A village on the shores of Italy's Lake Como has introduced fines of up to €200 (£170) for visitors who walk around shirtless or wearing swimwear, as local authorities seek to tackle the impact of growing tourism. Get today's headlines by email The new regulations in Varenna, a popular fishing village, are intended to preserve the area's character and improve the quality of life for its approximately 650 permanent residents, who have increasingly felt the effects of rising visitor numbers. New Rules Introduced to Curb Tourist BehaviourUnder the rules, tourists are prohibited from walking through the village with bare chests or wearing swimsuits outside designated lakeside beaches or while on boat trips. Anyone who breaks the dress code faces fines ranging from €50 to €200. Limits on Tour GroupsThe measures also place restrictions on organised tour groups, limiting them to a maximum of 25 people. Groups are expected to avoid blocking the village's narrow cobbled streets, while tour guides are no longer permitted to use loudspeakers. Varenna's mayor, Mauro Manzoni, said the village remained proud to welcome hundreds of thousands of visitors each year but stressed that tourism should not come at the expense of local residents. He said protecting the quality of life for those who live in the village year-round was a priority alongside maintaining Varenna's appeal as a tourist destination. Residents Welcome the ChangesThe rules, which came into force several days ago, have been broadly welcomed by local residents and business owners, particularly the restrictions on inappropriate clothing. One shop owner told Italian broadcaster Mediaset's TGCom24 that beachwear was acceptable by the lake but said visitors should dress appropriately when entering shops, restaurants, churches or public squares. Another local business owner described the regulations as overdue, adding that effective enforcement would be essential for the measures to succeed. Part of a Wider Trend Across ItalyVarenna joins a growing number of Italian destinations that have introduced rules to manage the effects of overtourism and encourage respectful behaviour from visitors. In 2022, the mayor of Sorrento introduced fines for people walking around the town in swimwear or bare-chested, describing the practice as inappropriate and damaging to the town's image. The following year, the coastal resort of Portofino created temporary "no-waiting zones" in popular locations to discourage visitors from lingering for photographs, including selfies, in an effort to ease congestion. Join the discussion? 8 July 2026
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