A village in Italy introduces fines for appearing on the street topless or wearing a swimsuit.

In the Italian village of Varenna on Lake Como, fines of up to 200 euros have been introduced for tourists who appear on the streets with a naked torso or in swimsuits. The new rules are designed to reduce the consequences of mass tourism and maintain comfort for local residents, Italian media write.

About 650 people permanently live in Varenna, but hundreds of thousands of tourists visit the village every year. Due to the growing number of guests, local authorities decided to introduce additional restrictions. Now you can only be in swimsuits or without a shirt on beaches and during boat trips. For violation of the dress code, a fine ranges from 50 to 200 euros. Additionally, tour groups must not exceed 25 people and must not block the village’s narrow cobbled streets. Tour guides were also prohibited from using loudspeakers.

The mayor of Varenna, Mauro Manzoni, noted that the village is happy to welcome tourists from all over the world, but mass tourism should not worsen the quality of life of local residents. The new rules have been in effect for several days and have received support among the population. Local entrepreneurs believe that tourists can dress freely on the beach, but when visiting shops, restaurants, churches and public places, they must adhere to the appropriate dress code.

Similar restrictions are already in place in other popular tourist destinations in Italy. In 2022, the authorities of Sorrento introduced fines for appearing on the streets in swimsuits or with a naked torso. In Portofino, in 2023, special zones appeared where tourists are prohibited from stopping for a long time to take photographs and selfies. In this way, the authorities are trying to combat overcrowding on the streets and the consequences of overtourism.