If a tourist is tired of the crowds of other travelers who constantly stop at every turn to take a selfie, then perhaps he should pay attention to the Italian town of Portofino. Located on the coast, Portofino attracts a huge number of tourists every year due to its beauty and rich cultural heritage.
You can't take pictures here (almost)
However, according to the mayor of the city, Matteo Viacava, local residents began to experience some problems due to the invasion of selfie lovers. Tourists line up in long queues to capture their impressions in photos, which sometimes leads to traffic congestion. For example, on Easter 2023 alone, more than 7000 people came to Portofino, which far exceeds the population of the town itself, which is about 400 inhabitants.
The local authorities of Portofino decided to counter the growing popularity of the city among tourists and decided to introduce a new fine - 275 euros - for too long a stay in popular locations. This news was reported by a British journalist from the newspaper The Times of London. The penalty will be valid in two "red zones" - areas located in the north of the city between Piazza Martiri degli Olivetta and the Marconi pier, as well as in the south of the city between the piazzetta and the pier Umberto I. These places are popular among tourists due to their location near the sea, but the accumulation of tourists here has long been criticized by locals. The penalty will be valid only until October 15 and only at certain times: from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.
In addition, Venice has also introduced a new tourist tax for visitors planning to explore the City of Canals in one day. At the same time, some other cities, on the contrary, offer foreign tourists various discounts and additional bonuses. However, as always, there are strict conditions associated with these benefits.
Perhaps, if a tourist is looking for a quiet corner with beautiful views, it may be worth looking at other places to avoid the crowds of tourists and enjoy the unique atmosphere of Italian hospitality.
