When it comes to natural beauty, Italy’s coastline is right up there, thanks to its variety of landscapes and rich environment. But with so much sea all around, which Italian region actually has the longest stretch of coast? According to the latest figures, the region that holds the national record has around 1,897 kilometres of shoreline.
This gives us a chance to take a closer look at how coastlines are measured—and why these numbers really matter. Find out which region comes out on top.
Sardinia: Queen of Italy’s Coastlines
The island of Sardinia holds the title of the Italian region with the longest coastline, boasting around 1,897 kilometres of shore. Living by the sea here is hardly a problem with such an extensive stretch of coast. According to official ISTAT data, this record is thanks to the island’s insular nature and its complex geography: Sardinia’s perimeter is a continuous sequence of deep bays, spectacular headlands, hidden coves, and numerous smaller islands such as the Asinara National Park, San Pietro, and La Maddalena.
Sardinia not only tops the national rankings but also offers one of the widest variety of landscapes in the Mediterranean. Its coastline is a rich mosaic of protected natural areas, marine reserves, and iconic spots like the Costa Smeralda, the Gulf of Orosei, and the cliffs of Capo Caccia—a natural laboratory for marine biodiversity.
Ranking Italy’s coastline lengths by region
The length of a region’s coastline is more than just a geographical curiosity: it plays a key role in tourism, environmental conservation, and local economic development. Each Italian coastal region has its own distinctive morphological and scenic features, shaped by geological history, the presence of smaller islands, and seabed formations. Here are the regions competing for the top spots.
Sicily in second place
The large island firmly holds second place in the regional coastline rankings. How many kilometres of coast does Sicily have? With around 1,152 km of shoreline (some sources go up to 1,520 km when including all the smaller islands and archipelagos), Sicily offers an extraordinary variety of marine landscapes. Its coastline alternates between long sandy beaches, unique volcanic stretches—such as those around Mount Etna facing the sea—and rocky shores rich with natural caves. The archipelagos of the Egadi, Aeolian, and Pelagie Islands further enhance Sicily’s coastal heritage.
Bronze medal for Apulia
The third longest coastline in Italy belongs to Apulia—the “heel” of the Italian boot—which is longer than many might think. Exactly how many kilometres of coast does Apulia have? The region stretches for about 865 km. Its shoreline is famous for the sandy beaches of Gargano and Salento, as well as the dramatic cliffs overlooking the Adriatic Sea and the scenic headlands that characterise places like Polignano a Mare and Santa Maria di Leuca.
How is the length of Italy’s coastline calculated?
Understanding how the length of Italy’s coastline is measured is key to properly interpreting official rankings and data. The calculation is far from straightforward: Italy’s coastline is incredibly complex, shaped by headlands, inlets, lagoons, smaller islands, and archipelagos, making its marine perimeter one of the most intricate in Europe.
- Official figures on coastline length are produced by ISPRA (Institute for Environmental Protection and Research) and ISTAT (National Institute of Statistics), who use advanced satellite surveying and digital mapping technologies.
- Measurements take into account natural morphological changes: phenomena such as coastal erosion, sedimentation, the formation of new beaches, or the loss of sandy stretches can alter the actual coastline length over time.
- Features like lagoons (such as the Venetian lagoon), river deltas (for example, the Po Delta), and numerous archipelagos contribute to increasing the total coastline measurement.
- Island regions have an advantage—Sardinia, in particular, thanks to its rugged shape and many smaller islands, maintains its position as the Italian region with the longest coastline.
