10 of the best beaches in Italy for summer 2024
Beach lovers looking for a holiday that combines sparkling sea, laidback Mediterranean vibes and plenty of Insta-perfect photo opps, should head for Italy for la dolce vita this summer.
With its fun party towns, glamorous sands and not forgetting the incredible food, beach holidays in Italy don't get better than these gorgeous places we've picked from the north to the south of the country. What's more, some of these seaside spots are more affordable than you'd think. Who needs Greece or Spain? We're heading to Italy this year!
Have a scroll through these Italian beach holiday ideas for the ultimate summer getaway in the sun with your girlfriends or other half...
Sardinia
Its heavenly sands and turquoise waters could easily be mistaken for the Seychelles, and Sardinia was once named the cheapest place for a package holiday (we know - madness, right? But who's arguing with that?)
During your time on this gem of an island, you'll find one of the finest beaches, Spiaggia del Principe, on the Costa Smeralda, with many more Insta-worthy beaches dotted around the island. On The Beach has four-star Sardinia escapes from £330 per person this year.
Neapolitan Riviera
No Italian beach destination is as iconic as the Neapolitan Riviera, where you'll find the likes of Amalfi, Sorrento and Positano, with their incredible pastel-coloured backdrops and A-list credentials (name us a celeb who hasn't holidayed here).
With its pretty towns, glamorous islands like Capri and plenty to see and do (think day trips to Mount Vesuvius and Pompeii), this is a fine spot for a beach holiday in southern Italy. On the Beach offers Neapolitan Riviera getaways from £382 per person.
Sicily
The largest island in the Mediterranean Sea naturally comes with an array of sandy stretches for soaking up the sun in Sicily. Mondello (pictured), Calamosche and San Vito Lo Capo are some of the best beaches.
What we love most about Sicily is that there are many top sands found in its cities, such as Palermo and Cefalu. On the Beach offers holidays from £368 per person.
Rimini
With a sea of multicoloured umbrellas that stretch out in front of you as your approach the famous Rimini Beach, this isn't a location to be missed. There are plenty of fashionable bars and clubs to see you right through the night in this beach city on the Adriatic Coast. It's also a great place to holiday like the Italians - and experience one of the country's top party spots.
Expedia offers beach holidays to Rimini, where you can experience its superb sands and nightlife.
Puglia
Offering all the charm, scenery and incredible food you want from an Italian beach holiday, Puglia ticks all the right boxes thanks to its stunning coastal towns that maintain their tradition. Polignano-a-Mare (pictured), Otranto and Gargano are some of the most beautiful destinations for beach lovers.
BA Holidays has Puglia holidays with deposits from £60 per person, with flights to Bari.
Tuscan Riviera
Giorgio Armani is a fan and Tuscany's 250 miles of coastline is just as fashionable among other Italians who flock to the likes of Forte dei Marmi (pictured). Italy's answer to the Hamptons is home to sprawling sands and designer boutiques. Meanwhile, Viareggio, around 20 minutes away, is another seaside resort locals love in the summer.
Expedia covers Forte dei Marmi and Viareggio holidays from £303 per person, with flights to Florence.
Lake Garda
The Mediterranean isn't the only place for finding beach bliss in Italy and if you head north to the Italian Lakes, there are 28 miles of beaches in Lake Garda. Spiaggia Sabbioni in Riva del Garda, Jamaica Beach in Sirmione and Spiaggia Tifu in Limone sul Garda are some of the most picturesque spots for swimmers.
Expedia offers Lake Garda beach holidays from £376 per person, with flights to Milan.
Italian Riviera
This idyllic cove with an abbey as its backdrop is one of the loveliest beaches of Liguria. San Fruttuoso, near Portofino, is just one place to lay out your towel on the Italian Riviera, which is a popular weekend spot among urbanites living in Milan or Turin.
Other sun-kissed spots are Varigotti, Levanto and Balzi Rossi. Expedia offers holidays in Liguria.
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