The beaches in Italy range from isolated and rugged to open sandy beaches. Having a coastline of over 7600 km, there is an endless list of beaches to choose from but it is not easy to pick the best one as each of them has something unique to offer.
Some of the best beaches in Italy can be found in the Mediterranean region of Sardinia, alongside other islands such as Tuscany and Sicily. Before planning a beach trip to Italy, let’s take a look at these top 10 locations for your reference.
Top 10 Beaches In Italy
1. Calamosche Beach
Calamosche is one of the most charming beaches in Italy and the most gorgeous one in the island of Sicily. Surrounded by beautiful landscapes and several caves, Calamosche is mostly less crowded and is a good location to experience the true beauty of the Mediterranean region having pristine waters.
Make sure that you have to walk around 1 km from the parking lot in order to reach here. The pathway is smooth but it would be better if you reach here early in the morning to prevent yourself from getting tired in the warm weather. Calamosche was awarded as the most beautiful Italian beach by Blue Guide of Legambiente in the year 2005.
Ideal Duration: 2 to 3 hours
Things To Do:
- Snorkeling
- Underwater Diving
Services Available:
- Showers
- Bar
- Parking
Location: Nature Reserve, Vendicari, Sicily
Also Read: 10 Best Italian Islands To Visit In Summer
2. Marina di Vasto city Beach
Marina di Vasto Beach or Vasto Marina is a popular summer beach that houses some of the famous seaside resorts of Abruzzo. Having a range of accommodation facilities and shops, it is loved by tourists of all ages.
While in Vasto Marina, don’t forget to visit the Statue of the little mermaid. The statue depicts a girl getting herself ready to enter the beach just a few km away from the shore at the cliff of Scaramuzza.
Best Time To Visit: July to September
Services Available:
- Bathhouse
- Campings
- Hotels
- Bar
- Restaurants
Nearby Beaches:
- Punta Penna
- Dunes of Vasto
- Punta Aderci
Location: Southern Abruzzo
3. Sant’Andrea
One of the perfect places to visit in Italy for couples surrounded by stunning sandy beaches, majestic mountains, and cliffs. Sant’Andrea houses some of the best beaches which are ideal for snorkeling and plenty of other watersports. From the beach of Sant’Andrea, you can reach the bay of Cotton Cello known for its golden sands and crystal clear waters.
If you move further, over the left you will get to witness a sea with large granite rocks. It is considered to be the perfect spot for getting a tan just like Italians do.
Things To Do:
- Snorkeling
- Swimming
- Canoeing
- Trekking
- Diving
- Mountain biking
Location: Elba, Tuscany
Also Read: 17 Reasons Why Italy Worth The Best Travel Best Travel Destinations Tag In Europe
4. Cala Gonone
Cala Gonone has a range of breathtaking beaches including some private and public beaches. The main beach of Cala Gonane is the Spiaggia Centrale which is close to everything you may be looking for. Another beach you can visit in this region is Palmasera which is equipped with plenty of facilities.
If you are looking for a beach to visit with kids then head towards the Cala Cartoe. Cala cartão is considered the safest beach for kids as the water is very shallow.
Things To Do:
- Hiking
- Boating
- Climbing
- Enjoy breathtaking scenery
- Visit the oxen caves
Location: Sardinia
5. La Pelosa
Rose to popularity after being featured in James Bond movies, La Pelosa is one of the best public beaches in Italy known for crystal clear waters and white sandy beaches. The beach is usually crowded during the summer season, among both locals and tourists. It is best advised to arrive earlier in the morning carrying your mate or rent one if required.
It is an ideal location for swimming and a good place to hang out with family.
Things To Do:
- Boating
- Day trip to Asinara Island
- Spot the wildlife in Stintino
Location: Viale la Pelosa, Stintino, Sardinia
Timings: 24 Hours
6. Tonnara di Scopello
Yet another beach on the island of Sicily lying in the Trapani province is the Tonnara di Scopello beach. Tonnara is just a 40-minute drive away from Palermo. The major attraction highlight of this beach is an ancient building named Tonnara which once was private but is now open to the public.
Also known as the Tuna fishing complex, Tonnara has plenty of other ancient buildings and sites to explore including a church and museum. The museum has a large collection of fishing tools, so it’s a must-visit if you are willing to go fishing.
Things To Do:
- Fishing
- Visit Museum
- Pay a visit to the church
Location: San Vito Lo Capo, Sicily
Also Read: 10 Most Spectacular Tourist Sites And Things To Do In Amalfi Coast
7. Forno Beach
Situated near Biodola town, the Forno Beach is one of the top 5 beaches of the town and one of the most crowded ones during summers. Forno is surrounded by greenery and plenty of villas.
Location: Elba Island, Tuscany
Timings: 24 Hours
8. Cefalù Beach
A vibrant beach situated in the lovely Italian island of Sicily is Cefalu Beach. The atmosphere here is mostly filled with the locals and offers some of the most breathtaking views. Cefalu may be one of the most popular ones but it remains less crowded making it a good location to experience the local vibe.
Location: Sicily
9. Alghero Beach
If you are willing to visit an island while looking for a perfect beach tour, then do visit the Alghero beach of Sardinia. There is a range of exciting things to do in Alghero such as Visiting some of the historical landmarks and natural sites to enjoy beautiful landscape views.
Alghero is home to several stunning beaches naming the Le Bombarde, Porto Ferro, Il Lazzaretto, Maria Pia, Spiaggia Di Porticello and Le Pelosa.
Things To Do:
- Sunbathing
- Sunset Walk
- Rock Climbing
- Diving
- Discover several archaeological sites
- Explore Historical Sites
- Visit caves of Grotta di Nettuno
Location: Alghero Sardinia
Also Read: 10 Must-Visit Beaches In The United States In Summer
10. Anzio Beach
The fishing port in Lazio and just a few km south of the historical city of Rome, Anzio was one of the most important ports of the Roman empire and also served as the landing spot for the military during world war I. If you’re traveling to the city of Rome or the Amalfi Coast, then the beach in Anzio is something you should not miss.
Things To Do:
- Visit the historical remains dating back to the Roman and Renaissance eras.
- Explore caves.
- Climb cliffs to catch sun rays
- Swimming
- Try seafood
Location: Lazio, Southern Rome