Popular European beaches are now charging visitors for a spot on the sand amid overcrowding

In the wake of record crowds flocking to top European destinations, many sites are implementing fees and visitor limits.Among the countries leading in the use of cash and caps for crowd control is Italy.In Sardinia, several swaths of sand require booking and a small fee.

La Pelosa, one of the most photographed beaches in Sardinia, has a 3.50 euro entry fee per person, and visitors are required to book their spot in advance during peak season (June to September).Daily numbers are capped at around 1,500 visitors, and as of now, the beach is fully booked through September.Meanwhile, Su Sirboni beach allows 786 people a day, and Cala Brandinchi caps the max number of peeps at 1,447.

For beaches that do not offer advance reservations, visitors must plan to arrive early to avoid being turned away when the spot reaches capacity.In addition to the total number of visitor restrictions, other spots are imposing time limits.From March to November, Cala Goloritzé beach has a cap of 250 people at a time.Cala dei Gabbiani has a 90-minute time cap, and beach slot prices range from €2 to €7 ($2.29 to $8).

Bookings can be made through the Heart of Sardinia website.In mainland Italy, around 33 percent of the coastline is currently leased to private beach clubs, where visitors face steep fees for the privilege of sunbathing.

While Italian law permits picnics, many of these clubs refuse to allow visitors to bring outside food or drink, making a day of dolce vita cost-prohibitive.In Puglia, there was a recent outcry over BYO energy, as many critics argued that outside food and drink threaten the region’s “image of excellence” and encourage littering.However, Antonio Decaro, the governor of the region, fully supports maintaining equitable, affordable access to beaches.

“We are working to make the sea, more and more, an experience of freedom, for Apulians and for those who come from outside to discover this region.The sea is a common commodity; it cannot become a luxur...