Portofino Declares War on Bare Feet and Swimsuits

Hot days, turquoise sea, and... a strict dress code: this is how the elite Italian resort of Portofino welcomes summer. Local authorities have decided that the atmosphere of a medieval town and tourists' iPhones are incompatible, and that barefoot citizens and swimsuits destroy the delicate cultural layer of the promenade.

From June 1 to September 30, guests (and locals with a sense of humor) will have to follow a new set of rules: no walking barefoot, no swimsuits in the square, no sitting on curbs, lawns, and—heaven forbid—sidewalks. Even if you decide to rest on a bench overlooking the yachts, make sure you’re not violating some invisible regulation.

Picnicking on the grass, playing music from a speaker, or showing off your suitcase in public are now also against the law. Especially creative tourists who see this as an invitation to an impromptu flash mob risk a fine of up to €500. For the modest ones, there’s a “light” option: just €25 for an attempt to walk barefoot.

The authorities explain everything as a matter of caring for residents’ peace and the moral health of spoiled tourists. Apparently, people come to Portofino not to drip sandwich on the cobblestones, but to admire the views from a safe distance. And if last year they already tried to ban stopping at popular viewpoints (hello, selfies!), now they’ve decided to go all the way—nothing extra, just beauty and order.

Portofino is not alone in its quest for “elite cleanliness.” Loud flip-flops are banned in Capri, swimming in fountains is forbidden in Rome, and in Florence, a picnic on the street can earn you a fine big enough to kill your appetite for even Tuscan delicacies. The main trend of the Italian summer: enjoy your vacation beautifully, but very carefully.