One of Europe’s prettiest cities to ban restaurants and bars having outdoor tables
STRICT new rules are being rolled out in one of Europe’s prettiest cities next year.
Florence, which was named the best city in Europe by Travel + Leisure this year, is cracking down on outdoor dining in the popular tourist areas.
The new rules, the Times reports, will see outdoor seats banned across 50 streets in Florence.
This mainly affects the city centre, which is UNESCO protected.
Other famous sites affected will include the famous Ponte Vecchio bridge, which is currently undergoing a £1.7million makeover and is set to be finished by next year.
Also affected is the Piazzale degli Uffizi, which is popular with tourists visiting the Uffizi Galleries.
Along with the bans, another 73 locations will see stricter regulations on outdoor seating areas.
This could mean while seating is allowed, umbrellas and plexiglass barriers could be banned.
Local restaurant owners have slammed the rules, saying it is an important part of their service especially in the summer months.
The owner of Ristorante Pizzeria Il David, which has 60 seats outside, said: “Our outdoor seating is fundamental.”
Another said: “True restaurateurs have begun to close.
“They are crushed by impossible costs and by city policies more concerned with the aesthetics of outdoor seating than with the survival of those who brought these spaces to life.”
But locals have said the new rules are needed as the narrow streets can’t cope with the outdoor terraces, many of which were introduced during Covid.
Some said it had made roads unliveable, and like an “obstacle course”.
It isn’t the only strict ban introduced over the years in Florence.
Back in 2021, tourist were banned from eating picnics on some of the city’s top attractions.
The fines – between €150-€500 (£135-£450) – were to stop people blocking the doors of locals as well as reduce littering from street food.
And last year, lock boxes and self-check in systems were banned by the Italian government.
Often used by short-term holiday rentals, the ban came after many were destroyed in protest across Florence, Milan and Rome.
It comes after fears of overtourism across Florence.
Cecilie Hollberg, director of the Galleria dell’Accademia, told local media: “Florence is very beautiful and I would like it to return to its citizens and not be crushed by tourism.”