The splendid Sperlonga, one of the Lazio coast’s most beloved destinations, is introducing a new system for accessing the free beach in front of the Grotta di Tiberio: it is now necessary, in fact, to book via a free app. This is a strategic choice to curb overcrowding and promote a more conscious and sustainable use of the territory.
The return of apps for access to free beaches
During the pandemic, between 2020 and 2021, many Italian beaches adopted a digital reservation system to regulate access. With the gradual return to normality, many of these measures were abandoned. However, in some places such as Posillipo near Naples, the system remained active. Now Sperlonga, in Lazio, also chooses to resume this practice, not for health reasons, but to counter mass tourism and protect environmental and cultural heritage.
Why the Grotta di Tiberio requires a reservation
The free beach in front of the evocative Grotta di Tiberio — a natural cave of archaeological interest — is one of Sperlonga’s most iconic, but also among the smallest and most fragile. For this reason the municipality has determined that no more than 56 umbrellas can be accommodated, maintaining a minimum distance of 3 x 4 meters between each one. This measure is essential to guarantee the sustainable use of the area, which is part of the Riviera di Ulisse Regional Park and indeed possesses significant natural and archaeological value.
How the reservation system works
From June 14, the app “Sperlonga turismo” — available for iOS and Android and used by both tourists and locals — features a dedicated section: “Book free beach Grotta di Tiberio.” The service is free, but it carries some rules:
- the reservation is mandatory and must be made one day in advance,
- the on-site confirmation must be completed by 11:30 AM on the day you wish to use the beach, via QR code,
- scanning the code must be done at the designated parking areas to activate and then deactivate your spot when you leave,
- the reservation system automatically releases the spot when the user leaves, making it available for other travelers.
Additionally, on the beach there is a physical information point, managed by Energie Comuni, where you can receive assistance and explanations about how the app and reservations work.
A trend shared by other Italian localities as well
Sperlonga is not an isolated case. In Sardinia, several municipalities have adopted similar solutions to limit mass tourism and safeguard beaches that are beautiful but with limited capacity. This is the case for La Pelosa in Stintino, Cala Goloritzé in Baunei, and Tuerredda in Teulada. In all these destinations the aim is to preserve the landscape and to promote tourism that respects the environment more.
Sustainable tourism and respect for the territory
The Sperlonga Municipality’s initiative fits within a broader vision of sustainable tourism management, formalized through a memorandum of understanding with the Riviera di Ulisse Regional Park and the local branch of the Italian Naval League. The objective is clear: to safeguard natural resources and offer a high-quality experience, both to residents and to the many visitors.
