Visitors heading to one of Sardinia's most picturesque beaches this summer may be in for a surprise. New rules at Punta Molentis, near Villasimius, mean that most beachgoers will no longer be allowed to put up umbrellas on the sand.

According to Euro Weekly, the restriction applies to anyone aged between 10 and 65. Only families with children under 10 and visitors over the age of 65 can use a single umbrella during their stay.

The measure has been introduced as local authorities try to reduce pressure on the beach, which has struggled with growing visitor numbers in recent years. Punta Molentis is located within a protected coastal area and has also been affected by extreme weather and a wildfire that swept through the region last year.

Officials say the goal is to help safeguard the beach's environment during the busy summer months, when thousands of visitors flock to the popular stretch of coastline.

The new rules are among several measures being introduced to protect some of Italy's most heavily visited natural sites as concerns grow over the impact of mass tourism on fragile coastal ecosystems.