Urgent Warning: Brits Advised Against Visiting Isola Sacra

URGENT UPDATE: British travelers are being warned not to visit the stunning coastal town of Isola Sacra, located just 20 miles from Rome, as it faces a potential environmental disaster. A massive development project is set to reshape the area, raising concerns among locals and environmentalists alike.

Isola Sacra, known for its enchanting Roman Necropolis and beautiful coastline, is home to around 15,000 residents. However, plans for the Fiumicino Waterfront—a new port capable of accommodating 1,000 small boats and towering 70 meters high mega cruise ships—could spell disaster for this beloved destination. The port, designed to handle up to 6,000 passengers, has sparked outrage since its approval in November.

Activists are voicing alarm as Fodor’s 2026 No List highlights Isola Sacra as a destination under threat from unsustainable tourism. The list aims to draw attention to locations where tourism is overwhelming local communities and ecosystems. Local committee Tavoli del Porto is rallying residents to protect their home, stating, “Only together can we stop these projects that threaten to destroy a delicate ecosystem.”

Residents fear the development will devastate the area’s natural beauty. Environmental experts warn that extracting three million cubic meters of sand to create a shipping channel will harm nearby protected natural areas. “The scenario that looms appears apocalyptic: the coast will be overturned by piers and docks,” says Anna Longo, president of Italia Nostra Litorale Romano.

Local councillor Barbara Bonanni emphasizes the cultural significance of the coastline, expressing that it “still holds its magic.” However, the influx of visitors from large cruise ships is expected to overwhelm local infrastructure, raising concerns that the town may struggle to cope.

Spokesperson for the Port Working Group, David Di Bianco, described the development as a step toward “the destruction of our sea.” In contrast, Galliano Di Marco, CEO of Fiumicino Waterfront, asserts that the project, with a projected investment of 600 million euros, will serve as a model for sustainable tourism and urban regeneration.

As plans move forward, the fate of Isola Sacra hangs in the balance. Residents and environmentalists urge potential tourists to reconsider their travel plans to avoid contributing to the impending changes that threaten the town’s unique heritage and natural landscape.

Stay tuned as this story develops, with further updates expected on the community’s fight to protect Isola Sacra from irreversible change.