Italians clash with beach clubs over packed lunch bans
7 reported
A dispute over homemade sandwiches at a private beach club in Puglia has reignited debate about packed lunch policies at Italian beach concessions. The incident occurred last weekend in Vieste, where a woman named Rosaria was confronted by staff after her son was caught eating a smuggled sandwich. While no national rule prohibits bringing food into private clubs, individual concession holders can set their own policies. Beachgoers argue that high rental costs for loungers and umbrellas make daily restaurant meals unaffordable. Concession holders say packed lunches create hygiene and waste problems and undermine their investments. The average cost of renting two loungers and an umbrella has risen 6% from 2025, with some areas seeing increases of up to 16%, according to the consumers’ association Altroconsumo. Regional and local officials have weighed in, with Puglia’s president stating that no one can stop people from eating food brought from home on the beach.
What’s reported
A woman named Rosaria was confronted at a private beach club in Vieste, Puglia, after her son was caught eating a smuggled homemade sandwich.
There is no national rule prohibiting packed lunches at private beach clubs, but concession holders can set their own policies.
The average cost of renting two loungers and an umbrella is up 6% on 2025, with some places up 16%, per Altroconsumo.
At Il Tirreno in Montalto di Castro, a seasonal rental for two loungers and umbrella costs €850.
The share of coastline taken by private concessions ranges from about 20% in Sardinia to 70% in Emilia-Romagna and Liguria.
Puglia region president Antonio Decaro stated on Facebook: “No one can stop you from eating food on the beach that you’ve brought from home.”
Il Gabbiano beach club offers packed lunches for customers at a cost of €9 including a bottle of water.
Key figures
Beatrice Bordo, customer at Il Tirreno beach club
Luca Pernice, journalist with Corriere della Sera
Rosaria, woman at center of Vieste dispute
Nicola Ragno, president of local unit of Assoturismo
Antonio Decaro, president of Puglia region
Moira Maccharini, customer at Il Tirreno
Elisabetta, mother of Moira Maccharini
Rachele Giambi, concession holder at Il Tirreno
Alessio Giambi, brother of Rachele
Marco Campione, husband of Rachele
Benedetta, customer at Il Gabbiano
Mare Libero, grassroots movement
Sources: The Guardian
