Italian Beaches: Luxury Paradise for the Rich or Nightmare for Ordinary Tourists?
Imagine having to pay as much for one day on an Italian beach as for an entire vacation in Greece! Yes, you read that right. Italian beaches this year are hitting astronomical prices that will leave you breathless — and broke.
Record-Breaking Prices That Shatter Budgets
Luxury offers on Italian beaches now cost up to 1,000 euros per day! For example, at the exclusive Marina di Pietrasanta beach in Tuscany, a pavilion with four beds, three armchairs, a table, and a personal audio system costs a staggering 1,000 euros for just one day in August. Are you ready to pay a luxury hotel price just to lie on a sunbed?
But it’s not just this beach that’s the problem. Popular clubs like Twiga, managed by former Formula 1 director Flavio Briatore, also have sky-high prices. The Augustus hotel in Forte dei Marmi charges 350 euros for daily service in the front row, including sunbeds, towels, and a safe. On Sardinia, Niki Beach clubs ask between 250 and 300 euros for a daily package that includes a sunbed and sofa.
Ordinary Beaches Aren’t Much Cheaper
Even on regular beaches, prices have soared to unheard-of heights. For an umbrella and two sunbeds, you must pay between 32 and 35 euros, and in some parts of Italy, like Gallipoli, the daily price can reach up to 90 euros! Sardinia and Sabaudia aren’t much cheaper — sunbed prices can reach 45 euros per day.
And to make matters worse, additional services like snacks, drinks, pedal boats, or kayaks have increased by 3-5% compared to last year. While base prices haven’t risen drastically, the extra costs will surely surprise you.
Mafia and Beaches? Yes, It’s Real!
Did you know some beach establishments in Italy are controlled by mafia organizations? The Italian anti-mafia agency DIA warns that beaches are used for money laundering and making huge profits. So while you pay astronomical prices for a sunbed, the mafia is getting richer on your dime.
Who Can Afford Italian Beaches?
With average prices ranging from 21.50 euros in Calabria to 33 euros in Campania, it’s clear ordinary tourists will have to think twice before choosing Italian beaches. If you want a good sea view, be prepared to dig deeper into your pocket.
Conclusion: Italy or Greece?
While Italy becomes a luxury paradise for the rich, ordinary tourists wonder if it’s better to go to Greece, where vacations can be much cheaper. With an expected record of around 100 million overnight stays this year, demand remains high, but can the average tourist afford this luxury?
If you’re planning a holiday in Italy this summer, don’t forget that besides accommodation, you’ll need to set aside significant funds for daily beach stays. And if this seems too much, maybe it’s time to consider another destination.
