The welcome mat is still out, but now it comes with a rule book.
For years, Europe’s most beautiful cities have been grappling with the double-edged sword of mass tourism. The same visitors who fuel their economies have also overwhelmed their infrastructure, priced out locals, and eroded their unique character. Now, in 2025, many of these beloved destinations are saying “enough is enough” and are implementing a wave of new rules and restrictions aimed at controlling the crowds.
For travelers, this means the freewheeling days are over. A visit to these iconic cities now requires more planning and a greater respect for the rules.
1. Venice, Italy now has a daily entry fee.
In one of the most significant moves to combat overtourism, Venice has implemented a daily entry fee for day-trippers visiting the city. On peak days, any visitor not staying overnight in a hotel must pre-register online and pay a fee, currently around 5 euros, to receive a QR code that grants them access to the historic center. The goal is to encourage longer stays and to manage the overwhelming crush of day-trippers, Bloomberg reports.
This is a major change for a city that has long been open to all. The new system is being enforced with spot checks, and visitors without a valid QR code face hefty fines, so planning ahead is now essential.
2. Amsterdam, Netherlands has banned cruise ships from the city center.
The city of Amsterdam has taken the drastic step of banning large cruise ships from docking at its main terminal near the central station. City leaders argued that the massive ships were a major source of overcrowding and pollution and were not compatible with their vision for a more sustainable and livable city, according to The Guardian. This move is part of a broader campaign to scale back mass tourism.
This means that cruise passengers will now have to dock at ports further outside the city and be bussed in, which will likely reduce their numbers. It’s a clear signal that Amsterdam is prioritizing its residents over the lucrative cruise industry.
3. Paris, France is cracking down on short-term rentals.
Like many major cities, Paris has been fighting a battle against the proliferation of Airbnb-style short-term rentals, which locals blame for hollowing out residential neighborhoods and driving up housing costs. In 2025, the city is enforcing even stricter regulations, including a cap on the number of days a primary residence can be rented out and a more aggressive pursuit of illegal, unregistered listings.
For tourists, this means that finding a legal and affordable short-term rental is becoming much more difficult. It’s a move designed to protect the city’s housing stock for actual Parisians, pushing more visitors back into traditional hotels, as mentioned in Time Magazine.
4. Rome, Italy is enforcing “decorum” with heavy fines.
Rome has had enough of tourists treating its historic monuments like a playground. The city is now strictly enforcing a set of “decorum” rules with on-the-spot fines that can be hundreds of euros. This includes a ban on sitting on the famous Spanish Steps, eating or drinking near historic fountains, and wading into the Trevi Fountain.
Police are actively patrolling these sites, and they are not lenient with violators. The rules are part of a broader effort to protect the city’s priceless heritage from the wear and tear of mass tourism. It’s a reminder that the city is a living museum, not a theme park.
5. Athens, Greece has implemented a time-slot system for the Acropolis.
To manage the overwhelming crowds that swarm the Acropolis every day, the Greek government has implemented a mandatory time-slot and ticketing system. Visitors must now book their ticket in advance for a specific one-hour entry window. The number of visitors allowed in per hour is capped to reduce congestion and to protect the ancient monument from the damage caused by foot traffic.
The days of simply showing up and buying a ticket to the Parthenon are over. This new rule requires advance planning, especially during the peak summer season when the time slots can sell out days or even weeks in advance. It’s a necessary step to preserve one of the world’s most important archaeological sites.
6. Florence, Italy has banned new short-term rentals in its historic center.
Following the lead of other major European cities, Florence has enacted a complete ban on any new short-term vacation rentals, such as those on Airbnb, within its UNESCO-listed historic city center. The move is a direct response to the housing crisis that has seen the number of tourist rentals explode while the number of long-term residents has plummeted.
The goal is to stop the “disneyfication” of the city center and to encourage the conversion of tourist apartments back into housing for Florentines. For travelers, this means that accommodation options in the very heart of the city are becoming more limited and likely more expensive.
7. Dubrovnik, Croatia is promoting “respect the city” rules.
Overwhelmed by the “Game of Thrones” effect, the city of Dubrovnik is pushing back with a “Respect the City” campaign that includes a host of new rules. The city is now promoting the use of “quiet luggage” with rubber wheels to reduce the noise pollution from thousands of suitcases being rolled over its ancient stone streets. There are also new restrictions on the number of souvenir stalls.
The city is trying to rebalance its economy away from being so completely dependent on tourism. It’s a plea for visitors to be more mindful of the impact they have on the small, historic city and its residents.
8. The Amalfi Coast, Italy has a new license plate system for cars.
The single, narrow road that winds along Italy’s stunning Amalfi Coast is a scene of legendary traffic jams during the summer. To combat this gridlock, the region has implemented a new alternating license plate system for rental cars. On odd-numbered days, only cars with license plates ending in an odd number can access the road, and on even-numbered days, only those with even numbers can.
This rule is designed to cut the tourist traffic in half. For visitors hoping to explore the coast by car, this new regulation requires careful planning and makes using public ferries and buses a much more attractive and necessary alternative.
9. Portugal is limiting new “golden visas”.
For years, Portugal’s “golden visa” program, which offered residency to wealthy foreigners who purchased high-end real estate, was a major driver of the property boom in cities like Lisbon. This has been criticized for dramatically inflating housing prices and pushing out locals. In 2025, the government has severely restricted the program, eliminating the real estate investment option in major cities.
While not a direct rule for tourists, this policy is part of a broader effort to cool down an overheated property market that was heavily influenced by foreign money. It signals a shift in focus from attracting foreign wealth to protecting housing for local residents.
10. Hallstatt, Austria is discouraging day-trippers.
The tiny, picturesque Austrian village of Hallstatt became so overrun with tourists trying to take the same “Instagram photo” that the local government has taken steps to actively discourage day-trippers. The village has implemented a new ticketing system for tour buses, severely limiting the number that can enter the town each day.
The mayor has publicly asked tourists to reconsider visiting if they are only coming for a few hours to take a photo. It is a desperate plea from a small community that has been completely overwhelmed by its own social media fame, a clear sign that “being discovered” has a major downside.