Florence, Italy, one of Europe’s most visited tourist cities, has decided to impose an outdoor dining ban on 50 streets within the UNESCO-protected historic city center.
A further 73 locations will face stricter regulations, including limits on umbrellas, barriers and weather coverings.
City officials said the measures were aimed at reducing congestion and protecting Florence's cultural heritage, which they say has come under pressure from the post-pandemic boom in outdoor dining. Restaurateurs warned the new rules would hit businesses already struggling with rising costs.
Residents, however, have urged the council to go further, telling senior officials that terraces, fencing and menu boards have turned central streets into 'an obstacle course'.
The blacklist includes major tourist sites such as the Ponte Vecchio and the Piazzale degli Uffizi.