In 2026, many popular tourist destinations and attractions introduced fees for visitors. The authorities explain the decision by saying that attractions cannot always cope with the huge flow of people who want to see them, and the money raised from the fees will go towards maintaining and restoring the sites. Critics call the fees for public tourist attractions, which should be accessible to everyone, discriminatory. However, despite their protests, the new rules have already come into force in many countries.
Finam reports on which popular tourist destinations will introduce entrance fees in 2026.
Entrance to Venice will become subject to a fee
Trial entry fees to Venice were successfully tested in 2024 and 2025, so local authorities decided to make the fees permanent during the peak tourist season. Thus, from April 3 to July 26, 2026, entry to the historic city center by water from 8:30 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. will be subject to a fee. Those who come for one day and do not stay overnight in the city will have to pay. Guests of Venetian hotels already pay a tourist tax. If the “ticket” is purchased more than 4 days before arrival, the fee will be €5; if purchased later, it will be €10.
Residents and workers of Veneto, students, disabled people, and children under 14 are exempt from paying the fee.
Venice Mayor Luigi Brugnaro said the goal of introducing the fee is to discourage tourists from visiting the city on the busiest days of the year and to “show Venice the respect it deserves.”
Visiting the Trevi Fountain in Rome is now subject to a fee
From February 2, 2026, visiting one of Rome's most iconic landmarks, the Trevi Fountain, will incur a fee. Tickets cost €2 and can be booked in advance online on the fountain's official website. Residents of Rome are exempt from the fee, as are children under six and people with disabilities accompanied by an assistant.
Tourists will still be able to admire the fountain from a distance free of charge, but a ticket will be required to enter the monument's grounds during its opening hours. However, admission will be free after closing time. City authorities say the fee is necessary to prevent crowds and to finance the fountain's maintenance. Experts estimate that it will raise about €6.5 million per year. No more than 400 visitors are allowed in the Trevi Fountain area at any one time.
Tickets to the Louvre for foreigners have risen in price by 45%
Since January 2026, the famous Louvre Museum in Paris has raised ticket prices for citizens of non-EU countries by 45%. Now, non-European visitors pay €32 to enter the museum. They will have to indicate their country when booking tickets online, and when buying tickets at the museum on the day of their visit, they will have to present an identity document confirming their citizenship.
French Culture Minister Rachida Dati has said she wants to use additional money from foreigners to restore the country's national heritage sites. She believes that the French should not have to pay for everything on their own.
According to Le Monde, the additional funds obtained from the price increase will likely go, at least in part, toward the ambitious plans to renovate the Louvre. The museum, which opened in 1793, is gradually falling into disrepair and needs to be restored.
The Louvre is the most popular museum in France. It is visited by about 8.7 million people annually.
The 11 most popular parks in the US have become more expensive for foreigners
Starting in 2026, foreign tourists visiting some of America's most famous national parks, including the Grand Canyon, Yosemite, Everglades, and Rocky Mountains, will begin paying an additional fee. To visit the 11 most popular parks in the country, non-US residents will now pay an additional $100 per person on top of the existing fees. The cost of annual passes for foreign travelers will also increase to more than $250, while U.S. citizens and permanent residents will continue to pay $80 for an annual pass.
The increase in admission fees coincided with the launch of an updated online booking system and improved access for motorcyclists to popular parks.
According to local authorities, the additional funds will go towards nature conservation and park maintenance, which will help offset losses incurred due to recent budget cuts. In recent years, the number of visitors has increased dramatically, which was the reason for the introduction of new measures ahead of another busy season.
Climbing Mount Teide in Tenerife is now subject to a fee
Tenerife is the largest island in the Canary Islands archipelago. Territorially, they belong to Spain. From January 2026, the local authorities have introduced a fee for climbing Mount Teide: €10 for an organised tour and €25 for an independent climb. Residents of Tenerife will still be able to visit the volcano for free, while residents of the Canary Islands will pay between €3 and €6 depending on the type of climb. Popular routes have also been limited to 300 visitors per day. Violators will be fined up to €600.
The Teide volcano is the highest point in the archipelago. On its slopes, at an altitude of 3,718 meters, is the national park of the same name, which is listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Madeira charges fees for walking popular tourist trails
The Portuguese island of Madeira also recently announced that it will charge a fee for walking on popular tourist routes. The most famous route, PR 1, will cost $12.50 for independent travelers and $8.50 for those using the services of guides from April 2026.
Madeira is known for its volcanic cliffs, waterfalls, and scenic hiking trails, and in recent years has attracted tourists from all over the world. The Madeira authorities introduced the fee due to protests from local residents concerned about overcrowding and the potential negative impact of crowds of tourists on the island's nature.
