Italian coast

The idea of owning a penthouse looking out over the sea can seem like an impossible dream for many people, almost too good to be true. Yet the Italian property market often hides exactly this kind of surprise. The key to finding sea-view penthouses starting from €35,000 lies in looking beyond the big, famous holiday hotspots and focusing instead on smaller coastal towns, villages in the South and areas where demand is more limited. In many cases, these are top-floor properties, with a terrace or panoramic outlook, located in places outside the most exclusive circuits.

The southernmost tip of southeastern Sicily offers wild coves, stretches of golden sand, and waters that rival the world's most famous seas. Fortunately, within just a few kilometers of coastline, there are a wide variety of environments, from low cliffs to dunes protected by nature reserves. Pachino is located at the southern tip of the province of Syracuse, a stone's throw from Portopalo di Capo Passero and Marzamemi. Due to its strategic location, it's worth discovering the most beautiful beaches near Pachino.

There’s a stretch of Sardinian coastline where the sea laps at a very long beach and, even in high season, it never feels cramped.

Cala Violina, Fetovaia, Feniglia: Tuscany is home to some of the most spectacular stretches of coastline in Italy. Sheltered coves with pale pebbles, long sweeps of golden sand and untamed bays protected by nature reserves. In the north lies Versilia, with its well-organised beach clubs, and further south the Grosseto area of Maremma, where clear waters brush against parks and untouched headlands. In between sits the treasure of the Tuscan Archipelago: the Island of Elba and the Island of Giglio, both with remarkably clear seas. Here, then, are the most beautiful beaches in Tuscany.

Across Italy, there are dozens of places suited to naturism, with settings that range across sandy dunes and dramatic cliffs above the sea.

Northern Italy in summer is all glistening lakes, pastel fishing villages, Alpine backdrops and long aperitivo evenings by the water.

The four 2026 Blue Flags—Gozzano, Cannobio, Verbania, and Cannero Riviera—confirm the Piedmont lakes' position among Northern Italy's top-quality seaside destinations. The recognition is not limited to water cleanliness, but also to a complex system of environmental management, services, and sustainability.

Sicily remains one of Italy’s favourite summer destinations, thanks to its sweeping beaches, hilltop villages and dramatic scenery, but also because of its climate. Rising temperatures linked to climate change are reshaping Mediterranean summers, and each month now brings slightly different conditions.

The water shifts colour step by step: transparent by the shore, turquoise a little further out, deep blue in open water. Faced with such beauty, it is easy to assume that arriving and laying down a towel is enough.

Along cliffs, lighthouses and ancient mule tracks, Italy is home to spectacular walks overlooking the sea, with postcard views and, often, specific rules to follow. In some cases, tickets or advance bookings are required; in others, it’s best to set off during the cooler hours of the day and carry plenty of water. Here’s a selection of 10 coastal routes and sea‑view trails in Italy, with essential information on difficulty, walking times and access.

A recent Guardian feature picked out six of the best natural and free beaches in Italy, highlighting stretches of coastline that remain open to all despite the dominance of private beach clubs. The selection spans the Adriatic, Tyrrhenian and Mediterranean, focusing on protected parks, volcanic

In recent years, a growing number of Italian municipalities have introduced a smoking ban on beaches. The aim is to protect the environment, improve air quality and make beaches more comfortable for everyone.

Each year, the Blue Flag award becomes a valuable guide for those planning their vacation and wanting to know which beaches in Sicily have the Blue Flag. The criteria also evaluate purification, safety, accessibility, waste management, and environmental stewardship. Here is the list of all the 2026 Blue Flags in Sicily, including the awarded locations, what's new compared to last year, and the beaches to keep an eye on.

For those planning a beach holiday in Central Italy, this list of the best beaches for swimming is a reliable guide based on objective environmental parameters. The 2026 Blue Flags in Lazio confirm the strength of the region's seaside offerings, with a high concentration of award-winning locations along the Pontine coast and two in the Rome area.

Pastel-colored sands, dunes that look like hills, and coves accessible only by sea: no, it's not a tropical dream.

If you’ve spent any time on an Italian beach, you’ll know it usually means hiring a sun umbrella and a couple of loungers at a privately managed beach club. What’s changed is the price.

There are beaches that are pleasant, and then there are beaches that stay with you for years. The best beaches in the world for 2026 aren’t judged on looks alone.

The Blue Flag, or Bandiera Blu, is a pretty big deal along the Italian coast. It’s an international stamp of approval for beaches with spotless water, solid lifeguard cover, top-notch facilities, and a real commitment to taking care of the environment.

Calabria sits between the Tyrrhenian Sea and the Ionian Sea, with long sandy stretches on one side and rocky coves beneath medieval towns on the other. In 2026, 27 Blue Flag beaches in Calabria were recognised for their water quality, safety standards and environmental management.What Blue Flag

Owning a home overlooking the Mediterranean is more within reach than many buyers imagine.

Italy’s coastline remains one of Europe’s most captivating destinations in 2026.

Towering red rocks rise from turquoise waters in Sardinia. Discover Italy’s hidden “cathedral on the sea” in Arbatax.

If you’ve been daydreaming about a place by the sea but don’t fancy paying Amalfi Coast prices, there are still options out there.

When it comes to Amalfi Coast vs Cinque Terre, the decision isn’t as straightforward as the postcards make it seem.

The Cinque Terre towns are five villages that sit along a jagged stretch of Ligurian coastline in northwest Italy.