Relaxing underneath the shade of an umbrella at Sardinia’s popular Punta Molentis beach is now banned for the large majority of its visitors.
The rule applies to all beachgoers who aren’t families with children under 10, or visitors who are 65 and older. Everyone else will now have to brave the heat and sunshine during their beach visits, as all shade equipment is prohibited for them to set up. Those permitted to bring umbrellas to Punta Molentis beach are limited to one per group as reprieve from the sun.
In addition to the new restriction on shade equipment, the majority of Punta Molentis visitors will have to pay a €10 ($11.50) per person fee between early June and late October — peak season. Visitors with disabilities, and those accompanying them, will have free entry.
In February, Capri banned local tour guides from using umbrellas to stand out in the crowd and direct their groups. Officials reportedly set the rule to help prevent peak-season tourism from disrupting the lives of locals.
What Else Is There To Know About The Umbrella Ban At Punta Molentis Beach In Sardinia?
Punta Molentis beach is located on the southeast coast of Sardinia and is so extremely popular that access is restricted during peak season to prevent overtourism. A fire that took place last year on the beach July highlighted the safety risk that can be caused by a large number of umbrellas and/or shade gear propped up at the beach at one time. This month, a Villasimius municipality representative shared with CNN that the new ban was a required safety measure following the July 2025 incident.
“It is essentially because of that fire and the difficulty we had evacuating the beach due to the sheer number of umbrellas set up that the commune has set up this rule,” they said.
“This is also an area where the paid beach establishments are prohibited, meaning people set up umbrellas next to each other, which blocks access, causes various hazards and blocks the view of the sea, which also led to the ordinance,” the insider further noted.
In a “general information” notice shared by the town of Villasimius, the location’s officials shared guidelines for what to do if there’s a fire. The directives included, “Find a safe escape route, take shelter in areas that have already burned, and stay away from flammable containers.” Officials also said, “Do not obstruct emergency responders, and at the beach, stay on the shoreline or in shallow water.” Also to remember, the source said, “Do not attempt to retrieve vehicles in danger.”
In addition to Punta Molentis beach, other options in Sardinia that are perfect for your next Italian vacation include Cala Goloritzé, Spiaggia di Tuerredda, and La Pelosa.
