Warning tourists could be given huge £700 fines just for wearing the wrong shoes at popular European attractions
TOURISTS have been warned to choose their footwear carefully when exploring Greece – because the wrong pair could see them fined £700.
High heels are banned at their attractions in some parts of the holiday hotspot due to the country’s strange codes of conduct.
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Sunbathers will need to leave their stilettos at home if they plan to visit ancient sites and monuments during their trip.
In 2009, laws were passed banning shoes that could disturb or damage the ancient ruins or landmarks in Greece.
These include the Acropolis, the Odeon of Herodes Atticus in Athens and the Epidaurus Theater in the Peloponnese region, among others.
The strict rules on footwear were put in place by officials to protect the country’s landscape and heritage.
Millions of tourists flock to the destination every year to learn about the rich history of the sites – but there is a risk of damage at every step.
Anyone who wears high heels at historic monuments can be fined up to £771 for committing the offence.
Beachgoers have also been urged to be on their best behavior as one more seemingly innocent act could land you in trouble.
Visitors who decide to sneak away with a pebble after a day by the sea could also face a hefty fine.
It is illegal to take pebbles or surrounding rocks from the sand – and this too carries a fine of up to £771.
This law applies to several popular beaches including Lalaria Beach in Skiathos.
Although rule-breakers will most likely end up paying a smaller amount, it’s better to resist the urge to take home a souvenir.
Across the Mediterranean, British travelers could face other strange fines and those traveling to Spain will be reminded to wear only beachwear on the beach.
Walking around the towns in a bathing suit, bikini, swimming trunks or even shirtless on the popular island of Mallorca or in the city of Barcelona can face a fine of between £86 and £171.
Last month, Mallorca authorities also imposed new fines to crack down on “undesirable” behavior on their most popular beaches.
The crackdown is designed to get rid of rowdy tourists as the city government seeks coveted Blue Flag status for the Colonia de Sant Jordi area.
The new statute bans nudity and the use of speakers, radios and musical instruments that “might be harassing”.
Street and beach vendors are also prohibited – as is camping on the beach, lighting fires or setting off firecrackers.
Oddly enough, in UK hotspot Benidorm, if you want to build sand castles on Levante beach you first need to get a permit or face a fine of up to £129.
And if you also smoke, sleep, or use shampoo or shower gel on the beach, you could face hundreds more fines.
Meanwhile, Sardinia faces £430 in fines after a popular Italian holiday resort introduced new etiquette rules.
Locals and tourists visiting Sant’Antioco beach will be walking on eggshells after 23 controversial new restrictions that even ban ice cream consumption.