Sirmione on Lake Garda: Tourist rush calls for drastic measures!

Sirmione on Lake Garda: Tourist rush calls for drastic measures!

Sirmione on Lake Garda is a well-known tourist destination that has seen a massive influx of visitors in recent years due to its idyllic character and historical sites. The problems associated with mass tourism became particularly obvious during the long May weekend. The only access road to the historic old town was blocked for over two hours, affecting not only locals but also emergency vehicles. This has led to an alarming situation that now requires measures to regulate tourist flows. The city administration is therefore challenged to ensure the safety and living standards of citizens while maintaining attractiveness for tourists. Against this background, the mayor of Sirmione, Luisa Lavelli, emphasizes that although access to the city should remain guaranteed, it must be regulated in order to counteract excessive pollution.

After the rush of visitors on the May 1st weekend, it became clear that the city administration sees a need for action. Considerations about introducing entry fees for day visitors, similar to Venice, are on the agenda. Over the last three holidays, 40,000 more vehicles were registered than the previous year, putting further strain on already crowded access routes and raising safety concerns.

Measures to regulate tourism

In order to cope with the massive rush, a reservation system for peak days is being discussed. Safety officer Massimo Padovan put forward this idea to ensure that escape routes remain clear and tourist flows can be better managed. These measures are a response to the increasing difficulties arising from mass tourism. Local hoteliers are also calling for rapid measures to limit the number of visitors to ensure the quality of life in Sirmione.

• Einer der Vorschläge ist ein verpflichtendes Reservierungssystem für den Altstadtzugang an Spitzentagen.
• Eintrittstickets für Tagesgäste stehen ebenfalls zur Debatte.
• Die Stadt plant zudem die Einführung einer Touristensteuer von 2,70 Euro pro Person und Nacht, die 2025 in Kraft treten soll.

Sirmione has around 8,000 inhabitants but receives 1.36 million overnight stays annually. This highlights the imbalance between the ever-growing number of tourists and the city's limited capacity. Another sign of the growing popularity among German tourists is that 86 percent of them could imagine living in Sirmione permanently.

The city already imposed a ban on cars and bicycles in the city center in 2018, with exceptions for residents, hotel guests and people with jobs in the city center. These measures aim to preserve the historic character of the city while increasing security. Sirmione is now at a critical point in finding the balance between hospitality and sustainability in order to preserve the beauty of this pearl of Lake Garda.

You can find more information about the developments in Sirmione at Mercury and Cosmo.