One thing that Italy has in abundance is gorgeous beaches, and with 5,000 miles of coastline, it is not surprising to find spectacular shorelines for you to explore and enjoy here. While there are indeed dozens of beaches for you to choose from in Italy, our list will cover only a dozen that a lot of people find especially breathtaking and well worth your time to visit.
Tuscany – This is one part of Italy that has quite a huge number of beaches for people to enjoy. Whether you are there to simply enjoy the salty sea breeze and bask in the sun, or you are there to feel the sand in your toes and to swim to your heart’s content, Tuscany has a few choice beaches for you.
Along the Tuscan coast are areas known for being crowd-drawers, like Versilia, which sees throngs of people in the summer, and Grosseto, which has long sandy beaches and is considered family friendly.
Elba – While technically part of Tuscany, it would be an injustice to not give this island its own rundown of amazing beaches that you can explore and enjoy. Whether you are into rocky coastlines, fine sandy beaches, pebbly beaches, or small private beaches that only a few people can enjoy at a time, Elba has what you are looking for.
If you are looking for a beach where partying is a given, Cavoli is where you should go. If you want peace and quiet however, Laconella may be best suited to your needs. Some of the sandy beaches you might want to check out here include Sansone and Capo Bianco with their white sand, Cala Seregola with its reddish beach, and Fetovaia with its rocky borders protecting a snorkeling paradise.
Sicily – Another region in Italy that is teeming with beaches you can enjoy is Sicily and the beaches here come with diverse features that cater to the many different beachgoers around. If you are into quiet beaches that take your breath away with the contrast between the sand and its surroundings, Scala dei Turchi is where you should go. Another quiet and secluded beach in Sicily is Cala Tonnarella, which you can only reach with a one-hour trek from where you park your vehicle.
Other beaches worth noting here are found in the Riserva Naturale dello Zingaro, which is a nature reserve that has numerous coves with pristine beaches. Being a protected area, you will not find any resorts or hotels here, just the unspoiled beauty of nature.
Liguria – Also called the Italian Riviera, the beaches here are some of the most popular in the country, and for a good reason. Crystal clear water and sandy or pebbly beaches are what you find here, with some of the more crowded options having a selection of restaurants and tourist-friendly features near it. These include Boccadasse in Genoa, Alassio in Western Liguria, Monterosso in Eastern Liguria, and Noli Spiaggia de Pescatori.
There are also beaches here that are rather difficult to get to and are often chosen by those who love trekking and adventure. Some of the notable beaches that you can reach with a bit of effort include San Fruttuoso in Genova, which can only be reached by trail or by boat, and Larici Baia Blue, which you can reach with trek down a steep path from where you park your car.
Campania – When you talk about beaches and Italy in one breath, Campania is one area that is never forgotten, and this is often because of the popular Amalfi Coast and the beaches in Positano. A lot of the beaches here are often crowded during the warm summer months, with beach umbrellas, lounge chairs, and droves of locals as well as tourists flocking to them. Some of the most popular beaches in this part of Italy include Marina Grande Beach, Fornillo Beach, and Castiglione di Ravello Beach.
If you are looking for a quiet beach in Campania, you can also find quite a few here. Some of the hidden and not-so-touristy beaches here include Marina Beach Erchie, with its pebbly coastline, and Santa Croce Beach in Amalfi, which can only be reached by boat or by a steep stairway from road above.
These are just a few examples of the many majestic beaches you can find in Italy. To find out more and to get help in planning the perfect beach trip to this amazing country, check out our list of escorted tours that have some of these beaches included in them or have your Italian trip customized to suit your vacation expectations.
