Tired of Mass Tourism: 12 Things You Can No Longer Do in Europe’s Popular Hotspots
Traveling to discover a new destination is one of the main reasons for many to pack their bags. However, travelers sometimes overlook how their actions—like taking endless selfies or wearing inappropriate clothing—might disturb locals or harm historic sites. In response, several European cities have taken measures to protect their landmarks, residents, and environments. Heading to any of these 12 destinations? Here’s what not to do!
1. Greece: Don’t Wear High Heels at Historical Sites
Want to explore the Parthenon or the sanctuary in Delphi? Make sure to wear comfortable sneakers—not only to save your feet but also to protect the site. High heels are banned at archaeological sites due to the damage they can cause. Other rules include leaving food and drinks (even gum) at home and never taking stones, rocks, or even pebbles. Violations can result in fines of up to €1000.
2. Portofino, Italy: Don’t Linger Too Long
Portofino is undoubtedly one of Italy’s most picturesque villages, so it’s no surprise that tourists love to stop for selfies here. Unfortunately, many visitors forget that people live and drive here too. The town’s mayor, along with its 500 residents, became so frustrated by the endless traffic jams caused by tourists that they introduced no-stopping zones during the summer months. These zones aim to stop the “anarchic chaos.” If your photo session takes too long, you can expect a hefty fine of €275.
3. Rome, Italy: Don’t Sit on the Spanish Steps
The iconic Spanish Steps in the heart of Rome have been a major tourist draw for years. Visitors love to sit, snap selfies, or even have picnics there—a perfect way to relax after a day of sightseeing. However, after the steps underwent a €1.5 million restoration in 2016, authorities decided enough was enough. Sitting or lying on the steps is now prohibited to prevent damage. Guards are constantly on-site to ensure tourists behave. If you misbehave or don’t move quickly enough, you could be fined between €250 and €400.
4. Sardinia, Italy: Don’t Take Sand
It might surprise you, but taking sand from the beach is prohibited in many European destinations. Sardinia takes this very seriously: the pink sand beach Spiaggia Rosa on the Sardinian island of Budelli has been off-limits to visitors since the 1990s, as too much sand was taken as souvenirs. Anyone entering the beach risks a €500 fine, and those caught taking sand may face fines of up to €3500. This isn’t the only Sardinian beach cracking down on sand thieves: since 2023, Pelosa Beach allows only 1,500 visitors per day (compared to over 4,000 daily in 2022), and tickets must be purchased in advance for €3.50. Additionally, visitors are only allowed to bring mats, as they retain less sand than towels.
5. Venice, Italy: Pay an Entry Fee
Venice has struggled for years with the massive number of tourists visiting its iconic canals—an estimated 15 million annually. To combat overtourism, Venice was one of the first cities to ban large cruise ships, whose passengers often flooded the city for just one day without contributing much to the local economy. As of late April, day-trippers must pay a €5 entry fee. Those who fail to do so risk a fine of €300. While it remains to be seen whether this will solve overtourism, it certainly benefits the city’s finances: Venice earned nearly €1 million in its first week of implementing the fee.
6. Hallstatt, Austria: No Longer Enjoy the View
The picturesque village of Hallstatt in Austria is so stunning that it has earned a spot on the UNESCO World Heritage List. If that weren’t enough to attract visitors, fans of Disney’s Frozen flock here, believing it inspired one of the film’s settings. Additionally, Hallstatt serves as a popular screensaver, especially in South Korea. The result? The town, with a population of just 800, was once inundated by up to 10,000 visitors daily. To address this, barriers were installed to block iconic viewpoints, though they only partially deterred tourists. The mayor has since restricted the number of cars and buses allowed in the village to slow the flow of visitors.
7. Portugal: Avoid Loud Music on the Beach
When you’re at the beach, wouldn’t you prefer the sound of waves and seagulls over blaring music? If you enjoy blasting tunes and making sure your neighbors hear it too, Portugal might not be the destination for you. The Portuguese National Maritime Authority (AMN) has had enough of loud music on its beaches and introduced fines for “using sound equipment and engaging in noise-producing activities that cause discomfort.” While the exact noise levels considered disruptive remain unclear, it’s best to play it safe: fines range from €200 to €4000 for individuals and €2000 to €36,000 for groups. Offenders may also have their speakers confiscated. Additionally, ball games, camping, and bonfires are now prohibited on Portuguese beaches.
8. Barcelona, Spain: No Cruise Ships in the City Center
Walking down the famous Las Ramblas to the coast, you’ll arrive at Barcelona’s main port, just a stone’s throw from the city’s top attractions. While cruise passengers may love admiring the city from their ship balconies, the towering vessels have become a nuisance for locals. As of October last year, Barcelona—following the example of Amsterdam, Dubrovnik, Santorini, and Venice—has closed its city center to cruise ships, which previously welcomed an average of 340 ships annually. Now, these ships must dock half an hour away, with passengers transported into the city via shuttle buses.
9. Mallorca, Spain: Fake Signs to Deter Tourists
On the Spanish island of Mallorca, it wasn’t authorities but locals who took matters into their own hands to combat overtourism. Activists from the anti-capitalist group Manacor Caterva placed signs—written neatly in English—at beaches like Cala Morlanda, Es Calo, Cala Petita, Porto Cristo, Cala Murta, Cala Magraner, and Cala Bota, warning that these beaches were closed due to pollution, jellyfish, or falling rocks. However, in Catalan, the signs clarified that no actual danger existed. Some signs included misleading information, such as claiming the beach was a three-hour walk away instead of just down the path. Others were more obviously fake, like signs stating the beach was open but “not for jellyfish or foreigners.”
10. San Juan de Gaztelugatxe, Spain: Don’t Ring the Bell
Once a peaceful island off the Basque coast, San Juan de Gaztelugatxe gained worldwide attention when its stunning chapel and dramatic staircase of 241 steps were featured in the hit series Game of Thrones. The influx of visitors prompted local authorities to introduce an online ticketing system in 2018, but by 2019, nearly 730,000 people had visited. Traditionally, those who braved the steep climb would ring the bell in the chapel tower for good luck. However, the bell’s rope has now been removed to prevent any noise that might stress the seabirds nesting in the cliffs. While it’s a win for the birds, it’s bad luck for visitors hoping to carry on the tradition.
11. Seville, Spain: Dress Appropriately for the Cathedral
In Spain, you can generally wear what you like on the streets, but if you plan to visit the famous cathedral in Seville, it’s wise to dress respectfully to honor the sacred character of the church. While the summer heat in Seville may tempt you to wear swimwear, tank tops, short skirts, strapless dresses, or flip-flops, these outfits will guarantee you’re denied entry. The same goes for t-shirts with obscene, sexist, or vulgar messages. Be sure to dress modestly to gain access to this magnificent landmark.
12. Turkey: Don’t Take Stones
You’ve heard about sand, but stones are also off-limits—especially at historical sites. Last year, a Belgian tourist was arrested in Turkey for smuggling archaeological artifacts. She admitted to taking three stones from the ancient site of Manavgat to decorate her aquarium, claiming it was something she often did on vacation. However, the stones were no ordinary pebbles—one featured engraved blossoms, and two appeared to be made of marble. The contraband was intercepted by airport security in Antalya. Turkey’s strict cultural heritage laws prohibit removing items of archaeological value from the country. The tourist was sentenced to 10 months in prison and fined, though her sentence was suspended due to her remorse.
