Beaches, cities introduce strict new measures to handle crowds in Italy's Ferragosto

Italy is bracing for an extraordinary wave of tourists around Ferragosto, the ancient holiday celebrating both the Roman Emperor Augustus’s respite and the Catholic Feast of the Assumption.

As Italy prepares for the August 15 Ferragosto celebrations, a blend of historic traditions and the Catholic Feast of the Assumption of Mary is set to draw a massive influx of travelers, Caliber.Az reports citing the foreign media.

With an estimated 13 million Italians traveling domestically, combined with millions of international tourists, the scene is set for potential chaos in popular destinations.

To manage the anticipated surge and mitigate disruptions, Italy's Tourism Ministry is implementing a range of new measures. Popular beach destinations from Sardinia to Puglia are now requiring reservations via an app to limit overcrowding. Additionally, restrictions on plastics, smoking, and even beach gear like towels and chairs are being enforced to ensure a more manageable and pleasant experience for all visitors.

Night swimming ban

Italy is gearing up for a tumultuous Ferragosto as record-breaking tourist numbers flood the country’s hotspots. To combat potential chaos, several regions have introduced stringent measures:

Sardinia: In response to the influx, some beaches have banned the use of rocks to anchor umbrellas, with fines of €500 ($550) for non-compliance. The mayor of Olbia has imposed restrictions on nighttime activities, including swimming, camping, and bonfires, with a 5 a.m. music cutoff. Stricter curfews are in place in Sassari, Platamona, Porto Ferro, and Argentiera, where music must cease by 2 a.m. or 3 a.m.

Rome, Florence, and Venice: Temporary stop lights are being used in high pedestrian areas to manage crowds and prevent selfie-induced traffic jams.

Amalfi Coast: Traffic flow will be regulated by alternating access for even and odd numbered license plates on smaller roads to reduce congestion.

These measures aim to maintain order and ensure a smoother experience for both locals and visitors during this bustling holiday period.

Trail closures

As Italy braces for an unprecedented influx of visitors during Ferragosto, various regions are rolling out strict measures to manage the crowds:

- Capri: Following Venice’s lead, the island is doubling its usual landing fee over the holiday weekend to control visitor numbers.

- Northern Italy: In Trentino, monitors will track hiker traffic, with popular trails being closed when overcrowded.

- Liguria: The region’s hotels are at full capacity, with a 99 per cent occupancy rate reported for Ferragosto.

- Cruise Ships: Italy's major ports will see significant traffic, with Genoa hosting over 65,000 passengers, Civitavecchia 59,000, Naples 45,000, and Bari 25,000 during the two-week period surrounding August 15.

Tourism Minister Daniele Santanche has described overtourism as a “blasphemy” but asserts that Italy is actively working on managing and mitigating the issue. Future events like the Milan-Cortina 2026 Winter Olympics and the 2025 Jubilee in Rome are expected to drive further tourism, prompting efforts to diversify and enhance Italy’s tourist offerings.

This surge of visitors contrasts sharply with the peaceful holiday envisioned by Emperor Augustus when he established Ferragosto.