Following recent demonstrations against mass tourism that erupted across Spanish regions including Catalonia and the Balearic Islands, Venice has limited group visits to 25 people.
The old city of Venice is a major attraction and the logistical problems associated with tourism there have grown in parallel with increasing visitor numbers.
On 31 July, the city council announced the new official limitations for visiting groups, although educational trips and groups that include children under the age of two will be exempt.
The use of megaphones by tour guides has also been prohibited to “protect the peace of residents”.
The restrictions cover the city centre and also the islands of Murano, Burano and Torcello.
The ban was originally planned for June but will come into force in August.
Fines for breaching the rules range from €25 to €500, although the authorities have not specified whether they would be levied on a personal level or aimed at responsible tourist agencies.
A previous 29-day pilot scheme, closely monitored by other European tourism hotspots, concluded earlier in July, followed by a consultation period to determine the project’s future course.
In April, Venice became the first city in the world to introduce a payment system for visitors in an experiment aimed at dissuading too many day-trippers from arriving during peak periods.
Hundreds rallied in Alicante on July 13 against perceived “over-tourism”.
