The Italian fishing village of Varenna, nestled on the shores of Lake Como, has introduced new regulations to manage the influx of tourists.
Authorities have banned walking shirtless or in swimwear outside designated beach and boat areas, with fines ranging from €50 to €200.
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New Rules to Preserve Village Character
Varenna, home to about 650 residents, has felt the strain of rising visitor numbers. The new measures aim to maintain the village's appearance and ensure peace for locals.
Tour groups are now capped at 25 people and must not block the narrow cobblestone streets. Tour guides are also prohibited from using loudspeakers.
Mayor Mauro Manzoni stated, "Varenna is a wonderful village, and we are proud to welcome hundreds of thousands of visitors from all over the world every year.
However, our residents' quality of life cannot be sacrificed on the altar of mass tourism."
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The dress code has been in effect for a few days and appears to be widely supported by residents.
A shop owner told Mediaset's TGCom24, "On the beach, you can do what you want, but when you're walking around and go into shops, restaurants, churches, or in the square, you must dress decently."
Another added, "It was time; it's a sound measure. The important thing is to ensure it's enforced."
Varenna joins other Italian towns in implementing similar restrictions. In 2022, Sorrento imposed fines for walking in swimwear or bare-chested.
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In 2023, Portofino banned selfies in certain areas and created no-waiting zones to prevent tourists from lingering.
