Claiming your own beach territory with a towel or umbrella is now punishable by a fine of €200 in Italy.
The Italian coastguard has mounted Operation Safe Sea on public beaches from north to south of the nation.
It says the use of deckchairs, umbrellas or other gear left out by tourists overnight to reserve the best places is so widespread as to be unfair on others.
On Saturday, the coastguard seized 37 beach chairs, 30 umbrellas, towels and the occasional bathing suit, according to La Repubblica newspaper.
It said the practice is an “ancient and ingrained habit” that came with the early wave of tourists to Italy after WWII.
Beach gear was also nabbed by the authorities in the middle and south of the country. In Tuscany, the city of Cecina has made it a crime to leave any unattended equipment on the beach before it opens to swimmers at 8.30am.
Authorities claim that some of the paraphernalia was being positioned by con artists who then charge tourists for the chairs and umbrellas which ought to be free.
Italians have taken action before on beach-related antisocial behaviour. A few years ago, six tourists – all over the age of 60 – were fined around €1,000 for positioning 10 towels on the beach before 6am to reserve spots.
Separately, a British coach driver was arrested for burning towels placed by German holidaymakers. Charges were, however, ultimately not pursued in the case.
Social media networks have been swamped in Portugal with opinions on the 'deserted beach' at Armação da Pêra, Silves, which has been photographed in the morning with a covering of towels and umbrellas, but with no people.
The local parish president says that peole get there early and then go off to the market or for breakfast, returning to their reserved spaces later in the morning.
The police say there is nothing they can do about it as no laws are being broken.
