Tourists will need e-passes to enjoy the Sardinia coast

This summer, visiting Sardinia's scenic beaches will only be possible with advance digital registration, done through a dedicated app. Local authorities have already introduced caps on visitor numbers, and are now adding new measures to ease pressure on infrastructure and preserve the island's natural beauty.

For example, the picturesque crescent-shaped Tuerredda beach has for several years already limited visitors to 1,100 people a day. By July, an electronic booking system is expected to go live for this stretch, making it easier to monitor visitor numbers and helping protect the coastline from excessive pressure.

Sardinia is widely known for its pristine sandy shores and rightfully ranks among Italy's best destinations for beach holidays. However, due to some tourists' disrespectful behaviour and overcrowding, local authorities have little choice but to introduce additional rules. Violators face fines of up to €3,500.

Restrictions across different zones

The list of beaches with visitor caps or mandatory registration is fairly extensive. At the famous Spiaggia Rosa on the island of Budelli, for instance, it has been banned for years to actually set foot on the shore — tourists are only allowed to view the legendary pink sand from a boat. The ban stems from visitors previously taking the unique sand home with them. Now, walking on the beach carries a €500 fine, while attempting to take sand carries a fine of up to €3,500.

In the La Maddalena archipelago, quotas also apply to the beaches of Cala Coticcio and Cala Brigantina. Last year, the rule here was no more than 60 visitors a day, who booked a spot online and paid €3, including the services of an accompanying guide. Pricing and booking details for this season have not yet been published, but the mechanics are expected to remain similar.

In the north of the island, the beaches of Cala Brandinchi and Lu Impostu also operate under limits: no more than 1,447 and 3,352 visitors per day respectively, from 1 June to 30 September. Registration is done via the San Teodoro app or the corresponding website. At Cala Mariolu, visitor numbers are capped at 700 per day, and this rule will be in effect from June to early November.

In the Villasimius area in the southeast of the island, paid parking has been introduced near the beaches of Punta Molentis, Rio Trottu, and Porto Sa Ruxi. Each car must pay €10, plus another €1 per passenger. Cyclists and pedestrians are charged €3. Staff are stationed at car parks and beach access points to enforce these rules.

Towel ban at Pelosa beach

In western Sardinia, at Pelosa beach near Stintino, the daily number of visitors is now also strictly capped and must not exceed 1,500 people. Previously, up to 4,000 visitors a day arrived on peak days. A ticket to Pelosa costs €3.50, and beach towels may only be used with a protective liner, to avoid carrying off too much sand.

Time limits on visits

In the Ogliastra area in the east of the island, access to Cala Biriala beach is limited to 300 visitors a day, and those arriving by boat may stay no longer than 90 minutes. Cala dei Gabbiani has the same 300-person cap, and last year tourists were only permitted to stay there for two hours.

A broader trend across Italy

Sardinia is not the only region in Italy introducing measures against excessive tourist influx. Venice already has a pre-registration system and an entry fee for the city, while the resort town of Portofino on the Ligurian coast imposes fines of €270 for anyone lingering too long and obstructing street traffic.

In this way, regional authorities are seeking to protect the natural environment and ensure a comfortable experience for visitors, introducing new digital tools and stricter requirements. For travellers planning a trip to Sardinia this summer, the most sensible step is to check the current rules in advance and make all necessary bookings, to avoid unwanted complications and fines.