are reminded that respect and responsibility go hand in hand with exploration and enjoyment.
