Rules for guided groups
Where tour groups must use headsets
198 written rules in 36 countries: city ordinances and site regulations that require guided groups to use headsets, ban loudspeakers, or allow only the site’s own devices. Every entry links to the official text and shows the day we last checked it.
The short answer
Most rules ask for the same two things: the group listens through earpieces, and the guide does not use a loudspeaker. A smaller group of sites goes further and allows only its own rented devices, or bans apps and phones inside. Read the device condition on each entry before you plan a tour.
- 39 entries let a group bring its own system, and some require it because the site lends none.
- 78 entries are places where your own system cannot be used inside, or where outside guides may not narrate at all.
- The rules cover 36 countries; city-wide rules apply in public space as well as inside buildings.
How to read an entry
- Headsets required
- A written rule requires guided groups to use headsets or a whisper system.
- Loudspeakers banned
- Loudspeakers, megaphones or microphones are banned. With a large group, earpieces are the practical way to be heard.
- No outside guiding inside
- Inside, only the site’s own guides or audio guides may narrate. Brief the group before you go in.
- Own system allowed
- The group may bring its own system, or must because the site lends none.
- Device not specified
- The text does not say which system. Ask the site in writing before you rely on a phone-based one.
- Site’s devices only
- Only the site’s own, usually rented, devices are allowed.
- Apps banned
- Audio guides or apps on visitors’ phones are banned inside.
- Phones banned
- Phones may not be used inside.
- Headphones banned
- Even headphones or transmitter sets are not allowed.
Rules by country
Group sizes use the rule’s own threshold: a rule for groups over 8 starts at 9 people.
China
Shaanxi History Museum (陕西历史博物馆)Xi'an
Headsets requiredDevice not specifiedShaanxi History Museum's 2022 measures require outside narrators to apply seven working days ahead and, when narrating, to use a group voice-assistant device; amplifiers and laser pointers are not allowed.
Wording
第七条、讲解人讲解时需使用团队语音助手设备，不可使用扩音设备和红外线激光笔，不可大声喧哗，影响其他观众的正常参观。
Beijing graded scenic areas (Forbidden City, Temple of Heaven, Summer Palace, Badaling, Ming Tombs and others)Beijing
Loudspeakers bannedOwn system allowedSince 1 June 2008, guides and narrators at Beijing's graded scenic areas must use audio guide devices or other non-amplified methods instead of handheld megaphones and microphones; the notice, listed as currently in force, encourages agencies to equip themselves with wireless, non-amplified group narration devices.
Wording
一、2008年6月1日起，旅行社的导游服务、旅游景区的讲解服务，应当采用语音导览器或其它非扩音的方式。
Beijing Tourism Regulations (北京市旅游条例), incl. UNESCO-listed scenic areasBeijing
Loudspeakers bannedDevice not specifiedBeijing's Tourism Regulations, in force since 1 August 2017, allow amplification in scenic areas only in designated zones and times and below 50 dB, encourage phone-based self-guided tours, and require a site-issued narrator certificate to narrate to tour groups at six World Heritage sites.
Wording
景区允许使用扩音设备的，应当划定使用区域和时间，明确使用要求，噪声排放不得超过50分贝。
Chengdu Museum (成都博物馆)Chengdu
Loudspeakers bannedDevice not specifiedChengdu Museum approves outside narrators in daily quotas (in principle 15 in the morning and 15 in the afternoon) and stops the narration and cancels the eligibility of anyone who uses amplification equipment while narrating.
Wording
我馆将终止其讲解活动并劝离展馆，取消其入馆讲解资格；……2、在讲解过程中使用扩音设备或带领观众在展厅参观通道长时间停留；
Chengdu Wuhou Shrine (成都武侯祠)Chengdu
Loudspeakers bannedDevice not specifiedWuhou Shrine bans playing instruments and audio through speakers during visits and prohibits unauthorised narration; its own free audio guide asks listeners to wear earphones so as not to disturb others.
Wording
参观期间需保持安静，严禁乐器演奏及音响外放
Du Fu Thatched Cottage Museum (成都杜甫草堂博物馆)Chengdu
Loudspeakers bannedDevice not specifiedSince 5 March 2026, outside narration at the Du Fu Thatched Cottage Museum needs unit authorisation, filing at least one day ahead and a temporary narrator card; the museum also bans 'little bee' waist amplifiers and loudspeakers for narration without approval.
Wording
（五）未经批准同意，禁止在馆内使用小蜜蜂、音响外放设备开展讲解服务及观众引导服务。
Emperor Qinshihuang's Mausoleum Site Museum (秦始皇帝陵博物院, Terracotta Army)Xi'an
Loudspeakers bannedDevice not specifiedThe Terracotta Army museum's official English ticketing page lists loudspeakers among the items visitors may not bring in; it sets no device requirement for outside guides.
Wording
The Qin Shi Huang Emperor's Mausoleum Site Museum prohibits carrying: … drones, kites; loudspeakers, camera equipment; water guns; …
Fuzimiao–Qinhuai scenic area (夫子庙秦淮风光带)Nanjing
Loudspeakers bannedDevice not specifiedIn Nanjing's Fuzimiao–Qinhuai scenic area, using loudspeakers in business activities, or otherwise making noise that seriously disturbs others, is prohibited; the rule targets commerce in general rather than guiding.
Wording
第五十四条 风景名胜区内禁止下列影响公共秩序和市场秩序的行为：……（二）在经营活动中使用高音喇叭或者以其他方式产生严重干扰他人的噪声；
Guangzhou parks (广州市公园条例, art. 34)Guangzhou
Loudspeakers bannedDevice not specifiedGuangzhou's parks regulation bans high-volume broadcast loudspeakers and broadcast vehicles in all city parks; violators can get a police warning and a fine of CNY 200 to 1,000. It is a general noise rule, not one written for tour guides.
Wording
公园内禁止使用高音广播喇叭和广播宣传车。
Guilin tourism market order regulation (桂林市旅游市场秩序管理条例, art. 29)Guilin
Loudspeakers bannedDevice not specifiedSince 1 December 2025, Guilin's tourism market regulation bars tourism businesses from using high-volume broadcast loudspeakers or other loud noise to attract tourists or sell products and services. It targets touting, not guided commentary.
Wording
旅游经营者不得使用高音广播喇叭或者采用其他发出高噪声的方式，招徕旅游者或者推销产品、服务。
Gulangyu World Heritage area (鼓浪屿)Xiamen
Loudspeakers bannedDevice not specifiedIn the Gulangyu World Heritage area, using loudspeakers or other loud amplification equipment in business or tourism activities is banned, with fines of CNY 500-3,000; guides must also complete the heritage office's free training and narrate from its standard text.
Wording
禁止在遗产区内从事下列影响市容环境和公共秩序的行为: …㈤在经营活动或者旅游活动中使用高音喇叭、高噪音音响等扩音设施、设备；
Huangshan Scenic Area (黄山风景名胜区管理条例, art. 23)Huangshan
Loudspeakers bannedDevice not specifiedThe Huangshan Scenic Area regulation requires the management committee to enforce a ban on high-volume loudspeakers as part of keeping the area clean and quiet; it names no penalty and no device type and is not specific to guides.
Wording
管委会应当采取有效措施，监督有关单位和个人做好下列环境卫生工作：…（五）禁止使用高音喇叭；
Hubei Provincial Museum (湖北省博物馆)Wuhan
Loudspeakers bannedOwn system allowedLicensed agency guides may lead tours at the Hubei Provincial Museum after registering at the guide desk for a service pass valid for three hours; amplifiers are banned in the galleries and the museum encourages 'interference-free devices' (无干扰设备) for commentary without naming a device type.
Wording
第五条 展区内组织以上公共服务不得使用扩音设备，避免大声喧哗。讲解提倡尽量使用无干扰设备。
Hunan Museum (湖南博物院)Changsha
Loudspeakers bannedDevice not specifiedTour guides who want to guide at the Hunan Museum must submit their ID, guide card and script for review at least once a year, and may not use amplifiers or speak loudly while guiding; unapproved guiding is stopped.
Wording
第六条 讲解人员或导游人员在讲解时不可使用扩音设备，不可大声喧哗，影响其他观众的正常参观。
Lijiang Old Town (云南省丽江古城保护条例, art. 23)Lijiang
Loudspeakers bannedDevice not specifiedIn Lijiang Old Town, outdoor noise is capped at 55 dB by day and 45 dB at night, and using high-volume loudspeakers or shouting to attract business is banned; breaches can bring a warning and a fine of CNY 100 to 500.
Wording
丽江古城的室外噪音白天控制在55分贝以内，夜间控制在45分贝以内。…禁止在丽江古城内使用高音喇叭或者高声招揽生意。
Lingering Garden (留园)Suzhou
Loudspeakers bannedDevice not specifiedGuides leading groups in Suzhou's Lingering Garden must hold a tour guide qualification, and giving commentary with amplification equipment inside the garden is banned.
Wording
带团导游必须具备导游资格，园内禁止使用扩音设备进行讲解。
Palace Museum / Forbidden City (故宫博物院)Beijing
Loudspeakers bannedOwn system allowedSince 1 April 2015, travel agency guides may not use any amplification device inside the Palace Museum; megaphones are checked at the Meridian Gate and returned at the exit, and the museum can provide its own group audio devices for large groups.
Wording
故宫博物院将于2015年4月1日起采取系列措施，禁止旅行社导游在院内使用各种扩音设备。
Pingyao Ancient City (平遥古城)Pingyao
Loudspeakers bannedDevice not specifiedIn Pingyao Ancient City, guide services may not use open (loudspeaker) narration equipment; guides who refuse to stop face fines of CNY 50-200.
Wording
古城区内生产经营活动不得使用高噪音设施设备，导游服务不得使用开放式讲解设备。
Putuoshan Scenic Area (舟山市普陀山风景名胜区条例, art. 21)Zhoushan
Loudspeakers bannedDevice not specifiedOn Putuoshan, a regulation in force since 1 January 2023 bans high-volume broadcast loudspeakers and other high-noise equipment in business or tourism activities.
Wording
(四)在经营活动或者旅游活动中禁止使用高音广播喇叭以及其他发出高噪声的干扰周围环境的设施、设备;
Tiger Hill Scenic Area (虎丘山风景名胜区)Suzhou
Loudspeakers bannedDevice not specifiedTiger Hill's visitor rules say that, without permission, no marketing or filming may take place and no audio or broadcasting equipment of any kind may be used in the scenic area; the rule is general and does not mention guides.
Wording
6、未经许可，不得在景区内进行营销、广告宣传和电影电视拍摄活动；不得使用各类音响或广播器材；禁止使用各类遥控航空器。
Xi'an Beilin Museum (西安碑林博物馆, Forest of Stone Steles)Xi'an
Loudspeakers bannedDevice not specifiedThe Beilin Museum's list of prohibited items includes musical instruments and sound equipment (音响设备) among objects that may endanger the relics or disturb the visiting order; the rule is not specific to guides.
Wording
可能危害文物安全及扰乱参观秩序的物品，…乐器、音响设备等。
Zhejiang province, all scenic areas (浙江省噪声污染防治办法, art. 10)Zhejiang
Loudspeakers bannedDevice not specifiedSince 1 March 2026, Zhejiang's provincial noise rules require scenic areas to take measures that push guiding services to use less amplification equipment and to remind visitors to keep quiet. It is an obligation on the sites, not a ban on guides, and it names no device.
Wording
景区应当采取措施，推动讲解服务减少使用扩音设备，提醒游客保持安静。
Zhejiang Provincial Museum (浙江省博物馆)Hangzhou
Loudspeakers bannedDevice not specifiedThe Zhejiang Provincial Museum asks visitors not to use devices that play sound out loud in the galleries, naming wireless amplifiers and 讲解器 (guiding devices) as examples, and paid lecturing needs the museum's permission. Whether earphone-based receivers count as such devices is not stated.
Wording
展厅内请勿使用闪光灯、激光笔、语音外放设备（如无线扩音器、讲解器等）、自拍杆以及支架类摄影器材；
Italy
Basilica di AquileiaAquileia
Headsets requiredOwn system allowedBooked groups of seven or more visiting Aquileia’s basilica with a guide must use radio guides throughout the complex except the bell tower and the Domus; groups with their own radio guides enter freely with a booking, and rental is EUR 2 per person.
Wording
i gruppi, dalle sette persone in su, che desiderano visitare - previa prenotazione - la Basilica con guida autorizzata o propria dovranno munirsi di radioguide, che dovranno essere utilizzate in tutto il complesso basilicale ad esclusione del campanile e della Domus – Palazzo Episcopale.
Basilica di San Francesco (Sacro Convento)Assisi
Headsets requiredOwn system allowedGuided visits inside the Basilica of St Francis in Assisi must use radio guides; booking costs EUR 2.50 per person for groups with their own radios and EUR 3.00 for those who rent, and groups are capped at 50.
Wording
Per lo svolgimento della visita guidata all’interno della Basilica è obbligatorio l’uso delle radioguide.
Basilica di San PetronioBologna
Headsets requiredOwn system allowedAdult groups of 15 or more visiting San Petronio in Bologna must bring their own radio guides, since the basilica provides none, and book by email; school and parish groups need radio guides and a tourist guide whatever their size.
Wording
La visita alla Basilica è gratuita per i gruppi di adulti e studenti universitari, per i quali è obbligatorio munirsi di radioguide (la Basilica non fornisce le radioguide) ed effettuare la prenotazione scrivendo a prenotazioni@basilicadisanpetronio.org se composti da 15 o più persone.
Basilica di Santa Croce (Opera di Santa Croce)Florence
Headsets requiredOwn system allowedAt Santa Croce, guides with a group of 15 or more must register the group at the entrance and provide earphones; groups are capped at 35 plus the guide, and earphones can be rented at the ticket office for EUR 1.50. The price list says "over 15".
Wording
Sono ammessi gruppi di massimo 35 persone più la guida. Le guide sono tenute a comunicare all’ingresso la presenza del gruppo e a munirsi di auricolari se il gruppo che accompagnano è di 15 o più persone.
Basilica di Santo SpiritoFlorence
Headsets requiredDevice not specifiedTour guides at Santo Spirito must use an audio system whatever the group size; the basilica does not specify the type, and groups book by email.
Wording
Per le guide turistiche è obbligatorio l’uso di sistemi audio.
Castello Sforzesco (Musei del Castello)Milan
Headsets requiredDevice not specifiedGuided groups of more than ten in the Castello Sforzesco museums must use a microphone system; radio guides can be rented at the bookshop for EUR 1.50 each, and groups run from 10 to 25 people excluding the guide.
Wording
Per i gruppi in visita guidata superiore alle 10 persone, è obbligatorio l'uso di un sistema di microfonaggio. Il noleggio delle radioguide è disponibile al costo di € 1,50 cad. presso il Bookshop (all'ingresso dei Musei).
Complesso di Santa Maria NovellaFlorence
Headsets requiredOwn system allowedFrom six people, earphones are mandatory in the Santa Maria Novella complex and must be sorted out before entering; groups are capped at 25 plus one guide. The page offers no rental.
Wording
Sono ammessi all'interno gruppi fino a 25 persone + 1 guida. Dalle 6 persone in poi diventano obbligatori gli auricolari. Gli auricolari devono essere reperiti prima di entrare nel complesso.
Duomo di Milano (Complesso Monumentale, Veneranda Fabbrica del Duomo)Milan
Headsets requiredOwn system allowedGroups of at least six (five participants plus the guide) at Milan’s Duomo complex must use a microphone and radio-guide system; their own system is allowed if it is not a loudspeaker, but the Fabbrica may check its suitability at the entrance and refuse it.
Wording
i Gruppi devono aver effettuato preventivamente la prenotazione della Visita, unitamente all’acquisto dei Biglietti di ingresso, ed essere dotati dei sistemi di microfonaggio forniti da VFD e/o noleggiati presso il Complesso Monumentale oppure di propri sistemi purché non altoparlanti.
Florence, whole municipality (Regolamento di Polizia Urbana, art. 25 c.1-bis)Florence
Headsets requiredOwn system allowedAnyone leading a tourist group of more than eight people (the leader not counted) anywhere in Florence must use a wireless system with a transmitter and receivers fitted with earphones; voice amplifiers are banned for any group size.
Wording
a) E’ vietato condurre persone (singoli o gruppi) illustrando la città per qualsiasi scopo (turistico, didattico etc.) e per qualsiasi numero di partecipanti con strumenti atti all’amplificazione della voce. b) Chi conduce per finalità turistiche gruppi con più di otto persone (escluso il conduttore) deve utilizzare sistemi di comunicazione wireless con trasmettitore e ricevitori dotati di cuffie.
Galleria dell'Accademia di FirenzeFlorence
Headsets requiredOwn system allowedGroups of six or more must use whisper earphones at the Galleria dell’Accademia, and groups are capped at 20 people plus the guide. The 2022 visiting rules and the city tourism list still say eight or more; the gallery’s current page says six.
Wording
É ammessa la presenza di gruppi composti da massimo 20 persone esclusa la guida. L’uso degli auricolari (whisper) è obbligatoria per i gruppi composti da 6 persone in su.
Gallerie degli Uffizi (Uffizi Gallery and Palazzo Pitti museums)Florence
Headsets requiredOwn system allowedAt the Uffizi and the Palazzo Pitti museums, groups of more than six people including guides must bring their own whisper system (microphone and earphones); groups are capped at 16, and anyone without earphones can rent them inside. The English page says six or more.
Wording
con decorrenza 11 ottobre 2021 è fatto obbligo ai gruppi che superano le 6 unità (guide e accompagnatori inclusi) di automunirsi di auricolari e microfono (sistema whisper) in modo da consentire a coloro che forniscono informazioni di tenere basso il tono della voce.
Museo di San MarcoFlorence
Headsets requiredDevice not specifiedAt the Museo di San Marco, guided groups of more than six people including the guide, and all school groups, must use earphones; group bookings run from 6 to 20 people plus the guide, and the Fra Angelico room is limited to 20 minutes.
Wording
Obbligo Auricolari/Whisper per Gruppi: oltre 6 persone, l'uso degli auricolari è obbligatorio per i gruppi accompagnati superiori alle 6 unità (guida e accompagnatori inclusi) e per i gruppi scolastici
Palazzo Ducale (Doge’s Palace)Venice
Headsets requiredOwn system allowedGroups of more than ten must use whisper devices at the Doge’s Palace and no amplification is allowed in MUVE museums; whisper sets brought by authorised guides are handed out outside the museum perimeter, and groups without an authorised guide rent them for EUR 1 each.
Wording
Le spiegazioni devono essere fornite con un tono di voce che non disturbi o distragga gli altri visitatori; non è consentito l’uso di alcun tipo di amplificazione. A Palazzo Ducale i gruppi di oltre 10 persone devono utilizzare apparecchi silenziatori (whisper).
Palazzo StrozziFlorence
Headsets requiredOwn system allowedGroups with their own guide at Palazzo Strozzi must use an earphone audio system from five people plus the guide; the group may bring its own or request one when booking (EUR 15).
Wording
È obbligatorio l’uso del sistema audio con auricolari a partire da gruppi composti da 5 persone più la guida: è possibile utilizzare il proprio o richiederlo al momento della prenotazione.
Parco archeologico del Colosseo (Colosseo, Foro Romano, Palatino, Domus Aurea)Rome
Headsets requiredDevice not specifiedAt the Colosseum, Roman Forum, Palatine and Domus Aurea, groups of nine or more people including the guide must use earpieces (radioguide), or the guide may not explain the monument. The regulation names no supplier and asks for earpieces to be handed out before entry.
Wording
Per i gruppi composti a partire da 9 (nove) persone guida compresa, è obbligatorio l’uso di auricolari (radioguide) che permettano agli accompagnatori di tenere basso il tono della voce. Diversamente chi accompagna il gruppo non potrà illustrare il monumento.
Parco Archeologico di PompeiPompeii
Headsets requiredDevice not specifiedUnder Decree 446 of 23 December 2025, organised groups of more than 35 people may not enter the Archaeological Park of Pompeii, and groups of more than 15 must use whisper devices and/or earphones.
Wording
4.3 Non è consentito l’accesso di gruppi organizzati che contino più di 35 persone. In ogni caso, per i gruppi che contino più di 15 persone, è obbligatorio l’utilizzo di dispostivi whisper e/o auricolari.
Pinacoteca di BreraMilan
Headsets requiredDevice not specifiedGuided groups of three or more at the Pinacoteca di Brera must use radio guides priced at EUR 2 each, disposable earpiece included; the page does not mention bringing your own system, and groups are capped at 23 plus the guide.
Wording
RADIOGUIDE al costo di € 2 (compreso auricolare usa e getta) dovranno essere utilizzate dai gruppi di visitatori durante le visite guidate (sono esenti dall’utilizzo delle radioguide i gruppi inferiori alle 3 persone e quelli che hanno ricevuto l’autorizzazione dalla direzione del museo).
Pisa Cathedral (Cattedrale di Pisa, Piazza dei Miracoli)Pisa
Headsets requiredDevice not specifiedIn Pisa Cathedral, explanations to groups of 6 or more may only be given with a radioguide system, to keep the silence of the sacred place; the text does not say whose system it must be. During Masses and religious ceremonies guides and group leaders may not give explanations at all.
Wording
Le spiegazioni ai gruppi di 6 o più persone possono essere effettuate solo con il sistema di radioguide, nel rispetto del silenzio richiesto dal luogo sacro.
Riomaggiore (whole municipality incl. Manarola, Cinque Terre)Riomaggiore
Headsets requiredOwn system allowedSince 1 April 2026, guided groups of more than 10 people in Riomaggiore (including Manarola) must listen through earphones, groups are capped at 25 visitors, and every other form of voice amplification is banned.
Wording
2.1 Nel caso in cui il gruppo di visitatori sia composto da più di 10 persone è obbligatorio l’uso di auricolari per l’ascolto della spiegazione della visita.
Royal Palace of Caserta (Reggia di Caserta)Caserta
Headsets requiredDevice not specifiedGuided groups of more than 6 visitors must use whisper earpieces ('auricolari whisper'); the rules do not say who supplies them. In the Royal Apartments a guide may lead at most 20 people, under the guided-visit regulation updated on 23 February 2026.
Wording
I gruppi con guida composti da più di 6 visitatori sono tenuti all’utilizzo di auricolari whisper.
Venice historic centre, Murano, Burano and Torcello (Regolamento di Polizia e Sicurezza Urbana, art. 71-bis)Venice
Headsets requiredOwn system allowedIn Venice’s historic centre and on Murano, Burano and Torcello, guided groups of more than ten must listen to the explanation through earphones; groups are capped at 25, guides may not use any voice amplification, and student trips are exempt.
Wording
Nel caso in cui il gruppo di visitatori sia composto da più di 10 persone, è fatto obbligo dell'uso di auricolari per l'ascolto della spiegazione della visita.
Giardino di BoboliFlorence
Loudspeakers bannedDevice not specifiedWhisper systems are not mandatory in the Boboli Gardens, but loudspeakers, microphones and any other amplification are strictly banned; groups are capped at 28 including guides.
Wording
Pur non sussistendo l'obbligo per accompagnatori e guide turistiche di servirsi del sistema whisper negli spazi del Giardino di Boboli, si fa presente il divieto assoluto di utilizzo di altoparlanti, microfoni e altri sistemi di amplificazione nel Giardino di Boboli.
Verona, municipal police regulation (Regolamento di Polizia Urbana)Verona
Loudspeakers bannedDevice not specifiedVerona's municipal police regulation bans the use of sound amplifiers in general (art. 40), unless the Comune authorises it, and violations carry a fine of 25 to 500 EUR. It is a general noise rule, not a tour-guide or headset rule.
Wording
Sono vietate: [...] c) l’uso di amplificatori sonori;
United States
Arlington National CemeteryArlington
Loudspeakers bannedOwn system allowedFederal rules for Army national military cemeteries, including Arlington, prohibit operating a loudspeaker or an audio device without a headset; the cemetery's security page lists radios and two-way radios used without a headset among prohibited items.
Wording
(9) Operate a musical instrument, a loudspeaker, or an audio device without a headset within an Army National Military Cemetery.
Art Institute of ChicagoChicago
Loudspeakers bannedDevice not specifiedUsing sound amplification devices (except assistive-listening devices) is prohibited, and handheld microphones are not allowed anywhere in the museum, its gardens or public spaces. Groups may lead their own self-guided visits, and groups of more than 20 are asked to consider splitting up to enter.
Wording
Prohibited Activities [...] using sound amplification devices (excluding assistive-listening devices) [...] Flash, tripods, monopods, handheld microphones, selfie sticks, and other extraneous equipment are not allowed anywhere in the museum, its gardens, or public spaces.
Beaufort walking tours (Historic District)Beaufort
Loudspeakers bannedDevice not specifiedBeaufort, South Carolina, prohibits speaker phones and amplification devices on walking tours, requires narration to follow the city noise ordinance and limits walking tours to 20 guests.
Wording
(e) Speaker phones and amplification devices are prohibited on walking tours.
Charleston walking tours (public right-of-way)Charleston
Loudspeakers bannedDevice not specifiedCharleston prohibits amplifying devices on walking tours and limits walking tours for hire on the public right-of-way to 20 people per group, excluding the guide. The code defines an amplifying device broadly, as any equipment that broadens or magnifies the human voice.
Wording
The use of an amplifying device while conducting a walking tour is prohibited.
Library of Congress, Thomas Jefferson BuildingWashington, D.C.
Loudspeakers bannedDevice not specifiedVoice amplification systems are not permitted inside the Thomas Jefferson Building, and noise amplification devices are on the prohibited-items list. Groups of 21 or more request timed-entry tickets through a form (the group page says 20 or more), and guided tours are not offered at present, so groups visit on their own.
Wording
Please be advised - voice amplification systems are not permitted inside the Thomas Jefferson Building.
National Mall and Memorial Parks, Memorial Restricted Areas (Lincoln, Jefferson, WWII, Vietnam Veterans and other memorials)Washington, D.C.
Loudspeakers bannedDevice not specifiedIn the Memorial Restricted Areas of Washington's main memorials, sound amplification is prohibited unless the Superintendent approves it in writing, including by permit. The rule is in the Superintendent's Compendium approved on 11 September 2026.
Wording
viii. Sound amplification unless approved by the Superintendent in writing, including via permit.
New Orleans walking tours (French Quarter, Garden District, city-wide)New Orleans
Loudspeakers bannedDevice not specifiedIn New Orleans, tour guides may not use voice amplifiers on walking tours, groups are limited to 28 patrons, groups keep 50 feet apart during narration, and tours end by 10 p.m. (6 p.m. in the Garden District).
Wording
(1) Tour guides shall not be allowed to use voice amplifiers on walking tours. [...] (3) Tour groups shall be limited to 28 patrons per tour.
Salem downtown public guide tours (B5 district, Howard St., Brown St.)Salem
Loudspeakers bannedOwn system allowedSalem licenses public guides by tour size (up to 10, 29 or 40 participants) and gives guides who use no amplification a USD 50 fee discount, listed in the fee schedule as a 'wireless communication system discount'. Voice amplification is banned on several downtown streets and in the B5 district after 8 p.m.
Wording
Public guides not utilizing any form of amplification after January, 2025 shall be eligible for a fee discount as provided in section 14-38 of this Code. [...] Wireless communication system discount .....50.00
Savannah walking tours (Landmark Historic District)Savannah
Loudspeakers bannedDevice not specifiedOn walking tours in Savannah's Landmark Historic District, voice amplification systems are forbidden, participants' noise must stay at a conversational level and groups are limited to 30 guests.
Wording
Voice amplification systems are forbidden. Number of guests. Walking tours are limited to 30 guests.
Solomon R. Guggenheim MuseumNew York
Loudspeakers bannedDevice not specifiedSound amplification and noisemakers are prohibited, except assistive listening devices for visitors with disabilities. Groups of ten or more and any third-party guided visit need an advance reservation.
Wording
Sound amplification and noisemakers (except for assistive listening devices for visitors with disabilities) are prohibited.
Statue of Liberty National Monument and Ellis IslandNew York
Loudspeakers bannedDevice not specifiedSpeaker systems, personal wireless speakers, radios, megaphones and bullhorns are prohibited except at permitted events. Commercial guiding is not allowed inside the Statue of Liberty Museum, on the pedestal's sixth-floor observation level or inside the Ellis Island National Museum of Immigration, apart from a 5-7 minute orientation in the Baggage Room in cold or bad weather.
Wording
Operating audio amplification devices designed to amplify sounds such as speaker systems, personal wireless speakers, radios, megaphones, bull horns, and other similar devices is prohibited, except in connection with a public gathering or special event for which a permit has been issued pursuant to 36 CFR §2.50 or §2.51.
The Metropolitan Museum of Art (The Met Fifth Avenue and The Met Cloisters)New York
Loudspeakers bannedDevice not specifiedSound amplification and noisemakers are prohibited, except assistive-listening devices. Everyone who lectures in the galleries needs a museum-issued lecture badge, which is only available with an advance group reservation; there may be no more than 25 people per lecturer and no lecturing in special exhibitions.
Wording
The unauthorized playing of music and video, unauthorized performances, and sound amplification and noisemakers (except for assistive-listening devices) is prohibited.
U.S. National Park System (all NPS units, 36 CFR 2.12)Nationwide
Loudspeakers bannedDevice not specifiedAcross the U.S. National Park System it is prohibited to operate an audio device so that it exceeds 60 dB(A) at 50 feet or makes unreasonable noise, and to operate a public address system without a permit for a public gathering or special event. Headsets and phones are not mentioned.
Wording
(4) Operating a public address system, except in connection with a public gathering or special event for which a permit has been issued pursuant to § 2.50 or § 2.51.
Whitney Museum of American ArtNew York
Loudspeakers bannedDevice not specifiedSound amplification and noisemakers (except assistive-listening devices) are prohibited, and speakers or other sound amplification devices are on the prohibited-items list. Groups of 10 or more must reserve in advance.
Wording
Prohibited conduct includes: [...] sound amplification and noisemakers (except for assistive-listening devices)
Spain
Alhambra y GeneralifeGranada
Headsets requiredOwn system allowedGuided groups of more than six people must visit the Alhambra and Generalife with a group guiding system (microphone and wireless earphones); the 2020 rules ask for 'some earphone system', groups are capped at 30, and the Patronato's site lists no receiver rental.
Wording
Con el fin de reducir el nivel de ruido en los espacios es obligatorio el uso de sistemas de guiado de grupos (micrófono y auriculares inalámbricos), que permita realizar la visita de forma discreta, salvo las excepciones que se establezcan para determinados programas específicos y situaciones excepcionales que impidan su uso y cuando el número de componentes del grupo no supere las seis personas.
Mosque-Cathedral of Córdoba (Mezquita-Catedral de Córdoba)Córdoba
Headsets requiredDevice not specifiedGuided groups of more than 10 people must use a radio guiding system, which can be rented at the Patio de San Eulogio information and reception centre; the text neither allows nor bans the group's own system. Groups are not admitted during the free visiting hour, Monday to Saturday 8:30-9:30.
Wording
Para grupos de más de 10 personas con guía es obligatoria la utilización de un sistema de radioguiado. Este servicio de alquiler se encuentra disponible en el Centro de Información y Recepción "Patio de San Eulogio".
Museo Nacional Centro de Arte Reina SofíaMadrid
Headsets requiredOwn system allowedGroups (8 or more) of visitors over 12 who receive explanations in the galleries must use radio guides; the equipment may be the group's own or rented from the museum at 1.50 EUR per person, with the guide's transmitter free. Confirmed again in the museum's group rules PDF (file dated May 2026).
Wording
El sistema de guiado de grupos (radioguías), es obligatorio para grupos constituidos por visitantes mayores de 12 años que vayan a recibir explicaciones en salas. [...] Los equipos pueden ser propios o alquilados en el Museo.
Museo Nacional Thyssen-BornemiszaMadrid
Headsets requiredOwn system allowedGuided groups of seven or more, guide included, must use a group guiding system (microphone and receivers), which may be the group's own; groups without one can rent receivers from the museum at 1 EUR each, free for tourism professionals according to the group rules page.
Wording
Sigue siendo obligatorio el uso de un sistema de guiado de grupo (micrófono + receptor propios), para la realización de la visita guiada tanto a las exposiciones temporales como a la colección permanente. Para aquellos grupos que no dispongan de este sistema, el museo pone a su disposición un servicio de alquiler (1€ por cada receptor).
Museu PicassoBarcelona
Headsets requiredOwn system allowedGroups on a guided visit (the museum defines a group as 10 to 20 people) must bring their own radioguides or rent them from the museum. Explanations inside the galleries are reserved for official guides accredited by the Generalitat de Catalunya and authorised teachers.
Wording
Els grups que segueixin una visita guiada hauran de portar radioguies o bé llogar-les al Museu.
Patrimonio Nacional (Palacio Real de Madrid, Galería de las Colecciones Reales, El Escorial, Aranjuez, La Granja, Riofrío, La Almudaina, Yuste, Las Huelgas and the other royal sites)Madrid
Headsets requiredOwn system allowedAt every Patrimonio Nacional site where the group guiding system is available, groups of nine or more must use one; agency groups and groups led by official tourist guides may use their own guiding systems (resolution listed as 18/12/2025, section DÉCIMO SEGUNDO 5-6).
Wording
5. Será obligatorio el uso de sistema guiado de grupos, para aquellos grupos con 9 o más integrantes en todos aquellos espacios en donde esté disponible dicho sistema. [...] 6. Los grupos de agencia/guías oficiales de turismo podrán usar sus propios sistemas de guiado.
Real Alcázar de SevillaSeville
Headsets requiredOwn system allowedGroups of more than eight people (over age six) led by an official guide must visit with radio guides that the guide brings; the Alcázar no longer rents them. Teacher-led school visits are exempt. The rule is stated on the Alcázar's education page; the underlying 'normativa' is not published on the site.
Wording
A partir de 6 años de edad, la normativa obliga a que los grupos de más de 8 personas y guiados por un guía oficial hagan la visita con radioguías y las traigan consigo los guías. Ya no se pueden alquilar aquí.
Seville Cathedral and the Giralda (Catedral de Sevilla)Seville
Headsets requiredDevice not specifiedGroups of more than 10 people must use radioguides to avoid noise, and the equipment must be obtained before entry; a guide or teacher explaining inside must use the radioguide equipment. The rules do not say whether a group's own system is accepted, and they also apply to the Iglesia del Divino Salvador visit.
Wording
Los grupos mayores de 10 personas deberán hacer uso de radioguías para evitar el ruido. Estos equipos deben ser adquiridos por los visitantes antes del acceso.
Ciutat Vella (Gòtic, Raval, Sant Pere-Santa Caterina-la Ribera, Barceloneta)Barcelona
Loudspeakers bannedDevice not specifiedIn Barcelona's Ciutat Vella district, guided tourist groups are capped at 20 people and guides may not use loudspeakers; the city says the ban is meant to encourage radio guides. The decree has been extended to 2028.
Wording
El decret també manté la prohibició de l’ús dels altaveus per a les explicacions, per propiciar l’ús de radioguies en tots els barris, per tal de minimitzar el seu impacte acústic.
Donostia / San Sebastián (city-wide, Parte Vieja)San Sebastian
Loudspeakers bannedOwn system allowedSan Sebastián's official guide decalogue makes individual audio systems mandatory on the street and bans megaphones and microphones; guided groups are capped at 25 plus the guide and need a prior declaration to the city.
Wording
Para evitar exceso de ruidos en la calle es necesario utilizar sistemas de audio individualizados. Está prohibida la utilización de megáfonos, micrófonos, etc.
Park GüellBarcelona
Loudspeakers bannedDevice not specifiedInside Park Güell, guides may not use megaphones, loudspeakers or any voice-amplifying device; the park recommends individual radio guides and limits narration to groups of up to 30 people.
Wording
Está prohibido el uso de megáfonos, altavoces o cualquier dispositivo similar que amplifique la voz durante el servicio de guía dentro del recinto.
Toledo Casco HistóricoToledo
Loudspeakers bannedDevice not specifiedToledo's tourism ordinance bans megaphones and loudspeakers in the street and caps groups at 30 people at sensitive spots such as calle Hombre de Palo, Plaza del Consistorio and Pasaje Balaguer. The city announced that it would apply from 1 January 2026.
Wording
Toledo es “la única ciudad de España que regula el turismo mediante una ordenanza municipal propia, de la mano de todo el sector”, y que regula la saturación de ejes turísticos, limita el número de personas por grupos y prohíbe megáfonos y altavoces
France
Cathédrale Notre-Dame de ChartresChartres
Headsets requiredDevice not specifiedInside Chartres Cathedral, groups of 10 or more must use an audiophone system; guided visits need prior authorisation and the guide shows a professional card at the groups desk.
Wording
l’emploi des systèmes audiophones est obligatoire pour les groupes de 10 personnes ou plus
Cathédrale Notre-Dame de StrasbourgStrasbourg
Headsets requiredOwn system allowedEvery guided group must wear audiophones inside Strasbourg Cathedral and no guide may speak inside without them, however small the group; general explanations, handout and collection happen outside.
Wording
Aucun guide ne peut parler à l’intérieur de la Cathédrale sans audiophones
Château de VersaillesVersailles
Headsets requiredOwn system allowedVersailles makes audiophones compulsory for groups of 5 to 30 people plus the speaker. The page mentions bringing your own equipment or renting on site, but it also says booking audiophones is mandatory for groups of more than five. Confirm in writing before relying on your own system.
Wording
L'usage des audiophones est obligatoire pour tous les groupes
Musée du LouvreParis
Headsets requiredOwn system allowedAt the Louvre, the leader of a large group (7 to 20 participants) may only speak if participants wear headsets that the museum does not supply; groups without headphones are not admitted.
Wording
l'utilisation d'un casque et des écouteurs par les participants non fournis par le musée
Musée national Picasso-ParisParis
Headsets requiredDevice not specifiedMusée Picasso-Paris requires audiophones for every group except school groups and speaking-right groups under five; the museum lends them free of charge when requested at booking.
Wording
Le port d’audiophone est obligatoire pour tous les groupes sauf les groupes scolaires
Palais Garnier (Opéra national de Paris)Paris
Headsets requiredOwn system allowedAt the Palais Garnier, audiophones are compulsory whenever a guide speaks to a group of seven or more; the Opéra supplies them and outside equipment is accepted.
Wording
Les audiophones sont obligatoires pour toute prise de parole [...] Le matériel extérieur est accepté.
Japan
Poland
Katedra na Wawelu i Muzeum Katedralne (Wawel Cathedral)Kraków
Headsets requiredDevice not specifiedSince 18 April 2026, guided groups of 25 or more must use headphones while visiting Wawel Cathedral; the cathedral board can grant exemptions in exceptional cases.
Wording
Grupy z przewodnikiem liczące co najmniej 25 osób zobowiązane są do korzystania ze słuchawek w trakcie zwiedzania.
Museum of the Second World War (Muzeum II Wojny Światowej)Gdańsk
Headsets requiredDevice not specifiedOrganised groups of more than 15 people touring the exhibitions with a guide must use 'tourguides' (a group tour system), which can be rented for a fee at the museum's audio point; the rules say nothing about a group's own system. Only guides who have signed a cooperation agreement with the museum may guide, and the museum recommends no more than 30 people per guide.
Wording
Grupy zorganizowane powyżej 15 osób, które zwiedzają Wystawy z przewodnikiem, są zobligowane do używania tzw. tourguidów (systemu grupowego zwiedzania).
Royal Castle in Warsaw (Zamek Królewski w Warszawie)Warsaw
Headsets requiredOwn system allowedGuided groups of 10 to 30 must use a GTS headset system. The castle rents sets at PLN 5 per person, and its reservation page says groups may use their own sets, provided by the guide or rented from the castle. Only castle-certified guides may guide, at most 30 people each, on Tuesdays and Thursday to Sunday.
Wording
Grupy z przewodnikiem od 10 do 30 osób mają obowiązek korzystania z systemu słuchawkowego GTS. / Można używać własnych zestawów słuchawkowych GTS.
Wawel Royal Castle (Zamek Królewski na Wawelu)Kraków
Headsets requiredDevice not specifiedGuided groups of more than eight (pre-school and early-primary groups excepted) must use headphones throughout the visit; the castle rents sets on site for an extra fee and can grant exceptions. The text does not say whether a group may bring its own system. Bringing amplification devices onto the exhibitions or Wawel Hill needs the castle's consent.
Wording
W przypadku zwiedzania grupowego z przewodnikiem, grupy (z wyjątkiem dzieci w wieku przedszkolnym i z grup nauczania początkowego) liczące powyżej 8 osób zobowiązane są do korzystania ze słuchawek w trakcie zwiedzania.
Museum of King Jan III's Palace at Wilanów (palace and park)Warsaw
Loudspeakers bannedDevice not specifiedGroups of more than nine visit the palace only with a museum educator or a guide, by reservation. The palace rules ask visitors not to hold phone calls or use speakerphone devices, and the park rules ask guides not to use speakerphone devices. Nothing requires or bans headsets.
Wording
nie używaj odtwarzaczy muzyki lub głośników (także urządzeń głośnomówiących, jeśli jesteś przewodnikiem).
State Museum at Majdanek (including the Bełżec and Sobibór branches)Lublin
Loudspeakers bannedDevice not specifiedPeople guiding in the exhibitions and on the museum grounds may not use portable voice amplifiers, and guiding without the museum's authorisation is banned. The separate rules for external guides (in force since 19 May 2025) also ban speakerphone sets inside museum buildings and cap groups at 30 people per guide from 1 January 2026.
Wording
r) używania przenośnych wzmacniaczy głosu przez osoby oprowadzające po wystawach i terenie Muzeum.
Austria
Kaisergruft (Imperial Crypt, Kapuzinergruft)Vienna
Headsets requiredOwn system allowedOnly certified Austria Guides and crypt staff may guide. Groups are capped at 25, or 30 with an audio system after consultation. A system is mandatory from 26 people on the guides page and from 25 on the booking form: the crypt's own at EUR 2.50 per receiver, or the group's own.
Wording
Ab einer Gruppengröße von 26 Personen ist die Verwendung dieses Systems obligatorisch, sofern kein eigenes System benutzt wird. / Bitte beachten Sie, dass ab einer Gruppengröße von 25 Personen die Verwendung eines Audio-Tour-Systems verpflichtend ist!
Schloss SchönbrunnVienna
Headsets requiredOwn system allowedUnder Schönbrunn's house rules for guides, valid from 25 April 2026, all groups of 10 or more must use either their own group guide system or the palace's, which is free of charge.
Wording
Für alle Gruppen ab 10 Personen ist die Verwendung entweder ihres eigenen oder unseres Group Guide Systems verpflichtend. Die Geräte des Group Guide Systems stehen kostenlos zur Verfügung.
Hofburg: Sisi Museum, Kaiserappartements, SilberkammerVienna
Loudspeakers bannedOwn system allowedIn the Hofburg's Sisi Museum, Imperial Apartments and Silver Collection, loudspeakers and amplifiers are not allowed in the rooms, while group guiding systems with a microphone and headsets may be used; the house rules apply from 25 April 2026.
Wording
Lautsprecher oder Verstärker aller Art sind wegen der damit verbundenen Lärmbelästigung in den Schauräumen nicht gestattet. Die Verwendung von Gruppenführungssystemen mit Mikrofon und Headsets ist möglich.
Mauthausen Memorial (KZ-Gedenkstätte Mauthausen)Mauthausen
Loudspeakers bannedDevice not specifiedVisitors are asked not to make noise, and megaphones and voice amplifiers may not be used anywhere at the memorial; in the whole crematorium area guides may not speak to their group at all. The visiting rules are dated 5 May 2025.
Wording
Im gesamten Krematoriumsbereich dürfen Guides nicht zur Gruppe sprechen. [...] Bitte nicht lärmen! Megaphone und Stimmverstärker dürfen nicht verwendet werden.
Belgium
Bruges canal tour boats (rondvaartboten)Bruges
Headsets requiredDevice not specifiedFrom 1 January 2029, Bruges canal tour boats may not use sound amplification and must give the required commentary through a system that only the boat's passengers can hear. The city council adopted the rule on 29 June 2026.
Wording
Met ingang van 1 januari 2029 is het gebruik van geluidsversterking verboden. Vanaf dan dient er gebruik te worden gemaakt van een systeem waarbij uitleg zoals bedoeld in art. 17 § 5 enkel nog hoorbaar is voor de passagiers in de rondvaartboten.
Brugge, organised tourist walks (politieverordening, version from 1 March 2026)Bruges
Loudspeakers bannedDevice not specifiedSince 1 March 2026, guides on organised walking tours in Bruges may take at most 20 participants and may not use sound amplification; the ordinance contains no headset requirement.
Wording
5.8. De begeleider van een toeristische wandeling mag geen lawaaihinder veroorzaken. Het gebruik van geluidsversterking is verboden.
Royal Museums of Fine Arts of Belgium (Oldmasters, Wiertz and Meunier museums)Brussels
Loudspeakers bannedDevice not specifiedFree guides and free tours using loudspeakers are banned. External guides need written permission at least two weeks ahead (40 EUR per group of 20 per speaker), and a group may not exceed 20 people (rules dated 26 May 2025).
Wording
Les free guides ou free tours avec haut-parleurs sont interdits.
St Bavo's Cathedral and visitor centre (Sint-Baafskathedraal)Ghent
Loudspeakers bannedDevice not specifiedRadios, MP3 players, portable loudspeakers and 'other sound equipment' are expressly banned in the cathedral and visitor centre, and phones must be switched off or set to silent. The rules do not say whether whisper or phone-based guiding systems count as 'other sound equipment'.
Wording
Radio’s, MP3-spelers, draagbare luidsprekers en andere geluidsapparatuur [...] zijn uitdrukkelijk verboden. GSM-toestellen en smartphones dienen uitgeschakeld of op stille stand gezet te worden tijdens het bezoek aan de Sint-Baafskathedraal en het Bezoekerscentrum.
Netherlands
Rijksmuseum (KPN wing)Amsterdam
Headsets requiredOwn system allowedIn the KPN wing, guided tours are allowed only with a whisper set the guide brings for themselves and their guests, with at most 12 guests plus the guide and a separate start time. Elsewhere in the museum no whisper set is required. Live-streaming or digitally recording tours is not allowed anywhere; guest guides register yearly (EUR 50, badge required).
Wording
Rondleiden is toegestaan maar alleen met gebruik van een zelf meegenomen fluisterset voor jezelf en je gasten. Er zijn maximaal 12 gasten + een gastrondleider toegestaan.
Royal Palace Amsterdam (Koninklijk Paleis, Paleis op de Dam)Amsterdam
Headsets requiredOwn system allowedGuest guides must register online, even for groups under 15, keep to a maximum of 20 people per guide, speak softly and, where necessary, use a whisper set with headphones that they bring themselves. Groups of 15 or more must be announced at least a day in advance.
Wording
Spreek zacht en gebruik indien nodig een fluisterset met koptelefoons (zelf mee te nemen).
Van Gogh MuseumAmsterdam
Headsets requiredOwn system allowedRegistered guest guides must speak softly and, where necessary, use a whisper set when explaining, and they must bring their own. The museum's group page allows at most 5 or 15 people per guide, and museum guides have priority in the galleries.
Wording
Spreek zachtjes om andere bezoekers niet te storen en gebruik zo nodig een fluisterset bij het geven van uitleg. Zorg zelf voor een fluisterset.
Amsterdam, stadsdeel Centrum (street tours)Amsterdam
Loudspeakers bannedDevice not specifiedIn Amsterdam's Centrum district, tours with 5 to 15 participants need an exemption, groups may have at most 15 participants and sound amplification is not allowed; tours past the windows of the red-light areas are banned.
Wording
Groepen bestaan uit maximaal 15 deelnemers. [...] Geluidsversterking is niet toegestaan.
Hong Kong SAR China
LCSD museums, e.g. Hong Kong Museum of History (Museums Regulation, Cap. 132AT, s.12(g))Hong Kong
Loudspeakers bannedDevice not specifiedIn museums run under Hong Kong's Museums Regulation, using a sound-emitting apparatus or any wireless equipment or transmitter that causes, or is likely to cause, a disturbance is an offence unless the Head of Museum permits it; the fine is up to HKD 2,000.
Wording
Except with the permission of a Head of Museum, no person shall— … (g) use in a museum any radio apparatus, record, tape or cassette player, musical instrument or other apparatus which emits sound, or any type of wireless equipment or transmitter the operation of which causes or is likely to cause a disturbance within a museum, or otherwise cause a disturbance within a museum;
M+ museum (West Kowloon Cultural District)Hong Kong
Loudspeakers bannedDevice not specifiedM+ bans loudspeakers and agency flags, refuses entry to unregistered tour groups and does not allow commercial exhibition tours; an outside guide can only lead an approved, paid 'External Tour' of up to 12 people including the guide (HKD 2,800 per tour, applied for 14 working days ahead).
Wording
Loudspeakers and agency flags are not permitted within M+.
Public places (Noise Control Ordinance, Cap. 400, s.5)Hong Kong
Loudspeakers bannedDevice not specifiedUnder Hong Kong's Noise Control Ordinance, using a loudspeaker, megaphone or other sound-magnifying device in a public place is an offence when the noise annoys any person; the fine is up to HKD 10,000.
Wording
(b) uses any loud-speaker, megaphone, or other device or instrument for magnifying sound;
United Kingdom
British MuseumLondon
Loudspeakers bannedDevice not specifiedAt the British Museum, tour guides and leaders may not use loudspeakers, voice amplifiers or microphones while leading groups; the text has no exception for whisper systems.
Wording
Loudspeakers, voice amplifiers or microphones must not be used by tour guides or leaders
Edinburgh CastleEdinburgh
Loudspeakers bannedOwn system allowedEdinburgh Castle bans open audio loudspeakers but invites guides to use wireless whisper systems; there is no guiding inside any roofed building, including remote guiding from outside.
Wording
open audio loudspeakers [...] feel free to use wireless transmission whisper systems
National GalleryLondon
Loudspeakers bannedDevice not specifiedThe National Gallery bans amplification devices and the photography, audio recording or streaming of tours; self-guided groups are capped at 30 and charging electronic items in the Gallery is not allowed.
Wording
Amplification devices are not permitted inside the Gallery
Peru
Inca Trail (Red de Caminos Inka, Machu Picchu Historic Sanctuary)Machu Picchu Historic Sanctuary
Loudspeakers bannedDevice not specifiedSound equipment and other sources of disturbing noise, such as musical instruments, may not be taken onto the Inca Trail. Groups are capped at 16 tourists, with two guides required for groups of 9 to 16 tourists.
Wording
No está permitido el ingreso de los siguientes elementos: [...] Equipos de sonido y otros generadores de ruidos molestos (instrumentos musicales).
Machu Picchu citadel (Llaqta de Machupicchu)Machu Picchu
Loudspeakers bannedDevice not specifiedMusical instruments, megaphones and loudspeakers may not be brought into or used in the Machu Picchu citadel. Guided groups may have at most 16 visitors, and the guide must stay with the group for the whole route.
Wording
19.1 No se permite ingresar, portar o utilizar los objetos que a continuación se detallan [...] Instrumentos musicales, megáfonos o parlantes.
South Korea
Hwaseong Haenggung and Hwaryeongjeon (화성행궁, 화령전)Suwon
Loudspeakers bannedDevice not specifiedHwaseong Haenggung applies the same megaphone clause as the royal palaces: people carrying a megaphone (확성기) can be refused entry or have their visit stopped. The site recommends the Korea Tourism Organization's Odii audio guide app.
Wording
4. 운동·놀이기구, 악기, 확성기 및 다른 사람의 관람 또는 국가유산의 보존‧관리에 지장을 줄 우려가 있는 물건 소지자
Royal palaces, Jongmyo and Joseon royal tombs (Gyeongbokgung, Changdeokgung, Changgyeonggung, Deoksugung and others)Seoul
Loudspeakers bannedDevice not specifiedUnder the visiting regulation for Korea's royal palaces and tombs, site heads may restrict entry, hold the item or stop the visit of anyone carrying a megaphone (확성기); the rule sets no fine and says nothing about headset systems.
Wording
4. 운동ㆍ놀이기구, 악기, 확성기 및 다른 사람의 관람 또는 국가유산의 보존ㆍ관리에 지장을 줄 우려가 있는 물건 소지자
Australia
NSW national parks (Parks Eco Pass general licence conditions for tours)New South Wales
Loudspeakers bannedDevice not specifiedCommercial tour operators holding a NSW Parks Eco Pass licence must not use, or let anyone use, a device that amplifies music, announcements or other sound to a level the licensor finds objectionable. The condition does not mention headsets.
Wording
5.15.1 The Licensee will not operate or permit to be operated in the park(s) any apparatus or device for the amplification of music, announcements or other sound to a degree which is objectionable in the opinion of the Licensor.
Croatia
Dubrovnik historic core (Povijesna jezgra)Dubrovnik
Headsets requiredOwn system allowedTourist guides leading a group of more than 20 people in the historic core must use audio devices, and the tour organiser must provide them to every group member. Setting up loudspeakers, amplifiers or microphones in public spaces of the historic core is also banned. The decision took effect eight days after publication on 14 June 2023; fines have been issued since 1 April 2024.
Wording
turistički vodiči koji u Povijesnoj jezgri Grada obavljaju stručno vođenje turističke grupe više od 20 osoba obvezni su koristiti audio-uređaje. Organizator turističkog vođenja dužan je osigurati svim korisnicima iz stavka 1. ovog članka usluge korištenja audio-uređaja.
Czechia
Jewish Museum in Prague (Židovské muzeum v Praze: Josefov synagogues and Old Jewish Cemetery)Prague
Loudspeakers bannedDevice not specifiedUsing a voice-amplifying microphone for commentary is banned in all of the museum's visitor sites, and in the Pinkas Synagogue the memorial character of the place must not be disturbed by loud talk or by guides' commentary. Only accredited guides may guide; the visiting rules are dated 1 October 2018 and are still the version linked from the museum's site.
Wording
Ve všech návštěvnických objektech ŽMP je zakázáno používat k výkladu mikrofon zesilující hlas.
Egypt
Grand Egyptian Museum (galleries)Giza
Loudspeakers bannedDevice not specifiedInside the galleries, live streaming and 'the use of audio devices' are not permitted, and visitors are asked to speak quietly. The rules do not define 'audio devices', so it is unclear whether whisper or phone-based guiding systems are covered.
Wording
Live streaming and the use of audio devices are not permitted.
Germany
Dachau Concentration Camp Memorial Site (KZ-Gedenkstätte Dachau)Dachau
Loudspeakers bannedDevice not specifiedOn the former camp grounds, media devices with loudspeakers are banned, as is reproducing the content of guided tours in film, audio or print. Only people licensed by the memorial's education department may run guided programmes.
Wording
Nicht gestattet ist [...] im ehemaligen Lagergelände: [...] der Einsatz von Mediengeräten mit Lautsprechern [...] die wörtliche Wiedergabe der Inhalte von geführten Rundgängen vollständig oder auszugsweise in Film, Ton oder gedruckter Form
Portugal
Parques de Sintra: Palácio Nacional da Pena, Palácio Nacional de Sintra, Palácio Nacional de Queluz (all indoor spaces managed by Parques de Sintra - Monte da Lua)Sintra
Headsets requiredOwn system allowedSince 15 May 2023, guides with more than ten visitors each must use a radio-guide system in every indoor space Parques de Sintra manages; group rental is suspended, so external guides bring their own equipment. Caps: 25 visitors per guide at Pena, 50 at Sintra and Queluz; no stopping along the Pena route.
Wording
3.2.4. A utilização obrigatória de sistema de rádio-guia para grupos com mais de 10 visitantes por guia em todos os espaços interiores;
Singapore
NParks national parks, nature reserves and public parks (Parks and Trees Regulations)Singapore
Loudspeakers bannedDevice not specifiedWhere the Commissioner has prohibited musical instruments or sound equipment by a posted or written notice, no one may use them in that park or area, with a fine of up to SGD 2,000; paid instruction or activities in parks also need approval.
Wording
(a) prohibited the use of any musical instrument or sound equipment in the national park, nature reserve or public park or that part thereof; … a person shall not use such instrument or equipment
Where your own system cannot be used inside
At these places a phone-based system cannot replace the site’s devices, or phones, apps or outside narration are not allowed inside. It can still help outdoors and for the briefing before entry.
United Kingdom
Blenheim Palace (State Rooms)Woodstock, Oxfordshire
No outside guiding insideDevice not specifiedBlue Badge Guides may escort their visitors through the palace's 11 state rooms, but the palace asks that no guiding takes place there because of space restrictions; palace hosts answer questions instead. Guiding in the parkland and formal gardens is welcomed.
Wording
Blue Badge Guides are welcome to escort their Visitors through our 11 state rooms, however, we request that no guiding takes place, due to space restrictions.
Bodleian Library (Radcliffe Camera)Oxford
No outside guiding insideDevice not specifiedThe only way to go inside the Radcliffe Camera is the Bodleian's own Radcliffe Camera & City of Oxford Walking Tour, and Bodleian tour groups are limited to 14 people so as not to disturb readers.
Wording
Can I go inside the Radcliffe Camera? Yes – the only way to go inside the Radcliffe Camera is by joining the Radcliffe Camera & City of Oxford Walking Tour, which includes a tour inside the Radcliffe Camera. [...] Tour groups are limited to 14 people.
Buckingham Palace (State Rooms)London
No outside guiding insideDevice not specifiedNo external guiding is allowed at Buckingham Palace; London Blue Badge Guides may enter free of charge, subject to availability, but cannot narrate.
Wording
Guiding isn't allowed at Buckingham Palace.
Christ Church (College and Cathedral)Oxford
No outside guiding insideSite’s devices onlyGuiding in Christ Church's college and cathedral is suspended until further notice; groups visit with the institution's multimedia guide, which also serves as the entry pass.
Wording
Guiding in the College and Cathedral has been suspended until further notice.
Kensington PalaceLondon
No outside guiding insideDevice not specifiedGuided tours must be led by Blue Badge or Accredited Guides, but only Blue Badge Guides may guide inside the palace, following the Kensington Palace Guidelines; Accredited Guides may bring groups but cannot guide inside.
Wording
Only Blue Badge Guides may guide groups inside Kensington Palace, following the Kensington Palace Guidelines. Accredited Guides are welcome to bring groups to Kensington Palace, but cannot guide inside.
King's College (Chapel)Cambridge
No outside guiding insideDevice not specifiedAt King's College, Cambridge, non-guided groups may not run their own guided tours, and audio guides from third-party tour operators need prior written permission; badge-guided groups are capped at 15 in April-September and 20 otherwise.
Wording
Audio guides provided by 3rd party tour operators are not permitted
Palace of HolyroodhouseEdinburgh
No outside guiding insideDevice not specifiedNo guiding is permitted inside the Palace of Holyroodhouse; guiding is welcomed in the Forecourt, Holyrood Abbey and the royal gardens.
Wording
No guiding is permitted inside the Palace of Holyroodhouse
Roman BathsBath
No outside guiding insideDevice not specifiedAt the Roman Baths in Bath, group leaders may not guide anywhere on site, and every group books a 15-minute arrival slot.
Wording
No guiding by group leaders is allowed anywhere on site.
Windsor Castle (State Apartments)Windsor
No outside guiding insideDevice not specifiedOnly Windsor Castle-authorised Blue Badge Guides may guide, and only within the castle precincts, not in the State Apartments; unauthorised guides and tour leaders must be included in a group booking. A free multimedia guide is offered in nine languages.
Wording
Windsor Castle-authorised Blue Badge Guides are allowed to guide within the Precincts, but not in the State Apartments.
China
Suzhou Museum (苏州博物馆)Suzhou
Loudspeakers bannedSite’s devices onlyAt Suzhou Museum, groups must fold their flags and switch off loudspeakers inside, and paid guiding requires the museum's permission. The museum's own guided service comes with its group transmitter and receiver sets.
Wording
参观团队入馆后禁止拉横幅，须收起导游旗，关掉扩音器，严格遵守本馆相关规定。未经馆方允许，不得从事有偿讲解服务活动。
Gansu Provincial Museum (甘肃省博物馆)Lanzhou
No outside guiding insideDevice not specifiedSince 1 March 2026, only social guides who have passed the Gansu Provincial Museum's assessment may guide in its galleries, and from 8 October 2026 all external guiding is suspended until further notice. The museum's own guides, rental audio guides and free online commentary remain available.
Wording
一、自本公告之日起，未经甘肃省博物馆考核授权的社会讲解人员，不得在各展厅开展讲解活动。
Henan Museum (河南博物院)Zhengzhou
No outside guiding insideDevice not specifiedAt the Henan Museum, only 'social guides' trained, tested and licensed by the museum may guide in the galleries (80 registered for 2026); ordinary agency group leaders sign a pledge not to give any commentary, and unlicensed guiding costs the agency its group booking rights.
Wording
四、确有意愿在河南博物院开展社会讲解活动者，须参加我院组织的培训及考核，并取得河南博物院社会讲解许可证。
Nanjing Museum (南京博物院)Nanjing
No outside guiding insideHeadphones bannedNanjing Museum asks visitors not to bring megaphones, narration transmitters, headset microphones or walkie-talkies, among other items.
Wording
7.为保障文物和观众安全、规范参观秩序，请勿携带专业摄影器材（…）、无人航拍机器等、旗杆、扩音器、讲解发射器、耳麦、对讲机、体育器材、…
National Museum of China (中国国家博物馆)Beijing
No outside guiding insideDevice not specifiedSince 1 September 2025, outside organisations may guide at the National Museum of China only for approved free (无偿) tours or study visits, applied for five working days ahead and with a guide pass worn on the day; the visitor rules also ban playing sound out loud and waving tour flags.
Wording
二、确因工作需要在馆内开展无偿讲解、研学活动的单位，应提前5个工作日提出申请（见附表），报备讲解和研学内容、人员、活动流程、安全责任等材料。
NCHA museum guiding guideline (文物博发〔2023〕896号), nationwideNationwide
No outside guiding insideDevice not specifiedChina's National Cultural Heritage Administration told museums in 2023 to set up filing, training, testing and licensing for outside ('social') guides, with white and black lists, and to offer self-service options such as smart audio guides and QR-code commentary.
Wording
各地博物馆应探索申请备案、培训考核、持证上岗等机制，将信用良好的社会讲解个人或团体列入“白名单”统一管理；
Sanxingdui Museum (三星堆博物馆)Guanghan
No outside guiding insideDevice not specifiedAt the Sanxingdui Museum, guides from travel agencies or study-tour organisations may only guide with a guide pass issued by the museum under its group booking rules; the visitor rules also ban playing sound out loud.
Wording
旅行社、研学机构等须按团队预约相关规定申领我馆颁发的讲解证方可讲解，未取得讲解证的人员一律不得在馆内讲解。
Shanghai Museum (上海博物馆), People's Square and East branchShanghai
No outside guiding insideDevice not specifiedOrganising any commentary in the Shanghai Museum's galleries needs museum approval; its 2024 guiding rules set out an application route only for free, public-interest tours (seven working days ahead) and ban amplifiers for all guiding. Groups of 20 or more must book seven days in advance.
Wording
任何机构或个人在展厅内组织讲解活动需报本馆审批。
United States
Gettysburg National Military Park and Eisenhower National Historic Site (David Wills House, Eisenhower Home)Gettysburg
No outside guiding insideDevice not specifiedNo active instruction, guided tours or organised talks may take place inside the David Wills House Museum or the Eisenhower Home, except park programmes. On the battlefield, paid historical tours must be given by a Licensed Battlefield Guide (36 CFR 25.2).
Wording
David Wills House Access – No active instruction, guided tours, or organized talks may take place within the David Wills House Museum, except for Park programming.
Independence National Historical Park (Independence Hall, Liberty Bell Center, Congress Hall)Philadelphia
No outside guiding insideDevice not specifiedCommercial tour operators may not provide interpretive services to visitors inside the park's buildings, and any business in the park needs a Commercial Use Authorization. The rule is in the park's 2026 Superintendent's Compendium (page last updated 18 June 2026).
Wording
Commercial tour operators are prohibited from providing interpretive services to visitors inside the park’s buildings.
Museum of Modern Art (MoMA)New York
No outside guiding insideDevice not specifiedMoMA does not allow third parties to lead groups through the museum, and unauthorised lecturers are asked to end their tours immediately. Sound amplification and portable speakers are banned, except assistive-listening devices.
Wording
MoMA does not allow third parties to lead groups through the Museum. Any unauthorized lecturers will be asked to end their tours immediately.
National September 11 Memorial & MuseumNew York
No outside guiding insideDevice not specifiedInside the Memorial Museum, interpretation is given by museum staff only; tour operators and group leaders may book tickets but may not give their own guided commentary inside. Noise-making or amplification devices such as radios and bullhorns are prohibited, and visitors using a smartphone for audio information must use personal headphones in the exhibition spaces.
Wording
Guided tours within the Memorial Museum conducted by any person, organization, or entity other than a 9/11 Memorial & Museum-sponsored entity are not permitted.
The Frick CollectionNew York
No outside guiding insideDevice not specifiedThe Frick does not permit lectures, tours, classes or guided visits led by third parties, and anyone doing so is asked to stop immediately. Unauthorised sound amplification is banned, and in the galleries audio, including the museum's own mobile guide, may only be listened to with headphones.
Wording
Note: The Frick does not permit unauthorized lectures, tours, classes, or guided visits led by third parties. Anyone engaged in such activity will be asked to end their tours immediately.
U.S. Capitol + Capitol Visitor CenterWashington, D.C.
No outside guiding insideSite’s devices onlyThe rooms of the historic U.S. Capitol can only be seen on a guided tour, and the Capitol's own professional guides lead all tours. Every visitor receives the Capitol's assisted listening device to hear the guide.
Wording
Our professional tour guides lead all tours. [...] All visitors receive standard assisted listening devices at the conclusion of the orientation film so that they can hear their guide while on tour.
Italy
Basilica di San MarcoVenice
Headsets requiredApps bannedSince the September 2026 access rules, groups of 9 or more must use whisper radio headsets inside St Mark's Basilica, and visitors on B2B tickets may not use audio guides, downloadable or online apps or AI platforms, not even for translation.
Wording
È obbligatorio utilizzare all’interno della Basilica le radio-cuffie (sistema whisper) per gruppi a partire da 9 persone. [...] L’utilizzo di audioguide e/o di altri analoghi dispositivi (ivi comprese le applicazioni scaricabili o a disposizione online e le altre piattaforme IA) non è consentito ai visitatori titolari di un biglietto acquistato tramite il canale B2B, nemmeno a scopo di traduzione;
Basilica Papale di Santa Maria MaggioreRome
Headsets requiredSite’s devices onlyAt the papal basilica of Santa Maria Maggiore, every group that receives an explanation and has more than seven people must wear the earpieces of the basilica's official concessionaire. Groups that arrive with their own earpieces must stop using them for the whole visit; each device costs EUR 1.50.
Wording
Tutti quei gruppi che ricevono una spiegazione e che superano le 7 persone devono necessariamente indossare gli auricolari forniti dal concessionario ufficiale della Basilica.
Egyptian Museum of Turin (Museo Egizio)Turin
Headsets requiredSite’s devices onlyGuided groups at the Museo Egizio (a group is 7 to 25 people) must use the museum's own radioguide system, supplied for a fee, and other radioguide systems are banned. Licensed tourist guides must register at the radioguide desk to get a badge before guiding.
Wording
Per i gruppi in visita guidata è obbligatorio l’uso dei sistemi di radioguida, adottato e fornito a pagamento dal Museo Egizio. Sono vietati altri sistemi di radioguida.
Galleria BorgheseRome
Headsets requiredSite’s devices onlyGalleria Borghese requires earpieces for groups with their own guide (7 to 15 people plus the guide and children under 15) and for guided visits of five or six participants. The group price includes a EUR 1.50 per-person earpiece rental, and the page says nothing about bringing your own system.
Wording
I gruppi possono essere composti da un minimo di 7 ad un massimo di 15 persone, oltre la guida e i ragazzi entro i 15 anni, ed è previsto l’obbligo di utilizzo degli auricolari. L’obbligo di auricolari permane anche in caso di visite guidate di 5 o 6 partecipanti.
Museo del Cenacolo Vinciano (The Last Supper)Milan
No outside guiding insideDevice not specifiedOn free-entry Sundays and other free days the Last Supper museum accepts no groups and bans professional guided visits; on normal days visits run in 15-minute slots of up to 40 people. No headset rule is published.
Wording
Inoltre, in occasione delle domeniche gratuite o di altre giornate a ingresso gratuito, non saranno accettati gruppi, né sarà possibile fruire di servizi quali visite guidate e laboratori. È vietato anche svolgere visite guidate professionali.
Japan
Spain
Basílica de la Sagrada FamíliaBarcelona
Headsets requiredSite’s devices onlyAt the Sagrada Família, groups of more than ten must use the basilica's transmitter-receivers for the guide's explanation and are capped at 30 people; the devices are returned to the basilica afterwards.
Wording
Es obligatorio para todos los grupos de más de diez (10) personas el uso de emisores-receptores, para que el guía realice la explicación. Los grupos pueden ser de treinta (30) personas como máximo.
Museo Nacional del PradoMadrid
Headsets requiredSite’s devices onlySince 12 March 2026, groups at the Prado have 9 to 20 people including the guide (previously up to 30), and all groups during opening hours, except infant and primary school groups, must use the group guiding system, paid for through the museum's ticket channels.
Wording
Con el fin de reducir el nivel de ruido y evitar molestias a los visitantes, todos los grupos en horario de apertura al público, a excepción de los grupos educativos de infantil y primaria, deben usar, con carácter obligatorio, el sistema de guiado de grupo (micrófono y auriculares inalámbricos).
Catedral Primada de ToledoToledo
Loudspeakers bannedPhones bannedToledo Cathedral prohibits amplified microphones and does not allow the use of mobile phones, asking visitors to switch them off on entering. There is no headset requirement, but the phone ban rules out any system that runs on visitors' phones inside.
Wording
Está prohibido el empleo de micrófonos amplificados. [...] No está permitido el uso del teléfono móvil. Rogamos lo apaguen al entrar en el Templo.
Alhambra: Cuarto Dorado, Sala de las Dos Hermanas, Sala de los Abencerrajes, Galería Norte del GeneralifeGranada
No outside guiding insideDevice not specifiedNo explanations may be given in the Cuarto Dorado, the Hall of the Two Sisters, the Hall of the Abencerrajes or the Generalife's North Gallery unless expressly authorised, and the Patronato may extend this to other crowded spaces; the ban covers narration itself, so headsets do not lift it.
Wording
Debido a las reducidas dimensiones de espacios como el Cuarto Dorado, la Sala de las Dos Hermanas, la Sala de los Abencerrajes y la Galería Norte del Generalife, no se permite realizar explicaciones, salvo casos expresamente autorizados.
Dalí Theatre-Museum (Teatre-Museu Dalí)Figueres
No outside guiding insideDevice not specifiedNo guided visit is allowed without prior approval from museum staff in the lobby, and explanations to groups of more than 25 people are never allowed, except in the courtyard (room 2) and the dome (room 3).
Wording
En ningún caso se permite realizar explicaciones para grupos de más de veinticinco personas, excepto en el patio (sala 2) y la cúpula (sala 3).
Germany
Cologne Cathedral (Kölner Dom)Cologne
No outside guiding insideDevice not specifiedTours of the cathedral are only possible with a specially issued licence; all tours must be registered and may only be led by authorised or registered cathedral guides, so groups book through the DOMFORUM. The cathedral rules took effect on 1 October 2019, and a ticket has been required to visit since 1 July 2026.
Wording
§6 Domführungen (1) Domführungen sind nur mit einer dafür eigens ausgestellten Lizenz möglich.
Memorial to the Murdered Jews of Europe, Information Centre (Ort der Information)Berlin
No outside guiding insideDevice not specifiedNo guided tours take place in the exhibition of the underground Information Centre, and loud conversations are unwelcome; visitors are asked to switch off mobile phones and other devices. On the field of stelae, making noise is not permitted.
Wording
Während des Rundgangs sind laute Gespräche und jegliches auffällige Verhalten nicht erwünscht. Es finden keine Führungen durch die Ausstellung statt.
Reichstag dome (Reichstagskuppel)Berlin
No outside guiding insideDevice not specifiedVisits to the dome are always self-guided, with the Bundestag's own free audio guide offered in twelve languages; the page says nothing about outside guides explaining inside the building.
Wording
Der Besuch auf der Kuppel findet immer in Eigenregie statt, es steht jedoch für Erwachsene sowie Kinder ein eigener Audio-Guide „Reichstagskuppel“ als kostenloser Informationsservice zur Verfügung.
Schloss NeuschwansteinSchwangau
No outside guiding insideSite’s devices onlyNeuschwanstein Castle can only be visited on a castle tour of about 30 minutes, led by Bavarian Palace Administration staff in German and English and by the castle's accompanied audio guide in other languages.
Wording
Schloss Neuschwanstein kann nur im Rahmen einer Führung besichtigt werden.
Taiwan
Chimei Museum (奇美博物館)Tainan
Headsets requiredSite’s devices onlySince 1 March 2024, travel-agency and other groups of 10 or more visiting the Chimei Museum in Tainan must rent the museum's audio guide set at NT$30 per person and enter and leave as a group.
Wording
自2024/3/1起，10人以上之旅行社團體或一般團體參觀，請依規定租借語音導覽設備（子母機30元/人），並採團進團出方式，以利團體帶隊的順暢度，同時維持館內參觀品質。
National Palace Museum Southern Branch (故宮南部院區)Chiayi
Headsets requiredSite’s devices onlyAt the National Palace Museum's Southern Branch in Chiayi, every group of 10 or more must rent the museum's group audio set (a transmitter for the leader and receivers for the group) and enter and leave together. The rule also applies to groups without a professional guide.
Wording
爲維持館內參觀品質並輔助團體帶隊，10人以上團體參觀者請依規定租用團體語音導覽設備（子母機）團進團出。
National Palace Museum, Northern Branch (國立故宮博物院)Taipei
Headsets requiredSite’s devices onlyAt the National Palace Museum in Taipei, groups of 10 or more must book the museum's group audio system before the visit, buy group tickets, and rent and wear the receivers before entering. Groups without the system are not admitted to the exhibition halls.
Wording
團體十人以上，請於參觀日前完成預約團體語音導覽器，購買團體參觀券，租借語音導覽器並佩掛後始得入場。
Natural and cultural ecological landscape areas (發展觀光條例 art. 19), nationwideNationwide
No outside guiding insideDevice not specifiedUnder Taiwan's Development of Tourism Act (last amended 28 November 2025), visitors entering designated natural and cultural ecological landscape areas must apply to be accompanied by a professional guide (專業導覽人員).
Wording
旅客進入該地區，應申請專業導覽人員陪同進入，
France
Cathédrale Notre-Dame de ParisParis
Headsets requiredSite’s devices onlyFrom 1 July 2026, every paid guided visit inside Notre-Dame de Paris must be booked in advance, led by a certified guide-conférencier and use only the audiophones supplied by the cathedral; external systems are not allowed.
Wording
Utilisation exclusive des audiophones fournis par la cathédrale (les systèmes externes ne seront pas autorisés).
Musée d'OrsayParis
Headsets requiredSite’s devices onlyAt the Musée d'Orsay, groups of seven or more people plus the speaker must wear the audiophones supplied by the museum, issued at the audiophone desk against the group leader's ID.
Wording
le port d’audiophones fournis par le musée est obligatoire pour tous les groupes
Musée de l'OrangerieParis
Headsets requiredSite’s devices onlyAt the Musée de l'Orangerie, every group must wear the audiophones supplied by the museum, collected at the audiophone desk against the group leader's ID.
Wording
le port d’audiophones fournis par le musée est obligatoire pour tous les groupes
India
Taj MahalAgra
Loudspeakers bannedHeadphones bannedThe Archaeological Survey of India lists 'Mike and Headphone' among items prohibited at the Taj Mahal, and the official Taj Mahal site also bans mobile chargers and electric goods other than cameras. Phones are allowed by day if switched off or on silent.
Wording
Prohibited Items in Taj Mahal : Food Products / Toys / Smoking Items/Matchbox /Gutkha/etc. / Flag/Banner / Flowers/Garland and religions items / Drone / Mike and Headphone / Weapons / Explosives
ASI protected monuments (nationwide)Nationwide
No outside guiding insideDevice not specifiedInside India's centrally protected monuments, showing visitors around for money requires a licence from an archaeological officer, with a fine of up to INR 500; ASI's guide policy recognises a single category of licensed 'ASI Monument guide'. The rules contain no microphone or loudspeaker clause.
Wording
No person shall, within a protected monument,-- … (d) [hawk or sell any goods or wares … or show a visitor round or take his photograph for monetary consideration, except under the authority of … a licence granted by an archaeological officer;]
Red Fort (Lal Qila)Delhi
No outside guiding insideDevice not specifiedAccording to The Hindu (April 2026), a December 2025 ASI circular reiterates that only trained guides licensed by the Ministry of Tourism and endorsed by ASI may offer tour and guide services at the Red Fort; the circular itself was not found among ASI's published circulars.
Wording
The ASI circular reiterates that only duly trained individuals holding licences from the Ministry of Tourism and endorsed by the body are authorised to offer tour and guide services.
Vatican City
Basilica di San PietroVatican City
Headsets requiredSite’s devices onlyGroups of more than four visitors touring St Peter's Basilica with their own guide must register at the Visits Desk in the portico and pay EUR 1.50 per visitor. The Fabbrica di San Pietro then provides a receiver for each visitor and a transmitter for the guide; the limit is 30 visitors plus the guide.
Wording
Tali visite possono essere fatte, previa registrazione al Desk Visite posizionato nel portico della Basilica di San Pietro, con la messa a disposizione da parte della Fabbrica di San Pietro di una radioguida per ciascun visitatore componente il gruppo e della radioguida trasmittente per la guida. È fatto obbligo di registrazione, al costo di 1,50€ per visitatore, per tutti i gruppi composti da più di 4 visitatori.
Musei VaticaniVatican City
Headsets requiredSite’s devices onlyAt the Vatican Museums, every guided visit with more than 10 participants, including pilgrimages, universities and schools, must use radio earpieces, and only the museums' own GROUP TOUR system is allowed. Rental costs EUR 1.50 per group member, free for the guide, and is reserved for guides accredited with the museums for the current year.
Wording
È obbligatorio l'uso dei sistemi auricolari radio per tutte le visite, inclusi pellegrinaggi, università e scuole, con un numero di partecipanti superiore a 10 fino ad un massimo di 20 (30 per le scuole). [...] Non è consentito l'utilizzo di altri sistemi auricolari radio.
Cappella SistinaVatican City
No outside guiding insideDevice not specifiedTalking and explaining inside the Sistine Chapel are strictly forbidden under the Vatican Museums' code of conduct for guides, so guides brief their groups before entering. Earpieces do not change this: there is no narration inside the chapel.
Wording
è fatto assoluto divieto di parlare e spiegare in Cappella Sistina.
Belgium
Magritte Museum and temporary exhibitions (Royal Museums of Fine Arts of Belgium)Brussels
No outside guiding insideDevice not specifiedExternal guides have no right to speak in the Magritte Museum or in temporary exhibitions; only guides accredited by the museums may guide there (rules dated 26 May 2025).
Wording
Aucun droit de parole n’est possible au Musée Magritte et dans les expositions temporaires. Seul.es les guides accrédités aux Musées peuvent guider.
Musea Brugge: Groeningemuseum, Gruuthusemuseum, Museum Sint-Janshospitaal, BRUSKBruges
No outside guiding insideDevice not specifiedIn four Musea Brugge museums (Groeningemuseum, Gruuthusemuseum, Sint-Janshospitaal, BRUSK), guides not affiliated with Musea Brugge may not lead tours without prior written permission.
Wording
Het is verboden voor gidsen die niet aan Musea Brugge verbonden zijn om rondleidingen te organiseren in het Gruuthusemuseum, Groeningemuseum, Museum Sint-Janshospitaal en BRUSK, behalve met de voorafgaande schriftelijke toestemming van Musea Brugge.
Czechia
Sedlec Ossuary (Church of All Saints with the Ossuary, Kostnice Sedlec)Kutná Hora
Headsets requiredPhones bannedThe parish's visitor rules ban any loud commentary in the Church of All Saints and its cemetery: guides may explain only in front of the cemetery and, inside the grounds, only through electronic guiding systems. The same rules ban the use of mobile phones inside the church building.
Wording
V prostoru hřbitovního kostela Všech svatých včetně přilehlého hřbitova je zakázáno podávat jakýkoliv hlasitý výklad, který by rušil ostatní návštěvníky a narušoval pietu hřbitova. Průvodci doprovázející skupinu mohou podávat výklad pouze před areálem hřbitova, v areálu pouze za pomoci elektronických průvodcovských systémů.
Český Krumlov State Castle (NPÚ visiting rules)Český Krumlov
No outside guiding insideDevice not specifiedTours are led by the castle's own guides. An external guide may interpret the castle guide's commentary only by prior arrangement and only if foreign-language commentary cannot be provided by a castle guide, a written text or the castle's audio devices. Disturbing others with phones or portable players is banned. Tour groups are capped at 45 (route I), 25 (route II) and 20 (Baroque Theatre).
Wording
Tlumočit výklad průvodce je povoleno pouze po předchozí domluvě a pouze v případě, že cizojazyčný výklad není možné zajistit průvodcem památkového objektu, cizojazyčným textem nebo prostřednictvím poskytovaných audiozařízení.
Ireland
Kilmainham GaolDublin
No outside guiding insideDevice not specifiedAccess to Kilmainham Gaol is by the site's own guided tour only, with pre-booked tickets; group bookings of 10 or more tickets are made by email.
Wording
Access to the Gaol is by guided tour only, and you must pre-book your ticket.
Trinity College Dublin (campus, Book of Kells)Dublin
No outside guiding insideDevice not specifiedTours of the Trinity College campus can only be run by Visit Trinity's official tour guides and authorised staff, so outside guides cannot lead groups on campus, even outdoors.
Wording
Tours of the campus can only be conducted through Visit Trinity’s official tour guides and authorized staff members.
Poland
Auschwitz-Birkenau State Museum (Auschwitz I and Auschwitz II-Birkenau)Oświęcim
Headsets requiredApps bannedOrganised groups of more than 10 must visit on group entry passes that include the museum's headphones; groups are capped at 30 and only museum-authorised educators guide. Across the whole site, amplification equipment and audio or video guides are banned, whether on dedicated devices or as apps on other electronic devices. Current text valid from 1 July 2026; the headphone requirement dates from 15 April 2008.
Wording
Odwiedzający w grupach zorganizowanych liczących powyżej 10 osób zobowiązani są do zwiedzania Muzeum na podstawie Kart Wstępu dla Grup Zorganizowanych obejmujących korzystanie ze sprzętu słuchawkowego [...] Używania sprzętu nagłaśniającego, audio-przewodników i video-przewodników, zarówno w formie dedykowanych urządzeń, jak i w formie aplikacji na innych urządzeniach elektronicznych.
Wieliczka Salt Mine (Kopalnia Soli Wieliczka)Wieliczka
No outside guiding insideSite’s devices onlyThe Wieliczka Salt Mine is visited only with a guide appointed by the mine, in groups of up to 40 (Tourist Route) or 20 (Miners' Route), and leaving the group is strictly forbidden. Since 1 January 2026 the Underground Tourist Route is visited with 'tour guide' devices issued by the mine before the tour and returned at the end.
Wording
Zwiedzanie odbywa się z przewodnikiem wyznaczonym przez Kopalnię. Odłączanie się od grupy i samowolne zwiedzanie jest surowo zabronione. [...] Zwiedzanie Podziemnej Trasy Turystycznej (bez podziemnej ekspozycji Muzeum Żup Krakowskich) odbywa się z użyciem urządzeń typu tour guide, udostępnionych zwiedzającym przez Kopalnię bezpośrednio przed rozpoczęciem zwiedzania.
South Korea
Jongmyo Shrine (timed guided visits)Seoul
No outside guiding insideDevice not specifiedOn timed-visit weekdays, Jongmyo can only be entered at set times by language group together with a Jongmyo docent, with no free entry; groups of 10 or more must book. The hours page lists Monday, Thursday and Friday as timed days, while the docent page still includes Wednesday.
Wording
종묘는 언어권별로 정해진 시간에 입장하여 종묘해설사와 함께 하는 관람제도를 시행하고 있습니다. (월·수·목·금)
Small official guided programs (Gyeonghoeru special viewing, Chilgung, Deoksugung Seokjojeon)Seoul
No outside guiding insideDevice not specifiedSeveral small palace programmes in Seoul are docent-led and booked online in advance: Gyeonghoeru's special viewing takes no group bookings (two tickets per person, Korean only), Chilgung is restricted viewing with a docent, and Deoksugung's Seokjojeon takes 15 people per session with up to five tickets per person.
Wording
※ 안전거리 확보를 위해 단체예약은 받지 않습니다.
Chile
Rapa Nui National Park (Parque Nacional Rapa Nui)Rapa Nui (Easter Island)
No outside guiding insideDevice not specifiedEntering Rapa Nui National Park requires a ticket and a guide accredited by the Ma'u Henua indigenous community, which has run the park since 23 November 2017. Breaking the park rules can bring fines of 5 to 100 UTM under Law 17.288.
Wording
Es OBLIGATORIO comprar una entrada y contratar un guía, acreditado por Ma’ u Henua, para poder ingresar al Parque Nacional Rapa Nui.
Hong Kong SAR China
Hong Kong: Travel Industry Authority licensing (旅遊業條例)Hong Kong
No outside guiding insideDevice not specifiedIn Hong Kong, working as a tour guide without a Travel Industry Authority licence is an offence punishable by a fine of up to HKD 50,000 and one year in prison; the TIA and the Immigration Department ran joint checks in Tsim Sha Tsui and the West Kowloon Cultural District in July 2026.
Wording
根據《旅遊業條例》，任何人如無旅行代理商／導遊牌照，而經營旅行代理商業務或擔任導遊，即屬違法，一經定罪，最高可被判罰款十萬元及監禁兩年（旅行代理商）；五萬元及監禁一年（導遊）。
Indonesia
Borobudur Temple upper structureMagelang
No outside guiding insideDevice not specifiedClimbing Borobudur's temple structure requires a special ticket (IDR 150,000) that includes access to the structure, a wristband, upanat sandals and a tour guide. A daily cap of 1,200 climbers was announced in 2022; the current ticket page does not state a quota.
Wording
Harga Termasuk / Akses naik ke Struktur Candi / Tiket gelang (wristband) / Upanat (sandal khusus kawasan candi) sebagai souvenir / Pemandu Wisata
Israel
Yad Vashem – Holocaust History MuseumJerusalem
Headsets requiredSite’s devices onlyAll guiding in Yad Vashem's Holocaust History Museum must be done with headsets hired at the Visitors Center, and only Yad Vashem headsets may be used during guided tours. Since 1 May 2025 the headsets are included in the price of tours given by Yad Vashem's own guides.
Wording
All guiding in the Holocaust History Museum must be conducted with headsets, which can be hired in the Visitors Center. / Only Yad Vashem headsets may be used during guided tours.
Macao SAR China
Macau: Travel Agency and Tour Guide Profession Law (Lei 5/2025)Macau
No outside guiding insideDevice not specifiedSince 1 February 2026, only holders of a tour guide card issued by Macao's tourism office (MGTO), as a rule Macao residents, may provide tour guide services in Macao; illegal guiding is fined MOP 30,000 to 50,000. The law lets MGTO issue binding guidelines on how commentary is delivered, but none is listed on its guide-licensing page.
Wording
一、僅獲旅遊局發出導遊證者，方可在澳門特別行政區向顧客及團員提供本法律規定的導遊服務。
Nepal
Pashupatinath TempleKathmandu
No outside guiding insideDevice not specifiedThe Nepal Tourism Board's entry-fee page notes that tourists can view Pashupatinath Temple from the back premises; this is an access restriction for visitors (foreign nationals pay NPR 1,000 per entry), not a guiding rule.
Wording
Tourists can view the temple from the back premises.
Netherlands
Anne Frank House (Anne Frank Huis)Amsterdam
No outside guiding insideDevice not specifiedOnly authorised Anne Frank House staff may give tours inside the museum, unless the management gives explicit permission; the museum itself offers no guided tours, only an audio tour in nine languages and a 30-minute introductory programme. Travel organisations and tour operators may not book for third parties, and groups are capped at 35.
Wording
Het is de bezoeker verboden in het museumcomplex: ... rondleidingen in het museum te geven anders dan door daartoe bevoegd personeel van het Anne Frank Huis of na expliciete toestemming van de directie van het Anne Frank Huis;
Norway
MUNCH (Munchmuseet)Oslo
No outside guiding insideDevice not specifiedOnly MUNCH's own guides may lead tours inside the museum, except from 15 June to 15 September, Wednesday to Saturday, 18:00-21:00, when groups may bring their own guide. Tour leaders and guides pay the standard admission fee.
Wording
Only MUNCH’s own guides are permitted to lead tours inside the museum
Portugal
Quinta da Regaleira (Palácio e Poço Iniciático)Sintra
No outside guiding insideDevice not specifiedExternal guides may not lead guided visits inside the palace or the Initiation Well at Quinta da Regaleira; the estate rents its own audio guides at the ticket office (5 EUR) and no restriction on guiding in the gardens is published.
Wording
É proibida a realização de visitas guiadas por guias externos no interior do Palácio e do Poço Iniciático;
Romania
Palace of the Parliament (Palatul Parlamentului)Bucharest
No outside guiding insideDevice not specifiedTours of the Palace of the Parliament are sold and run by the parliament's International Conference Centre (CIC); one accompanying guide or translator enters free with an organised group of at least 15 adults, and private tours are capped at 35 people. Leaving the group or straying from the tour route is banned and is a contravention under Law 61/1991.
Wording
Este interzisă părăsirea grupului sau abaterea de la traseul de vizitare.
Saudi Arabia
Hegra (AlUla)AlUla
No outside guiding insideDevice not specifiedHegra is explored on organised tours, by coach or in a private premium 4x4, and self-driving is not allowed; the day tour is led by AlUla's Rawi storytellers. The page does not say whether an outside guide may narrate on site.
Wording
The best way to explore the ancient city of Hegra is by joining an organised tour, either in a private premium 4x4 vehicle or on a coach. [...] Self-driving is not allowed.
South Africa
Robben Island MuseumCape Town
No outside guiding insideDevice not specifiedThe prison tour is conducted by a Robben Island tour guide as part of the museum's integrated tour model, and tours are not offered in multiple languages. Visitors may bring their own interpreters, and multi-language audio headsets are being considered.
Wording
The prison tour will be conducted by a Robben Island Tour Guide. This is part of our integrated tour model.
Sweden
Stockholm City Hall (Stadshuset)Stockholm
No outside guiding insideDevice not specifiedLocal guides need a valid City Hall licence to guide in the building, and a group may have at most 50 visitors: up to 35 can see all rooms, while groups of 36-50 may only see the Blue Hall and the Golden Hall.
Wording
Local guides need to have a valid license to guide at the City Hall.
How we built this list
Every entry comes from the rule owner’s own text: a city ordinance, a museum regulation or an official visitor page. We first researched the rules on 1 October 2026 and re-opened each official source on October 2, 2026 to confirm the wording, the group size and the device condition.
We leave out rules we could only find in news stories or forums. Where an official page no longer loaded, we used an archived copy of it and say so in the source.
This is not legal advice. Rules change, and none of these texts names phone-based systems. If your plan depends on one, ask the site in writing before the tour.
Questions guides ask
Does a phone-based system count as a headset system?
No rule on this list names phone or WiFi based systems. Most texts ask for earpieces or a whisper system without naming a technology. Where the text leaves the device open, ask the site in writing. Where it requires the site’s own devices, a phone-based system cannot replace them.
Do guests have to wear earphones?
Yes, everywhere on this list. Playing the guide’s voice from a phone speaker would break the same rules that ban loudspeakers.
Is the guide counted in the group size?
It depends on the rule, and each entry says so when the text does. Where the text says nothing, plan as if the guide counts.
How current is this list?
Each entry shows the day we last opened its official source. When a rule changes, we update the entry and its date.
Try it on your next tour
Your guests listen on their own phones and earphones while you speak into the app. There are no receivers to rent, charge or collect.