Key facts
- Varenna, a village on Lake Como, has introduced fines for tourists wearing swimwear or going shirtless.
- Fines range from €50 to €200.
- Tour groups are limited to 25 people and must not obstruct narrow streets.
- Guides are banned from using loudspeakers.
- The measures aim to preserve the village's appearance and ensure peace for its residents.
Varenna, a picturesque fishing village on Lake Como, has implemented new regulations to manage the impact of increasing tourism. Tourists are now subject to fines of up to €200 for appearing shirtless or in swimwear outside of designated beach areas or boat trips. This measure is part of a broader effort to maintain the village's aesthetic appeal and ensure a peaceful environment for its approximately 650 permanent residents.
In addition to the dress code, Varenna has also restricted tour groups to a maximum of 25 people to prevent congestion on its narrow cobblestone streets. The use of loudspeakers by tour guides has also been prohibited. Mayor Mauro Manzoni stated that while the village welcomes hundreds of thousands of visitors annually, the quality of life for residents should not be compromised by mass tourism.