Drinking in the streets, pub crawls, and climbing historic fountains are just some of the things that could now land tourists in trouble in Rome.
Spanish Steps in Rome, Italy. Image by Maksim Ozerov/Getty Images
The city’s mayor, Virginia Raggi, announced that rules would be enforced to help protect quality of life in Rome. While some had previously been in place temporarily, they will now become permanent, pending final approval. The changes include rules regarding the sale and consumption of alcohol in certain areas of the city.
This extends to a new prohibition on pub crawls, which may impact travellers looking to join organised drinking tours, reports the Independent. It will also limit the hours in which alcohol can be sold from shops and vending machines, prohibiting it between 10 pm to 7 am. After 10 pm, drinking out of glass containers will be banned on public streets, public transit and in non-enclosed green spaces, and after 11 pm, drinking out of any container will be banned. The crackdown on drinking will extend to clubs, which will not be able to serve past 2 am.
The Roman Forum at sunrise. Image by ©River Thompson/Lonely Planet
This also spells bad news for the city’s “centurions” who dress up and often take photographs with tourists – which have long been seen by many as harassing to visitors in the city. Now, they could be fined €400 for receiving money for photos or any other activity, like selling food or drink while in costume.
There are other pieces of the new laws that will likely be welcomed by tourists, as touts who overcharge visitors for tours – often with an assurance they will skip the queue – will be banned from selling any unauthorised tours.
The Trevi Fountain. Photo by TTstudio/Shutterstock
Similar to rules that have been imposed in Venice, the rules will stop people from eating and drinking at famous sites, like the Spanish Steps, according to the Express. It will also stop tourists from jumping into fountains or otherwise damaging or climbing on them – something that recently landed a tourist in trouble at the Trevi Fountain. Another recent case saw a couple of tourists begin a fight over the perfect selfie spot at the fountain.
According to a statement, the rules are designed to protect the rights or city, its residents, and its artistic and cultural heritage.
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