12 awe-inspiring Italian beaches

Italy doesn’t do beaches like the rest of the world. It doesn’t have to. From the volcanic whispers of Ischia to the powdered cliffs of Sicily and the secret coves of Sardinia, Italy’s coastline isn’t just beautiful — it’s cinematic. These aren’t beaches where you park a towel and scroll your phone.

These are places where history and myth blur into salt and sunlight. Where ancient queens once bathed in turquoise pools carved by time, and swimmers today float above Roman ruins or dive beneath arches sculpted by wind and sea.

Some are remote, reached only by boat or sheer cliff paths. Others buzz with the glow of exclusivity. But each one – every single stretch of sand, stone, or volcanic ash – tells its own untamed Italian story. So, whether you’re chasing legends, solitude, or just that perfect swim, here are 12 unforgettable beaches you’ll carry long after the sun sets.

1. Scala dei Turchi, Sicily

Between Realmonte and Porto Empedocle, in the Agrigento area, Scala dei Turchi is a unique spot in Italy: it’s not a beach but a dazzling white cliff sculpted by the slow work of the wind and sea. According to legend, it was once a refuge for Turkish ships that raided the Sicilian coast from here. To reach the beach, you have to climb a natural staircase carved into the limestone. Surrounding it are sheltered coves.

2. Cala Luna, Sardinia

Located in the Gulf of Orosei, on the eastern coast of Sardinia, it’s one of the island’s most distinctive features due to its wild appearance. Cala Luna is nestled between rocky cliffs and jagged peaks, dotted with caves. Its crystal-clear sea is popular with underwater fishing and diving enthusiasts. The golden sandy beach and shallow waters make it the perfect place to enjoy with children. It can only be reached by sea, even on tour boats, or by following an impassable path (for experienced hikers). It also has a bar and a restaurant.

3. Bagni della Regina Giovanna, Campania

It is said that Queen Joanna of Naples visited the site of a Roman-era villa to bathe between the 14th and 15th centuries, captivated by the splendid sea and the picturesque setting. The Bagni della Regina Giovanna are magnificent natural pools at the foot of a cliff in Capo di Sorrento, reached after a fifteen-minute walk. The seabed is pebbly, the sea is bottomless, and the panorama is breathtaking: from here you can enjoy a view that stretches from the Gulf of Naples to the Sorrento Peninsula, passing through Ischia and Procida.

4. Baia di San Fruttuoso, Liguria

It’s a small bay nestled among the Ligurian mountains, located between Camogli and Portofino, within the Portofino Regional Natural Park, in a sea of beautiful blue-green colour, a protected marine area. The small beach of San Fruttuoso is overlooked by a 12th-century abbey that bears its name; its waters, at a depth of about 17 meters, house the submerged statue of Christ of the Abyss. The beach is pebbly and features a designated swimming area as well as a spot for cooling off. It can be reached by boat from nearby towns (including Genoa) or on foot in approximately two hours by following the paths within the park.

5. Punta Aderci, Abruzzo

Long sandy beaches interspersed with pebbles, nestled behind cliffs, pine forests by the sea, and hiking trails: Punta Aderci is a nature reserve on the Abruzzo coast of great naturalistic interest. The reserve includes Punta Penna beach, a marine amphitheatre known for its pure waters and unspoiled nature; Libertini beach, from which a dirt road leads to the promontory; and Mottagrossa beach, the beginning of one of the wildest and most secluded stretches of coastline on the Adriatic Sea.

 6. Spiaggia della Tonnara, Sicily

It’s part of the Vendicari Reserve, an incredible natural oasis located in eastern Sicily, amidst coastal dunes, salt marshes, freshwater lakes, and miles of beaches. Tonnara Beach is one of the most beautiful spots, a long stretch of unspoiled sand with shallow, blue-green waters. From the beach, you can admire the islet of Vendicari and the remains of the old tuna trap. Flamingos and cormorants are also very common. You can explore the area on foot or by bicycle along various paths through the vegetation, passing watchtowers and salt marsh ruins.

7. Baia di Zagare, Apulia

In the Gargano, very close to Mattinata, between high white cliffs jutting out into the sea and crags rising from an emerald-green sea, lies Baia delle Zagare, a bay awarded three Velas by Legambiente. Its name is linked to the fragrant orange blossoms that bloom nearby. The bay’s two wind-shaped limestone stacks are characteristic of the area. Divided into two by a cliff, it has two beaches: Baia delle Zagare and Baia dei Faraglioni, both of white pebbles. The beaches can be reached by sea or by paths that branch off from the main road.

8. Spiaggia Scialara, Apulia

We’re still in the Gargano, but this time in Vieste, with its magnificent beach: the magnificent Playa della Scialara, located next to the imposing Pizzomunno limestone monolith, south of the city of Vieste, of which it is a symbol. The beach—also known as “castle beach” due to the Svevo Castle that towers above it—is 3 km long, with golden sand, crystal-clear water, shallow waters, and numerous bathing establishments.

9. La Fontelina, Campania

Considered one of the most picturesque and exclusive beaches in the world, La Fontelina is nestled between the rocks and the sea; from here, you can take a dip with a view of the famous Faraglioni of Capri. It’s a magical place that was created exclusively as a film set; the beach was already a place of leisure in Roman times. Beach shoes are essential, but the satisfaction of the senses is guaranteed. For years, La Fontelina has been a popular beach club, featuring sun loungers and umbrellas, a bar, and a restaurant. You can reach it by following the minor road from Belvedere di Tragara.

10. Spiaggia dell’Arcomagno, Calabria

In the Gulf of Policastro, overlooking the Tyrrhenian Sea, near Cosenza, in a small inlet between imposing cliffs and a spectacular sea, lies a delightful beach: Praia dell’Arcomigno, named after the rock arch that separates it from the sea. Reaching it isn’t easy: you can get it by sea, from the nearby Marinella beach, or by venturing along an impassable path carved into the rock (from the top of the path, there is a truly extraordinary panorama).

11. Cala Jannita, Basilicata

It’s a long, black-sand beach surrounded by rocks and rocky outcrops on the edge of the Illicini Natural Park. Cala Jannita, facing the islet of Santo Janni, is one of the most famous and picturesque beaches in the Maratea area. The “black beach,” awarded the Blue Flag several times, is free to enter and can be reached on foot via a path that runs through the Mediterranean maquis. The beach is the perfect place to begin a visit to the nearby Grotta della Sciabella.

12. Le Fumarole, Campania

This beach is a must-see destination when visiting Ischia. Le Fumarole, situated near the village of Sant’Angelo, is a unique beach where you can observe the island’s volcanic activity with the naked eye. The “fumaroles,” jets of water vapour and gas, and the heat emanating from the ground were used in ancient times to heal the body by harnessing the benefits of nature. When you dive into the water with a diving mask, you can see the vapours and bubbles rising from the sand.