In addition to its cultural and historical heritage, Italy has one of the most beautiful coastlines in the entire Mediterranean. In around 7,500 kilometers of coastline you can find corners with great cliffs, panoramic views, picturesque villages and peaceful waters.
No matter how far away they are from civilization, they have been adapted to modern tourism services, as is the case of privileged Sardinia, Sicily and Tuscany. These regions are characterized by modern hotels, recreational services and some of the best gastronomy in the world.
If you would like to discover secluded bays, inlets, coves, clean waters, nature reserves and beautiful beaches that will tickle your feet, we give you a tour of the beaches of Italy, which are the perfect destination for you to spend a vacation in paradise.
Don’t think twice, get your luggage ready, and embark on a real vacation in Italy!
So without further ado, let’s start with the list of the best beaches in Italy:
- Mariolu (Sardinia)
- Goloritzè (Sardinia)
- Brandinchi (Sardinia)
- Isola dei Conigli (Puglia)
- Rossa (Sicily)
- Marina Piccola (Campania)
- San Vito lo Capo (Sicily)
- Punta della Suina (Puglia)
- Spinosa (Sardinia)
- Costa Smeralda (Sardinia)
- Monterosso (Liguria)
- Arenella (Tuscany)
- Chiaia di Luna (Lazio)
- Marasusa (Calabria)
- Luna (Sardinia)
- Fetovaia (Tuscany)
- Tropea (Calabria)
- The Turks’ Staircase (Sicily)
- Baia delle Zagare (Puglia)
- La Pelosa (Sardinia)
Mariolu (Sardinia)
Mariolu is located in the municipality of Baunei, in the town of Punta Ispuligi. It is one of the most beautiful beaches in Italy, although it is actually on a small island far from the mainland.
Despite being a little complicated to reach due to its remoteness, you can access it with boats that make the journey from the ports of Arbatax, Gonone and Santa Maria Navarrese. If you are an adventure lover, the best thing to do is to explore the variety of caves that the area of the cove offers.
Another interesting and fun activity you can do here is to climb the huge rocks that surround its corners. On the other hand, you can go on an excursion around the gulf and visit the splendid Sisine and Biriola coves, the uncontaminated Goloritzè and Luna, one of the symbolic beaches of the Mediterranean.
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Goloritzè (Sardinia)
Goloritzè is a small cove located 9 kilometers from the municipality of Baunei in Sardinia. The best way to get there is by boats leaving from the ports Arbatax, Santa Maria Navarrese or Cala Gonone.
It is not one of the cheapest beaches in Italy due to its remoteness. However, you can also opt for the classic land route starting from El Porteddu along a path that diverts to the neighboring Luna.
It is a place that offers you the imposing 148-meter-high Monte Caroddi. Its wild context makes it an attractive place for hiking, climbing, kayaking and bouldering.
Brandinchi (Sardinia)
Brandinchi located in the town of Capo Coda Cavallo is considered one of the most beautiful beaches on the island of Sardinia. It is located 25 kilometers from the city of Olbia so it is necessary to have a private car.
Among its most beautiful features are its soft white sand and shallow waters dotted with stones. This makes it perfect for snorkeling, diving and taking the best pictures.
The virtues that this cove offers you are the nearby hotels, campsites, parking, restaurants and bars. However its most characteristic feature is that it is one of the public Italian beaches that is ideal for the whole family to enjoy.
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Isola dei Conigli (Puglia)
In the south of Sicily, halfway along the coast of Italy, Malta and Tunisia, you can find Lampedusa where you can appreciate the Spiaggia dei Conigli (Rabbits Beach), considered one of the best beaches in Italy and in the world.
This Italian corner is one of the most important beaches in Italy to visit, since it offers the spectacle of seeing hundreds of loggerhead turtles, which congregate on its sands to lay their eggs once a year.
The gastronomy of this place combines the best of southern Italy with North African cuisine. If you are thinking of visiting it and tasting its delicious culinary creations, the only way you can get there is by taking a boat from Porto Empedocle.
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Rossa (Sicily)
Rossa is one of the most beautiful natural pools in Italy. It is located on the Favignana island, west of Sicily and you can access it by land or go with a boat excursion departing from Trapani.
This cove is accessible to the public, so it is not one of the private beaches in Italy. On the other hand, you have two options to visit it: stay for a few days or visit on a “round trip”.
If you are going to stay in this Eden for several days you have the option of renting a boat to visit the southern part of the island where Porto Vecchio is located. Otherwise, it is best to visit the western end from the lighthouse of Punta Sottile, Faraglioni or Punta Lunga to see one of the best sunsets in the region.
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Marinna Piccola (Campania)
South of the beautiful island of Capri, near the Sorrento peninsula, is Marina Piccola. While you spend your stay in this paradisiacal place it is best to know the beaches of Marina di Pennauro and Marina di Mulo, located on either side of the reef of the Mermaids.
If you want a refuge for several days you have at your disposal the Grand Hotel Quisisana. Here you can savor the various fish dishes accompanied by live music along with the various services for your enjoyment near the sea.
This is one of Italy’s public beaches, accessible by bus or a 15-minute walk from the city center. And if you are a born explorer, the best thing to do is to go through Via Krupp and visit the Gardens of Augustus and the Charterhouse of San Giacomo.
San Vito lo Capo (Sicily)
San Vito lo Capo is located in a small village of the same name in northern Sicily. If you are a water sports lover you can practice scuba diving, windsurfing, sailing, fishing and even rent a boat to go sailing.
This is one of the most beautiful beaches in southern Italy, as it has a promenade that you can walk or bike through its streets. Here you will be able to go into its different bars and restaurants that offer one of the best fish dishes in the region.
The important thing is that before leaving you visit the Natural Reserve of Zingaro where you will have the opportunity to visit the prehistoric cave of Uzzo, one of the first human settlements in the region.
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Punta della Suina (Puglia)
Punta della Suina is located between Punta Pizzo and Baia Verde. A place composed of two small sandy bays with an island in front, called Scoglio. You can reach it by private car from the historic center of Gallipoli, which is only 20 minutes away.
In its locality is the heart of the Regional Natural Park where you will find a long public beach known as Lido Pizzo. Due to being inside a natural park it is not considered one of the dog friendly Italian beaches.
On the other hand, if you are a nightlife lover, you can party at the different musical events offered by its inhabitants after watching one of the best sunsets in the whole Mediterranean.
Spinosa (Sardinia)
Spinosa is an amazing beach in Italy located in the town of Capo Testa, in Santa Teresa Gallura. Region that extends to the north of Sardinia, with narrow coves and islands such as the Magdalena Archipelago.
You can access it by following the signs to the lighthouse of Capo Testa and then follow a path on foot until you come face to face with huge eroded granite rocks that reach up to 128 meters high.
It is a memorable destination to get to know the wild Mediterranean vegetation and have fun in its turquoise waters snorkeling and diving. It is one of the best beaches in Italy perfect for capturing beautiful postcards of the Strait of Bonifacio and Corsica.
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Costa Smeralda (Sardinia)
Costa Smeralda is located between the Gulf of Cugnana and the Gulf of Arzachena, on the northeast coast of Sardinia. To get there you can take the ferry at the Port of Palau that runs along the fascinating beaches of the Gulf of Pevero, the islands of Mortuorio and Soffi.
It is a sophisticated place with calm and shallow waters ideal for the enjoyment of the whole family. It is made up of golf courses, villas and marinas that blend seamlessly with the Mediterranean vegetation.
And if you are an avid nightlife lover, in the center of the town you will find the elegant and flashy Porto Cervo that offers an active nightlife with its bars and clubs with good music. It is not one of Italy’s gay beaches, and is visited by any number of different people.
10 is not enough? Then read on to discover more of the best beaches in Italy.
Monterosso (Liguria)
If you are going to visit Cinque Terre, the best place to start is Monterosso, located in the extreme north of the region. You can reach it by private car or by train to the station Monterosso al Mare with a journey of only 5 minutes.
It is the only sandy beach of the Cinque Terre, so it is an invitation to rent a boat, catamaran or paddle surf and go sailing in the calm waters of the Mediterranean.
It is also one of the beautiful beaches of northern Italy where you can walk through the historic center and visit the port where the ferry leaves for the Golfo dei Poeti.
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Arenella (Tuscany)
The Arenella is located at the eastern end of the island of Giglio, on the north side of the port. It is the most accessible place of the whole coast. To get there you need to take a boat from Porto Santo Stefano and make the one hour trip to Giglio Porto.
Although it is a small place you can enjoy an excellent day accompanied by services of hammocks, umbrellas and chairs for you to rest.
You can also rent canoes and pedal boats to explore the turquoise waters surrounded by mountains.
On the other hand, you can take a tour of the island on your way to the Giglio Campese Gulf until you reach the famous Capel Rosso Lighthouse. Or board a boat cab to enjoy exploring the neighboring Cala del Corvo, famous for its impressive cave eroded by rain and breeze. Of course, it is not one of the free beaches in Italy, but its costs are not exorbitant.
Chiaia di Luna (Lazio)
Chiaia di Luna is located on the island of Ponzo, in the province of Salerno. This beach owes its name to a huge white rock that surrounds it.
If you are a lover of speleology, this is one of the best beaches in Italy where you can have fun exploring the different caves that make it up and give it a touch of mystery.
The access to the beach is unique, as you have to go through a subway tunnel that dates back to Roman times. If you don’t like it, you can also reach it from the sea with an excursion that leaves from Marina di Camerota, one of the best options if you want to learn about the history and anecdotes of the region.
Marasusa (Calabria)
Marusa is one of the beaches of Tropea, a place characterized by the sanctuary of Santa Maria dell’Isola that is located on an adjacent rock.
At the top you can enjoy a museum and beautiful gardens that offer a unique view of the entire bay.
To get there the best option is with a private car since you can park in a free parking lot. Here you will find bars and restaurants that have on their menus the typical pizzas and pasta with a sweet touch of pink onion.
It is one of the beaches of southern Italy where if you want to know other nearby destinations, you can go on an excursion to the Aeolian Islands and Stromboli.
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Luna (Sardinia)
In the eastern center of the iconic island of Sardinia, is Cala Luna, one of the greatest wonders of the Gulf of Orosei. You can reach it with boats leaving from the ports of Santa Maria Navarrese, Arbatax and Gonone.
On the other hand, if you love hiking, this is one of the public beaches in Italy where you can test your skills by walking the difficult terrain starting from Baunei or Dorgali. Already in Cala Luna eight giant caves along the cliff with small mini bars await you.
But if you want to complement your visit to this beach, the best thing to do is to take a boat trip to the cave of the bue Marino, in the surroundings of Alghero. Here you will discover the remains of one of the first human settlements.
Fetovaia (Tuscany)
Fetovaia is a treasure located on the shores of the Tyrrhenian Sea, southeast of the island of Elba. You can arrive by private car and park in a parking area where you can enjoy a dreamlike landscape.
It is one of the best beaches in Italy where you will find an area occupied by different resorts. The other half is with free access to multiple facilities such as toilets, umbrella rental, boat rental and even a surf school.
You can also walk the path to the top of the village to practice your talent as a photographer with an extensive amount of meters of coastline and sea.
Tropea (Calabria)
Tropea is considered one of the most beautiful of the Italian territory. It is located in the province of Vibo Valentia and extends along the Costa degli Dei, in the region of Calabria.
The place offers you two of the most important panoramic points of the region. The first is L’Affacio, from where you can appreciate the temple of Santa Maria dell’Isola. The second is Piazza Cannone, where there is a bar-restaurant and from where you can access the beach.
To reach one of the top beaches of southern Italy, the best option is to take a walk along the Porta Nuova or descend from the Borgo District. Another option is to enjoy a tour of the town of Tropea located a few kilometers away to visit the famous town of Spilinga.
The Turks’ Staircase (Sicily)
The Staircase of the Turks owes its name to a huge stone called Marga that has white shades and steps that allow you to descend to the middle of the beach. It is located on the Realmonte Coast and to get there you have to drive 18 kilometers from Agrigento along the State Road that takes you directly to the village.
In the surroundings you can taste the delicious Sicilian dishes based on fish and rest in their hotels. Then you can go on an excursion to the village of Realmonte and visit the remains of a Roman villa and the Valley of the Temples.
Among the surrounding beaches that dominate this place you can visit Punta Grande, Rosello, Giallonardo, Le Pergole, places that have become the goal of all tourists visiting Sicily. They are not known as nudist beaches in southern Italy, so if you are curious you could visit them and find out for yourself.
And here you can discover one really interesting phenomenon explained: mysterious staircase in the woods.
Baia delle Zagare (Puglia)
The Baia delle Zagare is located 15 kilometers from Mattinata, along the Vieste coast. You can reach it thanks to the elevator of the hotel of the same name of the bay that is carved into the rock.
A very interesting option is to see it from a distance with the sea excursions departing from the port of Mattinata that bring you close to Vignanotica and Pugnochiuso. Here you will get a panoramic view of one of the beaches near Rome, Italy.
This destination offers you two of the best beaches in Italy: Spiaggia dei Mergoli and Spiaggia dei Faraglioni. In addition, if you are a nature lover, in northern Apulia you can visit Gargano Natural Park with its forest and white coves.
La Pelosa (Sardinia)
The ancient fishing village of Stintino is one of the best places for sightseeing in Italy. It is located in the gulf of Asinara where you will discover the Pelosa which is only 45 minutes from the Fertilia airport of L’Alghero.
Upon arrival you can visit the nature reserve of one of the most protected beaches in Italy. What you have to do is to take one of the excursions that leave from its small seaport. Another entertaining activity in this cove is to visit the tower that is located at the height of Cape Falcone and take spectacular pictures of the gulf and the coast.
But if what you want is to go shopping, in the village there is a peculiar store located in a double canoe on the water that allows you to enjoy the scenery while you choose the best gifts.
Arienzo (Campania)
Located in the town of Positano, on the Amalfi Coast is Arienzo one of the quietest and least crowded in Italy. It is not one of the beaches of northern Italy, as it is located in the middle zone of its lands.
One of its attractions is that from its coast you can appreciate the Lattari mountains. To get there, it is best to rent a car from the city of Naples while you drive through the spectacular scenery that gives you its roads bathed in mountains and sea to the coast.
During the day you can go shopping in the various boutiques of the town or have lunch in one of its restaurants to try one of the delicious dishes typical of the region. An excellent end to the tour is to visit the various bars and nightclubs.
Isola Bella (Sicily)
The beach of Isola Bella is one of the best known of the entire city of Taormina. You can easily reach it with the regional train services that connect Catania to Taormina and offer a one-hour ride. Once you are in town you can take a small boat to Mazzarò.
In addition to enjoying the sun and refreshing yourself in its waters, you can go on an excursion to the picturesque island bathed with deep vegetation and visit an ancient fortress. This is one of the most beautiful beaches in northern Italy, as it is in the middle of civilization, but maintains its natural beauty.
In the evening you can visit the viewpoint of the Pizza Duomo. And if you go as a couple, it is best to end the day with dinner at a romantic restaurant like the Zagara or the Giara.
The best beaches in Italy: More than you expect
It’s time for you to stop holding your breath every time you see a postcard of the paradisiacal Italian beaches, characterized by the most exotic, wild and beautiful destinations in the world. And if you are a cigar aficionado you will need the best travel humidor if you want to keep your cigars fresh and in a perfect condition.
Don’t think twice and enjoy its landscapes, feel the sand, swim in its warm waters, get the best tan in the Mediterranean. Visit the beaches of Pescara in Italy, or those near Rome if it is more convenient for the transfer. Smell the salt-laden breeze and enjoy good company. They are earthly paradises that provide a relaxed and calm environment for you to leave all your troubles behind. Italy’s best beaches are places you should visit at least once in your life.
