Best beaches in Italy

Italy has a rare beauty: everywhere you find sights that take your breath away. And all this enchantment is summed up in its beaches: pristine vistas, bays, cliffs and crystal clear water. We tell you about some of the most beautiful beaches in Italy.

Porto Giunco

We are in Sardinia: we are looking at two blue expanses divided by very fine, almost transparent sand. Behind us is the Notteri pond, home to the pink flamingos that love to look out over the Caribbean sea at Porto Giunco, among the best beaches in Italy. All around, we find eucalyptus groves and juniper bushes, as well as dunes from which the sea of the Capo Carbonara area towers. It is frequented by those who want to relax and enjoy snorkeling, surfing and diving.

Cala Goloritzé

We stay in Sardinia for another gem. Located in the Gulf of Orosei, it is among the most popular beaches in Italy: Cala Goloritzé. It leaves one speechless at the limestone spire that towers above it, on whose walls freeclimbers compete in search of the perfect stone. It can be reached on foot from the Porteddu parking lot. After the walk you will be rewarded by the spectacle of the rocks plunging into the clear water. Access by sea from neighboring ports is also possible.

Pink beach

Still in Sardinia, find the island of Budelli, known as the “Pink Beach,” among the sixty islets of the Maddalena archipelago. You have probably already seen it in Michelangelo Antonioni’s film Red Desert. Wild and lonely, it is ideal for those who crave peace and serenity. We would like to point out to you that there are stringent environmental constraints in place -which include a ban on boat transit/anchoring and bathing- designed to protect the immortal stillness of nature. You can visit it only with licensed guides.

San Vito Lo Capo

In Sicily, you can find a long beach with micro cobblestones and a few lonely palm trees to frame it: that of San Vito Lo Capo. This, however, is a beauty to be savored out of season: the summer months (July and August) cause it to lose some of its charm because it is taken by storm by tourists. Moreover, in September, there is a beautiful festival of cultural integration, the unmissable Cous Cous Fest. Also not to be missed is a visit to the Zingaro Nature Reserve.

Red Cove

Also in Sicily, top beaches in Italy include Cala Rossa in Favignana, which can be reached by ferry from Trapani. All the coves on the island are easily accessible except Cala Rossa, which is more difficult to reach because of the steep descent. Its history is iconic: it is said to be named for the blood shed by soldiers in the Punic Wars. To get around the island you can rent a bicycle so you can enjoy the scents and get lost among the rocks.

Tropea

In Calabria, you don’t just find crystal clear sea and pristine sand. Tropea also has a beautiful historic center, characterized by noble palaces set within an overhang that falls onto the beach. The Island Church, surrounded by the sea, is definitely worth a visit. From a gastronomic point of view, then, the world-famous red onion festivals, with its sweetish aftertaste, and blue fish festivals are not to be missed. This destination presents the possibility of more nightlife, but still enchants with discretion.

Matana Cove

In 2001 Lucio Dalla, in honor of the disruptive beauty of Cala Matana in the Tremiti Islands, decided to dedicate as many as two songs to it, “Com è bello il mare” and “Luna Matana.” A must-see stop for any lover of the wild sea, it is also known as “Duchess,” in honor of a noblewoman who used to spend stays in the area. Access is via a hidden, unpaved path, just below the lookout, from which one reaches the cove, which is characterized by Caribbean water and vegetation consisting mainly of pine trees.

Zagare Bay

In Apulia, at the Bay of the Zagare, you can enjoy a beautiful sea, feel fine white pebbles under your feet and direct your gaze to a marvelous and imposing limestone cliff. You may already know it by the name of Baia dei Mergoli, meaning of the blackbirds in dialect, reached from Mattinata by crossing pine forests, olive groves and almond orchards. The sea is Caribbean, with stacks of white limestone sticking out of the water, such as Diomede’s Arch or The Scissors.

Cala Violina

In the Bandite di Scarlino Nature Reserve in Tuscany is Cala Violina, a half-moon lido, an oasis of serenity. The beach consists of sand and tiny quartz crystals that crackle with every step and sound with every wave. Embracing this magical place are a dense pine forest and clear waters. It is reached from Follonica by two paths: the longer one is 4 km away and is the most scenic; the shorter one is 2 km away.

Vernazza

We are located in the heart of the Cinque Terre, in Vernazza, near the church of Santa Margherita, in a little corner of Paradise that seems to have been designed by an artist. It is not one of the largest beaches in Liguria, and that is what makes it unique: its intimacy. Easily accessible from the station, you can stretch out on the beach and let your eyes wander between the blue sea in front of you and the colors of the beautiful houses all around.