New Regulations at Italian Beach Destinations
An increasing number of Italian beach destinations are implementing new rules to mitigate the effects of overtourism and protect their shores from sand erosion and other damage. From identity bracelets to entry fees and even towel bans, here’s what you need to know about some of the latest regulations and where they apply.
Swimwear Bans
The town of Sorrento is spectacularly beautiful but notoriously crowded in the high season (Easter to October), attracting visitors seeking sunshine, balmy weather, and easy access to the Amalfi Coast, Capri, and Naples. At the height of summer, it’s common to see tourists walking around in swimwear far from the beach or pool. However, this image does not sit well with Sorrento’s mayor, Massimo Coppola. Recently, Coppola announced that those walking around bare-chested or wearing swimwear outside of designated areas could face fines of up to €500 ($505/£425). Consequently, some locals feel uncomfortable with such displays, believing it disrupts the town’s aesthetic. Coppola highlighted their discomfort, stating that it causes “discomfort” and “unease.”
Towel Bans, Identity Bracelets, and Visitor Caps
Spiaggia della Pelosa in Sardinia attracts thousands of beachgoers daily. It is regularly voted one of Italy’s best beaches, featuring powder-soft sand and shallow, crystal-clear waters. However, due to substantial human traffic, the beach is losing sand at an unsustainable rate. Authorities are now limiting access to 1,500 visitors per day. In addition, a ban on towels has been introduced to protect the sand, which can be disturbed when towels are packed away. Visitors are now required to rent sun loungers and pay an entry fee of €3.50 while wearing yellow identification bracelets on the beach.
Other popular Sardinian beaches implementing visitor caps include Lu Impostu (1,500 people per day) and Brandinchi (3,330 beachgoers per day) located in the popular summer resort of San Teodoro.
Amalfi Coast Number Plate Rotation
The Amalfi Coast evokes images of picturesque beaches, dramatic cliffs, sunshine, and… traffic jams. Every summer during peak season, the coastal roads are often backed up with vehicles, causing considerable delays. This summer, authorities decided to implement a summertime driving limit along the route connecting Positano to Vietri sul Mare. The regulation permits cars with odd-numbered license plates to access the road on odd days of the month, while even-numbered plates can access it on even days. The enforcement is active from 10 AM to 6 PM on weekends until the end of September. Taxis and public buses are exempt from this regulation.
Entry Fees for Public Beaches
Italy boasts miles of pristine coastline and some of the finest beaches in Europe. However, access to these beaches has become increasingly contentious as more coastal areas have been turned into private beach resorts, often requiring hefty fees for entry and the use of amenities. More than half of Italy’s coastline has been allocated to private concessions, according to environmental association Legambiente. These establishments have doubled in the past two decades, with some locations, like Alassio in the Italian Riviera, charging up to €380 per day for sun loungers during peak season.
Finding a free place to sunbathe is progressively becoming more challenging. “Currently, bathing concessions affect more than 50% of Italian beaches,” Legambiente noted. Furthermore, the Italian Ministry of Health reports that 8% of Italian beaches are unusable due to pollution, particularly in regions such as Sicily, Calabria, and Campania. The outcome is a reduction in free bathing areas, dropping the average to 40%, with significant regional disparities.
While public beaches (spiaggia pubblica) remain free, some now impose nominal cover fees to safeguard their dunes and vegetation from the impact of visitors, especially in Sardinia where overcrowding has become an issue. These small fees aim to support the maintenance of the beaches. La Pelosa, for example, charges a €3.50 entry fee for individuals over 12. Accessing Cala Mariolu costs €1 per person, alongside a daily cap of 550 visitors.
Cala Coticcio and Cala Brigantina in La Maddalena National Park also require visitors to secure entry slots and charge €3 per person. Thus, it is recommended that tourists check in advance for potential fees when planning to visit beaches in Italy, ensuring they carry euro coins just in case.
