Best Beaches in Italy: 12 Worth the Trip

Cala Goloritzé (Sardinia), The One You Hike For

This beach is a national monument for good reason. The water is electric blue and the limestone pinnacle behind the sand looks like a shark tooth. You cannot drive here. You park at the Su Gemeu lot (pay €6 cash, no card), then walk 45 minutes downhill over rocks. The walk back is 70 minutes uphill in the heat. Go at 8:00 AM or skip it.

The beach has no bar, no shade, and no rescue service. Bring 1.5 liters of water per person and a sun umbrella. In July and August, rangers limit visitors to 250 per day. If you arrive after 11:00 AM you will be turned away. The best months are May, June, and September.

Read more about Sardinia for other wild beaches nearby.

Spiaggia dei Conigli (Lampedusa, Sicily), The Turtle Beach

This is the most famous beach in Sicily and it earns the hype. Fine white sand, shallow turquoise water, and loggerhead turtles nesting from June to August. The beach is free. You walk 20 minutes from the parking area (€5 all day) past a salt pond where flamingos sometimes stand.

The catch? Crowds. In August you will share the water with hundreds of people. Go in June or September when the water is still warm and the beach is half empty. No umbrellas or loungers for rent. Bring your own shade. The walk back uphill in the midday sun is brutal. Do not attempt without water and a hat.

Cala Mariolu (Sardinia), The Pebble Paradise

Pebble beach, not sand. The pebbles are smooth and white and the water is so clear you see fish from the boat. This beach is only reachable by boat from Cala Gonone (€25 round trip, 30 minutes). The boat drops you off at a dock and you have three hours before the last pickup.

Bring snorkel gear. The underwater rock formations are full of sea life. The beach has a small bar selling overpriced panini (€10) and cold beer (€6). No trees, no shade. Rent a sun umbrella at the bar for €15. The boat runs from May to October. June and September offer the best balance of warm water and fewer boats.

Tropea Beach (Calabria), The Dramatic Cliff Beach

Tropea sits on a cliff 60 meters above the sea. The beach below is long, sandy, and backed by a medieval town. The water is warm and calm. This is the best beach in mainland southern Italy for families and swimmers who want easy access.

Park in the paid lot near the train station (€1.50 per hour). Walk down 200 steps or take the elevator (€0.80). The beach is free, but umbrellas and loungers cost €25 per day in high season. Avoid the area directly below the town center. Walk 300 meters south for emptier sand. The best months are June and September. August is packed with Italian tourists.

Scala dei Turchi (Sicily), The White Cliffs

Not a sandy beach but a staircase of white marl rock descending into the sea. The contrast of white rock against blue water makes for amazing photos. You can swim in the small coves at the base. Entry is free. Parking costs €5.

The rock is slippery and fragile. Do not wear flip-flops. Climb barefoot or wear water shoes. The site gets crowded by 10:00 AM. Go at sunrise for empty cliffs and soft light. In August the crowds are suffocating. Skip July and August entirely. Visit in May or September.

For more beaches and advice on Sicily, check the full island guide.

Cala Luna (Sardinia), The Cave Beach

A long stretch of white sand at the foot of a limestone cliff with a massive sea cave at the east end. You can walk or swim inside the cave. The water is shallow and green. Reachable by boat from Cala Gonone (€20 return, 25 minutes) or by hiking 2 hours from the nearby town.

The hike is not for beginners. It is hot, exposed, and rocky. Bring 2 liters of water per person. The beach has a small kiosk for drinks and snacks (cash only). Umbrellas rent for €10. Go in late September when the crowds thin and the water is still warm.

Baia del Silenzio (Liguria), The Quiet Beauty

Sestri Levante has two beaches. The big one is full of tourists. The small one, Baia del Silenzio, is a crescent of sand tucked between two rocky headlands. The water is calm and the atmosphere is relaxed. The beach is free. Umbrellas cost €20 per day.

Get there early. By 10:00 AM the sand is covered with towels. The best spot is at the far eastern end near the rocks. No loud music, no beach bars. This is a reading and swimming beach. The nearest train station is Sestri Levante, a 10 minute walk. Best months: May and September.

Read about the nearby Cinque Terre for more coastal destinations, though those villages have small rocky beaches, not sand.

Marina di Vecchiano (Tuscany), The Wild Park Beach

Forget the crowded beaches of Viareggio. Drive 10 minutes north to Marina di Vecchiano inside the Migliarino San Rossore Massaciuccoli Park. This is a wide, wild beach with dunes and pine forest behind it. No buildings, no bars, no umbrellas. Just sand and sea.

Park at the paid lot (€5 for the day). Walk 15 minutes through the forest to the beach. The water is clean and the waves are medium. This is a naturist-friendly section at the southern end. No services. Bring everything you need. The park closes at sunset. Best months: June and September.

For more Tuscan coast ideas, check the Tuscany guide.

Cala dei Sospiri (Puglia), The Hidden Cove

Near the town of Santa Cesarea Terme, this small pebble beach is framed by ochre cliffs and pine trees. The water is deep turquoise and cold even in August. You reach it by a steep staircase of 150 steps. No parking nearby. Park in the town lot (€1 per hour) and walk 10 minutes.

The beach is tiny. Maybe 30 people can fit comfortably. Go early or not at all. No services. Bring water and snacks. The best time is late afternoon when the sun lights up the cliffs. September is ideal.

Follonica (Tuscany), The Family Choice

Follonica has a long, wide sandy beach with shallow water that stays warm until October. This is not a glamorous beach. It is practical and family friendly. The town behind the beach has playgrounds, ice cream shops, and restaurants. Umbrellas and loungers cost €18 per day. The beach is free further south.

Park in the underground lot (€2 per hour). The train station is a 5 minute walk. Avoid the area directly in front of the main piazza. Walk 1 km south for emptier spaces. Best months: June to September.

Cannigione (Sardinia), The Wind-Free Bay

On the northern coast of Sardinia, the bay of Cannigione is protected from the wind. The water is flat and warm. The beach is a mix of sand and seagrass. It is not the most beautiful beach on the list but it is the most reliable for calm swimming every single day.

Park for free along the main road. The beach is 500 meters long, so you can always find a spot. Umbrellas cost €15. The town has good restaurants and a supermarket. Best for families and anyone tired of windy beaches. June and September are best. August is busy but still manageable.

Guvano Beach (Liguria), The Nudist Classic

Near Corniglia in the Cinque Terre, Guvano is a long pebble beach reached by an old train tunnel. The tunnel walk takes 10 minutes. Bring a flashlight. The beach is clothing optional and has a relaxed hippie vibe. No services. No lifeguard. The water is deep and clear.

The tunnel entrance is near the Corniglia train station. Look for the gate on the sea side. It is sometimes locked. Ask at the station if it is open. This beach is not for everyone. If you want a quiet, uncrowded spot with no judgment, this is it. June and September are best. July and August are too hot and the tunnel feels like an oven.

For trains and access details, the Cinque Terre guide has the full scoop.

Best Beaches in Italy Comparison Table

How Many Days Do You Need at These Beaches?

For Sardinia: 5 days minimum. Three beaches listed plus travel time between them. For Sicily: 3 days if you only hit Scala dei Turchi and Spiaggia dei Conigli. But that requires a flight or ferry between Lampedusa and the mainland. For Tuscany and Liguria: 2 days each is enough. For Puglia and Calabria: 1 day each unless you are staying in the region.

Is It Worth Taking a Boat Tour?

Yes for Sardinia. No for most other regions. The Sardinian beaches require a boat to reach the best spots. A day tour from Cala Gonone costs €40 to €60 per person and stops at 4 or 5 beaches. Worth every euro. For Sicily, boat tours along the Scala dei Turchi coast are less useful. You can swim from the rocks for free.

One Warning from Experience

Do not swim at Scala dei Turchi in late afternoon in August. The sun reflects off the white rock and burns your skin even underwater. I saw three people with second degree burns one afternoon. Use reef safe sunscreen with SPF 50 and reapply every 90 minutes. The Italian sun is stronger than you think.

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