This footwear law also applies to certain areas of mainland Greece, and it has actually been in place for fifteen years since 2009.UK tourists taking holidays to Greece have been warned that they could get fined for wearing the wrong type of shoes. This footwear law also applies to certain areas of mainland Greece, and it has actually been in place for fifteen years since 2009.
But tourists still can easily fall foul of the restriction if they are visiting ancient sites. A unique Greek law prohibits wearing high heels at certain historic landmarks, and offenders could face fines of up to €900. This rule, introduced in 2009, is part of Greece’s broader efforts to preserve its cultural and historical treasures.
High heels have been identified as a potential risk to the integrity of ancient structures. The narrow, pointed design of heels exerts concentrated pressure on the surfaces of monuments, which can cause cracks or scratches.
READ MORE Santander issues warning to millions of customers who have £5,009 or more in account
To mitigate this damage, Greece implemented the ban at locations such as the Acropolis and the Epidaurus Theatre. Some of the country’s most famous ancient monuments do not allow visitors to wear high heels. Authorities put the ban in place in 2009, according to the Independent, since sharp-soled shoes were adding to the wear and tear of national treasures.
“Female visitors must wear shoes that do not wound the monuments. These monuments have a skin that suffers and people must realise that,” said Eleni Korka, Director of Greek Prehistoric and Classical Antiquities, the year the ban was put in place.
The “no heels” rule is not the only one tourists will run into while sightseeing in Greece, either. If you’re planning on going to some ancient sites, don’t bring in any food or drink (and that includes gum).
Avoiding shoes such as flip flops and flats can also help prevent injury or discomfort in general while visiting these historic sites. If you forget and wear heels to a monument, you’ll likely be stopped,.
If you’re lucky, simply asked to remove them, but in other circumstances, you’ll be asked to leave and come back later in shoes that comply with the dress code.