🌍 When popular places become a little too popular
Travel is enjoyable, accessible and more popular than ever. Every year, millions of people visit Europe’s famous cities, beaches, islands and historic sites. Most visitors come to explore, learn and enjoy their time away. But when too many people arrive in the same place at the same time, daily life can become difficult for local residents and fragile places can suffer.
That is why some European destinations are introducing extra rules and restrictions. These measures may limit cars, control access to beaches, restrict alcohol in public spaces or set clearer rules about clothing and behaviour.
This overview focuses on tourist rules introduced or tightened from 2026. You will see what the rules mean in practice, where similar measures apply and what you may need to check before your trip.
Jump to:
🎟️ Advance planning
👕 Beachwear rules
🍷 Public drinking rules
🏖️ Beach restrictions
🚗 Vehicle limits
Some links in this article are affiliate links, shared as practical options to keep planning simple.
1. When famous places require advance planning
Popular attractions are not always places where you can simply arrive and walk in. More European cities, islands and nature areas now use tickets, reservations or daily visitor limits to control crowds. Sometimes you still visit for free, but you must arrange permission before you go.
⛲ A €2 ticket for a closer look at the Trevi Fountain
Since 2 February 2026, visitors who do not live in Rome or the surrounding metropolitan area need a €2 ticket to enter the inner area of the Trevi Fountain. This is the lower section closest to the water, where visitors usually throw a coin into the fountain.
You can still see the Trevi Fountain for free from the surrounding square. The ticket only controls access to the busiest section directly in front of the monument. Rome introduced the system to reduce overcrowding and help protect and maintain the fountain. Residents, young children and visitors with disabilities and their companions are exempt under the official rules.
📍 Where else might you need to plan ahead?
The Trevi Fountain is a new example, but other European destinations also use reservations or visitor limits.
In Venice, day visitors must pay an access fee on selected busy dates in 2026. Travellers staying overnight within the municipality do not pay the fee, although they may need to register for an exemption and carry a QR code.
At Calanque de Sugiton, near Marseille in southern France, visitors need a free reservation on selected summer dates. A calanque is a narrow inlet in the rocky Mediterranean coast, surrounded by steep limestone cliffs. Sugiton lies inside Calanques National Park, between Marseille and Cassis, and is mainly reached on foot.
The small beaches, rocks and walking paths around Sugiton became damaged by the large number of visitors. The reservation system limits access to around 400 people per day, giving the landscape time to recover and reducing further erosion. In 2026, reservations are required every day from 27 June to 30 August and on several weekends just before and after this period.
On Sardinia, several popular beaches and coves have their own access rules. La Pelosa, near Stintino in the northwest of the island, is one of the clearest examples. Its shallow turquoise water and white sand attract large numbers of visitors, while the beach itself is relatively small.
Between 15 May and 15 October 2026, access to La Pelosa is limited to 1,500 people per day. Visitors must reserve in advance and show their booking confirmation when they arrive.
La Pelosa is not the only restricted beach on Sardinia. Places such as Cala Goloritzé and other fragile coves also use reservations, entry fees or daily visitor limits. The rules are arranged locally, so there is no single booking system or rule for every beach on the island.
For the Cíes Islands, off the coast of Galicia in northwestern Spain, visitors need official authorisation during Easter and between 15 May and 15 September. You normally request permission before completing your ferry booking. This controls the number of people entering the protected Atlantic Islands National Park.
🧭 Travelglaze Tip
Check the official website before fixing a popular attraction, island or beach into your itinerary. “Free entry” does not always mean that you can arrive without preparation. You may still need a reservation, QR code, timed ticket or visitor permit.
Save the confirmation on your phone and take a screenshot as a backup. Mobile reception can be weak around islands, beaches and protected nature areas.
When beachwear stays at the beach
Varenna introduces a town-wide dress rule
Varenna introduces a town-wide dress ruleSince 27 June 2026, visitors in Varenna, a small village on Lake Como in northern Italy, may not walk around bare-chested or dressed only in swimwear. Bikinis, swimming costumes and bare chests are still allowed on beaches, piers and boat docks, but not in the village streets and squares.
The rule applies throughout the municipality. Anyone who ignores it can receive a fine of between €50 and €200. Varenna introduced the measure as part of wider rules intended to reduce the pressure caused by large numbers of visitors. Organised tour groups are now also limited to 25 people, and guides may not use loudspeakers or other amplified sound.
Varenna has only around 650 residents but receives hundreds of thousands of visitors. The narrow streets, waterfront and ferry connections make it easy for large crowds to fill the village quickly. The rule is therefore not about banning swimwear itself. It is about keeping beach clothing close to the water and making everyday public spaces more comfortable for residents and visitors.
Where else do similar dress rules apply?
Where else do similar dress rules apply?Varenna’s rule is new in 2026, but similar restrictions already exist in several other European destinations.
In Sorrento and parts of the Amalfi Coast, visitors can be fined for walking through town bare-chested, barefoot or wearing only swimwear.
In the historic centres of Dubrovnik, Split and Hvar in Croatia, swimwear should remain at the beach. Visitors are expected to cover up before entering old streets, shops and public squares.
Similar local rules can also be found in parts of Barcelona, Mallorca and Ibiza. They do not always cover an entire island or city, so signs and municipal information are more reliable than general advice about the destination.
Ibiza is a good example of why local details matter. The island has beaches, resort areas, villages and the historic centre of Ibiza Town, and the rules are not identical everywhere. For more context about the different sides of the island, click here to Ibiza Beyond the Party Image: History and Hippy Heritage.
Religious buildings may have separate rules
Religious buildings may have separate rulesTown dress codes are not the same as entrance rules for churches, monasteries or mosques. Religious buildings may require covered shoulders and knees even when the surrounding city has no formal clothing restriction.
A light shirt, scarf or cover-up is therefore useful on warm travel days. It can help you move comfortably from a beach or waterfront area to a historic centre or religious site without returning to your hotel first.
Travelglaze Tip
Travelglaze TipKeep a light cover-up in your day bag when visiting a coastal town. Choose something that covers both swimwear and shoulders. It takes little space and can also be useful against strong sun, air conditioning or evening wind.
When a drink cannot come with you
Buying a drink from a shop and taking it to a beach, square or waterfront may seem harmless. In several European destinations, however, alcohol is only allowed inside licensed bars, restaurants or private accommodation. The exact rules often depend on the street, beach, district and time of day.
🏖️ Alcohol restrictions on the beaches of Saint-Jean-de-Luz
In summer 2026, Saint-Jean-de-Luz on France’s Basque coast is enforcing restrictions on alcohol on its beaches and in other public spaces. The town lies close to the Spanish border and is known for its sheltered bay, traditional centre and several beaches, including Grande Plage, Erromardie and Lafitenia.
The measure mainly targets large groups drinking on the beach in the evening and after local bars close. These gatherings had caused noise, litter and problems with intoxicated visitors. The rules give the municipal police a clearer way to intervene before the situation becomes more disruptive.
Enforcement is not necessarily aimed at every visitor having one glass of wine with a daytime picnic. Local officers can consider the situation, but drinking alcohol on the beach is no longer something travellers should assume is allowed. A violation can lead to a fine of up to €150.
📍 Where else can public drinking be restricted?
In parts of Ibiza and Mallorca, drinking alcohol on public roads is prohibited in designated areas affected by excessive party tourism. These zones include Sant Antoni on Ibiza and parts of Palma, Llucmajor and Calvià on Mallorca. The rules do not cover every village, beach or resort on the islands. They apply to specific zones and remain in force through 2027.
In Amsterdam, drinking alcohol in public is prohibited in much of the city centre. A drink on a licensed terrace is allowed, but walking through the streets with an open bottle or can can result in a fine. This is one of several rules intended to reduce nuisance in the busiest parts of the city.
In Prague, public drinking is prohibited in many designated locations, including areas around metro entrances, public transport stops, schools, playgrounds and healthcare buildings. An open alcohol container may already count as a violation in these zones, even when someone is not visibly causing a disturbance.
Croatia also changed its national law in 2026 to give local authorities more options to restrict alcohol sales during certain hours. Cities such as Split can use these powers to reduce late-night shop sales in busy areas, while licensed bars and restaurants may follow different rules.
🕘 The time and location matter
A public alcohol restriction does not usually mean that alcohol is banned throughout the destination. It may mean:
- no drinking on selected streets or beaches;
- no open bottles in a historic centre;
- no shop sales during late-night hours;
- no alcohol outside licensed terraces;
- stricter rules during festivals or the summer season.
A supermarket selling beer or wine is therefore not proof that you may drink it immediately outside.
🧭 Travelglaze Tip
Look for local signs before opening a drink in a public place. In coastal resorts and historic centres, the rule can change within a few streets. When the information is unclear, keep the drink for your accommodation or choose a licensed terrace.
When a beach has more rules than expected
A beach may look like an open public space, but that does not mean every activity is allowed. Rules can protect swimmers, reduce noise, prevent fires and divide limited beach space more fairly. In 2026, Portugal published updated national beach regulations for the mainland and Madeira.
🔊 Portugal sets clearer rules for beach activities
Portugal’s 2026 beach regulations apply during the official bathing season. They cover both coastal beaches and recognised inland bathing areas.
Playing football, beach tennis or similar games is only allowed in designated areas. The purpose is mainly safety: a busy swimming beach leaves little room for fast balls, rackets or groups moving across the sand. Loud amplified music can also lead to a fine when it disturbs other beach users.
Tents, overnight camping, fires and barbecues are not allowed on normal bathing beaches. Surfing, kitesurfing, windsurfing and motorised water sports must remain inside the zones or access corridors provided for them. These rules keep boards, boats and jet skis away from the main swimming area.
The regulations do not mean that every Portuguese beach is organised in exactly the same way. The dates of the bathing season, the available sports zones and local restrictions can differ by beach. Signs at the entrance show which rules apply at that location.
⛱️ Public space must remain available
Portugal also clarified in June 2026 that its beaches are public and free to access. Beach businesses may rent sunbeds and umbrellas in licensed sections, but they cannot claim the full beach for paying customers.
On some beaches in the Algarve and Alentejo, maps are being introduced to show the difference between concession areas and sections where visitors can place their own umbrella. This is intended to make the use of limited beach space clearer and reduce disagreements.
📍 Where else can beach rules be stricter?
Similar restrictions can be found across Europe, although the details are local.
On parts of the French Mediterranean coast, speakers, alcohol, dogs or ball games may be restricted during the busiest months.
In Spain, individual municipalities can ban smoking, alcohol, loud music or certain sports on selected beaches. A rule that applies at one beach may not apply at the next beach along the same coast.
On Sardinia, some protected beaches go further. Reservations and visitor limits are combined with rules designed to keep sand on the beach. At La Pelosa, visitors must use a mat beneath their towel, because towels placed directly on the sand can carry small amounts away when they are folded. Taking sand, shells or stones from Sardinian beaches is also prohibited.
At Punta Molentis, new restrictions introduced in 2026 include tighter visitor and vehicle limits. Umbrella use is restricted because of the beach’s small size and vulnerable dune landscape, although exceptions apply to certain visitors.
🐕 Dogs, smoking and local exceptions
Rules for dogs are especially easy to misunderstand. Some beaches allow dogs outside the main bathing season, during early morning hours or only in a designated section. Other beaches do not allow them at all during summer.
Smoking restrictions are also increasing, but there is no single European rule. A smoke-free beach may be part of national legislation, a municipal rule or a voluntary local programme. Always check the signs rather than assuming that the rules are the same across a country.
When arriving by car requires permission
Hiring a car or taking your own vehicle on a ferry can make an island easier to explore. During the busiest months, however, some islands now limit how many vehicles may enter, drive and park there. This can affect both rental cars and vehicles brought from the mainland.
⛴️ Formentera limits vehicles throughout summer
From 1 June to 30 September 2026, vehicle access to Formentera is regulated. The small Balearic island lies south of Ibiza and has no airport, so most visitors arrive by ferry. Its beaches, villages and accommodation are spread across the island, which makes scooters and cars popular with visitors.
Formentera allows a maximum of 10,287 motor vehicles on the island during the regulated period. Visitors bringing their own car, motorcycle or other vehicle normally need to request permission through the Formentera.eco system and pay the applicable fee. The authorisation allows the registered vehicle to enter, circulate and park on public roads for the approved dates.
The limit does not mean that visitors cannot use a vehicle. It means that access must fit within the available quota. Some groups and vehicles have different conditions or exemptions, so the official application system should be checked before booking a ferry that carries vehicles.
📍 Where else can vehicle access be limited?
On neighbouring Ibiza, the number of non-resident and rental vehicles is also controlled during the busiest part of the year. The system was introduced before 2026 and is intended to reduce traffic pressure, parking problems and the number of vehicles competing for limited road space.
The Ibiza scheme allows separate quotas for rental cars, privately owned vehicles brought to the island and caravans or motorhomes. Travellers bringing a vehicle by ferry may need prior authorisation, while caravans and motorhomes must have a reservation at an authorised campsite.
This does not mean that renting a car on Ibiza is prohibited. It does mean that the total supply is limited and that booking early may be more important during summer. A natural internal link can be added here to Ibiza Beyond the Party Image: History and Hippy Heritage, especially for travellers deciding whether they need a car to explore more than the main resort areas.
On the Greek island of Hydra, private cars and motorcycles are generally not part of daily transport at all. Visitors arrive by boat and continue on foot or use permitted local transport. This is a long-standing feature of the island rather than a new 2026 measure, but it shows why transport should be researched before choosing accommodation.
Historic centres can also have vehicle restrictions. Around Dubrovnik’s protected old town, a special traffic zone controls which vehicles may enter and stop close to the city walls. Travellers arriving by rental car, taxi, private transfer or tour bus should not assume that they can be dropped directly beside their accommodation or preferred entrance.
🚌 A restriction can change more than the journey
Vehicle limits can affect:
- whether a rental car is available;
- whether a ferry booking includes permission for the vehicle;
- where a taxi or transfer may stop;
- how far you must walk with luggage;
- whether a shuttle or public bus is the easier option;
- where a camper or motorhome may stay.
A hotel described as “close to the centre” may still be difficult to reach by car when it lies inside a restricted traffic zone. On an island, bringing your own vehicle may also be less convenient than renting locally or using buses, ferries and taxis.
✨ Final thoughts
Travel in 2026 feels different. There are wildfires, wars, rising prices and more rules in places that struggle with overtourism. Travellers may need to think more carefully about when they go, where they stay and how much flexibility they need.
Will this make people travel less? Perhaps. For me, it does not take away the wish to travel. It does make me plan differently.
I try to avoid the busiest season where possible, book important parts in advance and leave enough space in the itinerary. Most of all, I want my trips to stay comfortable. That does not mean expensive or perfect. It means knowing what to expect, choosing the right pace and avoiding unnecessary stress.
The future of travel may require more preparation, but that does not have to make travelling less enjoyable. It may simply mean travelling with more awareness and making choices that work for both the destination and the traveller.
Do rising prices, new rules or world events make you reconsider your travel plans? Or do you, like me, simply adjust the way you travel?
