The Beaches of Southern Italy

Southern Italy boasts a whole coastline of pristine beaches, caves and grottos. Want to know which of these are most worth your while? See our top beach picks below

Venture to the south of Italy on your next summer vacation for sunny beaches and crystal blue waters. There truly is a beach for every type of traveller, whether you’re after secluded beaches or want to sit on a sun lounge and celebrity spot, the beaches of Italy will grant your wish. With over 7,500 kilometres of achingly beautiful coastlines to explore, sip a glass of vino and beach hop as we take you through some of the best sun-drenched beaches of Southern Italy. Not only does Italy provide the goods when it come’s to fabulous seaside restaurants with local specialities that will make your mouth water, they have over 200 Blue Flag Beaches. What does this mean? It means that they’ve been internationally recognised as having a high water quality and environmental conditions that make these beaches the best in the world.

• Marina di Cetara

  The town of Cetara might not be as well known as it’s cousins in the Amalfi Coast, however it’s almost guaranteed that you’ll find this town as it’s one of the first on the drive through the region. Cetara is a fishing village by trade, quaint cottages line the vista and the beach is flanked by the Viceroy Tower, created in the 16th century to defend the town from pirates. Due to the geographical position of this beach, it’s also a great location for windsurfing and one of the prettiest beaches in all of the coast. The name of the town roughly translates to seller of large fish, and the area is predominately known for its premium tuna that is exported to Japan for use in sushi. The great thing about Cetara is that after your day at the beach, you’ll be taken on a gastronomical journey, one that will take you back to the time of Ancient Rome! Yes, the locals here will rave about the colatura di alici, an anchovy like syrup used in pasta’s, similar to ‘garum’ which was used in dishes from Pompeii thousands of years ago.

• Bagni di Tiberio

  

  This swimming spot has been well-loved for over 2,000 years and was a favourite with Emperor Tiberius who built 12 villas scattered around Capri. Swim around the ancient ruins of the Palazzo a Mare, what was once the summer villa of the emperor. All it takes is a short walk from Marina Grande and you’ll reach the doorstep of the all-inclusive beach club that has been dubbed as one of the most popular on the Island. It was founded in 1926 by Giuseppe and Lucia de Martino, however at the time it was only a restaurant, only opening as a beach club after an influx of tourists came to the island after World War II. It’s been run by the same family ever since and now boasts a traditional Caprese restaurant serving up fresh seafood at the historic bathing establishment.

• Cala Goloritze

  Located near Baunei in Sardinia, the Cala Goloritze was formed after a landslide hit in 1962. It’s extremely photo worthy, so much so that it was made a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1995 due to its pristine aqua coloured waters. The 200-metre-long beach has become a symbol of Italy and many would say that it’s one of the nicest beaches on the Mediterranean. There are two ways to get to the beach, the first is to drive and then hike, however, its around 90 minutes to complete and is quite steep. The next is to hire a boat, or jump on a boat tour and they will anchor you about 300 metres away, from then on you’ll need to swim to shore. While this beach might not be as easily accessible as we’d like, the beauty of it makes all this trouble worth while. These measures also ensure tourists don’t overrun the sight. The restrictions are there to protect the beach and maintain its natural beauty. As you’ve probably guessed there’s plenty for nature lovers to enjoy, and here you’ll find some of the best snorkelling in Sardinia. Or, if snorkelling isn’t your thing, there’s also hiking and birdwatching to do but as there are no facilities on the beach, you’ll need to bring your own snorkelling equipment and comfy shoes to navigate the white pebbles of the shoreline. Along the coastline, you’ll bear witness to dramatic rock arches made of limestone, and a lot of climbing trails to explore. The most popular climb for ambitious thrill-seekers is on the striking limestone cliff called ‘The Pinnacle’, standing at 143 metres in height. Come early in the morning to this quiet and peaceful beach as the sun sets around 3pm and enjoy the serenity of this stunning beach.

• Lido del Faro

  

  Just 10 minutes outside the town centre of Anacapri sits the Lido del Faro, a beach establishment built in 1971. Here you can swim from dawn till dusk, as it’s one of the most sun-drenched areas on the island thanks to its jagged coastline. The beach itself sits at the base of a historic lighthouse and is one Capri’s best loved beach resorts. If you’re looking for something a little more relaxed, why not delve into their saltwater pool that features its very own hydromassage. Or, if its time for a little sunbathing underneath a Mediterranean sky, relax on your very own sun lounger on the private decks. There’s even a restaurant at this beach which sits on a terrace overlooking the sea, so be sure to head here as the speciality at the eatery is seafood and can’t be missed. If you’re enjoying your prime position in the sun, you can even get an insalata caprese or a traditional Caprese chocolate cake with almonds delivered straight to your sun lounger. What’s not to love?!

Related article: Where to travel to in Southern Italy?