Bad news for tourists and Italian citizens eagerly awaiting the arrival of summer: this year, Italian beaches will be a bit less accessible due to increasing restrictions on free beaches.
The prices of Italian beach resorts have been steadily increasing for years, with an estimated rise of 5.2% compared to last year. As a result, free beaches are becoming more popular and crowded. On the one hand, there is a greater influx of visitors, and on the other hand, some of the most lovely free beaches now also require reservations.
It might seem like an obstacle course, but here I’ve gathered a list of the most beautiful limited-access beaches, so you’ll be prepared for your Italian summer!
Baia delle Zagare (Puglia)
It’s a corner of paradise on the Apulian coast: surrounded by greenery, with sheer rocky cliffs, crystal-clear water, and above all, complete privacy. Spending a day here has become a true luxury. The municipality has set a maximum limit of 20 daily accesses to respect and protect the environment. Diving in here is a bit like winning the lottery (more or less).
How to access
It may seem paradoxical, but you’ll need to snag a ticket distributed every morning at the tourist office in Mattinata. It seems to be more difficult than expected, so good luck!
How to get there
To reach Baia delle Zagare, I strongly recommend not improvising but driving to the destination. For convenience, the Hotel “Baia delle Zagare” offers its parking lot for a daily fee of 10 euros.
La Pelosa (Sardinia)
Located in the north of the island, La Pelosa is one of the most sought-after beaches, but fortunately, it is much easier to access. Entry is limited throughout summer (until October 31): 750 spots are reserved, while the remaining 750 can be purchased on a first-come, first-served basis for a ticket price of 3.50 euros upon arrival at the beach.
La Pelosa beach official Website
Baia del Silenzio (Liguria)
The optimal management of the coastline ensures a very clean beach, sanitary facilities, and above all, super clear and pristine water. For these reasons, entry to the bay is allowed from 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM for a maximum of 400 people per day.
For the more adventurous, at the InfoPoint, you can also rent a SUP board to explore the bay in a typical Italian atmosphere!
Baia del Silenzio official website
Cala Violina (Tuscany)
This strip of beach is protected within the Scarlino Nature Reserve in the province of Grosseto. Reservations can be made on the official Cala Violina beach website. A ticket of 1 euro is required for visitors over 12 years old. For children under this age, only a reservation is needed, while for those aged 0 to 12 months, neither a reservation nor a ticket is necessary.
Despite the 700 available spots for the beach, only 200 parking spaces are available. Reservations must be made 72 hours in advance, and the daily fee (8:00 AM – 8:00 PM) for cars and motorcycles is 10 euros, 15 for campers.
Cala Luna (Sardinia)
The Cala Luna beach has introduced limited access starting in the summer of 2024. It is a beautiful cove between Barbagia and Ogliastra and is a must-see for those in the area during their vacation.
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