Varenna's picturesque streets, once a haven for tourists to soak up the Italian sun, have become the focus of a new crackdown on tourist behaviour. The village on Lake Como has introduced fines ranging from €50 to €200 (approximately £43 to £171) for those caught walking bare-chested or in swimwear through its historic centre.
With around 650 permanent residents, Varenna has reportedly been strained by the growing number of visitors. Local authorities have implemented strict rules to manage tourism, including a maximum tour group size of 25 individuals and a ban on guides using loudspeakers. The new dress code specifically reserves swimwear for lakeside beaches or boat trips on Lake Como.
Varenna's mayor, Mauro Manzoni, has defended the measures, stating that while the village welcomes hundreds of thousands of visitors annually, residents' quality of life must be protected from mass tourism. Locals and shop owners alike have expressed support for the rules, highlighting the importance of appropriate attire when entering establishments.
Italy is not alone in tackling perceived uncouth tourist behaviour. Other popular destinations, such as Sorrento and Portofino, have introduced similar restrictions to deter selfie-taking and lingering excessively. These measures reflect a growing trend across European hotspots to balance tourism with local culture and infrastructure needs.