British holidaymakers heading to Italy have been warned they may need to book a place on the beach weeks in advance at 18 popular locations, or risk being turned away. Italian authorities have introduced strict reservation systems at some of the country's most famous stretches of coastline as they battle overtourism.
Reservation systems already in place
According to Spanish newspaper La Razón, holidaymakers visiting parts of Sardinia, Sicily and Lampedusa must now reserve a place online before setting foot on the sand, with many beaches requiring visitors to show a QR code on arrival. The move comes as Italy grapples with record visitor numbers, with 185 million tourists arriving each year. In the first three months of 2026 alone, the country welcomed 71.6 million visitors – a 16% increase on the same period last year.
Among the toughest restrictions is La Pelosa beach in Sardinia, famed for its powder-white sand and crystal-clear water. Only 1,500 visitors are allowed in each day and tourists must pay around £3 (€3.50) to enter. The beach is already fully booked until September 15. At nearby Cala Goloritzé, a UNESCO-protected cove reached only after a 90-minute hike, daily booking numbers are capped at just 250 people, with no availability left for the remainder of July or the start of August.
Rabbit Beach and wider Sardinia
The world-famous Spiaggia dei Conigli – or Rabbit Beach – on the island of Lampedusa operates a strict two-session system. Only 550 people are allowed onto the beach during each morning and afternoon slot, with visitors required to leave when their allocated session ends. Online bookings are released in batches and are restricted to one visit per week for up to two people. Separate reporting by Italian tourism website SiciliaFan said the beach has become one of the most sought-after destinations in the Mediterranean, with online booking slots disappearing rapidly during the height of the summer season.
Across Sardinia, the number of beaches operating booking systems has risen to 15 this summer, according to regional news website Cagliari Today. They include beauty spots such as Tuerredda, Cala Brandinchi, Lu Impostu, Cala Luna and Punta Molentis, where access is controlled through council websites or dedicated smartphone apps. Charges are generally modest – ranging from around 85p (€1) to around £3 (€3.50) – while some beaches remain free but still require advance reservations because of strict daily visitor limits.
Officials defend measures
Local leaders insist the measures are essential if Italy's most spectacular beaches are to survive. La Razón quoted Ancona mayor Daniele Silvetti as saying: "If we want to save these beaches and avoid having to close them, we must limit the number of visitors." The newspaper also quoted Sebastiano Venneri, of environmental group Legambiente, warning that beaches such as La Pelosa are gradually losing sand because visitors unknowingly carry it away on towels, shoes and bags. Regional tourism official Pierpaolo Fois, also quoted by La Razón, compared the problem to overcrowding in the Dolomites, saying visitors increasingly arrive seeking tranquillity only to find packed beauty spots.
Wider debate over beach access
The new rules come as Italy faces a wider row over access to its coastline. The Guardian has reported that campaigners are fighting back against the spread of private beach clubs, which now dominate large stretches of Italy's 8,000km coastline, leaving shrinking areas of free public beach. The debate has intensified as record numbers of overseas tourists descend on Italy following the post-pandemic travel boom, with once-quiet destinations such as Puglia and Sardinia now among Europe's hottest holiday hotspots.
