There's plenty to recommend Italy already: The rolling hills of Tuscany, the canals of Venice, the charm of Cinque Terre, the wine and food of...well, everywhere. After all, there’s a reason it's consistently ranked among the most-visited countries in the world, with tourism revenue well into the twelve figures.
But add the incredible number and variety of beaches to the equation, and suddenly the country becomes a mandatory item on every traveler’s to-do list.
Here, we've collected fifteen of the best beaches to visit across the nation. Whether you're hoping for a rustic retreat in the mountains, a tropical getaway for luxury and leisure, or an authentic look at life in an Italian coastal town, there's a locale on this list to meet your needs. And if your vacation to Italy is already in the works, you're in luck: no matter where in the boot you'll be heading, there’s a place on this list that's within range for a detour. Decompress after a busy Florentine adventure with a few days on the Ligurian coast, or spend a morning at the Lido to cleanse your palate after too many gondola rides in Venice. Even on the ever-popular Amalfi Coast and Italian Riviera, tourist-free beaches can be found within spitting distance of the most overrun resort towns.
Ready to traverse the boot? Read on to start plotting the perfect itinerary. And if beach-hopping across Italy isn’t in your future, this list is still worth a look: these places are beautiful enough to cure even the most severe cases of Monday blues, mean reds, or winter doldrums. And after a few glimpses, you may find yourself tallying up your vacation days, scoping out your savings, and planning your next Italian excursion.
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Marina Grande Beach, Positano
As if the views of deep greenish-blue seas weren’t enough, the stacks of pastel houses hugging the cliffs make Positano’s main beach feel like something plucked from a midcentury postcard. With over 300 yards of dark sand — large swathes of it dedicated to tidily arranged rows of beach umbrellas and lounge chairs in Technicolor shades of orange and blue — this spot always feels open and roomy in spite of summer crowds. Start in town with a leisurely outdoor lunch overlooking the Mediterranean, then sleep off the limoncello buzz with a snooze on the sand.
Camogli Beach, Liguria
Northwest Italy’s coastal towns tend to live in the shadow of the neighboring French Riviera, but that means beaches like Camogli’s have all the Mediterranean beauty with a fraction of the crowds you’ll find in Nice or St. Tropez. The beach in this little fishing village is pebbly but picturesque — the ancient Basilica of Santa Maria Assunta is perched on a promontory at the harbor’s northern end, with mountains rising up behind it. This spot has something for every traveler: swimming lessons to keep the kids busy, beachside drink service for the laid-back crowd, and rowboats, canoe rentals, and diving lessons for the adventure-seekers.
Porto Campana, Sardinia
Three miles of golden sand make up the Campana beachfront, and within that expanse you’ll find something to suit every type of beachgoer. Look for rental kiosks to try your hand at surfing, kiteboarding, or paddleboarding; kick back on a rented lounger with a cocktail; sign up for a scuba session with a local outfitter; or admire Campana’s dunes — some as high as 65 feet.
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