The best beaches in Italy for 2023!

Fine white sand, shallow turquoise waters, and sunny days. Italy has plenty of beautiful beaches so you can enjoy your vacation and live your best life. From Sicily to the Amalfi Coast, it’s impossible not to fall in love with the Italian beaches.

iVisa will help you to plan the itinerary and present you with some of the best beaches in Italy. Prepare your sunscreen and hat; summertime is coming!

The most beautiful beaches and coastal towns in Italy

Italy has gorgeous beach options to relax and also to practice adventurous water sports. Which option is the perfect fit for you? In this list, you can find out! Make sure you check out when is the best time to visit Italy and plan your dream itinerary for beach lovers.

Puglia

Puglia is a stunning region in the South of Italy. The Adriatic Sea borders it to the east and the Ionian Sea to the southeast. You can visit the Isole Tremiti archipelago, the Grotta della Poesia in Roca Vecchia, or the blue waters of Otranto. We recommend visiting these options below. They are stunning but not the most popular beaches to visit in Italy, which makes them even more special.

Polignano a Mare

The Greeks founded this charming village in the VIII century, so there is a lot of history there. However, the most popular attraction is the town’s dramatic coastline. The beautiful beach is at the edge of the dramatic cliffs of the Adriatic coast, offering a stunning view.

Baia dei Turchi

This fantastic beach is in a protected nature reserve in Puglia. Baia dei Turchi has dense pine forests, a mile of white sand, and the cleanest waters in Italy. All this preservation gave the beach the Blue Flag status, an honor awarded to pristine beaches that meet stringent environmental criteria.

Porto Cesareo

White sands, blue waters, and beach bars. This beach offers stunning views for your vacation and the exact dose for fun. The Bahia Porto Cesareo is the most famous exclusive Beach Lounge Club there, but the entire town has a great infrastructure for tourism, including bars, beach clubs, restaurants, and hotels.

Southern Italy: Sicily

Sicily has some of the best beaches in Italy. The Tyrrhenian Sea, the Mediterranean Sea, and the Ionian Sea border the region. It is a perfect place to enjoy sunny days due to the shallow waters and warm weather. You have popular beaches, such as Mondello Beach and San Vito Lo Capo, and more preserved and less crowded spots as well.

Cefalu

Cefalù is a delightful city on the Sicily coast. The beach has sandy shores, and the calm waters are perfect for baths and swimming. Besides the breathtaking beach, the town has charming streets with lovely shops and restaurants.

Spiaggia dei Conigli

This is a little paradise in the middle of the Mediterranean waters, maybe the prettiest beach in Sicily. The “Rabbit Beach” on the island of Lampedusa’s southside offers a landscape with jagged cliffs, silky sand, and turquoise sea. It’s perfect for snorkeling and enjoying a relaxed vibe.

Spiaggia di Cala Rossa

This is not a sandy beach. People usually enjoy the sun from the rocks and dive into the turquoise waters. It’s a great call if you want to escape from the bustling beaches and spend a day in a calm spot away from tourists.

Liguria

Liguria is a region of north-western Italy known as the Italian Riviera, a romantic scenario with palm trees, lovely towns, and clear waters. The most famous beach in this region may be Cinque Terre and its colorful cliffside perch. Portofino, Camogli Beach, and Santa Margherita Ligure are also beaches worth visiting in Italy. Check the suggestions below to explore the less-obvious choices.

Baia del Silenzi (Bay of Silence)

This is one of the public beaches of Sestri Levante. The picturesque beach is hidden by local homes. You can enjoy the clear and warm water while spending relaxing days on the beach. Besides the seaside, it’s a romantic village where you can enjoy the promenades and dream of a never-ending vacation. Many visitors consider it as one of the best beaches in Italy.

Baia dei Saraceni

This is a stunning pebbly beach in Liguria. The calm sea and absence of northern winds make it a nice spot to bathe and relax. The town has a great infrastructure, with many attractions and first-class hotels and restaurants. It’s perfect for a romantic getaway or family vacation.

Varigotti Beach

The colorful houses in the Varigotti seaside give the beach a charming touch. There’s fine sand, and you can bathe peacefully in blue waters. The Varigotti beach is in the stretch right in front of the village, where you can visit attractions such as the Church of San Lorenzo.

Sardinia

Sardinia is the largest island in Italy, having many attractions to offer. A delicious cuisine, breathtaking beaches, and a unique archaeological heritage are some of the reasons why you should visit this place. We list three beaches below that may convince you to include the island in your itinerary.

La Pelosa Beach

This is the perfect scenario for relaxing days in a hot summer. If you are looking for a bit of adventure, the wind makes the beach a great spot to practice windsurfing, kite surfing, and sailing. You won’t face crowds since it is necessary to make reservations to visit between June and September. To reserve you can use the local app or the website of La Pelosa Stintino.

Spiaggia La Cinta

This is another fantastic beach with crystal-clear waters in Sardinia. It is one of the longest beaches on the island and offers stunning views. Families with small children can enjoy it without concerns since the waters remain shallow for the first few hundred meters. On windy days, visitors have the ideal conditions for windsurfing and kitesurfing practice.

Cala Mariolu

This spot has an incredible view, decorated with little pebbles smoothed by the movement of the sea. It’s the best beach for snorkeling in Sardinia, with calm and crystal-clear waters. Travel tip: visit in the morning because the limestone rocks will shade the beach by the end of the afternoon.

Campania

The Campania region is full of history located in south-western Italy, boarded by the Tyrrhenian Sea. You can visit one of the many UNESCO World Heritage Sites, walk in the lovely streets or enjoy days at the beach.

Baia del Buon Dormire

Visitors can only reach this particular spot by boat. Rocks surround the “Bay of Good Sleep,” creating a reserved and beautiful space. This beach has golden sands, crystal clear emerald waters, and some caves to explore, like the Grotta Azzurra.

Baia di Ieranto

This beach is in a protected area, where motor vehicles are prohibited. Once you are there, you will understand that a paradise like this must be preserved. Besides the beauty, it’s a mythical place. According to The Odyssey, sirens called out to Ulysses and his crew with a sultry song, luring them toward the rocks jutting from crystal blue waters.

Bagni Regina Giovanna

This is a beautiful natural pool, hidden by the rocks of an archeology site on the Cape of Sorrento. It's a unique place to bathe and swim. The location is named in honor of the Queen Giovanna d'Angio who used to visit often between 1371-1435.

Amalfi Coast

The Amalfi Coast is situated in the Campania region but is so unique that it deserves a special remark for its sights. The 50-kilometer stretch of coastline offers beautiful views from the sheer cliffs and colorful villages.

Arienzo Beach

Arienzo beach is a small bay, half public and half private. You can access it by private shuttle or by stepping down a long staircase. It’s a great spot if you are into drinks and music since you can enjoy beach clubs such as the Arienzo Beach Club.

Spiaggia Grande

This delightful spot is the main beach of Positano, one of the most popular destinations on the Amalfi Coast. You can reach the beach stretch on foot from the center of Positano (Piazza dei Mulini), crossing the lovely characteristic streets full of shops.

Fornillo Beach

You can reach the second largest beach of Positano by foot via the road from the Spiaggia Grande di Positano or by sea from the same pier. This fantastic place is naturally decorated by large pebbles and rocks scattered between the shore and the water.

Tuscany

You can have both wine and beach in Tuscany! You have stunning options, such as the Biodola beach in Elba Island, and many of them have the Blue Flag, recognition of meeting environmental criteria. We have listed below three places you must visit in the region:

Spiaggia di Sansone

This is one of the Elba’s breathtaking beaches. It combines the calm emerald waters with the smooth white pebbles, resulting in a peaceful scenario. You can enjoy Sansone’s shallow sea for snorkeling, and it is also an excellent spot to relax on a family vacation.

Spiaggia di Capo Bianco

The Capo Bianco is a perfect refuge to relax on windy days due to the high, steep cliffs that scatter the beach. The crystal-clear sea is always calm, so it’s a great destination for a relaxed vacation day.

Spiaggia di Cavoli

You can visit this amazing place year-round. The Monte Capanne shelters the bay from northern winds and always has a mild climate. These two elements allow visitors to enjoy the beach even in the low season.

The list is endless. Other suggestions are the Calabria region (Calabria Marasusa Beach and Tropea Beach), Marina Piccola in Capri Island, and San Fruttuoso in Genoa. You can also check out the best places to visit in Italy to include more spots in your itinerary and the Italy Travel Guide for detailed travel information.

Do I need a Visa to travel to Italy?

Did you already choose what beach you will visit in 2023? Before packing your bags, ensure you apply for the Italy Schengen Visa. From 2023 onwards, this new visa is mandatory for some nationals to enter Italy and other member countries of the Schengen Visa zone. You can use the iVisa Checker Tool to see if it is required for your country.

Italy Schengen Visa explained

The Schengen area covers 26 European territories. It’s an agreement to facilitate the commercial and people flow among the members. Recently, the Schengen countries announced new measures and document requirements to improve border security, and the Schengen Visa is one of them.

This visa allows visitors to travel freely between member countries for business and tourism purposes or to visit their family. It is valid from 90 days to six months.

Apply with iVisa and enjoy the fantastic beaches in Italy!