35 best beaches in Italy to visit for a stunning summer holiday
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 beaches below, many are found off the beaten path and require a car to reach; others are more accessible and located in gorgeous resort towns featuring many of the best hotels in Italy. They’re ideal summer destinations, but visiting Italy in the offseason is never a bad idea, either.
All this variety in Italy’s supremely extensive shoreline – all 7,600 kilometres of it – means 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 favourites 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 Traveller 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”.
Yuill says the beaches can get crowded on the weekends in June, July, and August, when you’re competing not only with fellow tourists for spots on the sand but also Italians who are on their own 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 free beaches, but if you can swing it, private strips of sand at beach clubs are also a great option. “Not only are they perfect for people watching, but they provide all the things travellers may not have packed, like beach towels, umbrellas, and lounge chairs”, Yuill says. Plus, families travelling to Italy with kids will especially appreciate the lifeguards on duty. And who can say no to 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. Matt Ortile
Getty Images1. Cala Goloritzé, Gulf of Orosei, Sardinia
This is one for diehard deserted-beach aficionados. The good news is, it’s absolutely stunning – a crescent of tiny white pebbles lapped by translucent turquoise water beneath a tall needle of rock beloved by climbers. The other good news is that it’s an hour’s trek (if you’re fit) down a rocky path from the car park in the remote Altopiano del Golgo plateau above Baunei, where you pay a small fee that goes towards the upkeep of this natural wonder. And why is that good news? Because it ensures that only the intrepid make it to this gorgeous spot, where wild goats come to slake their thirst from natural springs. Tourist boats occasionally visit, but they must moor at least 300 metres from the shore. This beach is a three-hour drive from Olbia airport. We recommend booking a stay at Agriturismo Sa Pedra Arrubia, only about 50 minutes from the beach. Rooms in a 1940s house overlooking vineyards start at £57 a night. Lee Marshall
Getty Images2. Beaches south of Manduria, Puglia
Many of Puglia’s most glamorous spots lie on the Greece-facing east coast, but most of its best beaches are on the region’s western side. The coast south of Manduria, known for its muscular Primitivo red wine, is studded with glorious swathes of pale gold, dune-backed sand. One, Torre Colimena, shelters a lagoon where flamingos pose and preen in winter and early spring, while Punta Prosciutto (‘Ham Point’), with its crystalline water and shallows that seems to go on forever, is excellent for families with small children. Tenuta Negroamaro in snuggled into the Gallipoli countryside – a peaceful oasis from which to explore the region. It's a 40-minute drive from the beaches like Torre Colimena, but staying here is well-worth the drive. Lee Marshall
Alamy3. Is Aruttas, Sardinia
This beach is a long stretch of rice-like, blindingly white granite pebbles on the less-touristy West Coast of Sardinia. It can get crowded in peak season, but the beachgoers are mostly locals. The surrounding area, known as the Sinis Peninsula, offers sandy and rocky beaches within walking distance from megalithic sites and Roman ruins. Is Aruttas is about an hour from Cagliari and around two from the ports and airports of Porto Torres, Alghero and Olbia. Stay at Antica Dimore, a beautiful villa in the mountain village of Santu Lussurgiu. Lee Marshall
Alamy4. Calamosche, South Of Noto, Sicily
You couldn’t design a better small beach. Inside a nature reserve, with its fawn-hued sand shelving so gently into aquamarine water that you must wade far out before the costume gets wet, Calamosche is protected from north and south winds by two maquis-covered promontories. For most of the year, it’s refreshingly uncrowded, simply because it’s a one-kilometre walk from the main Vendicari reserve car park. Needless to say, there are no facilities: bring everything you need, and don’t forget the beach umbrella, as there’s no shade. Fly to Catania, then drive for an hour and 15, or book a stay at Dimora delle Balze in Noto, which is only a 20-minute drive away by car. This hotel is a 19th-century Masseria turned contemporary 12-room hotel. Lee Marshall
Getty Images5. Costa Smeralda Beaches, Sardinia
It’s a curious fact of life in this jet-set enclave founded by the Aga Khan on Sardinia’s north-eastern coast that the lovely white-sand beaches rarely get crowded except on weekends in the height of summer – because most of the residents have their own pools. Crescents of sand like Capriccioli (a good family choice) or the Spiaggia del Principe, where apricot-pink rocks enclose an aquamarine sea, are kept in pristine condition by the Costa Smeralda consortium, with just a few beach bars allowed in the most popular spots. Bring a mask and snorkel: the water is transparent and teeming with tiny fish. Just off the coast of Costa Smeralda, Spargi is a tiny speck in the Maddalena archipelago with a coastline that looks like a remote slice of paradise. Cala Corsara and Cala Soraya are just two of the many beautiful, secluded beaches on the rocky isle. This beach is 40 minutes from Olbia airport, but if you stay at Albero Capovolto in the Gallura countryside, the beaches are just a short drive away. Lee Marshall
Getty Images6. Favignana, Sicily
The largest of the five Aegadian Islands off Sicily’s west coast, Favignana is a remote Mediterranean paradise. The island’s 33 kilometres of coastline deliver around a dozen dreamy beaches that stretch into a kaleidoscopic blue ombre that touches the horizon. Lido Burrone is the island’s most spacious and only equipped. Aquamarine water laps its white-sand shore so delicately that it’s almost hypnotising. If you’re kid-free and want to settle back on a rough-and-ready seafront, Cala Azzurra, with its pinkish-white sand, is nestled into the southeast shore while Cala Rossa spills out from tuff caves etched into the northeast coast. The latter is reachable by boat, which drops anchor a few hundred metres from the shore or land–a steep descent (and ascent on the return) suited to the agile. Fly to Trapani and catch the ferry. Alternatively, fly to Palermo and drive the hour and a half to Trapani. Dimora Cala del Pozza is a 19th-century farmhouse turned boutique hotel on the northwest part of the island, complete with an organic farm. Lee Marshall
Getty Images7. Riserva Naturale dello Zingaro, Trapani
Shades of crystal clear waters, craggy rock formations, and dots of greenery are the name of the game here. This beach is Sicily's best-kept secret, only accessible via the meandering trails of the island's first nature reserve. The journey here is not for the faint-hearted, but it's worth the trouble when you nab a piece of prime real estate on this crowd-free beach. It's relatively isolated, though, so we'd recommend coming prepared for a day on the beach – think umbrella to grab shade, packed lunch and snacks to keep you going and plenty of water. Fly into Palermo airport and rent a car, as it's a 1.5-hour drive to Riserva Naturale dello Zingaro. You'll want to leave early in the day so that you've got plenty of time to enjoy this stunner of a beach. Palermo should be your home base to enjoy more of what Sicily offers while still being a drive away from Riserva Naturale dello Zingaro. Villa Igiea is an oasis a short drive from the Palermo city centre and offers guests a breezy, indulgent stay with a touch of whimsicality. Amber Port
Getty Images8. San Vito Lo Capo, Sicily
One of the most stunning town beaches in the whole of Italy, this sweep of white sand an hour’s drive from Trapani airport, punctuated by the scenic bulk of Monte Monaco, gets severely crowded in July and August. But it’s a lovely off-season destination, with the sea still warm until well into October and a CousCous Fest livening up the resort’s late September nights. Head around the cape to the Riserva dello Zingaro for a refreshing shot of coastal wilderness in a rocky landscape where rock roses and dwarf palms flourish, and near-deserted pebbly coves like Cala Berretta await – it all seems an ocean away from the San Vito movida. Fly to Trapani then a 45-minute drive, and stay at Tonnara di Scopello is in the middle of the ancient seaside village. Lee Marshall
Getty Images9. Marina di Alberese, near Grosseto, Tuscany
The sheer pressure of numbers means that long, wild beachcomber beaches are in short supply around the coast of mainland Italy. That’s why this five-mile gently-shelving stretch of grey-gold sand is such a joy to discover. Part of the well-run Parco della Maremma nature reserve, it has no facilities and little shade – so come prepared. The further you walk south from the car park, the fewer people you’ll see and the fewer clothes they’ll wear. There’s a cap on the number of cars admitted in high season: our advice is to hire bikes in the village of Alberese and cycle the six (entirely flat) miles to the beach. Marina di Alberese is a two-hour drive from Pisa, but book a stay at the Il Pelicano, which is a 50-minute drive. This hotel screams old-school glamour, chiselled into the dramatic Monte Argentario coastline and just a short drive from the beautiful Porto Ercole. Lee Marshall
Alamy10. Isola d’Elba, Tuscany
This island off the Tuscan coast is relatively quiet, with plenty of pristine bays and secret coves waiting to be discovered. Spiaggia delle Ghiaie is a charming pebble beach near Portoferraio, the main town of Elba, with a beautiful backdrop of colourful buildings and lush green trees. Spiaggia di Cavoli is on the southern coast, a long stretch of soft sand and azure water. It can get crowded during peak season, but it is still worth a visit. But Spiaggia dell’Enfola is our favourite – one of the most picturesque beaches on Elba, it spans both sides of a thin sandy strip. The south-facing side offers great snorkelling opportunities, with crystalline water rich in marine life. Fly to Pisa, and drive an hour to Piombino, where you can catch a ferry to Portoferraio, Cavo or Rio Marina. Tenuta delle Ripalte is a lovely little hotel close to the mines of Capolivieri. Lee Marshall
Alamy11. Balzi Rossi, Ventimiglia, Liguria
Just a few hundred metres from the French border, near an important prehistoric site, Italy’s westernmost beach is a delight, a little family-friendly cove of wave-smoothed white pebbles protected by rocky promontories that flare up red in the setting sun. A private beach club entirely occupies it with just 38 neat ombrelloni in three rows, where the watery soundtrack is varied by the occasional slow train on the coastline above. With front-row sunloungers priced at €40 a head on weekdays in high season and €55 on the weekend and first courses in the classy barefoot-chic restaurant in the €30 range, it’s not cheap, but you’re buying a prime slice of seaside contentment.
If you fly into Nice, it's only a 45-minute drive to this lovely beach. It also gives you a great excuse to enjoy one of the Côte d'Azur's most beautiful cities, so why not use it as your base to explore a bit of France and Liguria? Book a stay at Hôtel La Pérouse for a sea view from Nice's verdant Parc du Château. Lee Marshall
Getty Images12. San Fruttuoso, Portofino
Since Portofino is more of a harbour town, the best local beaches lie outside its confines. A 20-minute ferry ride west (or a strenuous three-hour hike) brings you to San Fruttuoso, a secluded 300-metre-long bay with white-pebbled beaches and teal crystalline water. The Christ of the Abyss statue, a popular diving site, is submerged 17 metres under the sea, 150 metres from shore. San Fruttuoso is a no-frills town – there’s one beach club and a handful of restaurants. You’re unlikely to find a pharmacy or a cash machine, so plan accordingly. Most businesses accept credit cards, but keeping cash on hand is wise. Fly to Genoa and then drive about 40 minutes to Portofino. Stay at the magnificent Belmond Hotel Splendido – snuggled into the leafy hillside in a refurbished 16th-century monastery with spectacular bay views. Lee Marshall
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Getty Images13. Monterosso al Mare, Cinque Terre
Cinque Terre is undoubtedly one of Italy’s most heavily trodden destinations, but that doesn’t render the shimmery blue-green sea and the precipitous craggy cliffs any less alluring. Swimming is possible in all five towns, but Monterosso al Mare is the only one with proper sandy beaches: two in the new town and one beside the old town harbour. Umbrellas and towels start covering the public beaches pretty early, but the crowd isn’t too daunting if you’re dropping in for a quick dip after, say, a hike or village-hopping. If you’re making a day out of it, an equipped beach club with sun loungers, umbrellas, water activities and facilities like Stella Marina is the way to go. To get there, fly to Pisa and drive an hour and a half to Monterosso al Mare. Agriturismo Missanega is a mere ten minute drive from Monterosso al Mare. This recently revamped farmhouse is tucked into the hillside and offers five guest rooms named for different Mediterranean maquis, and the owners operate a beach shuttle for guests. Lee Marshall
Getty Images14. Amalfi Coast Beaches, Campania
The scenery is breathtaking, but all those cliffs plunging down to the sea mean the few sandy beaches that exist are in towns such as family-oriented Maiori or swooningly romantic Positano, and tend to get very crowded. There are two ways to find more secluded coves even without your own yacht. One is to take a shuttle boat from Positano beach to lunch at pebbly Spiaggia di Laurito, where both no-nonsense beachside trattoria Da Adolfo and chic Treville Beach Club have sun-loungers and ombrelloni. Alternatively, make the easy 45-minute trek from the village of Nerano to the Baia di Ieranto, a spectacular protected stretch of coastline where a small sandy beach nestles amidst the rocks. In Vietri sul Mare, the Riva Beach Club has cabanas, changing rooms and direct access to the sea, in the unique frame of Giardini del Fuenti’s terraced gardens (although sunbeds and umbrella for two will set you back 105€). You'll have to fly to Naples (why not stay a few days!) to visit this beach. The drive is around an hour and a half along the beautiful coastline and countryside. The Amalfi Coast is laced with smart stays, but we recommend booking into Monastero Santa Rosa, a 17th-century former monastery with a swimming pool that seems to float above the clifftop. Lee Marshall
Getty Images15. Fornillo Beach, Positano
Fornillo Beach is popular amongst the locals, making it the perfect place to escape the tourist crowds and stake out a little slice of heaven for a day spent sunbathing and swimming in a crystal-clear sea. You'll find this hidden gem by following the pedestrianised street Via Positanesi d’America, which sits near the ferries on the western edge of Spiaggia Grande. The beach has a laid-back buzz, and the sometimes spirited beach bars offer visitors the best of both worlds. It's a nice alternative to its often-packed sister beach, Spiaggia Grande, and gives you a taste of the local flavour. You'll have about an hour or more of driving from Naples airport, but it's worth it. Stay at Il San Pietro di Positano – the crown jewel of Amalfi Coast hotels, built into a dramatic cliff face with most rooms blessed with far-reaching views of Positano. Amber Port
Getty Images16. Tropea, Calabria
Few overseas tourists make it to this gorgeous historic town, which drapes itself across a clifftop halfway down the toe of the Italian boot. Scenically spread out below town is a long beach of granular sand – quite gravelly close to the shore – divided in two by the Sanctuary of Santa Maria dell’Isola on its rocky outcrop. The beach is safe and shelving, the water impressively clean, the scene bustling and family-oriented. For a wilder and more secluded beach experience, head two miles west to the Spiagga Michelino, a small Caribbean-like cove of white sand accessed via 210 steps from the road above. Fly to Calabria, then drive for an hour and a half to Villa Paola. This pastel-pink, peaceful hideaway is a stately 16th-century property turned 12-room, five-star boutique hotel. Lee Marshall
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Getty Images17. San Michele and Le Due Sorelle, Marche
These two beaches are the twin stars of the Conero Riviera, one of the few stretches of Italy’s Adriatic coast north of Puglia where a long, flat string of mostly dull beach towns is challenged by geology. Between Loreto and Ancona, Monte Conero thrusts into the sea, lending a touch of vertical drama to San Michele beach, a 15-minute walk through shady pine woods from the quietly chic little resort of Sirolo. You can rent sun loungers on the white pebble beach, but there are also plenty of free spots to lay out a towel. Shuttle boats run from here to Le Due Sorelle, a spectacular white shingle beach (easier on the feet than San Michele) that curves scenically between the Two Sister rock stacks that lend the place its name. These beaches are only a 30-minute drive from Ancona airport. Still, we recommend driving a bit further to Officina del Sole, located in Montegiorgio and etched into the hilly countryside, with vineyards, a wine cellar and olive groves. Lee Marshall
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18. Rimini, Emilia-Romagna
If you’ve heard of Emilia-Romagna, you’re likely more familiar with its culinary legacy as the origin of ragù alla Bolognese (Bologna is the region’s capital) than you are with its beautiful beaches. But one trip to Rimini, a seaside resort town along the Adriatic Sea, and you’ll be experiencing of gelati-on-the-boardwalk and toes-in-the-sand bliss. Grab a spot along the free beach across from Parco Murri, or Beach 33 near the Piazzale Kennedy if you want to bring your dog. For more of a scene, check out Tortuga Beach, a beach club with lounger rentals, volleyball nets, cocktails on offer, and DJ sets.
Being in a full-on city like Rimini means you get easy access to other cultural attractions once you’re tired of the beach. For example, this being the birthplace of Italian film director Federico Fellini, you can visit his namesake museum for an immersive experience in the Castel Sismondo, where images from the auteur’s films are projected onto the castle walls. Additionally, for an interesting day trip, the country of San Marino, the world’s oldest country, is just 30 minutes away by car.
To get to Rimini, direct flights reach Federico Fellini International Airport (RMI) from hubs like Milan, London, and Barcelona; trains from Rome take three and a half hours, via Bologna. For a truly stylish spot to stay in Rimini, check into Palazzo Viviani Castello di Montegridolfo, an eight-bedroom abode owned and designed by the fashion designer Alberta Ferretti. Matt Ortile
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19. Punta Prosciutto, Puglia
No, this is not the place where dry-cured Italian hams come from, but with a name like that, one can’t be blamed for assuming. At the end of this gorgeous beach with crystalline water and fine sand stands a cliff formation that, if you squint enough, does kind of look like a ham – allegedly giving this spiaggia its moniker. Located right on the heel of boot-shaped Italy, Punta Prosciutto is about an hour’s drive from the two biggest settlements in the area: Lecce, with its beautiful Baroque buildings, and Brindisi, with its rich history of Adriatic trade. To get to this part of Italy, your best bet is to fly into Bari, the Puglia region’s capital, and to rent a car. Bed down at La Fiermontina in Lecce, one of the best hotels in Puglia, where the vibe gives “designer monastery”. It’s a discreetly stylish refuge in the centre of town combining star-vaulted ceilings with vintage modernist furnishings and contemporary art from the private collection of the owner, Giacamo Fiermonte. Matt Ortile
Getty20. Atrani, Campania
Located along the Amalfi Coast, small picturesque Atrani is reminiscent of Italy's most famous coastal hot spots (think Positano, Capri, and so on) – just much less crowded. Aside from its beautiful churches, lively piazzas, and colourful cliffside perch in the province of Salerno, Atrani has a pale-sand beach flush against the Tyrrhenian Sea.
Get here by bus or ferry from Naples; both are two-hour trips that end in with a stunning reward: The views of the water bookended by two cliffs are hard to beat. In need of a spot to bed down? Book the Anantara Convento di Amalfi Grand Hotel, situated in a former monastery, and you’ll be treated to a nearly religious experience. Matt Ortile
Getty21. Scala dei Turchi, Sicily
The Scala dei Turchi – Italian for Turkish Steps, or more literally, Stairs of the Turks – is a rocky cliff on the coast near the town of Realmonte on the southern edge of Sicily. The name dates back to the Middle Ages, when Ottoman corsairs sheltered themselves here from the fierce sea winds behind the crags made of characteristically white marlstone. At the base of the Scala sits a beach that is striking in its uniqueness, with fiery bronze sands offering a gorgeous contrast against the azure ocean and the pale cliffs.
The area is about a two-hour drive from the city of Palermo (stay at the gorgeous Villa Igiea, a Rocco Forte Hotel), but it’s a worthwhile trek, given that it’s one of the island’s most beautiful natural wonders. (Heads up that swimming-safe waters here are actually rather limited, so this is more of a site to see than a site to swim.) Matt Ortile
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22. Spiaggia di Citara, Ischia
For too long (or perhaps, not long enough, depending on whom you ask), the island of Ischia has remained in the shadow of its nearby and more glamorous sibling Capri. But this lush volcanic island with hot springs and vineyards is a perfect option for travellers looking for a fuss-free experience. Porto d’Ischia is reachable via ferry from Naples, and there’s plenty to do on this eastern side of the isle, like the Spiaggia dei Pescatori (translation: Fishermen’s Beach), which has stunning views of the Castello Aragonese d'Ischia and is situated on an outcropping of rocks connected to Ischia via a slender isthmus, giving it the impression of an Italian Mont Saint-Michel.
All that said, spend a little time – just 30 minutes via car – to get to Ischia’s western coast to reach colourful Forio, one of the prettiest coastal towns in Italy, and its Spiaggia di Citara with soft sand, clear waters, and a verdant landscape to behold. One of the area’s attractions is the Giardini Poseidon Terme, a thermal bathing park with more than 20 pools boasting warm waters that are said to be curative, thanks to their volcanic origins. The place also has a private beach and a handful of restaurants. It’s open seasonally, from April through the end of October.
As for where to stay, the hotel closest to the Spiaggia di Citara is the Semiramis Hotel de Charme Ischia. But if you don’t mind being a bit farther (just 16 minutes away by car), the stylish Mezzatorre Hotel & Thermal Spa is a favourite of Condé Nast Traveler editors (it was featured on our Hot List in 2020). It offers everything an Italian seaside retreat should be from the team behind the beloved Il Pellicano near Tuscany’s Porto Ercole. Matt Ortile
Getty23. Chiaia di Luna, Ponza
In the Neapolitan dialect, chiaia means “beach” – add that to luna and you get this crescent-shaped sliver of sand at the foot of a towering, 328-foot-high volcanic rock cliff. It’s located on Ponza, the largest island in the Pontine archipelago, which is dense with spectacular beaches, coves, grottoes, and seafood restaurants.
Make your way here by taking the train from Rome to the comune of Anzio (itself a charming fishing port town), then the two-hour ferry from Anzio to Ponza. Stay a while at the Hotel Chiaia di Luna, where the rooms, dining areas, and the pool provide panoramic views of the awe-inspiring landscape. Matt Ortile
Getty24. La Pelosa, Sardinia
Sicily tends to hog the spotlight, as far as big Italian islands go. But don’t forget about Sardinia, the second largest island in the Mediterranean with a vast diversity of landscapes, much of them undeveloped: forested woods, flat plains, rocky coasts, and – of course – beautiful beaches with powdery sand and bright blue waters. Situated on a fleck of land on Sardinia’s northwestern corner, La Pelosa is beloved by those in the know for its ramshackle offshore castle, and the way you can wade out for seemingly forever just up to your knees. It’s almost like a huge saltwater swimming pool.
To get here, hop on the one-hour flight from Rome to Alghero (base yourself here and stay at the Villa Las Tronas Hotel & Spa), then rent a car for the 50-minute drive north along the strade provinciali to La Pelosa. Keep the wheels—they come in handy for town-hopping around the striking Sardinian coast. Matt Ortile
Getty25. Spiaggia dei Conigli, Lampedusa
Just an hour-long flight from Naples, Lampedusa is the southernmost island in all of Italy; it’s closer in distance to the African mainland than to continental Europe. Adrift in the Mediterranean, it’s got a bounty of sun and surf, but perhaps the beast beach on the isle is the Spiaggia dei Conigli, which translates literally to Beach of the Rabbits. Don’t hold your breath for long-eared friends frolicking in the sand, though. The etymology likely comes down to a mistranslation: The beach faces a nearby islet originally named Rabit Island, from the Arabic rabit, referring to the strip of landing connecting it to Lampedusa. Still, the island boasts a fascinating ecosystem home to sea turtles and herring gulls.
Before going (get to Lampedusa via the short flight from Palermo or a ferry from Agrigento, Sicily), be sure to book access to both the beach and the islet. If you forget to make a reservation, the pool at Cupola Bianca Resort can more than make up for it. P.S. – there is not loads of accommodation on Lampedusa but we like the look of this quaint, traditional hotel – I Damussi di Borgo Cala Creta. Matt Ortile
Getty26. Marasusa, Calabria
Visit the physical “toe” of Italy’s boot and you’ll find so many delightful seaside landscapes that it might even get boring. The antidote to such ennui might be the jewel of Calabria, Marasusa Beach. Located in the town of Tropea, it’s a place so awe-inspiring that it was christened la costa degli dei, i.e., “the coast of the gods”. It’s easy to see why deities would approve: Marasusa is home to scenic cliffs, pristine white sand, and calmly clear waters.
Those hungry for culinary experiences will find great food in the area: Calabria is best known for its chili peppers, and Tropea itself is renowned for its exceptionally sweet red onions (call them le cipolle degli dei). Get to Tropea by flying into Reggio Calabria and driving up, or by taking the high-speed train from Naples. Book a table (and a room) at Villa Paola, the 12-room convent turned luxury hotel for a trip worthy of the gods themselves. Matt Ortile
Getty27. Baia dei Turchi, Puglia
Not to be confused with Sicily’s Scala dei Turchi, this sprawling beach is tucked away in a protected nature reserve in Puglia, just a 10-minute drive north of Otranto. The bay gets its name from a historical battle said to have taken place on its shores between the local people and Ottoman Turks in the 15th century. Its roughly one-mile stretch of white sands and crystal-clear waters happens to be one of the cleanest in the country, hence its Blue Flag status, an honour awarded to beaches that meet stringent environmental criteria.
The Baia is physically closer to Albania, across the Adriatic Sea, than to the Italian capital, so getting here is kind of a trek. For speed, fly into Brindisi, then make the drive down. For value and fewer carbon emissions, take the train and bus all the way to Otranto, where you can stay on the waterfront Hotel Palazzo Papaleo. (Bonus rec: There’s also the Masseria Prosperi, a six-room retreat on a working farm outside Otranto, but just a 10-minute drive to the Baia dei Turchi.) Matt Ortile
Getty28. Cala Goloritzé, Sardinia
Created by a landslide in 1962, Cala Goloritzé is located at the base of a ravine on Sardinia’s eastern coast. It’s tiny but no less beautiful with its limestone cliffs, soft ivory sand, and access to the striking blue-green waters of the Gulf of Orosei. In fact, it’s so special that it was anointed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1995, and is best known for a two incredible rock formations: a towering spire and a natural stone arch.
Cala Goloritzé is accessible via car and foot (be prepared for a short though rocky hike) from Santa Maria Navarrese, home to the lush Lanthia Resort, which has a private beach for lazier days. To get here, drive up from Cagliari, Sardinia’s capital, which you can reach via plane from Rome or Milan, or overnight ferry from Naples. Matt Ortile
Getty29. Vendicari Nature Reserve, Sicily
On Sicily’s Ionian coast, less than an hour’s drive away from the historic and underappreciated city of Siracusa, sits the Vendicari Nature Reserve, a protected haven where flamingos, herons, and storks are more populous than humans and the pale aqua waters are calm and clean. The miles-long national park is home to little coves and some of the best beaches in Sicily, like Calamosche Beach, where you’ll have more than enough room to spread out for the day.
When visiting this side of historic Sicily, set up camp at the illustrious grande dame of Syracuse, the Grand Hotel Ortigia Siracusa. Get into the city from Catania, whose airport offers plenty of connectivity with Rome and Milan, and even major European hubs like Paris, London, and Barcelona. Matt Ortile
Getty30. Cala Pulcino, Lampedusa
Not far from the Spiaggia dei Conigli on Lampedusa, you’ll find the scene Cala Pulcino, whose name is also animal-inspired: Chicken Beach. Unclear etymology notwithstanding, it’s perhaps an ironic moniker since getting here requires 30 minutes of hiking over rocks and through thick vegetation – and to make it through all that, you can’t be chicken, as it were. But upon arrival you’ll be rewarded with powdery sand, spectacular views, and the endless blue Mediterranean stretching into the distance.
As with Rabbit Beach, getting to Cala Pulcino on Lampedusa requires a short flight from Palermo or a ferry from Agrigento, Sicily. For another hotel option on the island, try Hotel Sole Lampedusa. The rooms are nicely equipped, but the real draw here is the restaurant Sottosale, which serves up delectable seafood and indulgent Sicilian fare (ti adoro, pistachio cannoli). Matt Ortile
Getty31. Cala di Volpe, Sardinia
This winsome beach occupies a teensy-tiny piece of Sardinia’s Costa Smeralda, one of the most beautiful – and most expensive – stretches of coastline in all of Italy; in the mid-2010s, real estate prices reached up to £31,000 per square foot. This sandy spot is famous for its Bermuda-blue water and the glamorous resort overlooking it, the Cala di Volpe, a Luxury Collection Hotel, Costa Smeralda, but the waters are open to the public and you don’t need to be a guest of the hotel to swim there.
If you can’t find a spot for your beach blanket, though, there are molte altre spiagge in the area. Nearby Romazzino has a gorgeous bunch of them –and while you’re in the neighborhood, you can check in to the newly reimagined Romazzino, a Belmond Hotel, Costa Smeralda, opening this summer. Get to the Costa Smeralda by flying or ferrying into Olbia, and renting a car to check out all the stunning resort towns that dot this end of Sardinia. Matt Ortile
Getty32. Isola Spargi, Sardinia
Located in the Maddalena Archipelago between Sardinia and the French island of Corsica, Isola Spargi’s coastline could almost be mistaken for tropical Tahiti. The beaches here are not flanked by dramatic cliffs like in most other coastal areas in Italy; instead, they are backed by palm trees and lush island plants. The shallow turquoise waters are perfect for snorkelling, and the silvery sand is made for all-day sunbathing.
The best months to swim in the waters of Isola Spargi are August and September, when the sea is at its warmest. To get here, you’ll need to take private or rented boats from Costa Smeralda, Santa Teresa Gallura, or Palau (the commune on the northern tip of Sardinia, not to be confused with the Pacific nation by the same name). Also, there are no accommodations on the island, so nab a room at Grand Hotel Resort Ma&Ma in nearby La Maddalena. Matt Ortile
Getty33. Baia delle Zagare, Puglia
Accessible by land through its namesake hotel or via boat from Mattinata, Baia delle Zagare is as secluded and exclusive as they come. Sheltered by steep limestone cliffs, the half-mile beach allows just 30 visitors a day outside of hotel guests, keeping its shoreline pristine and perpetually uncrowded. Added bonus: The beach looks out toward some seriously photo-worthy rock formations, which jut out dramatically from the Adriatic.
To get here, grab a train into the city of Foggia and take a car one hour east. If the Hotel Baia delle Zagare is all booked up and they’re unable to permit guests due to capacity, drive along the coast for more spiagge facing the Gulf of Manfredonia. While you’re in the region, you won’t be at a loss for a place to stay with our list of the best hotels in Puglia. Matt Ortile
Getty34. Cala Tonnarella, Sicily
Fair warning: It’s a literal hike to get to sun-soaked Cala Tonnarella, a hidden cove in the Zingaro Nature Reserve on the Gulf of Castellammare. The beach is inaccessible by road, and it takes a little over an hour to get there on foot from the reserve’s southern car park. It’s worth the effort: Upon arrival, you’ll be met with a secluded and uncrowded paradise as a reward.
For comfortable proximity to both the beach and the nature reserve, book a room at the nearby Baglio La Porta by Geocharme. From this hotel, it’s still an hour’s hike to the northern entrance of the park (and a 15-minute walk from there to the beach), but checking in means you won’t have to deal with finding a parking spot. Driving to the environs of Zingaro takes just an hour from Palermo. Matt Ortile
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35. Spiaggia di Sansone, Isola d’Elba
Think of Tuscany and you’re more likely to dream of a bottle of Chianti Classico than of viridian-blue seas and bright-white sand. But the island of Elba in the Tyrrhenian Sea would like to introduce itself with a cheeky little ciao. As the third largest Italian island in the Med, it’s home to many contenders for this list, but Sansone edges out the competition. Its pristine shore – a mixture of sand and smooth white pebbles – leads you to calm, transparent water. It’s shallow too, making it popular among families and snorkelers.
When visiting Elba, base yourself at the lovely Hotel Villa Ottone, which stands just outside Portoferraio, the largest city on the island. To get there, take the ferry from Piombino, which in turn is a two-hour drive from Florence, or take a ferry from Bastia, a city in Corsica, France.
Speaking of, here’s a fun fact: Napoleon spent a year in exile here during the Bourbon Restoration. His home, purchased by the Russian aristocrat and Napoleon superfan Anatoly Demidov in the 19th century, still stands today and welcomes visitors. Matt Ortile
