Looking for the best beaches in Italy? I have a very strict belief: you can’t travel to Italy without setting foot on its sandy shores!

What I find interesting is that people often ask me, ‘What are the most beautiful beaches on the Amalfi Coast?’. I always ask back, ‘Why there?’. Now, if you know anything about me, you’ll know that Italy holds my heart. But I really think that while the Amalfi Coast has some great beaches – I’ve even included one in this list – some of the best beaches in Italy are found in other parts of the country. 

From cool little rock pools and beautiful pine forests in southern Italy to lovely, shallow turquoise waters, the beaches of Italy are second to none. So take a look at my list of the best Italian beaches, and see exactly why I always recommend exploring beyond the Amalfi Coast…

Cefalù, Sicily

There are too many amazing beaches in Cefalu for me to choose just one, so I definitely advise dipping a toe all across the Cefalu coast for some of Italy best beaches. If you’re going to make me choose, I’d say Caldura with its dramatic rocky scenery. Or maybe Lascari, with its wild atmosphere. Wherever you are, though, don’t just look out to sea; turn around and enjoy the incredible views of La Rocca looming behind you. 

If north-coast Sicily is your jam, I’d also recommend one of the island’s most popular beaches: San Vito lo Capo. It’s a narrow crescent with soft white sands, Sicilian palm trees, and comfy sun loungers. It’s definitely a contender for the ‘best beach’ award. To get a good spot on the small free part of the beach, I suggest you arrive early. 

Scala dei Turchi

I can’t talk about the best beaches in Italy without mentioning this brilliant white marl terraced cliff, jutting spectacularly out into the Mediterranean Sea. The naturally formed staircase leads right down to blue waters which stand out incredibly against the white stone. Although you can no longer walk on the steps, you can enjoy the view from the white sand beach at the base of the cliff. 

Scala dei Turchi is just a 10-minute drive from the ferry that takes you over to Lampedusa: the largest island in the Pelagie group. The calm waters, clear sea, and fine white sand of Spiaggia dei Conigli – or Rabbit Beach – are well worth taking the boat ride over to this stunning half-moon-shaped bay. 

Fornillo Spiaggia, Positano, Amalfi Coast

See, I told you the Amalfi Coast would make the list! Fornillo Beach is undoubtedly the prettiest beach on the Amalfi Coast, and one of the best beaches in the coastal town of Positano, if not one of the best Italian beaches full stop. There’s a small handful of beach bars here that come to life after sunset. But during the day it can be a remarkably quiet place for a relaxing rest. The water’s a little rocky, so it’s not unusual to see some sea life scurrying around. 

I feel like Fornillo is a bit of an underdog. It’s usually overlooked by visitors who stick to the Marina Grande beach closer to the town center. But the walk to Fornillo is absolutely beautiful. You’re tucked in between the sea and the cliffs, where birds sing away from their colorful cliffside perch. 

La Guardia, Elba, Tuscany

Located on the Tuscan island of Elba, La Guardia is a breathtaking beach with a wild, rugged beauty. It has some of the most photogenic rock formations you’ve ever seen in your life. To be honest, I couldn’t decide whether La Guardia or Biodola Beach should represent Elba in this list, so I’ll say that if you happen to be on the island, definitely check out the white sands of Biodola, too!

If you’re wondering what you can see over on the mainland from Biodola beach, you’re looking out over a stunning Follonica beach – Pratoranieri Beach – with its shallow waters and silky sand. Many people opt for Il Lido when in Follonica, but I think this has a more relaxed vibe and one of the best sandy beaches in Italy.

Lido di Venezia, Venice

Lido is the thin strip of land forming the barrier between the Adriatic Sea and the Venetian lagoon, and it’s become a massively popular beachside destination for locals and visitors alike. There’s a long stretch of sandy beach, so it rarely feels overly crowded, it’s pretty wide, with soft sand and great Adriatic views. I like this one because it’s good for everyone: families, couples, kids, seniors. Grab some lounge chairs, and chill.

Is Lido di Venezia one of the most beautiful beaches in Italy? Not by a long shot. But I think there’s something to be said for sunning yourself so close to the famous attractions of this UNESCO World Heritage Site – things like St Mark’s Square and the Rialto Bridge – that just adds this air of unbeatable beauty. 

Torre Guaceto Marine Reserve, Puglia

Puglia’s coastline is huge, and a massive chunk of it – about 5 miles – is taken up by the Torre Guaceto Marine Reserve. The reserve aims to create protected natural environments for local wildlife, so you’ll find it crawling with all sorts of fascinating fauna. There’s tons to do here, like birdwatching, cycling, and hiking, but one of my absolute favorite things to do is simply relax on the beach. 

The beach at the reserve is called Punta Penna Grossa, and it’s backed by beautiful sandy dunes and marshy wetlands. It’s a pretty quiet beach, all things considered, for one of the best beaches in Southern Italy. Although if you’re there at certain times of year you may have some company in the form of a sea turtle or two! 

Maratea on Basilicata’s Tyrrhenian Coast

If you’ve ever been to Maratea, you’ll know it’s much more ‘unexplored’ – for want of a better word – than many other Italian towns. And its spectacular beaches are just the same. The coastline extends all the way from Campania to Calabria, so it’s impossible to pick just one beach to talk about. Especially as they all show off Maratea’s characteristic rocky ridges, ravines, and small coves so wonderfully. 

If you love Maratea’s Tyrrhenian coast, I recommend you try Calabria’s, too. Calabria Marasusa Beach – also known as Tropea Beach – offers gorgeous views of the Tyrrhenian Sea. It’s just moments from the historic Old Town, with a long stretch of fine sand nestling underneath the raw, jagged cliffs. 

Anzio, Lazio

Visiting the Eternal City? You may feel miles away from the sea in Rome, but the truth is that you can be on the coast in less than one hour. Take the train from Termini to Anzio, and see one of the best beaches in Italy near Rome for yourself! Anzio is, of course, best known for its World War II history. And you can learn more about that in the Beachhead Museum. But it’s also well known for its gorgeous beach, easily accessible from Rome. 

The beach at Anzio is ideal if you’re traveling with kids as it’s quite a gentle slope into the sea. I love this beach for its really nice restaurants serving great Italian food that line the road behind it. There’s nothing better than ice-cold wine, fresh seafood, and views so why not visit one of the best beaches near Rome?

Camogli Beach, Liguria

This pebbly beach on the Italian Riviera is one of the most famous beach scenes in all of Italy. It’s on postcards. It’s on the front of notebooks. It’s everywhere. The colorful buildings that line the beach just look spectacular against the golden sands and blue waters. It can be quiet and serene in the off-season, but come summer it’s packed with umbrellas, sunbeds, and families having fun.

There are two public beaches in Camogli, with a paid beach club in between them. Personally, I love the free area closest to the church. The sand is a little rockier at this part, but the Basilica di Santa Maria Assunta is just beautiful, jutting right out to sea. It’s a real-life example of ‘picture perfect’. 

Spiaggia di Marina Piccola, Capri

When in Capri, most people go to the beautiful beach at Marina Grande on the north side as the cable car takes them there from town. But one of my favorite beaches in Italy is over on the south side at Marina Piccola. There are two marinas here – Marina di Mulo and Marina di Pennauro – which were once used as Roman ports. Now, they’re top destinations for stunning views and turquoise waters. 

The beach here is in one of the sunniest spots on the whole island, so it’s perfect for sun-worshipers. There’s also a pretty cool legend surrounding it, too. According to Homer, the handsome cliffs of Marina Piccola were where Odysseus was mesmerized by the call of the sirens. 

Spiaggia la Pelosa, Stintino, Sardinia

For the last beach on my list, I’m heading over to Sardinia. Specifically, to the little coastal village of Stintino. The beach here, La Pelosa, is worthy of this coveted spot thanks to its spectacular views over Isola Piana, and its golden sand. The old watchtower, Torre della Pelosa, doesn’t hurt either. It dates from the 1500s, and used to be an integral part of Sardinia’s marine defense system. 

Today, La Pelosa Beach is one of the best for water sports. There’s a diving center here, and equipment rentals for surfboards, canoes, and all sorts of other stuff. So if you like your beach with a little more action, excitement, and adventure, I’d definitely recommend a trip over to Sardinia.

Just a few of my faves

This is not a definitive list, by any means! There are so many pristine beaches in Italy that I’d never be able to mention them all. But hopefully this has given you a little inspiration, and some cool suggestions. And if there’s one thing this shows, it’s that Italy is the place for beach lovers!