This Italian Town Has Started Charging People to Enter Its Historic Center
The scenic clifftop village of Polignano a Mare, in Italy's Puglia region, has stirred up controversy by installing turnstiles and charging a €5 (just under $6) entry fee for visitors who want access to the historic town center.
Located about 20 miles south of Bari on the Adriatic coast, the whitewashed village has a maze of cobblestoned streets and charming houses and churches that can draw large crowds.
The town's mayor, Domenico Vitto, told the Italian newspaper La Repubblica that it's a matter of safety. "I would have installed the turnstiles even if there was no entry fee," he said, explaining that no more than 2,500 to 2,700 people can be in the historic center at the same time in order to guarantee everyone the ability to exit in case of emergency.
The turnstiles were installed earlier this month and, according to La Repubblica, the first weekend they were in effect saw 15,000 paying visitors. Police officers were also there to direct traffic and ensure security. The turnstiles will remain in place every weekend until Dec. 2 and every day from Dec. 7 until the celebration of the Epiphany on Jan. 6, from 3pm until 10pm.
Anyone who wants to enter the historic city center must purchase a GCard, which comes with cotton candy and other snacks for kids. In order to buy products for sale from the stands within the restricted area, visitors must add money to their GCard, as cash is not accepted.
Though it's a temporary solution to the crowds gathering to see the town's famed Christmas decorations, the fee has drawn sharp criticism on social media and in the Italian press.
"Cities are free, not things that can be sold. They're made of people, not merchandise," Dino Borri, a professor of engineering at the Polytechnic University of Bari, told La Repubblica. "With all due respect," Borri said, "this isn't Venice."
Borri may have been referring to the fact that earlier this year, Venice — a city plagued by severe overtourism — issued an ordinance blocking access to certain areas for nonresidents in an effort to restrict the flow of tourists.
Other Italian cities and towns, including the section of Italian Riviera known as Cinque Terre, have been searching for ways to combat the negative effects of overtourism. But this appears to be the first time a town has actually started charging an entry fee for visitors interested in touring the historic center. Many Italian cities, including Rome and Florence, have long restricted cars from driving and parking in certain parts of the historic center, but it's much more difficult to limit pedestrian access.
A representative from the Italian National Tourist Board did not immediately respond to a request for comment.
TPG featured card
at American Express's secure site
Terms & restrictions apply. See rates & fees.
| 3X | Earn 3X Miles on Delta purchases. |
| 1X | Earn 1X Miles on all other eligible purchases. |
Pros
- Delta SkyClub access when flying Delta
- Annual companion ticket for travel on Delta (upon renewal)
- Ability to earn MQDs through spending
- Various statement credits for eligible purchases
Cons
- Steep annual fee of $650
- Other Delta cobranded cards offer superior earning categories
- Earn 100,000 Bonus Miles after you spend $6,000 or more in purchases with your new Card within the first 6 months of Card Membership and an additional 25,000 bonus miles after you make an additional $3,000 in purchases on the Card within your first 6 months, starting from the date that your account is opened. Offer Ends 04/01/2026.
- Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card Members receive 15 Visits per Medallion® Year to the Delta Sky Club® when flying Delta and can unlock an unlimited number of Visits after spending $75,000 in purchases on your Card in a calendar year. Plus, you’ll receive four One-Time Guest Passes each Medallion Year so you can share the experience with family and friends when traveling Delta together.
- Enjoy complimentary access to The Centurion® Lounge in the U.S. and select international locations (as set forth on the Centurion Lounge Website), Sidecar by The Centurion® Lounge in the U.S. (see the Centurion Lounge Website for more information on Sidecar by The Centurion® Lounge availability), and Escape Lounges when flying on a Delta flight booked with the Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card. § To access Sidecar by The Centurion® Lounge, Card Members must arrive within 90 minutes of their departing flight (including layovers). To access The Centurion® Lounge, Card Members must arrive within 3 hours of their departing flight. Effective July 8, 2026, during a layover, Card Members must arrive within 5 hours of the connecting flight.
- Receive $2,500 Medallion® Qualification Dollars with MQD Headstart each Medallion Qualification Year and earn $1 MQD for each $10 in purchases on your Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card with MQD Boost to get closer to Status next Medallion Year.
- Enjoy a Companion Certificate on a Delta First, Delta Comfort, or Delta Main round-trip flight to select destinations each year after renewal of your Card. The Companion Certificate requires payment of government-imposed taxes and fees of between $22 and $250 (for itineraries with up to four flight segments). Baggage charges and other restrictions apply. Delta Basic experiences are not eligible for this benefit.
- $240 Resy Credit: When you use your Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card for eligible purchases with U.S. Resy restaurants, you can earn up to $20 each month in statement credits. Enrollment required.
- $120 Rideshare Credit: Earn up to $10 back in statement credits each month after you use your Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card to pay for U.S. rideshare purchases with select providers. Enrollment required.
- Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card Members get 15% off when using miles to book Award Travel on Delta flights through delta.com and the Fly Delta app. Discount not applicable to partner-operated flights or to taxes and fees.
- With your Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card, receive upgrade priority over others with the same Medallion tier, product and fare experience purchased, and Million Miler milestone when you fly with Delta.
- Earn 3X Miles on Delta purchases and earn 1X Miles on all other eligible purchases.
- No Foreign Transaction Fees. Enjoy international travel without additional fees on purchases made abroad.
- $650 Annual Fee.
- Apply with confidence. Know if you're approved for a Card with no impact to your credit score. If you're approved and you choose to accept this Card, your credit score may be impacted.
- Terms Apply.
- See Rates & Fees