Italy has more coastline than Texas, Florida, and Louisiana combined.
(And far fewer alligators, for those keeping score.)
As wonderful as your favorite U.S. beach destinations are, you deserve to spoil yourself on a warm stretch of Italian sand.
And we don’t mean bailing on your sightseeing city excursion, either. Italy’s best beaches aren’t restricted to the resorts on the Amalfi Coast or the Sicilian set pieces you’ve seen on The White Lotus (though both superb spots to stencil sexy tan lines on your skin).
From Genoa and Puglia to Sardinia and Liguria, you’ll discover that the most beautiful beaches in Italy are a short train ride away from Rome, Florence, Naples, and more.
5 Most Beautiful Beaches in Italy
#1: Riomaggiore, Cinque Terre
Monterosso may have the better beach for swimming, but Riomaggiore in Cinque Terre wins the beauty contest. Old wooden fishing boats and colorful houses make this small pebble beach and harbor effortlessly picturesque.
#2: Positano Spiaggia, Amalfi Coast
If only the best beach resorts in Italy will do for your carry-on full of swimsuits, then the Amalfi Coast delivers the glam you got in mind. Make the iconic “pyramid” of Positano’s postcards your backdrop during a selfie sesh on Positano’s main beach. Then, show your loyal subs a view from above as you sit smiling from a resort’s pool deck with a limoncello in hand.
#3: Punta Molentis Beach, Sardinia
Just, wow. That’s really all we can say about Punta Molentis Beach. Sardinia in general has some spectacular sands (quite literally at Piscinas Beach) but Punta Molentis might be the most photogenic. Shallow swimming in a sheltered cove gives you 360° views of bold blue waters and granite rock formations blanketed in dark green brush.
#4: Porto Selvaggio, Puglia
Puglia has an abundance of Blue Flag Beaches (read: top marks in environmental operations) and Porto Selvaggio is one rocky wild beach that’s worth the ten-minute walk through a dense, protected forest. Those set against such a lush green backdrop, the crystal clear waters draw a crowd so you should have no trouble finding it on Puglia’s peninsula.
#5: Shore of Tropea, Calabria
Which beach in Italy has the best white sand? Survey says: Tropea, at least on the mainland. Don’t let its historic center atop the cliffs trick your eyes; avert your gaze from the endless sea views and you’ll see a bright white stretch of sand stretched out against the Tyrrhenian.
Journey Advice From Jen: Trainline Editor's Fave Italian Beaches
Q: What’s the beach in Italy?
A: "Hands down, the beaches off the coast of Sicily in Favignana are among the best I’ve seen. They can be rocky, but with Peronis and striped towels splashed about, they’re so authentically Italian. Also, if you're looking for more sand just hop on your bike and go to the next cove on the island."
The Egadi archipelago (aka the Aegadian Islands) is off the northwest coast of Sicily and features three main islands: Favignana, Levanzo, and Marettimo. Favignana has few but lovely beaches, though with some of the clearest waters in Italy, it’s an ideal spot for scuba diving and snorkeling. It’s a walkable/bikeable island accessible via ferry and worth the trip for pistachio espresso.
Q: What’s the most underrated beach in Italy?
A: "Paraggi, in northern Italy, is a super underrated beach most tourists don’t visit."
With Portofino’s ritzy resorts drawing all of the attention away from the fact that the haute harbor has no direct beach access, it’s easy to assume the pool is your only option for getting wet with the wealthy. The many beaches along the Bay of Paraggi beg to differ and beckon you to dive into the crystal-clear waters of Liguria.
Q: What’s the best way to get to Italy’s beaches?
A: "It's so much easier to travel by train than weaving around the coastline in a car. Plus, what's better than afternoon Aperols?"
You heard it here, folks. Trains run from the canals of Venice and ruins of Rome to the most beautiful beaches in Italy. No need to rent a car, fail to find parking, and risk violating the ZTL limited traffic zones. Download the Trainline app and let the rails keep your beach vacation on track.