The Best Beaches in Italy To Visit This Summer

When the heat and bustle of Rome are too much, do as the Romans do and head to Santa Marinella. This resort town along the Tyrrhenian coastline is just an hour by train from the center of the city, making it the perfect getaway destination. The beaches are crowded on the weekends, as romani flock here to enjoy the clean water, soft sand, and relaxed atmosphere. During the week, it’s easier to rent sunbeds and umbrellas (there is also a stretch of public beach where you can claim a towel-sized spot for free) and book a table at the seafood restaurants lining the boardwalk. The nearby Santa Severa Castle is worth a visit to add some culture to your beach day.

Florence sits in the heart of Tuscany’s inland hills, but that doesn’t mean that you can’t take a day trip to the beach from here. The riviera town of Viareggio is a popular retreat for city-weary Florentines, with direct trains making the trip in about 90 minutes. Though it’s not a cultural destination, Viareggio is a bustling town in its own right, with shops, restaurants, and a long stretch of sandy beach lined with enough stabilimenti balneari (beach clubs) that it’s easy to rent beach chairs and an umbrella even on the busiest summer days. Viareggio is also quite close to both Lucca and Pisa, so it can be combined with a day of sightseeing in either.

The Floating City of Venice sits directly in the waters of the Adriatic Sea, so it comes as no surprise that there’s a beach retreat just minutes away. Take the vaporetto (water bus) to the Santa Maria Elisabetta stop and walk to the sandy stretch known as the Lido. The chic Venice Film Festival is held at the Lido each year and the area’s beach clubs tend to be high-end, renting everything from luxury “huts”—large cabins with a veranda and an awning—to more simple beach chairs and umbrellas. Most of the beachfront is reserved for the guests of nearby hotels, so head to the public beach at the end of the Gran Viale.

Ask any Italian where to find the country’s best beaches and they are bound to name the island of Sardinia. The scalloped coastline is lined with dozens of idyllic coves where turquoise waters lap fine white sand, but one of the most beloved beaches is Cala Brandinchi. The strip of sand is long and narrow, lined with water so clear that the area is known as “Little Tahiti” and backed by a lush pine grove. The water is shallow far into the sea, ideal for small children to frolic in the waves, and there are beach clubs renting loungers and umbrellas, as well as free public areas. This stunning bay and surrounding coastline is a popular destination for day trips by boat with stops to swim and snorkel.

This impressive natural rock formation is probably not the first thing that comes to mind when thinking about beaches, but it is by far the most famous and striking stretch of coastline on Sicily. Eroded by wind and waves over millennia into a natural flight of steps (hence its name, which means “Turkish Stairs”), this white moonscape stretch of cliffs is a popular spot for exploring on foot, as you can take in views over the sea and sandy beaches stretching along the water on either side. Just a short drive from the Valley of the Temples, Scala dei Turchi makes for a refreshing break after a tour of the ancient ruins.

The Amalfi Coast has fabulous coastal cliffs, but you may be surprised to learn that the beach choices here are limited. The rocks rise directly from the waves along most of the coastline, and the few beaches are generally tucked into tiny coves that are only accessible via steep flights of stairs or boat. Arienzo Beach is a good example, set at the bottom of 300 scenic steps (or served by shuttle and taxi boats from nearby Positano). It’s worth the trouble, however, since the water here is crystal clear and the vibe uniquely la dolce vita. Luckily, many Amalfi Coast boat tours cruise past this pretty bay, dropping anchor for a swim break before continuing on along the coastline.

Puglia is lapped by the waters of two seas, the Ionian and the Adriatic, and this southern region is so beach-centric that local radio stations broadcast wind updates so locals know which coast to choose for their basking and swimming. When the winds are favorable to the eastern coastline, many head to Torre dell’Orso after a morning marveling at Lecce’s ornate baroque gems. This crescent of sand faces twin sea stacks, known as the "Two Sisters," that attract sunbathers and cliff divers and the beach is lined by a shady pine grove, which offers respite from the scorching summer temperatures.

The Cinque Terre is the most famous stretch of Ligurian coastline, but is often overrun with tourists in the summer. So, avoid the hordes by heading slightly farther up the coast to the equally charming fishing village-turned-resort town of Camogli. This gem has all the technicolor houses, miniature churches, and fabulous views of its more famous neighbors—with a fraction of the tourists—and the cheerful stretch of beach fronting the town is lined with shops and restaurants. Plus, the area is known for its excellent snorkeling and scuba diving at nearby Punta Chiappa and the San Fruttuolos abbey and hamlet, set in a tiny cove that’s only accessible via a scenic hiking trail or boat.