Italy has turned up the heat on Venice’s unruly tourism, rolling out fresh restrictions and fines that can soar to INR 50,000 for travellers who step out of line. The move comes as the city—long celebrated for its canals and Renaissance splendour, struggles with the double-edged sword of mass tourism. Every year, millions of visitors pour into its narrow lanes and piazzas, leaving not just footprints but also frustrations. The new rules, officials say, are an attempt to protect Venice’s fragile heritage, keep daily life manageable for its residents, and encourage a culture of respect and sustainability while experiencing the lagoon city.
Venice’s popularity is also its greatest challenge. Each year, millions of visitors descend on its narrow alleys and fragile piazzas, often overwhelming the infrastructure and disrupting the rhythms of local life. From tourists splashing into canals to snackers perched on monuments and bridges, the line between admiration and misuse has been crossed too often.
For Venetians, the cumulative effect has been frustrating: crowded streets, littered squares, and a sense that their home has become a backdrop for careless holiday behaviour. Many residents argue that without firm boundaries, Venice risks becoming more theme park than city.
In response, the Venice City Council has drawn up a detailed “do-not” list, published on its official website. Visitors can no longer eat or drink while sitting on bridges, steps, or monuments, nor wander about bare-chested or in swimwear. Taking a dip in the canals, once a mischievous photo-op for social media, is now a punishable offence, as is littering in public spaces. Fines range from EUR 100 for minor violations to EUR 500 for serious breaches, translating to anywhere between INR 10,000 and INR 50,000. Officials describe these penalties as necessary guardrails to preserve public order, hygiene, and respect for the city’s cultural heritage.
The crackdown is not unique to Venice. Across Europe, popular destinations are signalling that reckless tourism is no longer welcome. In Portugal’s Albufeira, stepping into town in swimwear could cost a visitor EUR 1,500. Spain’s Balearic Islands, including Ibiza and Mallorca, have imposed fines of up to EUR 3,000 for drinking in public spaces. These measures reflect a continental shift: tourism is not just about numbers, but about guiding behaviour in a way that balances visitor enjoyment with residents’ quality of life.
For Venice, the message is clear. The city is not turning its back on travellers, it still thrives on their presence, but it is insisting on a different kind of relationship. To admire the Grand Canal, wander across the Rialto Bridge, or pause in Piazza San Marco is a privilege, not a free-for-all.
The new rules remind the world that beauty this fragile comes with boundaries, and that the responsibility of preserving it lies with everyone who passes through.