Some of the most beautiful places in Italy include the various towns of the Italian coast, where la dolce vita reigns supreme against the backdrop of sun, sand, and sea—a natural pairing, given Italy’s 4,900 miles of coastline. With all that mileage, the seaside experiences you’ll get all over the Italian peninsula will be widely varied: You get that enviable sun-kissed glamour in resort towns like Capri; historic settings of harbor towns like Otranto, the laid-back local vibes of Ischia, and the handsome elegance of verdant Portofino. You’ll find some of the best hotels in Italy in these towns, which put all sorts of sailing, culinary, and cultural experiences right at your fingertips.
In Italy, it’s always a good time to head to the ocean, even in the off-season. It’s just a matter of which coastal town to visit and fall in love with. Below, see 20 of the best Italian coastal towns, from classic Positano to rising Porto Ercole, many of them close to the best beaches in Italy—plus Condé Nast Traveler-approved recommendations of where to stay.
This gallery has been updated with new information since its original publish date.
