Savvy tourists could face huge fines for innocent activities on Greek beaches

Tourists are also prohibited from wearing high heels in certain areas of Greece, including one of the country's historical monuments, as heels can disturb or damage old stones Visitors could face fines of up to £771 if they commit any of these offenses (

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Tourists are not allowed to take pebbles on Greece's popular beaches - or wear high heels in some of its historical monuments.

Visitors face fines of up to £771 if they commit any of these offences. This is because the country has introduced, over the years, strict laws to protect its landscape and heritage.

The Greeks believe that the heels can disturb or damage the old stones of its multiple ancient sites. High heels are therefore prohibited in these attractions.

The law surrounding stones by the sea applies to several beaches, including Lalaria beach in Skiathos. Anyone who dares to remove pebbles from the sand here could be fined up to £771, but probably less.

It's the British holiday season as dozens of families rush to airports across the country for destinations like Greece, Spain and Italy, where there are also bizarre rules. The one in Greece concerning historical monuments, such as the Acropolis, the Odeon of Herodes Atticus in Athens and the theater of Epidaurus in the Peloponnese region, was introduced by the legislator in 2009, according to .

In Spain, meanwhile, if someone wanders around Barcelona in a bathing suit, bikini, swimming trunks or even shirtless, they can be fined anywhere from £86 to £171.

Last month, authorities in Mallorca also imposed new fines in a bid to crack down on 'unwanted' behavior on their most popular beaches.

And if visitors want to build sand castles on Levante Beach in Benidorm, they must first obtain a permit or they could be fined up to £129. If they smoke, sleep or also use shampoo or shower gel on the beach, they could be fined hundreds more.

Laws are the least of Britons' concerns across Europe at the moment, as weather maps show temperatures are set to reach dangerous levels across most of the continent this week. The "insidious" heat wave has already claimed at least three lives in Italy alone.

The mercury is expected to reach a sizzling 45°C in parts of Greece, forecasters say. The heat wave should start on Wednesday and last ten days with an average of 42-43°C and a peak of up to 45°C on Friday.