The Sardinian flag on Pelosa Beach: In Sardinia there are particularly strict rules for beach guests.Image: www.imago-images.de
If you want to bring home a Sardinia souvenir, it’s better to go to a shop. By law, shells and stones from the beach must remain on the island. What else applies to tourists.
May 27, 2026, 10:34 amMay 27, 2026, 10:34 am
Dorothea Meadows / t-online
Turquoise water, white sandy beaches and untouched nature: Sardinia is considered a paradise for many tourists. In order to protect this beauty, strict rules apply to tourists on the Mediterranean island, which belongs to Italy. Anyone who ignores them risks high fines or even criminal consequences.
The ban on taking sand, shells or stones from the beaches is now particularly well known. Authorities at ports and airports regularly check tourists who supposedly have souvenirs in their luggage. Recently, a French tourist was stopped in Porto Torres for hiding more than 40 kilograms of sand and shells in her car. You now face a fine of up to 3,000 euros.
Sand and shells as souvenirs are taboo
Taking sand with you has been forbidden in Sardinia for years. The basis is a regional law from 2017. It prohibits the removal not only of sand, but also of pebbles, quartz rock and shells, even in the smallest quantities. Anyone caught will face fines of between 500 and 3,000 euros.
The background: Sardinia’s beaches are increasingly suffering from erosion. Wind and sea remove material, and at the same time large quantities disappear every year due to thieving tourists. In 2019 alone, authorities confiscated almost five tons of sand, shells and stones, according to local media. According to authorities, in the three summer months of 2025 there was a total of 500 kilograms.
In particular, sensitive coastal sections such as the famous white beaches around Stintino or the dune landscapes in the west of the island are considered particularly worthy of protection. Not even a normal bath towel is allowed to be laid out here. Why?
The long list of prohibitions on La Pelosa beach: For example, children are not allowed to build sandcastles here.Image: www.imago-images.de
Towel ban on beaches worthy of protection
On the famous La Pelosa beach (in the municipality of Stintino) it is strictly forbidden to lay out terry towels. Similar rules now apply to some other beaches, such as Rena Bianca (Santa Teresa Gallura). This is to prevent sand from sticking to the damp textile and being removed.
What sounds exaggerated actually makes sense mathematically. If ten grams of sand get stuck on each bath towel, extrapolated to 1,500 beach visitors, that quickly amounts to 15 kilograms per day. With 92 summer days a year, 1,380 kilograms (or 1.3 tons) of sand are carried away in towels.
By the way, there is also an alternative to the beach towel. Instead, tourists have to put straw or raffia mats underneath. Hardly any sand sticks to them and they can also be easily tapped or wiped off.
Sardinia: View from the Grotta dei Vasi Rotti cave on the marine reserve of Capo Caccia.Image: www.imago-images.de
Smokers must follow these rules
Smokers also need to be careful. Smoking bans on public beaches now apply in several regions of Italy – including numerous places in Sardinia. Often not only classic cigarettes are affected, but also e-cigarettes. Of course, flicking butts is also prohibited. Depending on the municipality, fines range from 25 to 500 euros. Tourists should therefore pay attention to signs or get information from local tourist information centers.
The rules not only serve environmental protection, but also fire protection. Especially in the hot summer months, the risk of forest and bush fires increases massively in Sardinia. Anyone who can be proven to have started a forest fire can be punished with prison sentences of up to 10 years (in the case of intent) or up to 5 years (in the case of negligence). There is also a risk of claims for damages running into the millions for firefighting operations and reforestation.
Wild camping is prohibited in Sardinia
Many tourists dream of spending the night right on the beach or in the middle of nature. However, wild camping is prohibited in Sardinia. This also applies to simple bivouacing with a sleeping bag.
Nature reserves and marine parks such as Asinara, Tavolara, Capo Caccia and the Sinis peninsula are particularly strictly controlled. There, the mere presence of people can disrupt animals and sensitive ecosystems. If you want to camp, you must use designated campsites. Violations can result in severe fines.
Beaches and dunes are not allowed to be driven on
Restrictions also apply to tourists traveling in Sardinia with cars, motorcycles or quads. Many dune areas and beaches are not allowed to be driven on. The rules are particularly strict in nature reserves. According to the Foreign Office, violations can even be punished with high fines or imprisonment.
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