Italian village fines tourists for bikini-clad strolls

The picturesque fishing village of Varenna, nestled on the shores of Italy's Lake Como, is taking a firm stance against disruptive tourist behavior by imposing fines for indecent attire. Authorities have enacted a new rule that penalizes individuals with fines up to 200 euros (approximately $215) if they are found wandering in public areas without shirts or wearing only swimwear.

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Varenna is a beautiful village, and we are proud to welcome hundreds of thousands of visitors from all over the world every year. However, the quality of life of local residents cannot be sacrificed for profit.

This drastic measure is part of Varenna's latest effort to manage the overwhelming influx of tourists, which has put a strain on the popular holiday destination. The village, home to about 650 residents, seeks to protect its image and ensure the peace and quiet of its local community. The new regulations are a direct response to what officials describe as "unsightly and disrespectful conduct" by some foreign visitors.

Beyond dress code enforcement, Varenna is implementing other measures to control the tourist flow. Group sizes are now capped at a maximum of 25 people to prevent congestion on the village's narrow, cobblestone paths. Additionally, tour guides are strictly forbidden from using loudspeakers, a move aimed at reducing noise pollution and maintaining a more serene atmosphere.

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On the beach, you are free to wear whatever you want, but when you are walking around and entering shops, restaurants, churches, or public squares, you must be dressed decently.

Mauro Manzoni, the Mayor of Varenna, emphasized the village's pride in welcoming hundreds of thousands of visitors annually but stressed that the quality of life for local residents cannot be sacrificed for profit. The new laws, which took effect recently, have garnered support from the local community, particularly concerning dress ethics. Shop owners have voiced their approval, stating that while beachwear is acceptable by the water, visitors must dress modestly when entering shops, restaurants, churches, or public squares. This initiative reflects a growing trend in Italy, where many towns are enacting similar policies to combat the negative impacts of over-tourism.

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It is time for sensible measures to be taken. What is important now is to ensure their smooth enforcement.