Whether it’s the world-famous ancient monuments, the incredible food, or those picture-perfect Mediterranean beaches, millions of Americans will be flocking to Italy this summer.
As one of the leading sources for Europe travel news that matters to U.S. travelers, Travel Off Path has covered Italy extensively over the years—from the timeless favorites like Rome and Venice to hidden gems like Trieste and Agrigento.
But there’s something we’ve noticed firsthand that few other publications ever talk about: Italy’s 4 unspoken rules that only locals seem to know. Break one of these, and you could face a hefty fine, regardless of whether you meant harm.
And no, we’re not just talking about clueless visitors who think carving their names into the Colosseum walls is a good idea:
Driving A Rental Car Through A Historic Center
If you’re renting a car during your trip to Italy instead of using the very convenient, surprisingly affordable Frecciarossa trains, there’s something you should know about driving rules, particularly when visiting urban centers:
Unless you hold a valid permit, which is usually issued only to residents, you are in fact not allowed to drive through ZTLs, or ‘Limited Traffic Zones’. Those who are not permit holders, and end up driving in ZTLs anyway are usually issued fines fetween $95–$352.
These usually refer to historic centers, and in cities like Rome, they encompass most tourist attractions, including the streets around the Pantheon and Piazza Navona. In Florence, accessing key areas such as the Duomo, and its immediate vicinity, and Piazza San Marco are also restricted.
ZTLs are usually enforced from 6:30 am to 6 pm, though some cities will have ‘nocturnal’ ZTLs, so the best way to avoid getting into trouble is to do some in-depth research on no-go zones in specific cities if you’re renting a car.
Want a tip? Watch for signs marked ‘Varco Attivo’ (access closed), and ‘Varco Non Attivo’ (access allowed).
Taking Too Long To Take Pictures Or Sitting On Church Steps
Speaking of city-specific rules, you should know that, in recent years, a spate of Italian towns have introduced stricter regulations aimed at reducing mass tourism, and tackling the crowds.
Ludicrous as it may sound, in Portofino, a small, boujee beach town lining the Ligurian Sea famous for being a popular Hollywood hangout spot, a ‘selfie ban’ was introduced a couple of years ago to deal with the long wait lines forming along the harbor as people waited to get their pictures taken.
Now, if law enforcers catch you causing bottlenecks at Portofino’s narrow streets, they could issue you a $300 fine.
In Rome, fines are also distributed to tourists who are caught sitting down on the Spanish Steps, one of the most Instagrammable parts of town. This can go up to a whopping $470 if you’re eating or drinking on the staircase.
Meanwhile, sitting on the steps of churches in Florence, or eating or drinking on monuments, especially in the landmark-packed Piazza del Duomo, or Piazza della Signoria, could result in fines of between $176–587.
Again, always check local rules where you’re visiting as they can vary wildly.
Being Topless At A Public Beach
Italy has beautiful beaches that look just like postcards: picture the Caribbean-like, white sand strips of Sardinia, or the pebbly, scenic-all-the-same Amalfi Coast. On a hot day, it can be tempting to go topless as a woman, especially if there isn’t a huge crowd around.
This is Europe, right? They’re far more liberal on this side of the pond, and it’s a cultural thing. Hmm, maybe you’ll want to give it a second thought, as not every country is adept at French libertarian practices.
While naturism is widely practiced across beaches elsewhere in the Med, where there are even nudist-specific beaches, Italy hasvery few official nudist-friendly zones, and if a patrolling officer sees you swimming starkers, or even just sunbathing with your top off (as a woman), fines range from $60 to $587.
Oh, and technically, being nude in public is usually considered an infraction.
If you’re looking for swimming sites where nudism is allowed, consider Capocotta Beach, near Rome, Lido di Dante, near Ravenna, and some beaches in Sicily, such as those close to Agrigento. Although not technically nudist beaches, the practice is sometimes tolerated.
Not Validating A Train Ticket
Last but not least, when traveling on certain trains between Italian cities, most notably the ‘regional’ ones, you must sometimes validate your ticket before boarding.
This is a quick procedure that you can complete independently. However, should you fail to do so, you could be shelling out the dough on yet another fine.
If an inspector requests to see your ticket and it hasn’t been validated, it’s equivalent to not having a ticket at all. In such cases, a $58 penalty may be applied. Based on traveler reports, most inspectors will be understanding, particularly if they recognize you as a tourist; however, some may not.
That’s why whenever you reserve a journey through the Trenitalia app, you must verify that validation isn’t necessary prior to boarding. Usually, there will be a ‘check-in’ button you need to click, and then your ticket will be instantly validated.
If you’re visiting Italy this summer, make sure you check our TOP Entry Checker to stay up to date regarding the latest visa regulations, and don’t forget to have a look at our newly-launched European Tipping Calculator!
Familiarizing yourself with the tipping culture in different countries is just as important as dodging fines, at least in our book.
Vinicius Costa
Vini, our senior lead writer at Travel Off Path, has over 60+ countries under his belt (and currently weaving tales from Paris!), and a knack for turning off-the-beaten-path experiences into informative stories that will have you packing your bags.
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