Favorite European travel destination bans selfies as tourists spark 'anarchic chaos' in streets

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An Italian city famous for its beauty is banning selfies at popular spots with jaw-dropping views to prevent tourists from lingering and clogging its narrow streets.

Portofino, which is a town of approximately 500 people southeast of Genoa on the Italian Riviera, has introduced no-waiting zones in the town where tourists are prohibited from taking pictures, according to the BBC.

Those who spend too much time in the zones could be fined €275, or roughly $305, the outlet reported.

Portofino, which is a town of approximately 500 people southeast of Genoa on the Italian Riviera, has banned selfies at some of its more photogenic locations. (Fox News / Joshua Comins)

The selfie ban comes amid what Portofino Mayor Matteo Viacava described as "anarchic chaos" caused by tourists who snarl traffic and block streets to take pictures in the small city, which is a coastal fishing community renowned for its colorful buildings.

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Portofino, Italy, is renowned for its colorful buildings. (Dario Pignatelli via Reuters)

The prohibition first went into effect amid a swell of tourism during Easter weekend, and the measures are slated to continue from morning to 6 p.m. until October as tourists pour into Portofino throughout the summer months.

Thousands of tourists visit Portofino every year, and celebrities also frequent the destination, with the Kardashians and Beyoncé among those spotted there recently.

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Celebrities such as Kim Kardashian and Beyoncé have been spotted visiting the coastal Italian city of Portofino. (Amy Sussman via Getty Images / File)

Selfie bans have been introduced in other cities and countries in response to tourism, such as portions of the U.K.'s Tower of London, which bans selfies for security reasons near the crown jewels housed there.

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In the U.S., California and New York have prohibited selfies in zoos and other places with wild animals.