Umbria's hill towns watch Lake Como's tourist conduct codes

Varenna, a fishing village on Lake Como, has begun enforcing fines of up to €200 against tourists who wander its streets with bare chests or in swimwear, according to the Guardian. The move represents an escalation in Italy's attempts to regulate visitor behaviour in fragile heritage destinations—a strategy that has drawn international attention as mass tourism strains infrastructure and social fabric across the country.

The Guardian reported that Varenna's authorities framed the measure as a response to what they describe as uncouth tourist conduct. The fines apply to anyone appearing shirtless or in swimming attire outside designated beach areas, a rule that reflects broader frustration in Italian communities over the erosion of public decorum and the strain of seasonal tourism surges.