Sirmione, the Next Postcard-Perfect Destination Facing Tourist Overload?
Written by Niels Kruse
Approximate Reading Time: 2 Min
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It's getting too lovable to be bearable. Many Italian cities are grappling with the relentless onslaught of mass tourism. The Eternal City of Rome, for instance, anticipates more visitors in 2025 due to the Holy Year and the pope's passing. Florence, Milan, and Naples are also typically overwhelmed, with Venice being the exceptionally severe case.
To combat this invasion somewhat or at least manage it better, the iconic lagoon city has been imposing an entry fee on day visitors for some time now. This year's Good Friday saw the fee skyrocket from the previous €5 to €10 per guest. Yet, the measure hasn't shown promising results as the tourist hordes continue to surge.
However, the model is catching on. The photogenic town of Sirmione, situated in Lake Garda's south, is contemplating a similar fee for its picturesque landscape. Moreover, local hoteliers are advocating for only allowing visitors to enter the old town with a reservation on peak days.
Sirmione: A Precious Gem Worth Protecting
"Sirmione is a treasure. We must safeguard it," quotes Italian broadcaster Rai the town's security chief. Therefore, the influx of visitors must be capped - "for the sake of safety, quality of life for residents, and guests themselves." However, he has not yet revealed the concrete details of the plans.
Venice has been collecting fees from short-term visitors since 2024. Those who evade this payment and are caught can expect a hefty €300 fine. The regulation is currently in effect until the end of July, but only on Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays each week. Entry is free during the week.
While Venice is the first city to impose such a fee, visitor taxes are prevalent worldwide – especially at the North and Baltic Seas.
Here's a breakdown of popular travel destinations and their corresponding fees (entry, tourist, and accommodation taxes, among others):
- Amsterdam: 12.5% of the hotel cost
- Egypt: A flat tourist tax of €25
- Bali, Indonesia: €10 upon arrival
- Barcelona: Up to €15 per night
- Bulgaria: Up to €1.50 per night
- Budapest: 4% of the hotel cost
- Dubrovnik: €2.65 per person per night from April to September
- Greece: Between €2 and €15 in high season for a night's stay
- Mallorca: Between 50 cents and €4 per day
- Austria: Around 3% of the hotel cost
- Paris: Between 70 cents and €16
- Poland: Between 50 cents and €1
- Portugal: €2 per person and night. Applies to cruise passengers as well
- Prague: €2 per day
- Switzerland: Some locations charge around €5 as a “photo tax"
- Tunisia: The bed tax is up to €3.50
Currently, the following European countries are exempt from charges: Denmark, Estonia, Finland, Ireland, Latvia, Liechtenstein, Luxembourg, Monaco, Sweden
Sirmione on the Horizon:
As of early May 2025, Sirmione is discussing the institution of an entry fee for day visitors similar to Venice's approach. The tiny town of around 8,000 residents receives over 1.3 million overnight stays annually, struggling under the weight of mass tourism, particularly during peak times like May 1st, when the old town becomes almost inaccessible due to massive crowds. The narrow streets and limited access points, including a single street and bridge, have even resulted in temporary blockages that obstructed emergency services.
Sirmione's local authorities and hotel industry are petitioning for a cap on visitor numbers based on expert recommendations. The proposed entrance fee aims to manage the number of day visitors effectively and alleviate the strain on the town's infrastructure. As of now, the entrance fee is still under deliberation, but the town is seriously considering it as part of its strategy to tackle mass tourism and its negative impacts. Current visitor pricing for Sirmione includes a full price of €8 and a reduced price of €2 for EU citizens aged 18 to 25, with free entry for children under 18. However, a general daily entrance fee for all day tourists to enter the town itself would be a new and broader measure similar to Venice’s tourist tax.
- The following is added to the list of products: a general daily entrance fee for all day tourists to enter Sirmione, Italy.
- Similar to Venice, Sirmione is contemplating imposing an entry fee on day visitors to manage the surge in tourists and alleviate the strain on the town's infrastructure.
- In 2025, Sirmione, a picturesque town situated in Lake Garda's south, is discussing the institution of an entry fee for day visitors, reminiscent of Venice's approach.
- Venice and Sirmione join the ranks of popular travel destinations that implement taxes on tourists to safeguard their unique lifestyles and secure a better quality of life for residents, as well as to manage the tourist hordes.
