A new beach rule for a European hotspot has been introduced for anyone aged between 10 and 65, but one traveller has dubbed it the ‘most unusual beach rule of 2026’
An ‘unusual’ beach rule has been introduced at a popular holiday hotspot (Image: Getty Images)
A popular European destination that welcomes thousands of Brits each year is introducing a new beach rule for everyone aged 10 to 65.
A day out at the beach, be it in the UK during the summer months or in Europe, is often accompanied by an umbrella to help provide shade from the balmy sun. However, holidaymakers of a certain age have been banned from using a parasol on a beach in Sardinia, Italy.
Under the new rule introduced earlier this month, Punta Molentis Beach, near the popular resort town of Villasimius in Sardinia, only allows families with children under 10 years old or people over 65 to put up an umbrella. It comes as the Italian beach limits the number of visitors to 150 at a time and puts in strict restrictions following wildfires in July last year.
In addition, visitors arriving at Punta Molentis Beach on foot will need to pay a fee of €10 (£8.60), while those arriving by boat will pay €5 (£4.31). Meanwhile, only 70 cars will be able to access the beach per day until 31 October, and reservations will be compulsory to visit, the Villasimius council website reported.
The town council also said in a message: “It’s therefore necessary to limit human impact and ensure protection of this heritage for future generations.”
The rules are in place throughout the summer season and aim to protect the beloved beach following last summer’s wildfires. Holidaymakers were forced to flee the wildfires by boat after they erupted in late July 2025, with around 100 hectares of Punta Molentis said to have been destroyed by the blaze, including cars in the beach car park.
However, not everyone is happy with the new rules. One person commented on X, formerly Twitter: “Banning shade in the Mediterranean summer heat sounds incredibly dangerous.”
A second said: “Guess I’m just gonna roast under the sun then, sounds like a fun time for my skin.” While a third added: “This might be the most unusual beach rule of 2026.”
One more wrote: “Banning basic sun protection for specific age groups under the guise of ‘saving space’ is a massive skin cancer risk waiting to happen.”
However, the council noted on its website that: “The ecosystem of Punta Molentis is one of the most valuable in our territory but also one of the most fragile.”
Meanwhile, in the Italian hotspot of Sorrento, people are banned from wearing swimwear away from beaches and pools. Anyone caught out could face fines of up to €500 (around 431), while Portofino, Positano and Capri have also enforced similar rules.
The rule is to avoid tourists walking around town or going to lunch in swimsuits or bikinis. But it doesn’t just apply to swimwear, as those caught walking around topless could also face a fine.
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