With summer right around the corner, it’s time to start thinking about cooling off.  And what better place to do it than on one of Italy’s gorgeous beaches?  From fine, white sand to craggy, rocky shores, Italy’s 5,345 miles of coastline has endless hidden—and not-so-hidden—gems where locals and visitors alike can escape the city summer heat and wade into the perfectly blue water. 

It’s important to note that Italy is part of the Blue Flag Program, a voluntary way of rating beaches around the world.  Run by the Foundation for Environmental Education, the Blue Flag Program recognizes “sustainable development at beaches/marinas through strict criteria dealing with water quality, environmental education and information, environmental management, and safety and other services.”  So, if you see a beach flying a blue flag, you know it’s a good choice. 

And now, here is our list of Italy’s top 10 beaches:

Amalfi/Capri
When you think of Italian beaches, one of the first places that comes to mind is probably the Amalfi Coast.  Filled with those postcard-worthy cliffside towns and perfect sandy beaches, not to mention the crystal-clear ocean, there’s not much to complain about in Amalfi.  Except, maybe, the crowds during peak season.  Still, with so many gorgeous vistas packed into one stretch of coastline, you really can’t go wrong with whichever beach you choose.  Aside from Positano and Amalfi, there’s Sorrento and Praiano, plus smaller locations like Nerano and Marina di Cantone.  And if you’re looking for even more beach options, hop a boat to Capri, where you can lounge on pebbly beaches while taking in the lemon-scented air around you.

Cinque Terre (Liguria)
Known as the Italian Riviera, Cinque Terre is a string of five fishing towns strung together by footpaths and beaches. While the five cliffside-clinging towns make up a UNESCO World Heritage Site and the Cinque Terre National Park, only the northernmost Monterosso has a traditional sand beach, and it’s one of Italy’s best.  With two silvers of flat, sandy beaches, Monterosso makes for the perfect stop after a long hike through the five towns.  Vernazza, a town south, also has a small beach nestled into a cove directly below the village, and a pier that juts out into the water, which is a marine reserve.  If the exquisite sights and scenic hikes of Cinque Terre aren’t enough for you, perhaps the cuisine, featuring fish from the daily local catch, will pique your interest.

Gaeta

La Maddalena (Sardinia)
La Maddalena beach on the island of Sardinia is one of the most unique places on earth, where the water is a kaleidoscope of blue and the sand changes from white to pink. It is both rustic and elegant, enchanting visitors and locals alike.  Since Sardinia isn’t as developed as some of the country’s other islands, or even the mainland, many of its beaches are hard to reach by foot or car.  As a result, the best way to beach hop is by boat.  From Chai, Goloritzè, Rena Bianca, and Spiaggia del Principe to Razzoli, Santa Maria, and Cala Mariolu, the island is overflowing with both frequented and off-the-beaten-path beaches. 

Lido (Veneto)
One of Italy’s most glamorous beaches is located in one of the country’s most magical cities.  The Lido in Venice has hosted some of the world’s most famous people along its sandy coast, from the starlets of decades past to Hollywood’s biggest names during the Venice Film Festival.  Just a quick vaporetto ride from the city center, the shore of the Lido, during peak season, is covered with huts, under which beachgoers hide from the sun while taking in the sights of the Adriatic Sea.  The many hotels, restaurants, and bars that line the entire coast provide for a social atmosphere and active nightlife, but keep in mind that this almost 7-mile long island in the Venetian Lagoon is all about relaxation. 

Maratea (Basilicata)
Heading toward the toe of Italy’s boot is Maratea, a 19-mile stretch of rocky coast with pebble beaches and secluded coves on the Tyrrhenian Sea.  Often compared to Amalfi, Maratea has more than 20 beaches on which to enjoy the turquoise waters, including: Marina di Maratea, Macarro, Fiumicello, and Spiaggia Nera with its volcanic black pebbles and an island within swimable distance.  For something a little different, head a few miles north to Acquafredda, where you’ll find a series of naturally occurring swimming pools, or rent a boat and explore some of the area’s uninhabited beaches.

Rimini (Emilia Romagna)
Every Italian has probably been to Rimini at least once—and if locals give the seal of approval, you know it’s good.  Guaranteeing fun for all ages, Rimini is home to a huge sandy beach with many water parks and games for kids, as well as a seaside promenade filled with restaurants and discos, making it a hotspot for nightlife.  The nine miles of beach, in particular Marina Centro and Lungomare Augusto, help make Rimini the most famous Italian resort on the Adriatic Sea.  If you’re looking for equal parts fun and beach, Rimini is definitely the place to be!

Sicily
Even though a lot of Sicily’s 620 miles of coastline has been industrialized, there are still some beach gems mixed in—and they are some of Italy’s finest.  Near Syracuse, you will find Fontane Bianche, a long, white beach where there are plenty of activities to keep you busy in and on the Caribbean-like water. Also nearby is the Vendicari Nature Reserve, full of hiking trails, wildlife, and miles of perfect beaches that don’t get much traffic. Further north, near Messina, you’ll find Tindari, with its peninsula of sand often compared to a tongue, and Capo d’Orlando, with great views of the Aeolian Islands, which also have great beaches, most notably a lava beach on Salina and Isola dei Conigli, said to be one of Europe’s most beautiful white sand beaches.  On the other side of the island, near Palermo, the beaches to check out are San Vito Lo Capo, Lescari, and Mondello, plus the undiscovered coves of Lo Zingaro Nature Reserve.

Tuscany
While Tuscany is most often associated with rolling hills, farms, and Chianti, it also has a fantastic coastline called the Maremma filled with beautiful beaches and quaint, oceanside towns.  All of Tuscany’s beaches are within 80 miles of Florence, Pisa, Lucca, and Siena, so day trips are definitely doable.  Quiet and clean, this stretch of Tuscan shore has 33 blue-flagged beaches, each one more beautiful and tranquil than the next.  From Pietrasanta and Camaiore to Monte Argentario and Grosseto, you will find flat, sandy beaches, perfect for relaxing and basking in the sun.  And on top of the picturesque beaches in Viareggio, Forte dei Marmi, and Castiglione della Pescaia, you will also find great nightlife, with seaside restaurants, bars, and night clubs. 

Vasto (Abruzzo)
Due east of Rome, the region of Abruzzo on the Adriatic Sea is home to an 80-mile strip of beautiful, sandy beaches and resorts.  Vasto, in southern Abruzzo, is located on a hill overlooking a splendid gulf of breathtakingly blue water.  Calm and clean, the water remains shallow for about 200 feet off shore, meaning you can wade out while still touching the sandy bottom to enjoy the quiet of the sea.  It also makes the area ideal for families with little kids. As for the town, locals say that its food is excellent—fish, lamb, fruits, and vegetables all taste more delicious than anywhere else.

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