As travellers, you are curious and possess a go-to attitude to explore new destinations. While travelling to new places offers irreplaceable experiences, encountering bizzare Travel Laws in some destinations can interrupt the flow of your journey. When you enter another country, it’s crucial to understand that each nation has rules and regulations to protect its culture, traditions and valuable sites.
During your travel planning and research, you may encounter some unusual bans for travellers that make you question their validity or necessity. These travel laws might seen inconvenient, but they are often in place to ensure a pleasant and safe experience for the travellers and destintions.
While the bans may seem silly from a superficial perspective, understanding the reasons behind them encourages travellers to respect and adhere to these restrictions, often falling under the cultural sensitivity aspect from responsible travel. Countries such as Greece and Italy implemented such bans. Let’s explore the top three bans for travellers and the reasons behind them.
1. Athens, Greece: No Heels Allowed
There is a specific travel ban in Athens, Greece: no heels are allowed at historic sites.
You can wear heels anywhere in Greece except at historic monuments like the Acropolis of Athens. According to the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO), the Acropolis is the most magnificent and intact example of ancient Greek architecture. The first walls around the site were built during the 13th century BC, and the monuments have stood firm against countless hazards over 2,500 years.
Heels have the potential to scratch the surfaces of these valuable monuments. While one scratch might not seem significant, the cumulative effect of thousands of tourists wearing heels each year can cause considerable damage. To better preserve these famous ancient sites, a ban was established in 2009 prohibiting wearing heels or any footwear with pointed parts.
Fine Estimates
- From : $80 (~£64)
- Upto : $880 (~£693)
In addition, sites like the Acropolis have slippery surfaces, so it’s wise to wear shoes with traction. If you ignore this ban, you may be asked to remove your heels or return another time with appropriate footwear.
There is no harm in wearing comfortable shoes with a good grip, which will enhance your greece travel experience and help preserve the historic sites you’re visiting. Is it not?
2. Cinque Terre, Italy: No Flip Flops Allowed
The Cinque Terre coastline of Italy is one of the most over-touristed parts, with thousands of tourists. The Cinque Terre coastline of Italy holds an almost storybook status among travellers because of pastel-coloured houses built into rugged cliffs, surrounded by bright blue sea.
In 1997, UNESCO included the Cinque Terre as a ‘cultural landscape’ in the World Heritage List.
Therefore, the Cinque Terre National Park Authority has launched a public awareness campaign and a travel laws to caution tourists against climbing cliffs without suitable footwear. Therefore, wearing flip-flops is not allowed to explore Cinque Terre. This travel restriction aims to reduce the strain on mountain rescue teams, who frequently assist unprepared visitors on the steep pathways.
Fine Estimates
- From : €50 (~£42)
- Upto : €2,500 (~£2118)
As the common travel advice says, it’s crucial to pick the right shoes when travelling, not heels or flip-flops, especially in Greece and Italy.
3. Venice Italy: No Bird Feeding
Venice, the city full of canals, is known for its pigeon flocks, and feeding the pigeons and other birds has been cited as a health hazard damaging the city’s precious monuments by imposing this travel laws for venice travelers.
Therefore, authorities have banned bird feeding in popular tourist spots like St Mark’s Square. Feeding grain to birds, which drew pigeons and their droppings to the most scenic part of the lagoon city, is now banned. Since 2008, this common practice has been banned to protect the city’s marble statues and buildings. This travel ban is essential to preserve Venice’s historic beauty and ensure a healthier environment for locals and visitors.
4. No Selfies in front of Buddha Statues
Many travelers enjoy capturing their journeys, including the breathtaking train rides and vibrant cultural experiences in Sri Lanka, and sharing these moments on social media. Turning your back to a buddha statue is considered disrespectful. Instead, try to maintain a respectful distance and cherish the moment in your heart and mind. This way, you can still appreciate the experience without causing offense.
5. Building a sandcastle in spain is illegal
- While the sand is public property and can be used by everyone, it’s important to remember that it doesn’t belong to any individual. Building sandcastles is prohibited on certain Spanish beaches because of strict regulations. For instance, in 2016, Benidorm’s Town Hall banned sand structures on Levante beach, imposing fines of up to €150 (£126) for violations. Some reports suggest fines can reach as high as €211 (£178).
Other Spanish Cities with Fines and laws
- Anora & Arica, Tenerife: Fines upto €250 (£210)
Other Beach laws and Fines in spain
- Salobrena, Granada: Fines upto £2500 for individuals who ignite any type of fire on the beach
- Barcelona: Smoking on beaches can result in fines up to €2,000 (£1684). This ban is in place across many beaches in Spain, including all of Barcelona’s.
In summary...
These bans for travellers can sometimes be weird, insane, or even unacceptable. Yet, as a traveller, it is better to be aware of and adhere to them. After all, you want to enjoy your travels and not get caught amidst unnecessary troubles by abiding to these Travel Laws.
Do internet research, ask questions, and read responses on Quora and Reddit because these platforms feature personal views and provide more detailed information.
Responsible travellers must respect local norms, dress appropriately, and seek permission to photograph individuals or religious sites. By understanding and respecting the bans for travellers, you ensure a smoother, more enjoyable travel experience while making minor adjustments to your itinerary.
