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Cinque Terre's Flip-Flop Ban: Fines Now Up to €2,500!
12 Jun
Summary
- Cinque Terre now fines tourists up to €2,500 for wearing flip-flops on trails.
- The rule aims to prevent accidents and protect local resources from tourist behavior.
- Closed, waterproof, ankle-covering shoes with anti-slip soles are now mandatory.
Cinque Terre, the picturesque Italian Riviera villages, is enforcing a strict footwear ban on its hiking trails. As of June 2026, tourists must wear closed, waterproof, ankle-covering shoes with anti-slip soles. Failure to comply can result in fines starting at €50, with repeat offenders or those causing damage facing up to €2,500.
The Cinque Terre National Park initially launched a public awareness campaign in 2019 due to an increase in tourists falling while wearing improper footwear. This ban specifically applies to the cliff trails, not the villages themselves, and serves as a crucial safety measure following a rise in rescue operations.
This initiative mirrors similar regulations in other tourist destinations. For instance, Albufeira, Portugal, implemented a "bikini ban" to curb public disorder from partial nudity outside designated beach areas. Both locations are responding to increased tourist numbers and associated behavioral issues.
