Leaving a towel on the beach could cost you £425 this summer

| Lifestyle Reporter Published August 19, 2026 12:13pm Updated August 19, 2026 12:13pm It might seem harmless, but in Italy it could cost you a pretty penny (Picture: Getty Images) First it was hotels cracking down on holidaymakers leaving towels on sun beds. Now, officials in Italy are taking a similar approach to the beach. This summer, police officers in Italy have started hitting the beach in the early hours to conduct patrols, scanning the sand for abandoned towels, chairs and parasols. According to local news outlets, they’re looking for furbetti dell’ombrellone, ‘umbrella cheats’ – people who leave personal belongings on the beach overnight to bag a prime spot before the crowds arrive the next day. While it can be tempting to leave your towel right next to the water, perfectly positioned for tomorrow’s tanning session, doing so could come with serious financial consequences. Anyone found guilty of the offence faces a whopping £425 fine. It doesn’t look like it here, but beaches in Italy struggle with overcrowding during the summer season (Picture: Getty Images) During a recent operation at Laghetto beach in Torre del Greco, near Naples, police removed approximately 40 unattended items, including parasols, chairs and tables. Some of the equipment had reportedly been on the beach for more than two days. Because free beaches are public land in Italy, leaving any kind of equipment overnight can be treated as an authorised occupation. Officers say they want to keep the coastline accessible for everyone. Ask Metro Use AI to go deeper into the stories you care about – powered by Metro and trusted publications. And much like the most aggressive sun bed warriors at hotels, nobody wants to be the inconsiderate tourist hogging the best spot on the beach for days on end. For anyone who’s already visited the Italian coast this summer, this news may not come as a surprise. The impact of overtourism has forced authorities to take drastic measures. A few months ago, it was announced that several beaches would be implementing a booking system, capping the number of people allowed to visit at any one time. From Sardinia to Lampedusa, Italy’s southernmost island, visitors now need to head to their beach of choice’s website, and book a spot online. Many provide a QR code to produce on arrival, so on the day, make sure your phone has enough juice. Slots are snapped up fast, so even if there’s no requirement to book a specific amount of time in advance (some require 48-hour notice), it’s wise to plan ahead. For example, anyone with plans to score an afternoon on La Pelosa beach in Sardinia — famed for its powdery white sand and shallow, Caribbean-like waters — you’re out of luck. That’s because the 1,500-capped beach, which costs €3.50 (£2.99) to enter, is booked out until September 15. Overtourism has started to impact almost every aspect of the holiday experience (Picture: Getty Images) It’s believed that these measures may encourage some tourists to visit Italy’s stunning coastline during quieter seasons. Ranked as the top summer destination for 2026, in July alone Italy recorded international arrivals up by 5.1% and foreign overnight stays up by 6.0% compared to the previous year. Our Top Shopping Picks Parents can save up to 30% on Kickers school shoes ahead of the new term The back-to-school hack that's helping parents avoid queues and sold-out sizes Could your hair be wavy rather than straight? This brand thinks so Could your star sign improve your skincare routine? This new beauty launch thinks so Best skincare for menopausal skin? This dermatologist-created treatment is tailored to you And when the peak Ferragosto period (which runs from August 1 to 23) comes to a close, there will have been an estimated nine million international visitors. Do any of these new measures put you off travelling to Italy? Sign up to The Getaway Expert, your exclusive seven-day guide to travelling with confidence from Metro's travel editor, Alice Murphy. Arrow MORE: I’ve been to 100 wineries, but there’s only one that really knocked my socks off Arrow MORE: The world-famous Rabbit Island with ‘500’ bunnies is at risk from wild boars Arrow MORE: The European country making its best attractions free for one night only The Getaway Expert Your exclusive seven-day guide to travelling with confidence from Metro's resident travel expert, Alice Murphy.