7 Places Where Selfies Are Prohibited, Travelers Be Cautious
Selfie lovers, beware. Those who love snapping pictures of themselves when they travel might want to avoid visiting the locations on this list and choose more selfie-friendly spots instead.
Alternatively, those annoyed by selfies might be happy to make a beeline to these events and places.
1: Running of the Bulls
Attracting thousands of participants and viewers each summer, The Running of the Bulls event forbids selfies. The festival takes place in Pamplona, Spain, from July 7th to the 14th and involves sprinting from crowds of bulls throughout the town. The potentially life-threatening event fines selfie-taking runners thousands of dollars if a picture occurs.
2: Saudi Arabia
Travelers who visit Saudi Arabia must put their phones away, meaning selfies are off-limits. Videotaping, taking pictures of locals, government buildings, or military members may result in a crime punishable under Saudi Arabia’s law. Those attempting to take photos for media related-purposes must obtain permission from the General Commission for Audiovisual Media.
3: Tower of London
The Tower of London was responsible for protecting the royal family and their artifacts during the war. Nowadays, it draws in three million visitors annually, many whom are eager to take selfies. Though certain areas allow photos, The Jewel House and The Chapel of St. John prohibit selfie-taking for security and religious reasons.
4: Big Cats in New York
Tourists looking to snap pictures with big cats at zoos, circuses, and carnivals in New York may want to reconsider. The “tiger selfie” ban was passed in 2014, prohibiting selfies with large cats. The ban began when the public increasingly took photos with the potentially dangerous predators. People who violate the mandate must pay a fine.
5: Sydney Opera House
The Sydney Opera House in Australia restricts using cameras and selfie sticks within its main performance area. Furthermore, the Sydney Harbour Foreshore Authority must authorize individuals hoping to snap a picture if they intend to use such images commercially.
6: Anne Frank House
Seen by thousands of visitors each year, the Anne Frank House in the Netherlands asks people to put their phones away. The historic museum requests that the public refrain from taking pictures, including selfies, to protect the original items found in the museum and avoid the disturbance of other travelers.
7: Portofino, Italy
Portofino is an iconic colorful town along the Italian Riviera. But it’s quickly getting a new reputation for its selfie ban. Officials in Portofino decided to mandate the selfie ban in “no-waiting” zones, popular tourist attractions where tourists clog up the town’s narrow streets. Should you be caught taking a selfie in a no-waiting zone, you’ll be fined about $300.
Never Too Busy for Selfies
Selfies grew popular in the 2000s with the modernization of cell phones and webcams. Data shows that millennials will spend 38 hours taking selfies in 2023 alone.
For the Young
Selfies are most popular among young people, according to Statista. Adults between the ages of 18 and 34 are more likely to take selfies than any other adult age group. The study didn’t include teenage selfie habits.
Not a Rookie
A study by TIME discovered that of the 459 cities they surveyed worldwide, Makati City and Pasig in the Philippines have the greatest number of selfie-takers. Their Instagram-inspired study revealed that there are 258 Filipinos that take selfies per 100,000 people. Manhattan, New York, came in second place at 202 selfie-takers per 100,000 residents.
The Selfie Stick
The rise of the selfie gave way to selfie sticks, a gadget that simplifies picture-taking. The device was patented in 2005 by inventor Wayne Fromm. Today, over one-third of Americans own selfie sticks.
Most Influential Selfie
Ellen DeGeneres’ 2014 Oscar selfie garnered 3.4 million X (Twitter) shares and 2.4 million likes. The image is considered one of the most influential selfies in the world, featuring the host with celebrities like Jennifer Lawrence, Meryl Streep, and Bradley Cooper.
Traveling Without ATM Fees
Selfies aside, how does never paying an ATM fee when you travel sound? Discover the trick to doing just that from a traveler who’s saved hundreds of dollars in ATM fees.
How To Never Pay an ATM Fee Abroad
9 Countries Where Tipping Is Rude or Uncommon
Since when did tipping your local coffee shop barista 20% become the norm? If you’re tired of American tipping practices, you just might want to visit (and perhaps move to) one of these countries.
