If the nation’s top-notch museums, fascinating historical sites, quaint little towns, and mouthwatering cuisine weren’t enough, it also has some of the most beautiful beaches in the Mediterranean. They’re not exactly the best-kept secrets, particularly in July and August when Italy’s nicest beaches are crammed with Italians enjoying their yearly one or two weeks at il mare. Even so, a beach vacation in Italy may be rewarding if you know what to expect and go between June and September when the shoulder season is over. The best beaches in Italy for families, the country’s beaches offer breathtaking views, incredibly blue waters, and, often, a distinctively Italian atmosphere that sets them apart from other parts of Europe.
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Lido di Venezia, Venice
The Lido di Venezia, or Venice Beach, is a must-see on any trip to La Serenissima if you want to taste the good life. The island that separates the Adriatic Sea from the Venetian Lagoon can be best appreciated on the relaxing Vaporetto (ferry) journey to the Lido. Get a beach cabana—or at least some lounge chairs and an umbrella—from your Venice hotel if you plan to spend any time at the beach. If you go to the Venice Film Festival, you could even rub elbows with some famous faces.
Cefalù, Sicily
There are so many stunning beaches on Sicily—much like its northern neighbor Sardinia—that picking one would be challenging. The historic city of Cefalù, established as a Greek colony in the fourth century B.C.E. and with Roman, Byzantine, and Norman monuments, is just as impressive as the sandy stretches and shallow waters surrounding it. Just stepping out into the crystal-clear Mediterranean seas that lap at the town’s foundations from this attractive, historically rich village is a delight.
Chia Coast, Southern Sardinia
The Chia coast on Sardinia, the second-largest island in Italy, is nine miles long and features sugar-sand beaches, high dunes, and crystal-clear waters that reach depths of dozens of meters. The neighborhood is great for families, and there’s enough space for everyone to stretch out. Moreover, these breathtaking beaches and coves still need to be sold due to the lack of actual coastal towns and the presence of only a few hotels and campgrounds.
Cala Biriola, Golfo di Orosei, Sardinia
Some of Sardinia’s most inaccessible—and jaw-dropping—coastline is caressed and crashed against by the vertiginous blue waves of the Golfo di Orosei. Amidst sheer cliffs where hardscrabble pine, Mediterranean shrubbery, and sure-footed goats are the only living things, crescents of pebbly beaches can only be reached by boat or a strenuous climb. Even though it has a dozen or more picturesque neighbors, my favorite is Cala Biriola. Bring along your swimwear, goggles, and a snorkel.
Biodola Beach, Elba
Elba, an island in Tuscany, has over 80 beaches that have been officially identified, and innumerable undiscovered coves can be reached by foot or boat. A lengthy stretch of fine, golden sand and shallow waves, Biodola Beach, is around 20 minutes from the capital at Portoferraio. With hotels, restaurants, and bars all along the shore, not to mention kayak rentals for discovering secluded coves, it’s got all the conveniences of home. If the path is open, a walking pathway winds through German defensive tunnels built during WWII.
Follonica, Tuscany
I was hell-bent on discovering the old Roman route that ran close to Follonica Beach the first time I took my then-18-month-old daughter there. It turned out to be literally under our feet. Follonica forms a breakwater with the remnants of the Via Aurelia; the town is located in a protected bay south of Piombino. The end product is a swimming area about a meter deep with crystal-clear water, a clean, soft-sand bottom, and good snorkeling on both sides of the underwater ancient road. Follonica is perfect for families with small children, as it offers basic motels, campers, and simple restaurants.
Rimini, Emilia-Romagna
The days of Rimini, a famous European beach town, being a playground for the world’s elite may be behind it. This Adriatic city remains one of Italy’s best-equipped beach resorts, with miles upon miles of unbroken sandy beaches and a tourist infrastructure that keeps visitors entertained. In addition to a dizzying array of summer attractions, hotels cater to all budgets, restaurants, pubs, beach equipment rentals, and more. An idyllic getaway to the shore? How you mean “relax” will determine that.
Baia di Sorgeto, Ischia
As you can see from Baia di Sorgeto, Ischia is home to some of Italy’s most fascinating geology. It is a bit of a stretch to term this place a beach. At the base of a formidable flight of stairs lies a tiny, rocky cove with warm, shallow pools formed by thermal water from the ocean floor. Taking a dip in these relaxing waters is one of the most unforgettable things to do on Ischia, and it will also help you get ready for the difficult ascent back up the steps.
Spiaggia dei Conigli, Lampedusa
Imagine a tropical paradise with this stunning beach. Plus, the whole point of having a fantasy is that it’s hard to achieve. Lampedusa, the southernmost Pelagie Island, is home to Spiaggia dei Conigli, often known as Rabbit Beach, a location that is more closely aligned with North Africa than Italy. This crescent-shaped beach is located in a small, protected bay with powdery white sand. Isola dei Conigli, also known as Rabbit Island, is a great place to swim or walk, where you can snorkel or relax in the shallow waters and imagine yourself in paradise.
Scalo Maestro, Marettimo, Sicily
Little Marettimo, located in the westernmost part of the Aegadian (or Egadi) Islands off the coast of Sicily, is famous for its ethereal seas and leisurely pace. Its beaches are mostly inaccessible if you take a strenuous descent to the water or charter a boat. In addition to serving as a jumping-off point for explorations of neighboring grottoes, Scalo Maestro offers daredevils a picture-perfect location for swimming and snorkeling. Though we advise coming by boat to take in other stops along this remarkable coastline, this beach is one of the rare Marettimo beaches that a well-groomed walking path can reach.
Punta Prosciutto, Puglia
It is typical of Italy to honor a type of ham by naming a beach after it. Putting aside its reputation as a “porcine beach,” this picturesque stretch of coastline on the Ionian Sea is a popular destination for beachgoers due to its gentle sand and crystal-clear seas. A day excursion from Gallipoli or Taranto will take you to the beach, or you can stay at one of the best beaches in italy for families nearby hotels.
Cala delle Arene, San Domino, Tremiti Islands
San Domino and its most picturesque beach, Cala delle Arene, are worth the trouble if you’re planning a trip to southern Italy and are looking for a remote yet beautiful beach. This small beach on the main island in the little Tremiti archipelago off the coast of Puglia offers gentle sand, breathtaking rocky scenery, and hidden coves perfect for exploring. The best beaches in italy for families is conveniently located near the San Domino ferry station, so you can easily make it a day trip. However, we highly recommend spending at least one night here to see this hidden island fully.
Tropea, Calabria
Tropea’s old hamlet, perched atop equally white cliffs, and magnificent white sand beach offer breathtaking views. Although it’s not a well-kept secret, its southern Calabrian position ensures you can swim in the water as early as June or September. Calabria is the rough heel of Italy’s boot, and Tropea is a great jumping-off point for visiting the best beaches in italy for families entire region. The region is famous for its spicy food, little towns, beautiful beaches, and ancient ruins far older than the Roman Empire.
Castiglione della Pescaia, Tuscany
Castiglione della Pescaia is like a long-lost friend to many people living in central Italy; it’s a beach they visit each year, frequently staying at the same hotel and even renting the same umbrella. Soft sand, a medieval castle and hamlet as a backdrop make this Tuscan beach an easy pick for a weekend getaway, an active holiday including water sports and boats, or even just another Aperol spritz, whether you plan to be here every year or not. The best beaches in italy for families of the Maremma, the name given to this region of Tuscany, become less commercialized and more pristine a little distance south of the town.
