Vacation hot spot tells tourists in skimpy beachwear to cover up or face steep fines

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An Italian town is warning tourists against strolling through its streets shirtless or in swimwear — threatening hefty fines for visitors who ignore the rules.

Varenna, a popular lakeside village onLake Comoin northern Italy, recently updated its urban police regulations to prohibit visitors from walking around town shirtless or wearing only swimwear.

“Throughout the entire municipal territory of Varenna, it is prohibited to remain shirtless or wearing only swimwear, except on beaches, piers and boat docks,” says the town’s tourism website.

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The fine can range from about $57 to about $228 — or €50 to €200.

Officials said the new rules are aimed at addressing theeffects of overtourism, as hundreds of thousands of visitors flock to the village each year.

A popular village on Italy’s Lake Como is reminding visitors that walking through town shirtless or in swimwear can result in fines.(iStock)

“Varenna is a wonderful village, and we are proud to welcome hundreds of thousands of visitors from all over the world every year,” Mauro Manzoni, Varenna’s mayor, told The Guardian.

“However, our residents’ quality of life cannot be sacrificed on thealtar of mass tourism.”

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Italy’s national statistics agency says that Varenna spans about 4.85 square miles and has a population of 646 residents — highlighting the challenges that mass tourism can pose for the small village.

“Their town, their law.”

On a Reddit forum discussing the new rules, many users voiced support for the policy.

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“Their town, their law,” one person wrote.

“I wish more places would do this,” another commenter said.

Officials said the rules are aimed at addressing the effects of overtourism.(iStock)

A third person chimed in, “They should implement this in Thailand too.”

One Redditor said thatthe penaltieswere more surprising than the rule itself.

View of tourist in Varenna sitting on bench near water

Tourists visiting the Lake Como destination could face hefty fines for violating the town’s new dress code.(Manuel Romano/NurPhoto via Getty Images)

“I’ve seen a few small towns around Europe that have signs about no swimwear when you’re off the beach and walking around town,” the user wrote.“I haven’t seen fines for it, though.”

The move follows similar action taken in France last summer.

Tourists taking selfies near Lake Como in Varenna

“Varenna is a wonderful village, and we are proud to welcome hundreds of thousands of visitors from all over the world every year,” the mayor of the town said.(Manuel Romano/NurPhoto via Getty Images)