Italy: don't drive into historic-centre limited traffic zones (ZTL)
Do
- Park outside restricted zones and walk into town
Don’t
- Driving into a ZTL zone without a permit
You will be fined.
Verified Oct 19, 2026Source: GOV.UK: Italy travel advice
Etiquette & taboos
Etiquette & taboos
Understanding local customs is where a journey begins. Find the topics that matter to you and feel at ease wherever you go.
Italy · Rome
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5 rules found
Italy: validate your ticket before boarding
Do
- Validate your ticket in the machine before using public transport
Don’t
- Travelling with an unvalidated ticket
Inspectors will fine you on the spot.
Verified Oct 19, 2026Source: GOV.UK: Italy travel advice
Italy: don't buy from unlicensed street vendors
Do
- Shop at proper stores
Don’t
- Buying from unlicensed street vendors
It is illegal, and local police may stop and fine you.
Verified Oct 19, 2026Source: GOV.UK: Italy travel advice
Italy: rules around monuments and fountains
Do
- Keep the area around monuments clean and quiet
Don’t
- Going into or splashing in public fountains (Florence, Rome and elsewhere)
- Swimming in Venice's canals
- Eating and drinking next to major churches, monuments and public buildings
- Sitting on monument steps, littering, or scratching or writing on monuments
All are local offences; urinating in public can bring a fine of up to €10,000.
Verified Oct 19, 2026Source: GOV.UK: Italy travel advice
Rome's Spanish Steps: no sitting, eating or drinking
Do
- Walk up the steps and keep moving after your photo
Don’t
- Sitting, resting, eating or drinking on the steps
Banned by Rome's urban police regulations since 2019; media report fines of €250, rising to €400 for dirtying or damaging the steps.
Verified Oct 19, 2026Source: ANSA: Rome bans sitting on the Spanish Steps (2019)