Italy is one of the most beautiful countries in the world, especially if you visit in the summer and you discover the stunning natural landscapes.
As you probably know, it’s almost entirely surrounded by the sea, so it’s also the perfect destination for travelers who love spending time on the beach. Just think that from north to south, the Italian coastline stretches for around 7,500 kilometers, with approximately 3,300 beaches.
Another strength of this country is its variety. You can find many sandy beaches, especially along the Adriatic coast, or rocky beaches, primarily on the Tyrrhenian side.
But which are the most beautiful beaches you absolutely have to see if you visit Italy? In this article, we’ll take a look at the updated ranking of the 10 most beautiful ones.
10. Amalfi Beach (Amalfi Coast, Campania)
The Amalfi area is one of the best known and most loved by tourists. Right here you can find the Amalfi beach, located on the coast that has the same name and is a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
The views and atmosphere at this beach are truly breathtaking and are impossible to find anywhere else in the world.
Why 10th place? Unfortunately the beaches in Amalfi are quite small and can easily become too crowded.
9. Cala Rossa (Favignana, Sicily)
Favignana is part of the Egadi Islands located on the west side of Sicily, very close to the African coast.
Cala Rossa, in particular, is often cited among the top Sicilian beaches for crystal-clear waters and unique rock formations.
Thanks to the good visibility and vibrant underwater life, it’s also one of the best beaches in Italy for snorkeling and diving.
8. Tropea Beach (Tropea, Calabria)
Tropea is famous for its picturesque “cliff town” perched above the beach. As you can see from the picture above, it creates an extraordinary skyline and Instagram-worthy views.
The water is warm and turquoise, and many tourists love the spectacular sunsets that you can see from this beach.
On the other hand, while Tropea Beach is beautiful, Calabria’s infrastructure and modernization have historically been less robust than in places like Sardinia or the Amalfi Coast, possibly keeping it lower in some rankings despite its natural beauty.
7. Baia delle Zagare (Gargano, Puglia)
Baia delle Zagare is in the Gargano region, the northern part of Puglia.
I personally consider Puglia one of the best regions in Italy if you love beaches and Baia delle Zagare is among the most unique beaches because of its white cliffs, arches, and sea stacks.
It’s a bit far from the typical tourist route in Puglia, but if you are passing through that area, I would definitely recommend stopping by.
6. San Vito Lo Capo, Sicily
San Vito Lo Capo is definitely one of the best choices for families or if you love big sandy beaches.
There’s a long stretch of golden sand and the water is quite shallow waters, ideal if you have kids.
The town also has a charming and laid-back vibe and is very close to the Zingaro Nature Reserve.
I visited it a few years ago, and there are 3 trails to choose from (they give you a map at the entrance), all with a wonderful walk through nature and the beaches of this area of Sicily.
PRO TIP: Remember to bring comfortable shoes, water, and a hat. There is much walking under the sun.
5. Marina Piccola (Capri, Campania)
Let’s go back to Campania because after Amalfi there’s also a beautiful beach in Capri called Marina Piccola.
This area is famous for its “Faraglioni” rock formations, which are among Italy’s most recognizable coastal landmarks.
Again, like all beaches in this area the problem is space, especially if you are traveling during peak period.
4. Cala Mariolu (Sardinia)
Sardinia, the other major Italian island with Sicily, is known for beaches resembling Caribbean shores, and Cala Mariolu is one of its showpieces.
The beach is a nice mix of smooth pebbles and sand, the water is intensely turquoise and surrounded by scenic rocky cliffs.
Cala Mariolu is regularly singled out by travel guides and social media as a “must-see” in Sardinia.
3. La Pelosa Beach (Stintino, Sardinia)
Finally, here we are at the lowest step of the podium, and we remain in Sardinia with La Pelosa Beach.
La Pelosa is famous for the fine white sandy beach and for shallow and transparent waters that make it look like a natural swimming pool.
It’s perfect if you like relaxing, swimming, sunbathing but also taking some beautiful pictures for your socials media.
2. Spiaggia dei Conigli or Rabbit Island (Lampedusa, Sicily)
Second place, back to Sicily, for Spiaggia dei Conigli, located on the small island of Lampedsa.
Although the origin of the name is uncertain, the most plausible explanation is that it was originally called “Rabit Island” from the Arabic word “Rabit,” which can be translated into bond with reference to the isthmus that rarely forms between the islet and the coast.
In later cartographies, its name was probably improperly translated from English into rabbit, which then named the beach after the animal.
This beach is usually ranked among the “best beaches” for its stunning waters and fine white sand.
It’s also a protected natural reserve, so you can often catch glimpses of sea turtles and rare bird species.
1. Cala Goloritzè, Sardinia
First place and crowned the most beautiful beach in Italy: Cala Goloritzè in Sardinia!
This beach really needs no introduction; as you can see from the picture it’s a true natural beauty with its rock arch, crystal-clear waters, and unspoiled nature.
It was declared a Natural Monument of Sardinia in 1993 and an Italian National Monument in 1995.
The beach is a mix of white pebbles and sand, the seabed is quite shallow, and the water is turquoise and clear.
The only real challenge is getting there. Boats can’t come too close to the shore, and the hiking trail takes about an hour and a half each way.
In addition, you should know that access is limited to 250 people maximum per day, and reservations are required. The price for admission is €7 for the whole day.
