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They are a famous landmark in Rome, whether you’ve seen them in movies like Roman Holiday or Audrey Hepburn. Since 2019, tourists are prohibited from sitting on the 135 steps that run from the Trinita di’ Monti to Piazza di Spagna. Anyone found using the steps for resting purposes will be subject to a heavy fine of EUR250. This is enforced by high-vis wearing whistle-wielding officials who patrol the area every day. The fine for anyone who damages or leaves stains on the stairs goes up to EUR400.
The Spanish Steps Sitting ban
The Spanish Steps were closed to sitting after a massive cleaning and restoration project was completed in 2016. Bulgari jewelers funded the EUR1.5 million initiative to celebrate their 130th anniversary. The ban sparked a variety of reactions. While some have criticized it as extreme, others see it as necessary to protect one of the city’s most famous landmarks that is often subject to wear and tear. It could be costly for those who are not aware of the measures.
This is only one of many surprising ways you can get fined in Italy. However, if your guide suggests that you take our Welcome To Rome Tour then make sure to ask him all about it. To protect historic landmarks and monuments, the Italian government has implemented a variety of restrictions across the country. You can’t even walk on the streets or jump in fountains.
Read More 8 Italian Places to Visit Before You Die
You could be fined in Italy for doing certain things
There are many ways you can get into trouble with Italian law, and that includes resting on the Spanish Steps. We have compiled a guide to help you get started!
1. Capri Capri Loud Shoes
The Island of Capri should be added to the list of ideal holiday destinations. It is a picture postcard paradise with its stunning coastlines and sparkling blue waters. Capri is a popular destination for tourists. Everyone longs to experience tranquility and peace. This peaceful atmosphere is something that the locals are determined to protect. On the island, noisy footwear is prohibited. You might be wrong to think that this is not enforced. A couple was fined PS100 each for excessively loud footwear in 2010. Don’t forget high-heels, and you’re not being warned.
Continue reading: What are the Best Things to Do at the Vatican for Kids
2. Fountain-fooling
Fountains are a welcome relief from the heat in Italy. Even the sound and smell of running water can make it seem cooler. Most people agree that jumping in the Trevi Fountain is dangerous. However, Italian authorities have tightened their grip on interactions with the iconic fountains. dipping your toes in the water of a historical fountain could lead to a EUR450 fine. This is what an elderly tourist found at the Altare della Patria fountain. After a skinny-dipping incident at the same fountain, which caused shock waves throughout the country and angered residents, the zero tolerance policy was adopted.
Continue reading 12 Other Things to Do & See in Rome for 2020
3. Sandcastles made in Eraclea
Building sandcastles on the beach is a great way to spend summer, regardless of whether you are a cathedral sculptor and/or a poor tower builder. If you want to visit Eraclea, you will need to come up with other ideas. In an effort to improve ‘public decorum,’ Italian mayors were given the power to pass a number of by-laws. One of these prohibits the construction of sandcastles in the small town near Venice. It is considered to be an obstruction and a danger to public safety. This brings us to…
4. Sardinia Sand ‘Theft.
Sand from tropical destinations is a great souvenir because it’s cheap, light, and meaningful. However, its popularity has led to a shortage and in 2017 a ban was implemented making it illegal for anyone to take any sand from Sardinia. Two French tourists were sentenced to up to six years imprisonment for attempting to bring 40kg of sand from Sardinia to France in their luggage in August 2019. We can think of some cheaper places to buy great souvenirs from Italy, instead of paying a fine exceeding EUR3,000.
Continue reading: Castel Gandolfo – The Roman Day Trip That You Didn’t Know You Required
5. Venice Pigeon Feeding Program
Pigeons are an integral part of Venice’s iconography. One of the most iconic markers of a visit to the Floating Capital is a photo taken with one of these birds. However, these images may soon disappear as a feeding ban was enacted in St. Mark’s Square and other locations throughout the city. This ban is in place to prevent damage to monuments and to reduce restoration and cleaning fees. This ban has caused the most outrage of all the Italian bans. It is not from tourists, but from locals who are angry that vendors selling corn and pork-feed from nearby stalls are now without a livelihood.
Continue reading: Top Non-Touristy Things To Do & See In Venice
6. Snacking in Florence
It is known that Italy is the land of great food. Just the mention of Italian cuisine conjures up images of rich ravioli or stuffed tortellini. Not to mention creamy lasagna. It’s difficult to resist the temptation of so many delicious flavors. Be careful not to eat in Florence. There is a ban on snacking during certain hours. This ban is in effect for the four streets running through Florence’s historic centre: Via de’Neri (Piazzale degli Uffizi), Piazza del Grano (Via della Ninna) Anyone caught eating in the afternoon between 12 and 3pm or in the evening between 6 and 10 pm could be subject to a maximum EUR500 fine. Solution? You can eat breakfast later, so you don’t feel hungry during peak hours. Or take a walk with Walks of Italy to discover delicious gelato while on your Welcome to Florence Tour. We also offer some helpful tips for Italian menus.
7. Eboli: Steaming up the Windows
Italy is the land of passion, while Paris is the City of Love. The country boasts Casanova, Romeo & Juliet and many other romantic places. Anyone who wants to recreate Jack and Rose’s famous scene in Titanic in Eboli must reconsider. In 2011, the small town of Southern Italy, renowned for its olive oil and buffalo mozzarella, banned kissing in cars. The cost of a passionate embrace can now be as high as EUR500. Police are stationed at the outskirts to watch over parks.
Continue reading: A Strange, but True Story Behind Valentine’s Day
8. Venice: Going Shirtless
Italy isn’t known for being one the coolest holiday destinations. It’s easy to feel the need to cool down in Italy, with temperatures reaching 40 degrees during summer. Anyone who decides to wear a shirt around Venice and Rome will be subject to fines. Due to complaints from tourists, Venice also bans swimwear in the city’s center. The penalty for not complying with the ban could be as high as EUR3,000. We say, it’s better to spend that money on a brand new wardrobe than ignore the ban.
Continue reading: 7 Things you’ll love about this Venice Day Trip
9. Use a Love-Lock
You’ll likely have seen couples attach ‘love-locks to famous monuments if you’ve ever crossed a bridge in any major urban center in the past few years. Although it sounds great in theory, hundreds of padlocks can be quite heavy. This practice is putting increasing strain on fences and bridges around the globe. In Italy, more than 20,000 padlocks were removed from Ponte dell’Accademia bridge that spans the Grand Canal. Campaign “Unlock Your Love” is leading the fight to remove locks from landmarks. It emphasizes that love does not need to be tied down. I agree.
10. Coffee-making near Landmarks
No country in the world takes espresso as seriously than Italy. It’s not surprising that German tourists tried to make coffee near Venice’s Rialto Bridge. Although it was not an explicit ban, the local police called to report that it could damage the landmark. The two backpackers were fined EUR950 and expelled immediately from the city.
11. Picnicking in Venice
Similar to the previous point, we don’t understand why anyone would want to cook Italian food at home. In an effort to avoid litter and staining the city’s monuments, a ban on picnics has been placed in Venice as part of the “Decency Laws”. This ban is also in effect in Florence and Rome in certain areas. It means that picnicking close to historic landmarks or piazzas is prohibited.
Continue reading: Best Parks in Rome and Milan
