The most beautiful beaches in Italy

What are the Best Beaches in Italy? Find them with our list of 20 favorites, from Sardinian coves and Tuscan gulfs to Sicilian sun traps, historic sands near Rome, and tantalizing beaches in northern Italy. The information in this article is taken from The Rough Guide to Italy your travel guide when visiting Italy. When you’re done exploring these best beaches, check out some fun facts about Italy.

Forno Beach, Elba Island, Tuscany

Elba Island has five main beaches and all of them are crowded in the summer, with the exception of Forno Beach near the town of Biodola. This peaceful cove in Biodola Bay is also home to L’Ostrica restaurant and is surrounded by villas and shady trees. For beaches on the neighboring island of Giglio, check out these 15 unforgettable things to do in Tuscany. Elba Island Accommodation For active stays: Hotel Biodola is a comfortable 4-star hotel located on Biodola beach. It has a light, airy feel and has many activities from swimming pools, tennis courts to spas. For peaceful stays: Villa Capitorsola is located near two beautiful beaches. A perfect B&B in a beautiful location overlooking the Bay, it offers simple, fresh rooms with tiled floors. For city breaks: Hotel Villa Italia is close to Porto Azzurro’s city center and beaches. The rooms are the right size, old but clean and the staff are very friendly and helpful. Find more accommodation options in Elba Our advice: find out how to get to Elba island by ferry and book the best prices with our trusted partner, Ferryhopper.With dozens of daily crossings and great views, traveling by ferry in Italy is a real experience. Want to let the experts plan and book your room? Explore some sample itineraries. An entire Italian or Italian itinerary provides inspiration.

Tonnara di Scopello, Western Sicily

Tonnara di Scopello, in western Sicily, is almost too good to be true. Once a place for tuna fishing, this picturesque cove is also beautifully protected as part of the Riserva Naturale Orientata Zingaro. Explore the historic jetty and see where writer Gavin Maxwell lived in the 1950s. His book on Sicily, Ten Pains of Death, had been published a year earlier, ‘Ring of Bright Water’ . Where to sleep in Scopello For true stays: the hotel La Tavernetta offers pleasant refurbished rooms, all with balconies and sea views. For beach breaks: near Tonnara di Scopello beach, Torre Bennistra overlooks the Mediterranean in the center of Scopello. The hotel also has its own restaurant. For a budget stay: B&B Talìa is located near the beaches of Tonnara di Scopello, Cala dell’Ovo and Cala Mazzo di Sciacca. Guests have access to a large communal terrace with views.

La Guardia, Elba, Tuscany

La Guardia beach is located on the west coast of Elba. Sometimes called La Poveraia, this peaceful pebble beach is famous for its dramatic rock formations and exceptionally clear waters. If you want to know more about Elba, take a walking tour of Portoferraio with a local guide. Where to stay near La Guardia For beach breaks: Hotel Fabricia not only has an Olympic-sized swimming pool, but also a private beach and extensive gardens including a bowling alley and a children’s playground. . For a budget stay: Al 28 B&B is a comfortable property offering air-conditioned rooms and a lovely breakfast terrace. It is close to the center of Portoferraio and even closer to La Padulella beach. For a family vacation: Villetta Per La Biodola has a terrace with sea views just outside Portoferraio and a short walk from Biodola beach.

Sant’Andrea, Elba, Tuscany

For an alternative to Elba’s main beaches, head to Sant’Andrea.The sandy beach here is less crowded but still has plenty of bars and loungers, and it’s also popular for water sports, especially windsurfing, scuba diving and sailing. Porto Azzurro property Family stay: Villa Teresa is located a few minutes’ walk from Porto Azzurro beach. This charming 18th-century house surrounded by gardens offers apartments for up to 5 people. For stays by the sea: Hotel L’Approdo is located in the center of Porto Azzuro, a few steps from La Rossa beach. All rooms are air-conditioned and some have a balcony with sea views. For a spa break: Hotel Plaza is perched on a cliff overlooking the ocean near downtown Porto Azzurro. In addition to a large sun terrace, the hotel features a spa and outdoor swimming pool.

Calla dello Spido, San Domino, Tremiti Islands

San Domino is the greenest of the three Tremiti islands in Gargano National Park. If you want peaceful coves in the summer, head to the west coast, home to Calla dello Spido beach. Where to stay in San Domino For a beach break: a few minutes’ walk from the beach, the 4-star Kyrie Hotel is surrounded by pine forests and features an outdoor pool, restaurant and private cove. separate. For a family stay: Hotel Eden is located on the edge of the beach, and the hotel’s restaurant has a terrace with sea views.Rooms are simply designed with a private bathroom, and some have a balcony with sea views. For authentic stays: The cozy Albergo La Pineta is nestled in a beautiful garden but only minutes from the beach. All rooms have a private bathroom, and the hotel serves an Italian breakfast. Find more accommodation options in the Tremiti Islands

Torre Guaceto Marine Reserve, Puglia

Explore some of Italy’s most natural beaches at Torre Guaceto protected marine reserve near Brindisi.One of Puglia’s less developed areas, it’s also a great place for snorkeling and diving in the coral reefs. Where to Stay in Brindisi For a stay in the center: Right in the heart of Brindisi’s main road, Hotel Orientale, a newly renovated high-rise, offers clean, comfortable, central rooms. Small fitness and free parking. For stays near the water: Hotel Maria Vittoria offers a wide selection of rooms and suites designed specifically on the water. All rooms have a private bathroom, and some have a private balcony. For a romantic stay: Santo Stefano Luxury Rooms is located right in the center of Brindisi and offers modern self-catering apartments with a shared terrace and swimming pool.

Rinella, Salina, Aeolian Islands

Sail to Salina from Sicily and explore the beautiful black sand beach of Rinella on the west coast. It’s great for beach bars and sunsets on Filicudi and if you want to get to know other Aeolians, take a boat ride around Salina and Lipari. Salina Accommodation For Romantic Vacations: I Cinque Balconi offers simple rooms in an 18th-century townhouse in Santa Marina. Some rooms have sea views, and the hotel also has an enchanting garden. For boutique guests: A laid-back boutique hotel, Mamma Santina sits on a large terrace around the pool above the city with views of Stromboli and Panarea. For budget stays: Mercanti di Mare is a 3-star beachfront hotel with 9 airy, white rooms and a lovely terrace overlooking the water.

Maratea on Basilicata’s Tyrrhenian Coast

Maratea offers some exceptional beaches on Basilicata’s Tyrrhenian Coast, an exciting region defined by dramatic cliffs, rocky bays and remarkable sea caves . Despite being a very popular area, Maratea is still underdeveloped and worth exploring. Start with a private tour of Mount Biago with a local guide. Where to stay in Maratea For budget stays: one of the cheapest hotels in Maratea, Hotel Martino offers excellent value for its oceanfront location and spacious rooms – those with a view. The sea is more expensive. For a luxury stay: La Locanda delle Donne Monache is the most exceptional hotel in Maratea. Housed in an elegant restored convent in the old town, it offers stunning views, a swimming pool and a private beach. Family stay: Grand Hotel Pianeta Maratea is located just outside the center of Maratea. It has an Olympic swimming pool and a children’s pool. All rooms have a balcony overlooking the sea

Mazarro on Sicily’s northeast coast

Beautiful beaches are just some of the reasons why a trip to Sicily features in our guide to the 24 best things to do in Italy. Start at beautiful Mazarro beach, which is connected to Taormina by cable car and offers views of Isola Bella just offshore and excellent fish restaurants. Where to stay in Taormina For a quality stay: Pensione Svizzera features stunning views from spacious rooms, 24-hour bar service, free Wi-Fi, and a private beach shuttle. Great value. For luxury stays: San Domenico Palace is one of the most popular hotels in Italy.Housed in a 15th-century convent, it offers stunning views and a Michelin-starred restaurant. For boutique guests: Villa Angela, owned by Jim Kerr of Simple Minds, is a sleek boutique hotel high above the city with stunning views, a swimming pool and a terrace restaurant.

Riserva Naturale de Vendicari, Sicily

Explore the white sand beaches and salt lakes of Riserva Naturale de Vindicare, a beautiful coastal reserve south of Noto. If you visit between October and March, you can even see wading flamingos here. Where to Stay in Noto For budget stays: Albergo La Fontanella is a three-star hotel set in a restored palace on the outskirts of Noto Alta. It’s value for money and it’s the only hotel within walking distance of the historic center. For isolated stays: B&B Montandon is a real gem in a grand palace in Noto Alta. It offers three large bedrooms, each with its own private terrace, and guests have access to an enchanting garden. For authentic stays: Villa Canisello is an old farmhouse west of Noto, rooms open to a patio or terrace and the area is quiet and residential.

Cala Gonone on the island of Sardinia

The beautiful cove Cala Gonone is a popular resort in southeastern Sardinia made all the more charming by the fact that it leads to a spectacular tunnel. reached by a spectacular tunnel. The atmosphere here is authentically Sardinian and it’s an area popular with locals. Where to Stay in Cala Gonone For Beach Vacations: Cala Luna is a bougainvillea-covered hotel with direct beach access, modern art on the walls, and a large terrace where the property is located. restaurant. For budget stays: Simple, friendly and family-friendly, the three-star Nettuno hotel is located near the beach and nestled between the mountains and Orosei Bay. Family stay: at the foot of Mount Irveri, Hotel Villa Gustui Maris offers Orosei Bay views, an outdoor swimming pool and a traditional restaurant with panoramic veranda.

Cala Gonone on the island of Sardinia

The beautiful cove of Cala Gonone is a popular resort in southeastern Sardinia, made all the more charming by the fact that it leads to a spectacular tunnel. reached by a spectacular tunnel.The atmosphere here is authentically Sardinian and it’s an area popular with locals. Where to Stay in Cala Gonone For a Beach Vacation: Cala Luna is a bougainvillea-covered hotel with direct beach access, modern art on the walls, and a large terrace where restaurant reservation. For budget stays: Simple, friendly and family-friendly, the three-star Nettuno hotel is located near the beach and nestled between the mountains and Orosei Bay. Family stay: at the foot of Mount Irveri, Hotel Villa Gustui Maris offers Orosei Bay views, an outdoor swimming pool and a traditional restaurant with panoramic veranda.

Anzio, Lazio

For historic beaches, of course you want to stay close to Rome, and Anzio is only 40 kilometers from the city and is famous for the ruins of Nero’s mansion atop the cliffs and World War II history as well as the Beautiful sandy beach on the north side of town. If you want to immerse yourself in Anzio on your days away from the city, check out Where to Stay in Rome, a region-by-region guide. Where to stay in Anzio For beach stays: Hotel Serpa is located on the Anzio coast, just a 2-minute walk from the beach. All rooms have a private bathroom, some have sea views, and the hotel also has a sundeck. For family vacation: Domus Lavinia holiday home is located near Lido dei Gigli beach and has 2 bedrooms, 1 living room, private pool and large enclosed garden.few minutes walk from the beach. For stays in the center: Grand Hotel Dei Cesari is on the Anzio coast, just a two-minute walk from the beach. The hotel also has a restaurant and an outdoor swimming pool overlooking the sea.

Emilia-Romagna Lido Emilia-Romagna

Lido’s nine towns are where you can find some of the best beaches in northern Italy, as the region’s 35-kilometer coastline is surrounded by beautiful beaches. Golden sands and resorts vary from family to party to dawn. If you want to soak up the peaceful and quiet beaches, choose the seaside town of Porto Corsini or for a more vibrant atmosphere, try the bustling Marina di Ravenna. Want to know more about this region of Italy? Check out Emilia-Romagna: Tuscany without the crowds. Where to stay in Rimini For designer stays: DuoMo is a luxury design hotel in the heart of the old town. Its large rooms are space-age and well-appointed, and you can expect great breakfasts and friendly staff. For luxury stays: Grand Hotel Rimini is a five-star vision of Fellini-style luxury. Set within elegant grounds, it features a private beach and luxurious rooms furnished with antiques. For a budget stay: Jammin’ Hostel is a popular and friendly hostel near the beach that offers bicycles, laundry and other services, and events both in the hostel and during city ​​bars.

La Pelosa the most beautiful beach in Sardinia

Amazing La Pelosa is by far the most beautiful beach in Sardinia and also the most tropical. Aside from the famously fine sands and turquoise waters, the views of the Piana and Asinara islands from the shore are unmatched. Where to Stay in Stintino For budget stays: Al Martin Pescatore B&B in the heart of Stintino offers fairly basic but spacious rooms with private bathrooms, and breakfast is served at a nearby restaurant. . For a stay on the water: Il Porto Vecchio is a simple B&B offering 6 spacious rooms with Sardinian décor.Some rooms overlook the harbour, and breakfast is served in the bar below. For guests staying in the center: Silvestrino offers luxurious steam rooms with terraces and great views. The hotel’s restaurant is one of the best in Stintino and is famous for its Vasto seafood and the ability to see trabocchi caught from the shore.The southern end of the beach is an area of ​​palm trees and charming beach huts, but if you want something wilder, head north. Where to stay in Vasto For budget stays: Il Pioppeto is one of many campsites along the coast, most of which are off SS16 towards Foggia. Il Pioppeto is located right on the beach and has pine trees for shade. For city breaks: Locanda dei Baroni B&B is located near the old town in a medieval palace. Bright rooms with four-poster beds, antique furniture and sleek modern bathrooms. For glamorous stays: The charming Palazzo Florio is close to the beach and town. The bright, airy rooms all have private bathrooms, and many overlook Vasto’s old town.