Being long, thin and surrounded by beautiful islands; Italy has a vast coastline. The Italian peninsula has an incredible 7,500 kilometres of coastline set against four seas: the Tyrrhenian and Ligurian seas to the west and the Adriatic and Ionian seas to the east and south. Despite being part of the broader Mediterranean, the country offers visitors very diverse marine environments. Besides the mainland coasts, there are almost 800 islands where even more unspoiled coastline and pristine beaches can be found. 

In this article, NetFerry takes you on a journey to our favourite beaches in Italy. This list is only a small selection, as you are spoilt for choice thanks to Italy's advantageous position in the middle of the Mediterranean. You are guaranteed to find a lovely beach waiting for you on any coastline in the country! For example, if you're visiting Rome and need a break from crowded piazzas, you can get to Ostia or Sabaudia in around half an hour.

Sicily: Italy's favourite beach destination

Our Journey starts in Sicily, a top choice for long, rocky beaches that plunge into crystal-blue waters. On the Eastern side of the island, is wonderful Fontane Bianche near Siracusa, named after the freshwater fountains nearby. This beach is a pleasant mix of light-coloured sand and long stretches of towering cliffs. The beach, sometimes being exposed to strong winds, is a good spot for watersports fans.

On the western side of Sicily, be sure to visit Cefalu Bay. Cefalu is a town overlooking the sea. It has a beautiful beach very close to the historic centre, offering visitors crystalline sea together with beautiful, shimmering sand. This area is also famous for its restaurants serving delicious, freshly-caught fish dishes and its lively nightlife. San Vito Lo Capo, near Trapani, is also worth a visit, located on this side of the island. Right at the north-western tip of Sicily, the beach here is famous for its intensely blue waters and white sands.

Puglia: a hidden gem

A rising star on the international tourism scene, Puglia is home to some of the best beaches in Italy. At the same time, average prices for food and accommodation are notably lower than in other, more well-known regions. With such an extensive coastline, the 'heel of Italy' has several options for beaches. We have focused our attention on two, located in the southernmost area of the region, known as Salento.

The first choice is Punta Prosciutto, located on the south-west coast. Crystal clear waters, long, white sand beaches and eight-metre-high dunes characterise this protected marine area, located about 10 kilometres from Porto Cesareo and 40 kilometres from Lecce.

Another beach not to miss on the same stretch of coast is Porto Selvaggio. Located between Gallipoli and Porto Cesareo, you can reach this protected nature reserve on foot along a beautiful path. It takes you through Mediterranean scrub, down a hill and through some pines which open out onto a gorgeous beach with rocks and sand. The bright blue sea emerges from between the rocks, from which you can also dive if you're so inclined. The caves make it a paradise for snorkelers and scuba divers, the most famous being Grotta del Cavallo, where remains of Homo sapiens were discovered, and Corvine cave. From Uluzzo beach you can see across the Ionian sea to the coastline of Calabria on a clear day!

Sardinia: a dream island in the heart of the Mediterranean sea

With its pure waters, picturesque coves and vast nature reserves of Mediterranean scrub, Sardinia is home to some of the most beautiful stretches of coast in Italy. One of the many highlights is Tuerredda Beach, located on the southernmost tip of the island; it is one of the most rustic coastal locations in the Mediterranean. This v-shaped beach features over 500 metres of golden sand and is one of the best snorkelling locations in Sardinia. The view across to Isola Tuarredda only adds to the idyllic scenery surrounding this beach.

If you are in the north of the island, don't miss one of the most photographed beaches in Sardinia – the famous La Pelosa beach, near Stintino. Located in the north-west, La Pelosa has white sand spectacular views over Isola Piana and Asinara. There is also a beautiful Spanish watchtower located on the west side of the beach. However, this is a famous beach, and therefore it gets jam-packed in the peak summer months. We'd recommend going in the late Spring or early Autumn when the temperatures are still high, but the area is much less crowded.

Tuscany: more than just Florence! 

Known for its exceptional environmental beauty and artistic heritage, Tuscany is also home to a very varied coastal landscape. At almost 400 km, the Tuscan coastline goes from popular and bustling Versilia to the wild, rustic nature of Monte Argentario.

Forte dei Marmi is the most popular beach destination in Versilia. With its wide, well-equipped beaches, stylish Lidos and a lively nightlife, it's the perfect place to relax and sunbathe after taking in some culture. Once the favoured spot among wealthy aristocrats in the early 20th century, today Forte dei Marmi is a popular destination with younger groups and is the centre of LGBT nightlife in Tuscany during the summer. 

Moving south towards Monte Argentario, don't miss Cala del Gesso and Purgatorio beaches. Cala del Gesso is one of the most beautiful beaches in the Argentario area and has shingle and pebbles. Located in front of a small island called Argentarola, it offers its visitors stunning panoramic views. If you prefer lying on the rocks, Purgatorio is an impressive, rock-strewn beach that can be reached by walking through Mediterranean scrub or by boat. We highly recommend going on a boat trip here if you're interested in exploring the little hidden bays dotted along this part of the coast.

Ferries to Italy

The NetFerry website allows you to explore the various ferry routes to and from Italy. The Netferry booking site even lets you save your quote and then purchase your ticket a few days later. Netferry always finds the best ferry for you, find more information on prices, times and the closest ports at out website.

Netferry: a sea of ferries await you!