Anyone traveling to Portofino in the summer of 2026 will once again encounter the rules that have defined this fishing village for several years: red zones where pedestrians are not allowed to stop, a ban on alcohol consumption in public spaces, a dress code, and fines of up to 500 euros. What was supposed to have expired is now in effect once more. The reason is a surprising decision by Italy's Ministry of the Environment, which forces the mayor to extend the old ordinances for the current season.
Portofino, a gem on the Ligurian coast with a population of around six hundred, receives hundreds of thousands of day-trippers each year, with up to six thousand visitors on peak days. For a place of this size, that represents an enormous strain. Since 2023, local authorities have responded with a comprehensive set of regulations that was originally meant to be relieved by structural improvements. None of that materialized in 2026.
Why the pier construction extended the rules
At the end of March 2026, Italy's Ministry of the Environment (Mase) halted the construction of a new pier in Portofino. As LiguriaDay reports, the ministry, after eight months of review, requested an additional study on the Fischfauna in the harbor, even though the planned structure involved only six small pylons, each with a footprint of just one and a half square meters. Mayor Matteo Viacava expressed dismay: without the new pier, the old dock, which is too small for today's volume of traffic, would have to remain in use. And with it, the ordinance governing the red zones that regulate pedestrian flow on the pier.
For the summer months of 2026, this means that the numerous cruise ships anchoring off Portofino well into autumn, and the thousands of day-trippers disembarking from ferries, continue to navigate under the strict pedestrian rules that were originally intended as a temporary emergency measure.
The red zones with no-stopping rules
Two areas in the town center are designated as red zones where pedestrians are not permitted to stop. The first zone extends from Piazza Martiri Olivetta near Ristorante Delfino to Molo Umberto I and is in effect between 10:30 a.m. and 6:00 p.m. The second zone stretches from the public baths at Molo Umberto I to the Da Vince concession and applies between 7:30 a.m. and 6:00 p.m.
Both areas are located where day-trippers and cruise passengers come ashore. The rule is intended to prevent crowds and selfie bottlenecks from bringing the narrow pier to a standstill. Anyone who lingers in these zones will be moved along by local Ordnungskräften and may face a fine if the behavior is repeated. In the international press, the ordinance has accordingly been dubbed the "anti-selfie rule."
Dress code in the town center
In addition to the red zones, a strict dress code has been in place in the center of Portofino for years. Anyone moving through the village away from the beach in a bikini, bare-chested, or barefoot risks a fine of up to 500 euros. The rule is part of a so-called Ordinanza decoro, a public decorum ordinance that Mayor Viacava renews each year.
This dress code is not unique to Portofino. Similar ordinances exist in southern Italy, in Sorrento, Polignano a Mare, and several coastal towns in Salento. In Gallipoli, walking through the Ortszentrum in swimwear can result in a fine of up to 500 euros. The underlying idea is the same everywhere: historic town centers should not become an extension of the beach.
Alcohol ban, loitering ban, and begging ban
Additional prohibitions concern the consumption of alcohol in public spaces. Anyone drinking a beer or an Aperol Spritz on a bench, a wall, or one of the historic squares is in violation of the ordinance. The same applies to eating sandwiches or panini on benches and stone walls. It is also prohibited to sit on the ground, on benches, or on low walls, or to lie down and rest.
Begging is banned throughout the entire historic center. As Il Fatto Quotidiano reports, the ban covers both aggressive and silent begging. The affected areas include the piazza and its surrounding lanes, the parking area, the vicinity of the churches of San Martino and San Giorgio, Molo Umberto I, and the public beaches. Between midnight and 12:30 a.m., all sources of noise must also fall silent.
Why Portofino is taking a firm stance
The reason for the strict rules is the sheer number of visitors. Portofino has around 400 permanent residents, yet on summer days, up to 6,000 visitors can be in the center at the same time. The narrow lanes, the tiny piazzetta, and the slender paths along the harbor are simply not designed for that kind of pressure. Without the pedestrian regulations, crowds would bring the entire village to a standstill.
In this way, Portofino joins a growing wave of Italian municipalities seeking to curb mass tourism through ordinances . It is a pattern observed recently in the Cinque Terre as well, where Vernazza and Riomaggiore strictly regulate tour group sizes and the use of megaphones. Venice, too, has introduced an entirely new model with its entry fee. Once open to all, Italy's Touristenorte are increasingly becoming regulated spaces.
What visitors should keep in mind practically
Anyone visiting Portofino in the summer of 2026 should plan for a few things. First: clothingthat is appropriate beyond the beach. A T-shirt, shorts, and closed sandals are sufficient. Second: no open alcohol in public spaces. For those who want a drink, the place to enjoy it is a bar or restaurant. Third: do not stop in the red zones. Photos can be taken while walking, or a spot outside the zone can be sought out.
Those who follow the rules will barely notice the ordinances. Those who ignore them risk fines of up to 500 euros. And that is ultimately the point: not to fill the municipal coffers, but to shape behavior. Most tourists never pay a fine simply because they adapt.
A summer like those before it
The summer of 2026 brings no fundamentally new rules to Portofino, but rather a continuation of what has been in place for years. What is genuinely new is the reason: the planned pier construction was meant to make the red zones unnecessary, but was stopped by the Ministry of the Environment blocked. When, or even whether, the new pier will arrive remains an open question. Mayor Viacava plans to resubmit the dossier in November. Until then, everything stays as it is. Those who know and respect the rules can still enjoy Portofino to the fullest. And those who ignore them will quickly learn that the town now defends its boundaries with a clear set of regulations.
