The 20 Best Italy Beaches and top tourist attractions around them

Best Italy Beaches! Italy is known for many things, including its remarkably beautiful beaches. If you are planning to visit this country, you will need to know about some of the best beaches to visit. These gorgeous natural attractions will provide you with an idyllic place to relax and enjoy your trip.

Italy, with its stunning coastline along the Mediterranean Sea and the Adriatic Sea, offers a variety of beautiful beaches to visit. The Amalfi Coast, with its dramatic cliffs and crystal-clear waters, is a favorite among travelers.

Sardinia’s Costa Smeralda boasts pristine white sand beaches and turquoise waters, perfect for sunbathing and swimming. For a more secluded experience, head to the beaches of the Maddalena Archipelago, where you can enjoy unspoiled natural beauty.

Finally, Sicily’s beaches, such as San Vito Lo Capo and Cefalù, offer a mix of sandy shores and charming coastal towns. Whether you seek relaxation, water sports, or simply breathtaking scenery, Italy’s beaches promise a delightful coastal escape.

It’s almost impossible to choose only 20 of the most beautiful Italian beaches! There are countless of them around the country! However, we have found the best for you in Sicily, Sardinia, Elba and the mainland.

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Best Italy Beaches

1. Acquafredda di Maratea Beach, Basilicata

Acquafredda is a nice little village that is located close to Maratea, and it has some truly amazing beaches for you to visit. Part of the fun of visiting this beach is getting there. You will have to drive through the winding mountain roads before arriving at these sandy beaches.

Midnight Cove beach is particularly striking and great to just walk along. These beaches are surrounded by tall cliffs, which make for one very memorable view. This is one of the few places where just lying around is an incredible experience.

Top tourist attractions around Acquafredda di Maratea Beach

1. Statua del Cristo Redentore di Maratea
2. Spiaggia Nera – Cala Jannita
3. Il Sentiero Apprezzami l’Asino
4. Cascate Capelli di Venere
5. Grotta delle Meraviglie

Statua del Cristo Redentore di Maratea, Acquafredda di Maratea, Italy Beaches by sinlay / Pixabay

Spiaggia Nera – Cala Jannita, Acquafredda di Maratea, Italy Beaches by Gianni Lupindo / Flickr

Cascate Capelli di Venere, Acquafredda di Maratea, Italy Beaches by Pivari.com / Wikimedia Commons

Grotta delle Meraviglie, Acquafredda di Maratea, Italy Beaches by Luke18389 / Wikimedia Commons

2. Camogli Beach, Liguria

Camogli Beach in Liguria is another very beautiful place to visit when you come here. There are numerous clubs and resorts in this area as well. This particular beach has miles of sandy shore for you to walk along and admire the view.

Here you can take a scuba diving course to get certified if that is something you’re interested in. You can order drinks on the beach and they will be brought right to you. The mountains in the background make for a spectacular scene that you will never forget. This is one of the most gorgeous places in all of Italy.

Top tourist attractions around Camogli Beach

1. Abbazia di San Fruttuoso
2. Basilica di Santa Maria Assunta
3. Castello Della Dragonara
4. Camogli – San Rocco – Batterie – San Fruttuoso Trail
5. Camogli – San Rocco – Punta Chiappa Trail

Abbazia di San Fruttuoso, Camogli Beach, Italy Beaches by Superchilum / Wikimedia Commons

Basilica di Santa Maria Assunta, Camogli Beach, Italy Beaches by stefano Merli / Flickr

Castello Della Dragonara, Camogli Beach, Italy Beaches by Paul Barker Hemings / Flickr

Camogli – San Rocco – Punta Chiappa Trail, Camogli Beach, Italy Beaches by Irene Grassi / Flickr

3. Procchio Beach, Elba, Tuscany

Procchio Beach on the island of Elba Island, Tuscany, is a great place for the whole family to visit. It will provide you with some really memorable scenery and great swimming opportunities. Lots of people also come here to surf and scuba dive.

The La Guardiola Saling Club is nearby. You will be able to rent canoes to take out on the ocean as well. The bar here will give you the perfect place to relax with a drink while you take in your beautiful surroundings. Anyone who visits Italy should try to come here at least once.

Top tourist attractions around Procchio Beach

1. Spiaggia di Sansone Portoferraio
2. Sant’Andrea Beach
3. Spiaggia di Barabarca
4. Spiaggia di Cavoli
5. Acquario dell’Elba

Spiaggia di Sansone Portoferraio, Procchio Beach, Italy Beaches by Carlo Pelagalli / Wikimedia Commons

Sant’Andrea Beach, Procchio Beach, Italy Beaches by Carlo Pelagalli / Wikimedia Commons

Spiaggia di Cavoli, Procchio Beach, Italy Beaches by it:Utente:Civvi / Wikimedia Commons

Acquario dell’Elba, Procchio Beach, Italy Beaches by Albarubescens / Wikimedia Commons

4. Capreria Beach, Sicily

Capreria Beach, which can be found in Sicily, has tons of tiny coves that you can feel free to explore while you are there. Unlike so many other beaches across the country, this one isn’t typically packed with tourists.

If you are looking to get away from the hustle and bustle of the city, this is a fantastic option to consider. It has crystal clear waters that are ideal for swimming and diving. You will also find some nearby hiking trails if you want to get some exercise while exploring the local scenery.

Top tourist attractions around Capreria Beach

1. Baglio Di Scopello
2. Cala Mazzo di Sciacca
3. Spiaggia Guidaloca
4. Spiaggia dei Faraglioni
5. Tonnara di Scopello

Baglio Di Scopello, Capreria Beach, Italy Beaches by Daniele Pugliesi / Wikimedia Commons

Cala Mazzo di Sciacca, Capreria Beach, Italy Beaches by Daniele Pugliesi / Wikimedia Commons

Spiaggia Guidaloca, Capreria Beach, Italy Beaches by Francesco Ingoglia / Wikimedia Commons

Spiaggia dei Faraglioni, Capreria Beach, Italy Beaches by Gmelfi / Wikimedia Commons

5. Fuili Cove, Sardinia

Fuili Cove in Sardinia is a small and secluded beach that is surrounded by cliffs that stand tall and nearly vertical. It is a truly amazing sight to behold, and one of the best places in the country for scuba diving.

If you want some rugged adventure while you are in Italy, this is the perfect place to visit. You will find the village of Sas Linnas Siccas just kilometres away. It has been included on lists of the most beautiful places in the world numerous times.

Top tourist attractions around Fuili Cove

1. Grotta del Bue Marino
2. Grotta di Ispinigoli
3. Parco Museo S’Abba Frisca
4. Complesso Nuragico Di Nuraghe Mannu
5. Area Archeologica di Tiscali

Grotta del Bue Marino, Fuili Cove, Italy Beaches by papaveru / Pixabay

Grotta di Ispinigoli, Fuili Cove, Italy Beaches by SehLax / Wikimedia Commons

Parco Museo S’Abba Frisca, Fuili Cove, Italy Beaches by Monirve / Wikimedia Commons

Complesso Nuragico Di Nuraghe Mannu, Fuili Cove, Italy Beaches by Francesco Cubeddu / Wikimedia Commons

6. Gavitella Beach, Campania

Gavitella Beach is located in Praiano, Salerno, which is a small but beautiful town that sits on the towering cliffs. There are numerous little coves that are amazing to explore. You can get some truly incredible views here, and there are numerous restaurants that offer incredible food.

You will be able to get here from Praino main square by taking a short trip on a shuttle boat. It is certainly worth it because of its unparalleled beauty. You will want to lay out in the sun and never go back home.

Top tourist attractions around Gavitella Beach

1. Praiano
2. Torre a Mare
3. Marina di Praia Beach
4. Torre di Grado
5. Valle delle Ferriere

Praiano, Gavitella Beach, Italy Beaches by donchili / Flickr

Torre a Mare, Gavitella Beach, Italy Beaches by Francesco Falconetti / Wikipedia

Marina di Praia Beach, Gavitella Beach, Italy Beaches by Klugschnacker / Wikimedia Commons

Valle delle Ferriere, Gavitella Beach, Italy Beaches by Giuseppe Milo / Flickr

7. Goloritze Beach, Sardinia

Goloritze Beach in Baunei, Sardinia, offers some of the most idyllic scenery in all of Italy. It does require you to hike for about an hour, but you will definitely be glad you did.

This secluded beach isn’t overrun with tourists, and it has an incredibly peaceful vibe to it. It is one of the best places in the country to go snorkelling, so you’ll want to keep that in mind. If you are looking for something fun to do while you are here, this beach is a great place to visit.

Top tourist attractions around Goloritze Beach

1. Cala Mariolu
2. Cala Luna
3. Grotta del Fico
4. Cala dei Gabbiani
5. Cala Biriala

Cala Mariolu, Goloritze Beach, Italy Beaches by Roberto Mura / Wikimedia Commons

Cala Luna, Goloritze Beach, Italy Beaches by Sven Jungnickel / Wikimedia Commons

Grotta del Fico, Goloritze Beach, Italy Beaches by Welt-der-Form / Wikimedia Commons

Cala Biriala, Goloritze Beach, Italy Beaches by Alexander van Loon / Flickr

8. Grotticelle Beach, Calabria

Grotticelle Beach in Capo Vaticano, Calabria, has granite rock cliffs that are over 120 meters tall. It is an ancient-looking place with a modern beauty that anyone will be able to appreciate.

The sandy beaches here have plenty of cafes and restaurants that you can visit when you get hungry or thirsty. It is a wonderful place to go scuba diving, snorkelling or just swimming. The crystal clear waters will provide you with the perfect idyllic setting to relax in on your vacation.

Top tourist attractions around Grotticelle Beach

1. Capo Vaticano
2. Tropea Beach and Tropea
3. The Sanctuary of Santa Maria dell’Isola
4. Praia di Fuoco
5. Spiaggia di Riaci

Capo Vaticano, Grotticelle Beach, Italy Beaches by Walkerssk / Pixabay

Tropea Beach and Tropea, Grotticelle Beach, Italy Beaches by Walkerssk / Pixabay

The Sanctuary of Santa Maria dell’Isola, Grotticelle Beach, Italy Beaches by ReinhardThrainer / Pixabay

Spiaggia di Riaci, Grotticelle Beach, Italy Beaches by Goldmund100 / Wikimedia Commons

9. Isola Bella, Sicily

The Isola Bella is a small but picturesque island close to Taormina, Sicily, and it is home to many colourful exotic plants. The pebbled beach has very clear blue water and it is an ideal place to relax, swim and get a tan.

There is also a path that you can walk along from the island to the beach. It is a nature reserve and will give you the perfect opportunity to see all of the incredible beauty that Italy has to offer.

Top tourist attractions around Isola Bella

1. The ancient theatre of Taormina
2. Corso Umberto
3. Giardini Naxos
4. Madonna Della Rocca church
5. Alcantara Gorge

The ancient theatre of Taormina, Isola Bella, Italy Beaches by Radek Kucharski / Flickr

Corso Umberto, Isola Bella, Italy Beaches by trolvag / Wikimedia Commons

Giardini Naxos, Isola Bella, Italy Beaches by DavideGorla / Flickr

Alcantara Gorge, Isola Bella, Italy Beaches by Alexander Baxevanis / Flickr

10. Marina del Cantone Beach, Campania

Marina del Cantone Beach in Massa Lubrense has one of the most stunningly beautiful beaches in the whole country. It is a small and charming village that you will be sure to fall in love with from the moment you arrive.

There are all kinds of places to get great food and drinks here. If you want to go snorkelling, this is the place to visit. It is by far one of the best beaches that this country has to offer.

Top tourist attractions around Marina del Cantone Beach

1. Bagni della Regina Giovanna
2. Baia di Ieranto
3. Chiostro di San Francesco
4. Fornillo beach, Positano
5. Capri island

Baia di Ieranto, Marina del Cantone Beach, Italy Beaches by Gianfranco Vitolo / Flickr

Chiostro di San Francesco, Marina del Cantone Beach, Italy Beaches by Dave & Margie Hill / Kleerup / Flickr

Fornillo beach, Positano, Marina del Cantone Beach, Italy Beaches by Mihael Grmek / Wikimedia Commons

Capri island, Marina del Cantone Beach, Italy Beaches by pululante / Flickr

11. Marina Grande Beach, Capri, Campania

Marina Grande Beach in Capri island, Salerno, is expansive and attracts countless visitors each year. It has smooth white pebbles all over, and it is the ideal place to go for a nice long swim.

There are lots of great bars, restaurants and cafes in the area. You will also find numerous boutiques to go shopping. Those who are interested in Italy’s nightlife will want to visit the Rocks disco. There is really something for everyone here. If you want to have a good time, this is an amazing place to visit.

Top tourist attractions around Marina Grande Beach

1. A Boat Tour Around the Island
2. Piazzetta square
3. Mount Solaro
4. Via Tragara
5. Center of Anacapri

Piazzetta square, Marina Grande Beach, Italy Beaches by Cezar Suceveanu / Wikimedia Commons

Mount Solaro, Marina Grande Beach, Italy Beaches by othree / Flickr

Via Tragara, Marina Grande Beach, Italy Beaches by VV Nincic / Flickr

Center of Anacapri, Marina Grande Beach, Italy Beaches by Benjamin Smith / Flickr

12. Mezzavalle Beach, Marche

Mezzavelle Beach in Portonovo, Ancona, Marche, is known for its towering cliffs, clear water, and wide pebbled beaches. You can take a narrow trail all the way down to the ocean after parking your car. It makes for a great hike before you get into the water to swim.

The waters are typically very calm, so it makes for excellent swimming, snorkelling and scuba diving. If you are willing to do a bit of walking, it has a lot of idyllic scenery to offer.

Top tourist attractions around Mezzavalle Beach

1. Due Sorelle Beach
2. Conero Riviera
3. Portonovo Bay
4. Ancona
5. Frasassi Caves

Conero Riviera, Mezzavalle Beach, Italy Beaches by Luca Boldrini / Flickr

Portonovo Bay, Mezzavalle Beach, Italy Beaches by Christian Lanegger / Flickr

Ancona, Mezzavalle Beach, Italy Beaches by gianni del bufalo / Flickr

Frasassi Caves, Mezzavalle Beach, Italy Beaches by nadkol19 / Pixabay

13. Otranto Beach, Puglia

You will find that Otranto Beach is yet another amazing place to visit in Italy. The entire village has a small town feel but is alive with people throughout the year.

There are a variety of little cafes and restaurants that you can pop into for something to eat. There is also a more secluded beach further down that you can explore. If you want to escape the tourists for a while, you should really keep this in mind.

Top tourist attractions around Otranto Beach

1. Castello Aragonese
2. Mosaic floors in the Cathedral of Otranto
3. Take a boat tour
4. Cava di Bauxite
5. Baia dei Turchi

Castello Aragonese, Otranto Beach, Italy Beaches by Sailko / Wikipedia

Mosaic floors in the Cathedral of Otranto, Otranto Beach, Italy Beaches by Nigel Hoult / Flickr

Cava di Bauxite, Otranto Beach, Italy Beaches by Irene Grassi / Flickr

Baia dei Turchi, Otranto Beach, Italy Beaches by Pietro & Silvia / Flickr

14. Rabbit Island, Sicily

Rabbit Island has a very extensive history and offers some unbelievable scenery that you will remember for the rest of your life. It is known for its especially clear waters, which inevitably attracts lots of scuba divers.

It is also home to many loggerhead turtles, which are a protected species due to their endangered status. This whole area is alive with all sorts of marine life.

Top tourist attractions around Rabbit Island

1. Cala Pulcino
2. Cala Croce Beach
3. Cala Creta
4. La Tabaccara
5. Lampedusa

Cala Pulcino, Rabbit Island, Italy Beaches by Sicilia! / Flickr

Cala Creta, Rabbit Island, Italy Beaches by Hein56didden / Wikimedia Commons

La Tabaccara, Rabbit Island, Italy Beaches by Luca Siragusa / Flickr

Lampedusa, Rabbit Island, Italy Beaches by Silvia Albini / Flickr

15. Spiaggia di Tuerredda, Sardinia

Tuerredda Beach is located near Sardinia, and it is over 400 meters long. This is one of the more impressive beaches in the whole country. If you are looking to go swimming, snorkelling or even kayaking, this place is an amazing choice.

You can rent kayaks to take out on the ocean if you are up for a real adventure. It attracts many people each year with its stunning natural beauty. There is a great restaurant here that offers the perfect place to relax with a drink and some delicious food.

Top tourist attractions around Spiaggia di Tuerredda

1. Torre di Capo Malfatano
2. Malfatano beach
3. Spiaggia Su Giudeu
4. Baia di Chia e Dintorni
5. Monte Cogoni Beach

Torre di Capo Malfatano, Spiaggia di Tuerredda, Italy Beaches by Cristiano Cani / Flickr

Malfatano beach, Spiaggia di Tuerredda, Italy Beaches by Falco Ermert / Flick

Spiaggia Su Giudeu, Spiaggia di Tuerredda, Italy Beaches by Vid Pogacnik / Wikimedia Commons

Baia di Chia e Dintorni, Spiaggia di Tuerredda, Italy Beaches byCarlo Pelagalli / Wikimedia Commons

16. Oliveri beach and the Tongue of sand, Sicily

Oliveri is a small coastal town located near Tindari, the youngest Greek colony in Sicily, founded in 396 BC. The beaches are diverse, sandy and pebble here. The tongue of sand, known locally as La Lingua di Sabbia is a very interesting place to take your beach stuff on. There are several lakes around and the sunset from the beach is one of the best I have seen so far.

The nearest places to visit are Tindari, Nebrodi and Aeolian Islands. We recommend visiting the mysterious Aeolian Islands and the nearby pilgrimage church of the Black Madonna with the archaeological park of the former Greek colony in Tindari which were destroyed by the Saracens.

Top tourist attractions around Oliveri beach

1. Tindari and the church of the Black Madonna
2. Nebrodi mountains
3. The tongue of sand and lakes
4. Greek theatre and ruins in Tindari
5. Lipari islands

Tindari and the church of the Black Madonna, Oliveri beach, Italy Beaches by ricki / Pixabay

Nebrodi mountains, Oliveri beach, Italy Beaches by AntoMes / Pixabay

The tongue of sand and lakes, Oliveri beach, Italy Beaches by Miller_Eszter / Pixabay

Greek theatre and ruins in Tindari, Oliveri beach, Italy Beaches by Chris Lloyd / Flickr

17. Black volcanic sand beach in Vulcano island, Sicily

Lipari Islands also known as the Aeolian Islands are perhaps the most popular islands to visit around Sicily. You can get there by ferry from Milazzo town. There are 7 islands in total that forms this archipelago.

The islands were created by volcanic activity and each of them is different. The black volcanic sand beach (Spiaggia Nera) can be found on the island called Vulcano.

Top tourist attractions around Spiaggia Nera

1. Hiking to the active volcano
2. Lipari town
3. Lipari Antic Museum
4. Tenuta Di Castellaro to taste Malvasia wine
5. Terme di Vulcano

Hiking to the active volcano, Spiaggia Nera, Italy Beaches by tiburi / Pixabay

Lipari town, Spiaggia Nera, Italy Beaches by Walkerssk / Pixabay

Lipari Antic Museum, Spiaggia Nera, Italy Beaches by Herbert Frank / Flickr

Tenuta Di Castellaro to taste Malvasia wine, Spiaggia Nera, Italy Beaches by Ghost-in-the-Shell / Flickr

18. Cefalu beach, Sicily

If you are looking for a beach located right in the centre of charming historic town surrounded by medieval buildings and unusual atmosphere than you should definitely visit Cefalu. Cefalu beach is different from any other mentioned here on the list and once you come here you’ll see why.

When here, do not forget to taste local wine in any of numerous wine cellars and of course, pay a visit to the cathedral. Stroll around the beach to enjoy a unique atmosphere and climb up to the rock that towers above the town to enjoy perfect views of the sea.

Top tourist attractions around Cefalu beach

1. Cathedral and Piazza del Duomo
2. La Rocca
3. Lavatoio (Medieval Laundry)
4. Santo Stefano church
5. Museo Mandralisca

Cathedral and Piazza del Duomo, Cefalu beach, Italy Beaches by Allie_Caulfield / Flickr

La Rocca, Cefalu beach, Italy Beaches by Radek Kucharski / Flickr

Lavatoio (Medieval Laundry), Cefalu beach, Italy Beaches by Christophe PINARD / Flickr

Museo Mandralisca, Cefalu beach, Italy Beaches by Gmihail / Wikimedia Commons

19. San Vito Lo Capo, Sicily

Northwestern part of the island is home to San Vito Lo Capo. This charming little town with its beautiful beach and Monte Monaco mountain is the perfect place for a long weekend, but also for a week or two!

The town is located approximately 55 kilometres from the island’s capital – Palermo. The history of San Vito lo Capo dates back to about 300 AD when the city was founded by refugees from Rome. The chief of the refugees was named Vito.

Top tourist attractions around San Vito Lo Capo

1. Zingaro Nature Reserve
2. Segesta
3. Egadi Islands
4. Scopello cove
5. Monte Monaco

Zingaro Nature Reserve, San Vito Lo Capo, Italy Beaches by Edmondo Lopez / Flickr

Segesta, San Vito Lo Capo, Italy Beaches by Pedro Hernandez / Flickr

Egadi Islands, San Vito Lo Capo, Italy Beaches by Roberto / Flickr

Scopello cove, San Vito Lo Capo, Italy Beaches by Spencer Means / Flickr

20. Scala dei Turchi

Scala dei Turchi is a cliff in the western part of Sicily which resembles Antarctica. The unusual colour of the reef is given by its mineral composition. The mixture of clay and carbonate, called saliva, gave the rock a clear, pure white shade.

The area is so unique and strange that in August 2007, the town of Realmonte, under which Scala dei Turchi belongs, filed an official request to UNESCO to include this unique geological site on the World Natural and Cultural Heritage List to ensure its protection and respect of tourists.

Top tourist attractions around Scala dei Turchi

Villa Romana di Durrueli
Cala Pulcino
Valle dei Templi
Playa Lido Rossello
Tempio della Concordia

Cala Pulcino, Scala dei Turchi, Italy Beaches by Raniahou / Wikimedia Commons

Valle dei Templi, Scala dei Turchi, Italy Beaches by Enzo Abramo / Flickr

Playa Lido Rossello, Scala dei Turchi, Italy Beaches by Sicilia! / Flickr

Tempio della Concordia, Scala dei Turchi, Italy Beaches by Enzo Abramo / Flickr

So this was a list of the best beaches in Italy along with the top places to visit around them. Of course, there are countless other beaches that should be included in this list, if you know about any, please let us know below in the comments!

Italy, a country steeped in history, art, and culture, offers a captivating travel experience that appeals to all interests. From exploring the iconic landmarks of Rome, such as the Colosseum and Vatican City, to indulging in the art and romance of Florence and Venice, Italy’s beauty is enchanting.

Visitors can savor delectable Italian cuisine, from authentic pasta dishes to mouthwatering gelato, and immerse themselves in the warm hospitality of the Italian people. With its diverse offerings, including stunning coastlines, picturesque countryside, and world-class museums, Italy promises an unforgettable journey that celebrates the essence of la dolce vita.

Whether you’re a history enthusiast, an art lover, a foodie, or simply seeking to bask in the allure of timeless beauty, Italy beckons with its timeless charm and rich cultural heritage.