This popular European beach has banned umbrellas for visitors, here's why?

Punta Molentis, a beloved beach near Villasimius on the south-east coast of Sardinia, has officially banned beach umbrellas, tents, and gazebos for most visitors, The Local Italy reported. The rules kicked in on June 6th, and the backlash was almost immediate.According to People, beachgoers are also prohibited from leaving any umbrellas, tents, chairs, beach towels, or any other equipment on the beach overnight. New rules surrounding access to the beach have also been introduced. Just 70 vehicles are allowed to park per day, and no more than 150 people are permitted on the dunes at the same time.Only families with children under 10 and visitors over 65 can pitch an umbrella, and even then, they're limited to just one. Everyone else, basically all healthy adults in the middle of their lives, has to sit in the full Mediterranean sun. Oh, and they also have to pay for the privilege of doing that. Anyone arriving by land is charged €10.The council's explanation goes back to the summer of 2025. A major wildfire in July burned through roughly 100 hectares of vegetation and destroyed dozens of parked cars, sending bathers scrambling into the sea to escape. The beach was overcrowded, umbrellas were packed in tight, and when things went wrong, getting people out safely became a serious problem. Officials told CNN that the sheer number of umbrellas made land evacuation nearly impossible during the fire. But it wasn't just the fire. A run of winter storms following the blaze had already taken a toll on the dunes and coastal habitats, pushing local authorities to introduce tighter controls before another chaotic beach season could do more damage. The daily cap on visitors has been set at just 150 people and 70 cars, and cool boxes are also banned from the beach. Beaches in Italy are known for their strict rules.Beaches in Sardinia have made it illegal to take sand from the shoreline, with fines reaching up to $3,500. Tourists were quietly pocketing handfuls of that famous white sand for years. In many coastal towns, visitors are now required to use straw mats instead of regular towels, because towel fibers can trap sand and carry it off the beach without you even realising it. A lot of Italian beaches have introduced time limits too. If you arrive by boat, you might only get 90 minutes on the sand. Some spots require you to book your place online in advance and pay before you even show up. It's starting to feel less like a day at the beach and more like a ticketed event.