Italy's 11 Most Beautiful Beaches

On the glamorous island of of Capri the water is shimmering tones of turquoise from deep almost green to translucent pastels. There are no sandy beaches here but enormous rocks rising out of the water where you can perch at a glamorous beach club under a striped umbrella. On the southern side of the island is Marina Piccola, two wedges of white pebbled beach where local children splash amongst the summer visitors.

On the Pontine island of Ponza, the best beaches require a little bit of effort. To get to Cala Feola it requires a bus ride and about 300 steps from the road down to the beach. Your toil is worth it though because in this cove you will find the only sandy beach on the island. Your view is an enormous white cliff and the splendid blue island of Palmarola. There is a relaxed beach club where you can rent a chair and umbrella and a lively restaurant that serves island specialties like cactus parmigiana.

Located in the deep south of Italy, in the part of Puglia called the Gargano, the beaches are sandy wide and flat. The water is crystal clear in the Baia di Punta Rossa, making it a perfect destination for families.

On the island of Sardinia, where everywhere you look is filled with limpid water and gorgeous views, this tiny cove stands apart. In the winter it is a prime surfing spot, and in the summer months you can snooze in the pine forest that borders the beach. A short stroll away is a small grove where you are like to spot a few flamingos.

With steep cliffs behind you and white sand to sink your toes into, Cala dei Gabbiani in Sardinia is a beauty. The water is a multitude of blues and calm and shallow enough so that small children can splash safely. You can rent a boat at the port in either ports of Cala Gonone or Arbatax and arrive by sea or take the coastal path.

On the Adriatic side of Italy, the beaches are flat and wide and, in one particular part of Abruzzo, you will find the very unusual and particular Trabocchi. Trabocci are wooden platforms built over the sea that are used for fishing, but more and more, instead of casting tear nets out into the sea, they are used as dining rooms. You will find these up and down the pebbled Chieti coast, also called the Costa dei Trabocci. In Termoli you will find a Blue Flag beach and clear waters to swim in.

Inside the Zingari reserve on the island of Sicily there is an oasis of natural beauty. You can hike on rustic coastal trails, there are seven kilometers of them inside the reserve, and find sparkling blue waters to cool off in. Bring your mask and snorkel and explore the wonders of the sea off the rocks in Cala Marinella.

On the Tuscan island of Elba you can visit the place of Napoleon’s exile and sip a glass of cold white wine in a piazza. The long stretch of beach in Cavoli on the southern side of the island is blessed with golden sand and transparent and shallow blue water. Follow the teenagers and you can dive into the deep from the nearby cliffs. In the summer months as the sun wanes the music starts, you can have a cocktail and dance until well after dark.

This town in Italy’s deep south is Instagram perfect with charming doorways and window boxes filled with brightly colored flowers. After exploring the pretty towns boutiques and cafes, find the small pebbled beach in-between two tall cliffs.

On the rustic Aeolian island of Filicudi are rocky coves and deep indigo seas. With history dating back to the Bronze Age, you can dive into the deep indigo water at Capo Graziano and really swim in history. For diving enthusiasts, there are nine shipwrecks off the coast to explore.

The Tuscan coast is a mix of wild empty dunes and fancy yacht-filled harbors. In the area known as the Argentario, discover the beautiful seaside resort town of Punta Ala. Only two hours from Florence, this beach is within easy reach. Pick from one of the beach clubs along Pine tree scented the shore and stroll along the harbor and admire the sleek racing sailboats.