Visitors to the picturesque fishing town of Portofino could face fines of up to €275 for loitering in selfie hotspots!

Those sun kissed days of pushing through the tourists to capture the perfect selfie in Portofino, Italy are over. Matteo Viavaca, the Mayor of the commune on the Italian Riviera recently announced a new rule that will fine tourists loitering in two of the most popular areas €275. The stunning town, with it’s pastel-coloured houses, high-end boutiques, seafood restaurants and super yachts has become increasingly popular with tourists over the last few years.

It is reported that two areas in the town will now be considered red zones. These areas are well known for visitors stopping to take selfies and photographs and it’s this ‘stop and go pedestrian traffic’ that has caused a lot of congested streets and what Mayor Viavaca termed “anarchic chaos.” This may seem slightly dramatic, but if you have ever been stuck in a crowd of hot and sweaty tourists on a narrow street, “anarchic chaos” is probably a bit of an understatement.

The new penalty was introduced during the latest Easter weekend, due to an increase in tourists visiting the town. The ban will remain in place until 15th October and will be enforced each day until 6pm.

Viavaca said: “The objective is not to make the place more exclusive but to allow everyone to enjoy our beauty. We want to avoid dangerous situations caused by overcrowding.”