Beach holidays in Italy 2026

Yes. The Italian coastline, including the islands, is extensive, and within a single country, resorts with sandy beaches, rocky coves, and quiet, shallow bays all coexist. Summers on the coast are long and hot, and the sea remains quite warm even in September. Since the seaside resorts are located near the historic city centres, you can go for a swim in the morning and enjoy a good dinner in the evening.

For crystal-clear seas and sandy beaches, Sardinia and Apulia top the list. The eastern and northern coasts of Sardinia feature beaches with light-coloured sand and coves where the water depth increases gradually. In Apulia, the long sandy beaches along the Ionian Sea give way to limestone coves along the Adriatic Sea. Sicily is especially recommended for those who, in addition to swimming, want to visit ancient sights and enjoy culinary delights. The Amalfi Coast is known for its scenery, though pebble beaches predominate here, along with many small beaches accessible only by stairs or boat.

Despite differing opinions on the matter, La Pelosa in Stintino, Sardinia—with its white sandy beach and shallow, crystal-clear, turquoise-blue sea—is better known than any other beach. Spiaggia dei Conigli on Lampedusa and Cala Goloritzé on Sardinia’s east coast are also very popular. Since access to beaches in nature reserves is often restricted in the summer, you should check before your trip to see if a reservation is required.

In June and September, you can enjoy hot weather and warm seas while avoiding the crowds typical of the peak season in August. July and August are the hottest and most crowded months, when Italian families take their holidays and the coastal resorts are literally overflowing with people. In May and early October, the north is better suited for walking and sightseeing than for swimming, while the south and the islands still enjoy mild weather.

At hotels along the Italian coast, breakfast is typically included in the room rate; as a rule, a light continental breakfast is served, featuring pastries, bread, cold cuts such as ham and cheese, and coffee. On the Adriatic coast and at resort hotels in the south, half-board (two meals a day) is more commonly offered, with dinner served at the hotel. Many hotels along the coast have a swimming pool, and some provide lounge chairs and umbrellas at private beach clubs.

A 7-night stay is a great way to leisurely enjoy the coast and gives you enough time to get to know a town and take a day trip or 2. If you want to combine a beach holiday with visits to cities such as Rome or Naples, or if you’re flying to Sardinia or Sicily and plan to explore these 2 regions by car, you should plan a stay of 10 to 14 nights.