7 surprising things that are banned in Italy

From sitting on stairs to walking in flip-flops

Italy may be known as the country of dolce vita, but your life there will not be sweet at all if you do not follow the rules.

Serious fines await those who do not comply with the bans, and the bans themselves can be quite unexpected.

You can get the most fines in Venice – in recent years, the city is looking for ways to deal with the huge flow of tourists and preserve its historical heritage despite the damage that excessive tourism causes to the city. You will also have to be careful in Rome. Many of the famous movie scenes with which we connect the city contain actions that today will bring you not only adrenaline and unforgettable photos, but also hefty fines.

1. Flip-flops are prohibited in the area known as Cinque Terre. The five colorful villages, located on the rocky shores of the Ligurian Sea, are connected by mountain trails. The route between the villages is very popular among tourists, but the local authorities are tired of rescuing stranded visitors in flip-flops, so in the spring of 2019 they announced that they will introduce a fine of 50 to 2,500 euros for anyone caught walking on mountain trails. flip flops or sandals.

2. Sitting on stairs can also bring you a fine, but only in one specific place – the Spanish Steps in Rome. Until a few years ago, the stairs were a favorite place for locals and tourists to relax after a long tour of the Italian capital, but after a restoration of more than 1.7 million euros, the Roman authorities decided to ban sitting on them.

3. Jumping into fountains is not like in the movies when you are in Rome. You better skip this fun, unless you want to get a fine of 450 euros.

4. Drinking alcohol on the street is banned in more and more Italian cities. The nightlife in the country is lively and lasts until late, but in cities like Rome and Venice you have to stick to the restaurants or your own terrace.

5. Cycling is forbidden in the historic part of Venice, even if you walk and just push it.

6. If you don’t like the bans, it’s better to skip Venice altogether, because swimming in the canals is also forbidden there. And if you think that melting your toes does not count – you are wrong!

7. The feeding of pigeons in St. Mark’s Square in Venice is also on the list of prohibitions. Although one of the favorite activities of tourists, this activity is prohibited due to the problems that pigeons create in the bustling city.