Italian beaches usually conjure up images of beautiful women tanning topless with gorgeous views of the Mediterranean and honestly you get a lot of that. Italians dress up to go to the beach, no slumming it for them and the beaches are just as dressed up. There are not too many public beaches in Italy, most you pay a fee to enter and then you pay for access to the beach chairs, umbrellas, cabanas and even your own dressing rooms if you want. The Italians take the beach so seriously that most Italians reserve their spot at the beach for the summer. The beaches are stunning however and maybe they do deserve the sun worshiping Italians devotion. All along the Italian coast you get several different beaches; some with rocky cliffs leading to small inlets of water, others with sprawling sand beaches covered in umbrellas and while every town on the coast of Italy will claim to have great beaches these five are my favorites and offer some of the most picturesque beach going experiences so you can really soak up La Dolce Vita.
Sperlonga is a beach town that is about halfway between Rome and Naples. It is easily accessible via the slow train line towards Napoli and get off at Fondi-Sperlonga and then you just take a quick bus ride to the main city. It’s only an hour and a half from Rome or Naples so many Romans and Napolitanos spend July and August here. It is close enough to either city so that if god forbid they have to work during their holidays it’s an easy commute. Sperlonga has a long beach promenade lined with restaurants and shops and then the soft sand beach runs parallel to it.
The beach is mainly covered in a blend of colorful beach umbrellas and most Italians will spend all day on the beach, not leaving until around eight thirty or nine when the sun goes down. The town is also great to explore and is located on a hill that you can climb that gives sweeping views of the Tyrrhenian Sea.
Monterossa is the largest town in the Cinque Terre, the famed five cities of Italy’s Rivera. It is comprised of the old town and the new town which are separated by a tunnel and are about fifteen minutes walking distance apart from each other. The beach in the new part of town is a large sand beach and most of it is actually public (it’s always a pleasant surprise when that happens) and it is a great place to relax after a day spent hiking between the five towns.
It does get crowded so it is sometimes better to slip into old town where there is another sand beach and is generally less crowded. Old town is also a great stop for restaurants as well and last time I ate there I enjoyed my dinner across the patio from the actor who plays Mitchell on Modern Family. Go me and my restaurant selections!
Vernazza is also a town located in the Cinque Terre and it actually is my favorite of all the five towns. It is the fourth largest and is only a ten minute train ride from Monterossa (the train is the best way to travel since cars are only allowed in Monterossa). Vernazza’s beach is much smaller than Monterossa, even smaller than Old Monterossa, but I absolutely love it. It is located on the edge of the main piazza and it’s almost like the town surrounds you on one side and the Tyrrhenian Sea on the other. It is also great to climb all the way to the top of the hill to visit the citadel and the restaurant at the top is pretty darn good.
(which unfortunately I don’t have any pictures of. Bad past Ashley for not preparing for this moment!)
Santa Marinella is a beach town just outside of Rome, it is about thirty minutes away by train. It is a straight shot out of Rome; you just take the Roma-Pisa line heading toward Cittavechia, the main port. Santa Marinella is a large beautiful beach and well worth the trip. There is a slightly closer beach to Rome, Ostia, but it’s always crowded and the water isn’t too clean. You’re better off going to the ruins there instead. Plus the train ride is along the coast so plus there! Santa Marinella is a great day trip to escape the crowds and the heat of Rome.
Sorrento is a beach town located just south of Naples and just on the other side of the Amalfi coast. It is located on the cliffs above the Tyrrhenian Sea and it makes a great jumping off point to see the highlights of Campania, including Pompeii, Naples and Positano, all of which are just a short but sweaty train ride away (if you are going in summer that is since there is no air conditioning). Sorrento is framed with looming Mt. Vesuvius in the east and Capri in the sea out to the west. You couldn’t ask for a more idyllic location, the only problem is that the beach is super tiny. But the Italians solved this problem by creating places to tan and swim by building large piers equipped with lounge chairs and umbrellas.
Sorrento is an amazing town and well worth staying there if just for the sunsets and the water, but the town also has amazing food. If you are heading to Campania I highly recommend staying in Sorrento and even if you are on a budget there are a lot of cheap camping sites where you don’t even have to worry about bringing a tent.
So those are my five reasons (places) why I love Italian beaches. If you are heading to Italy in the summer I definitely suggest heading to at least one beach during your stay because you will need a relaxing day off from site seeing. And as always if you have any questions or want advice just shoot us a message!
Also all the pictures are mine (Ashley) except the photos of Monterossa and Vernazza. Those belong to Linda, the wonderful woman who my parents might resent just a little bit for taking me to Italy and fueling my obsession with travel! Thank you Linda for the pictures as mine from Monterossa and Vernazza are all foggy because my film camera’s lens was all foggy and I didn’t realize it until after I got home. So they all turned out like this…
How the Italian Beach Day Actually Works
If you are used to throwing a towel on the sand and calling it a day, the Italian system takes a little getting used to. Most of the coast is divided into private stretches called stabilimenti balneari, and each one has its own entrance, its own café or restaurant and its own neat rows of loungers and umbrellas. You pay once for your chair and umbrella and then you are basically set up for the day, with a bar nearby for a spritz or an espresso and often a lunch menu served right at your lounger.
The upside of all this organization is comfort. You get shade, a place to change and usually someone keeping the sand tidy. The downside is that you do have to plan a bit, especially in peak season, so it is worth arriving early or asking about a spot the day before.
When to Go
July and August are the heart of the Italian beach season, and also the busiest. Many Italians take their holidays around Ferragosto in mid-August, so the coast fills up fast and everything feels livelier and louder. If you want the sunshine without the crush, I would suggest the shoulder months:
- Late May and June: warm days, fewer crowds and easier bookings.
- September: the sea is still warm from the summer and the locals have gone back to work.
- Weekdays: especially for the day trips near Rome, which can fill up on weekends.
Practical Tips for Beach Hopping
A few small things make the experience smoother. Trains are the easiest way to reach most of these towns, but they can be hot and slow in summer, so bring water and don't expect air conditioning. Keep your day bag light, since you will likely be walking from the station to the sand.
- Bring sandals or water shoes, as some beaches are pebbly or rocky near the water.
- Carry some cash, since smaller beach clubs and snack bars do not always take cards.
- Dress a little nicer for the evening stroll. Remember, Italians do not slum it, and the promenade is part of the show.
- Check the last train back before settling in for a long sunset.
Pairing the Sand with the City
One of the best things about Italian beaches is how easy they are to combine with sightseeing. If you are basing yourself in the capital, a beach day makes a lovely break from the museums and the heat. Our Rome City Guide covers what to see before you escape to the coast, and you can find more city write-ups in City Guides.
Whichever stretch of sand you choose, give yourself permission to slow down. A long lunch, a swim, a nap under the umbrella and a walk at dusk is really all La Dolce Vita asks of you.