With the summer season finally upon us after what has felt like months of dreary weather and dark skies, many holidaymakers are quite literally counting down the hours until they can jet off to somewhere slightly sunnier.

Travellers making their way to Greece in the coming weeks have received a pretty stark warning, however, after several Brits have been charged hefty sums recently for breaking a rather surprising rule.

A Surprising Rule

It seems that countless travel restrictions have been added to the roster in recent months, often catching holidaymakers out and forcing them to fork out hundreds of pounds. And now, any Brits travelling to Greece this summer could face the same fate.

One particular rule that has caught out numerous holidaymakers travelling to Greece already this year is the footwear law. Yes, you read that right – the footwear law.

Strange Shoes, Big Fines

Picture this: you’re preparing for a day of exploring the ancient Greek ruins, delving deep into the history and archaeology of a culture that dates back thousands of years. What do you wear?

Considering the temperatures in the European holiday hotspot at this time of year, as well as the need to walk around these often rocky landmarks, you might think that comfortable shoes would be the obvious choice. However, it turns out that some holidaymakers have been rocking up to the ancient sites in – wait for it – a pair of high-heeled shoes!

It’s true, hundreds of travellers have been spotted attempting to take in the magnificence of the Acropolis, the Odeon of Herodes Atticus in Athens, and the Epidaurus Theatre in the Peloponnese region in a pair of six-inch stilettos.

Not only have these fashion-forward jet-setters stood out like a sore thumb among these ancient artifacts, but they have actually been fined for their bizarre choice of footwear. Since 2009, it has been illegal to wear shoes that could disrupt or damage monuments at these sites.

Protecting the Monuments

Speaking to the press on the matter, Eleni Korka, Director of Greek Prehistoric and Classical Antiquities, said, “Female visitors must wear shoes that do not wound the monuments. These monuments have a skin that suffers and people must realize that.”

According to The Sun, travelers have been landed with bills of as much as £771 for this mighty mistake.

So, if you’re planning a trip to Greece this summer, make sure to leave your high heels at home and opt for comfortable shoes instead. Not only will you be protecting the ancient monuments, but you’ll also save yourself from a hefty fine.