Lake Como village imposes fines on bare-chested tourists; Riviera faces overtourism reckoning

Varenna, a fishing village on Lake Como in northern Italy, has imposed fines of up to €200 on tourists who wander around with bare chests or in swimwear, the Guardian reported Tuesday. The authorities say the measure is meant to preserve the character of the village and enforce standards of public decorum. The move marks the latest attempt by an Italian holiday destination to regulate tourist behaviour in the face of mounting overtourism.

The ordinance reflects a widening friction between Mediterranean and Alpine destinations and the summer visitors they depend on economically. Varenna's fishing heritage and narrow stone streets—typical of the Riviera and lake towns that draw millions annually—are now being formally policed. The Guardian's report suggests the fine is intended as a deterrent, though enforcement and the precedent it sets remain unclear.