A few weeks ago I listed some ways to cool off in the city by visiting a pool. But if you are willing to travel a little bit more, you can find some of the most beautiful beaches in the world.
Italy is a country surrounded by water, so you are never more than three hours away from the sea no matter what part of the country you are in. The beaches here range from the rough and rugged, to wide and expansive. The question remains, which beach to visit? Decisions, decisions. Clearly impossible to choose because everyone has different tastes and preferences, but below are some of the best beaches Italy has to offer.
Sansone, Elba, Tuscany
Most people probably don’t associate Elba with Tuscany and are more likely are thinking of Napoleon when they hear Elba. Lucky him to be exiled to Elba! Crystal clear beaches can be found all over Elba, and Sansone is one of the best. Hourly ferries from Piombe leave for Elba and arrive at Portoferraio. From there you are only about five miles away. However, you will have to find parking and hike down a narrow path to get to the beach. All worth the work as you sit below the steep white cliffs on this white pebbled beach.
Sansone courtesy of Attila magyar
Punta Prosciutto, Puglia
Puglia is a lesser known region – at least to Americans. When we think of Italy, we usually first think of places such as Tuscany, Cinque Terre, the Amalfi Coast, Rome and Venice. But for Italians, Puglia is a very popular summer region and for good reason: excellent food, wine and beaches. The entire area of Salento has pristine beaches, below see the crystal clear waters of Punta Prosciutto.
Punta Prosciutto courtesy of Tiziano De Matteis
Conero Riviera, Le Marche
If Puglia is a lesser known region to Americans, Le Marche might be completely unknown. This region is full of rolling hills and sunflower fields similar to Tuscany, but with the sea as a backdrop. Head over to the Conero Riviera, about a half-hour drive south of Ancona and you will find a rugged coastline with steep cliffs that descend into the sea. There are cove-like beaches in this area that you can hike down to, however, to get to Due Sorrelle, (one of the most famous beaches) you must take a boat. I have heard you CAN hike, but it is a long walk down. If you take a boat, make sure to reserve a place early, otherwise you will be out of luck.
Conero Riviera
Tropea, Calabria
Right next door to Puglia is Calabria, again beautiful beaches to be found everywhere, but perhaps the most striking is Tropea. Crystalline waters and a clifftop town in the background make this beach unique. The view from the cliff is truly something spectacular to see. Swimming in those blue waters is something spectacular to feel.
Scala dei Turchi, Sicily
Home to the cannoli and Don Corleone, but also home to some amazing beaches as well. I guess that is obvious – it IS an island after all. Have a look at the Scala dei Turchi beach. This “cliff” that is made of limestone and clay with its striking pure white color stands in between two beaches.
Scala dei Turchi
Cala Goloritzé, Sardinia
The ultimate Italian beach location. You basically cannot go wrong with Sardinia. The most difficult part is deciding which beach to go to! So many options, so little time. Your best bet is to rent a car and try to see as many as you can – because the beaches change characteristics. Some are rocky, some are sandy. Some do not have access by car and you must hike or take a boat to get to them, like Cala Goloritzé. But doesn’t the hike look worth it to you?
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Cala Goloritze’ courtesy of Bigfan
Of course, there are many more spectacular beaches in Italy and this is just a sampling. What beaches have I left out?! Which are your favorites?
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Italy Translated 
beautiful!
We need to hit them ALL if you come next year. 🙂
These awe inspiring images really brighten my morning! Thank you for opening our eyes to these heavenly places!
Thank you Anna! Your comment brighten MY morning!
This list is killing me! Oh, to have the time and money to see ALL these beaches!
I know! Isn’t it nuts!?!?! Summertime poses a BIG problem: WHERE TO GO?!?!?!?
How to choose!!! All look incredible and the colour of the sea – I want to go now….
Hi Joy! Yes…truly amazing colors….green, blue, turquoise….take your pick!
I didn’t realize Italy had so many beautiful beaches!
I know, right? Everyone thinks food, wine, art, cities…but the beaches alone are amazing!
The beaches are gorgeous and the coastline is amazing. I like surf, so I can’t get too excited about swimming in Italy.
you surf!?!? WONDERFUL! Gosh…that is very cool…I tried getting on a surfboard once and could not even lay on it in calm waters! Brava! Anyway….yes…..from a surfing perspective not so great. From a lazy day at the beach perspective (my style),, works just fine. 🙂
Sooo gorgeous! I have been missing Italy big time, this last few months, and really craving a trip back. Your post is not helping my desperate desire to book a ticket! 😉
YAY!! YES! COME! COME! when you buy your ticket, let me know…would be happy to help plan. (I love planning trips)
Aww thanks so much, and I wish!! But I think Italy will have to wait until next summer. Sigh.
I’d love to be on one of these beaches right now-they all look so inviting and it’s really hot right now! The Gargano is also filled with beautiful beaches. Too much coastline, too little time!
YES….basically I need to take 2 months off and go and explore Puglia….fantastic….every Italian’s dream to go and hang in Puglia….have a good week!
Your photos are very beautiful
Thanks! But I cannot take credit for all of them……still I think it is difficult for a photographer to go wrong when standing in front of such views. Have a good week!
Ahh! I want to see them all! As a geology student though I have to say Scala dei Turchi looks incredible — those uplifted striations!! 😉
Hi Katie! I just now saw your comment…it was tucked away in an “unapproved” file! ha, ha, ha…anyway…yes…isn’t that place cool??!!? Next time you come to Italy, maybe we can meet up there! 🙂
Oooo, some lovely looking water there! Ciao.
Hi Graham…..yes…..the beach life is the good life in Italy – – -well…apart from the parking situation. Sometimes you can lose an hour just looking for a place to park. But the payoff is well worth it.
Wow!! This is killing me… I want to go to any and all of those beaches so much right now. Great list!
Just now found your comment! GRRRRR! anyway…thanks! And yes, after all your hard work, you deserve a beach holiday…ohhhh….but wait! you now have that fab pool! Ha, ha, ha…I wrote a post on pools too…I could have included your beautiful home! 🙂
Wow! So many beautiful beaches. I’m most drawn to the very interesting scala. I’m visiting from #mondayescapes
Hi Helena! Thanks for stopping by! Love monday escapes…I found you on twitter too! 🙂 Anyway…yes…the scala is super cool and unusual!
This are truly beautiful beaches. I feeling like spending the summer in one of those.
Hi Ruth! I know….they are truly breathtaking…..glad summer is finally here!
The colours of the water! Amazing, I need to go visit now! 🙂 x
Hi Jenny…..yes…..you are right…the colors are amazing….each one more beautiful than the last. Thanks for stopping by.
Oh what a dream!! I love your photos. I wish I could swim in one of those “pools”! Finally it is hot even here..until it lasts. Buona estate cara!
Alida! I know….they look like pools right!?!?! I love how there are so many options…they are all different and special in their own way. Buon weekend!
I love your pictures. What a great post 🙂
🙂 Thanks!
Beautiful beaches! You know coming from Greece, they remind me of our beaches, but it’s nice to know the Italian ones too (you can bet that cities like Rome, Venice, Florence etc are more promoted than the beaches)!
Hi Anna! MY DREAM: GREECE! I don’t know how it is possible I live so close to Greece and have yet to make it there! I will contact you when I plan to visit….maybe you can give me some pointers! 🙂 Have a good weekend. And yes: Cities before fab beaches
well to be honest I’ve been more times in London which is a 3,5 hour flight from Athens than Italy which is a 2hour flight! Yes I can give you a lot of pointers about Greece, both mainland and islands! Currently I have a couple of posts on my blog about the Greek islands (which ones to visit and how to get around)!
OMG, what a post!!! Sadly I haven’t been to any of them 😦 shame on me!! I need to change that soon
Ahhh Italy is simply amazing, being only 3 hours far from the beach is all I wanted… I would probably go every weekend during summer 😀
Do know where is nice to spend New Year’s Eve in Italy?
I am so happy it all worked out and that you are now linking up with #MondayEscapes 😀
Let me know if you need more help with it next time!!
I hope you are enjoying the Italian summer!
Thanks again for helping me sort that all out. You need to take a nice long road trip to hit some of these beaches. For New Year’s it totally depends. Rome is fun…but kind of nuts. The mountain towns such as Aosta and Trento could be good options. Maybe we could find a way to hook up. Keep me posted.
These are beautiful! I’m definitely going to have to save these for a later vacation!!! #MondayEscapes
Hi! Thank you!!!! And thanks for stopping by! Have a good weekend!
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Great list, and photos! Saw this through #MondayEscapes – we’re going to Italy this summer so this will be very helpful :).
YAY! Thanks for stopping by. Drop me an email if you need any help planning your trip!
Oh my goodness. Those are gorgeous beaches!!!
Thanks Lauren!
Thanks for mentioning the Riviera del Conero which contains my favourite beach, Portonovo. BUT (as you know but other followers may not) do not go there at the weekend in season. I mean it! The roads and eateries and bars cannot cope with the traffic and the influx of visitors. In fact, avoid altogether in August especially around Ferragosto, August 15, the Feast of the Assumption of the Virgin and a national holiday. My other favourite beach in Le Marche, speaking as a Mummy and Granny, is Senigallia, miles of natural sand and shallow sea. Ideal for little ones.
Yes…..Conero is wonderful….we went nuts when we were there! It was crazy beautiful….I mean gorgeous. Anyway….we usually are not in Italy for the summer precisely for the reasons you mention. 🙂
Diana these are gorgeous. We loved the beach at Camogli.
I would love to visit Sardinia, that photo is amazing. A friend of mine has a holiday house there and I keep saying I will visit but never get there, I think it’s about time I made time for a visit there!
I am always jealous of those people who “have houses there.” 🙂
This was a lovvely blog post
Thank you so much!