Jetting off to the Italian Riviera or Portugal this summer? You might want to double-check the local rules before packing your swimwear or cracking open that street beer.
Popular tourist towns across Europe — fed up with unruly visitors — are laying down strict new codes of conduct to preserve peace, cleanliness, and cultural respect.
The latest? The luxurious coastal town of Portofino, Italy has officially said “basta” to certain tourist behaviors, including barefoot walks, booze on the streets, and beachwear in the piazza.
No More Bare Feet, Picnics or Public Boozing in Portofino
Portofino, a postcard-perfect gem on Italy’s Ligurian coast, has rolled out new summer regulations aimed at keeping the town orderly.
Under a fresh ordinance signed by Mayor Matteo Viacava, visitors can now be fined for:
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Walking around barefoot
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Wearing swimwear or going topless outside the beach
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Drinking alcohol in public spaces
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Having a picnic or sitting on sidewalks and park walls
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Begging or lying on the street
The new rules are now in effect and will remain until September 30, 2025.
Break any of them, and you could be fined anywhere between £22 and £433.
Why Is Portofino Cracking Down?
The goal, according to local officials, is simple — to preserve the calm, charm, and exclusivity of a town that attracts up to 100,000 tourists each summer, despite having a population of just 400.
In fact, this isn’t the first time Portofino has taken action.
Last year, tourists were banned from lingering at popular viewpoints to prevent crowds from clogging the narrow, scenic streets.
Diano Marina Follows Suit with Similar Rules
Just up the Italian coast, the port city of Diano Marina is also tightening the reins.
Mayor Cristiano Za Garibaldi defended the new rules, telling Telenord, “This is not a punishment, but a gesture of respect for the town, its residents, and visitors.”
The goal? Maintain dignity and peaceful coexistence between locals and the seasonal influx of tourists.
It’s Not Just Italy — Portugal Is Cleaning Up Too
In Albufeira, Portugal, a party hotspot in the Algarve, officials recently introduced a wide-ranging Code of Conduct that covers everything from public nudity to excessive noise.
The move came after several viral incidents, including one where eight British tourists were filmed dancing naked on a bar in broad daylight.
Under the new code:
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Public sex acts or full nudity can cost you between £426 and £1,500
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Partial nudity, public urination, or defecation may lead to fines between £255 and £1,277
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Even abandoning shopping trolleys or spitting could get you penalized
The UK Foreign Office has already issued a travel alert, warning that local authorities are empowered to fine tourists on the spot.
“We Want to Promote Harmony,” Say Local Officials
Albufeira’s Mayor José Carlos Rolo stressed that this isn’t about scaring off tourists.
Instead, the focus is on creating balance.
“This is part of a larger effort to fix our town’s image,” he explained.
“We want harmony between our local population and the tourism sector.”
Travel Smarter: e-Gates Now Available to UK Visitors in Portugal
Amid the new rules, some good news for British travelers: Faro Airport in Portugal has rolled out e-gates for UK passport holders just in time for summer.
These automated gates use facial recognition and are designed to speed up border entry for travelers post-Brexit — a welcome change for those tired of long queues.
Thanks to a new agreement between the UK and EU, more European airports are expected to allow Brits to use e-gates in the near future.
The Big Picture: Europe’s Tourist Spots Are Saying “Enough”
From Venice banning bridge picnics, to Rome forbidding dips in historic fountains, and Capri silencing clunky shoes, there’s a broader message being sent across Europe: respect the culture, or pay the price.
So before you kick off your sandals in a charming Italian piazza or crack open a beer by the sea, make sure you’re not breaking the law — or your vacation might come with a surprise fine.