Sardinian beach bans umbrellas for 10 to 65-year-olds
BBC • • world
Key Points:
- Punta Molentis beach in Sardinia has introduced restrictions allowing umbrellas only for visitors with children under 10 or those over 65, aiming to limit human impact after wildfires damaged the area last year.
- Authorities have capped the number of visitors at 150 at a time and limited vehicle access to 70 cars per day until October 31, with compulsory reservations required for beach attendance.
- A new fee system charges €10 for visitors arriving by land and €5 for those arriving by boat, as part of efforts to protect the fragile ecosystem.
- The wildfires in July 2025 caused significant damage, forcing beachgoers to evacuate by boat and destroying dozens of cars in the parking area.
- Some locals have expressed skepticism about the measures, suggesting that a temporary closure might be the only way for the beach to fully recover.