Beach season is (finally) upon us, and while that means a whole load of sunbathing and sea-swimming, it also means ensuring you slap on a whole load of suncream and spend plenty of intervals recuperating in the shade. There’s nothing lame about sun safety after all, guys.
However, that just became a little tricker on one particular beach in Sardinia, which has reportedly implemented a ban on the use of umbrellas by anyone over the age of 10 and under the age of 65.
Yes, you read that right – according to the Guardian, Punta Molentis, an idyllic cove in Villasimìus on the island’s south-east coast, has launched an initiative to preserve its natural environment and as part of that, is only allowing the use of umbrellas for very young children and those aged 66 and above.
The beach is reopening after it closed in July 2025 as the result of a wildfire, and it already charges visitors €10 to access its powdery shores. It won’t shock you to learn that gazebos and other kinds of tent-like shade are also banned.
Villasimìus council said the fire, along with what were described as ‘exceptional marine weather events’ has forced them to impose stricter regulations about beach use to preserve its ‘heritage for future generations’, but understandably, the new rules have stirred a mixed reaction.
One commenter, who posted their thoughts underneath a Facebook post where the council had announced the guidelines, said: ‘To put up an umbrella I have to rent a child??’
‘So to come to the beach with an umbrella I either bring my grandad or need to have a child between now and tomorrow?’ said another.
It even led to calls for a boycott of the beach, though many people said they would instead just go elsewhere to ensure they can safely shield themselves from the sun.
The rules will remain in place until the end of October. Stay tuned for updates.
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