Gone are the days of arriving at a European beach and finding an empty stretch of sand. Many popular coastal destinations, particularly in Italy, Spain, and France, have implemented reservation systems to manage overwhelming visitor numbers. Some of these beaches are already fully booked for the peak summer season.
La Pelosa Beach in Sardinia, known for its turquoise waters and recognized by Tripadvisor's Travellers' Choice Awards, has implemented daily visitor caps. Reservations for the beach are reportedly sold out until September 12, with only 1,500 daily spots available at a cost of €3.50 per person. While daily bookings are possible up to two days in advance, the upcoming weekend was fully booked at the time of reporting.
Other Italian destinations are also employing similar measures. Cala Goloritzé, a cove in Sardinia, limits visitors to 250 at a time, with reservations costing €7. Bookings can be made three days in advance, and children under five along with local residents are admitted for free. Tuerredda Beach, also in Sardinia, caps visitors at 1,100 and requires bookings between June 2 and October 11, with tickets priced at €3. Visitors receive a QR code for entry. Two other Sardinian bays, Cala Brandinchi and Lu Impostu, require reservations from June 1 to September 30, with bookings costing €2 and only available one or two days in advance.
Some tourists have expressed surprise and frustration with these new systems. One traveler shared on Reddit that they did not anticipate having to pay for beach access in Italy, noting the need to walk significant distances to reach swimmable water. A TikTok video highlighting the booking requirements also sparked outrage among some commenters who felt it detracted from the natural appeal of visiting a beach.
Beyond Italy, other European countries are also managing beach access. Praia das Catedrais on Spain's northwest coast requires reservations during Easter and from July 1 to September 30 to prevent overcrowding, though entry is free. In France, the Calanque de Sugiton beach in the Calanques National Park introduced a booking system in 2022 due to significant erosion caused by visitor numbers that previously peaked at 2,500 per day. Reservations for this beach are free and can be made up to three days in advance.
In the United Kingdom, Sandwich Bay in Kent, a private estate, does not require advance booking but charges an entry fee. Day parking prices range from £5 to £16, with season tickets also available. These measures reflect a growing trend among popular European destinations to control visitor flow and protect natural environments from the impact of mass tourism.