Sardinia implements new rules to protect free beach access

Regional authorities in Sardinia are defending a model of tourism centered on free and wild beach access. Francesco Spanedda, the regional assessor for local entities, stated that the island aims to maintain high percentages of free beaches, specifically targeting 60 percent in urban areas and 80 percent in non-anthropized zones. To protect this model, new guidelines have increased the required distance between beach establishments from 50 to 80 meters.

Legambiente has supported these measures, describing free beach access as a component of sustainable tourism and climate justice. However, the policy has faced pushback from concession holders. In Olbia, Mayor Settimo Nizzi announced that 75 percent of local beaches will remain free, a move that has caused concern among business owners regarding the economic impact on families and employees tied to private beach concessions.