The best beaches in Italy are a truly diverse bunch: You can experience soft-sand slices of heaven in Campania, hip-and-happening beach clubs in Rimini, and hidden alcoves (with historic monasteries) in Liguria. Of the listed beaches below, many are found off the beaten path and require a rental car to reach; others are more accessible, located as they are in gorgeous resort towns featuring many of the best hotels in Italy. They’re ideal summer vacation destinations, but visiting Italy in the off-season is never a bad idea.
Given all this variety in Italy’s supremely extensive shoreline—all 4,723 miles of it—means these some of these spiagge (that’s beaches in Italian) are more varied in terrain; be mindful of pebbled beaches, jagged rocks, and spots meant purely for sightseeing. But no matter the natural setting you choose along the Italian coast, you’re guaranteed to experience some of the most beautiful places in Italy by heading for the shore. In the list below, we’ve included 20 of our favorites, on all sides of the peninsula.
Tips for the best beaches in Italy
For some expert advice on planning a beach-oriented itinerary in Italy, we tapped Georgia Yuill, a Condé Nast Traveler Top Travel Specialist and Butterfield & Robinson’s region director for Italy. Though the best time to visit Italy can vary depending on the type of trip you want to have, a beach vacation warrants some summer vibes. “The best time to go to the beaches of Italy are on the weekdays of June, early July, and September,” Yuill says. “Waterfronts in Sardinia and Sicily are particularly lovely in September with the water warmed up over the previous months and visitor numbers low, leaving you with a tranquil and gorgeous setting.”
As far as the timeframes that are perhaps better spent exploring towns or other parts of Italy, Yuill says the beaches can get crowded on the weekends in June, July, and August, when you’re not only competing with fellow tourists for spots on the sand, but Italians who are on their own domestic vacations as well. “That said, experiencing the coastline, or islands such as Sardinia, by gulet or catamaran is an excellent solution to finding quiet inlets and harder-to-reach beaches,” says Yuill.
This list features beaches that are free to access, but if you can swing it, private strips of sand at beach clubs are a great option as well. “Not only are they perfect for people watching, but they provide all the things travelers may not have packed, like beach towels, umbrellas, and lounge chairs,” Yuill says. Plus, families traveling to Italy with kids will especially appreciate the lifeguards on duty. And who can say no to the the convenience of showers, changing areas, and eateries? Additionally, Yuill notes that these clubs remain open in—or are more oriented toward—the evenings, which means a fun opportunity to enjoy the surf and sand during the cool night. And finally, Yuill suggests choosing an area designated a “Blue Flag Beach,” which indicates that it is clean and well cared for from an environmental perspective.
This gallery has been updated with new information since its original publish date. Additional reporting by Kris Fordham and Caitlin Morton.
