I loved this. I am busy planning our beach holiday and this will certainly come in handy. I was definitely considering Ponza and Isola Giglio and the Grosetto coast in Tuscany, so this list comes in handy with a few additional beaches to bookmark for future visits. Thanks so much for sharing your gems with us.
Hi Lizette, so glad I could help, maybe you have too many options now ;) ponza is stupendous, out of this world, Grosseto very, very natural and much easier to get to (well seeing as it's not an island duh)! Hope you have a beautiful holiday this summer x
Hoping the beat the tourist and crowds and do a Spring beach vacation... it's risky because the weather is very hit or miss I've had wonderful tot dreadful weather during these months but alas sometimes they are, our only option. My favourite time to go is usually June or Sep but this year we can't sonIban trying to squeeze in a beach holiday early.
Exactly, we went to Praiano this time last year and it was GORGEOUS and Puglia the year before and the weather was abysmal. Think we'll most likely doing a roadtrip to Argentario bookended with a sprinling of Florence and Rome, we still have 2 out of the 4 holy doors to go through plus the Carvaggio exhibition to see. Definitely pocketing Giglio and Ponza for the next June. And then still haven't been to Sicily...
What a beautiful article! I’m from Tuscany and I’ve always known the places you mentioned – such stunning beauty! I’ve also written a small piece about the Tuscan coast, focusing on Baratti and Buca delle Fate.
I have had them on my wish list forever but I was hoping to go last minute late April , early May and they were booked full. Hoping we can oneday soon.
Im at the airport in Ancona and I wanted to THANK YOU for the intro to Le Marche. What an incredible place - so grateful for your post and info. We stayed at Casa Grimaldi and Castillo de Granaria then ended at Seebay Hotel in Portonova. We ate at Emilia (the best) and explored Sirola and Numana. Would suggest you replace da Silvio with Giacchetti in Portonova - the first was a bit touristy, the latter delicious. We will definitely come back - I wish it wasn’t so far from Sydney - thank you again 🌞
Lizzie I'm so glad you had a great time in the Conero, isn't Ancona airport also the best in the world, so quiet and stress-free! Aww but I LOVE da silvio, have to try Giacchetti though this summer now and compare. Thanks for your feedback it means a lot! xx
How gorgeous. I moved to Australia from Canada specifically for those expansive remote-esque beachscapes, and was put off by Italy’s Amalfi and other tourist places. As beautiful as they are, you’re right in that they’re tarnished by the roped off beach fair culture and crowds. I love your list of natural beaches. I can’t wait to visit a few when I’m there again next year.
Yes we're so lucky in Australia to have so much SPACE, definitely seek that out wherever I go. Thank you and I hope you love these special spots as much as I do xx
Loved this! I’m from Lazio and Ponza is very well known to us. Sperlonga and Gaeta are smaller beach towns in Lazio - I’ve spent some summers there and I love both equally. I have a soft spot for Sperlonga though - often times the best places are off the beaten path. Thank you for sharing!
This got me so excited 🥹 if you’re in the area, I’d suggest visiting my family’s hometown, Campodimele, it’s about 30 mins or so from Sperlonga. It’s named the town of longevity where its inhabitants lived well into their 100’s. it’s a beautiful mountain topped little town and so peaceful. If you do go, tell my friend the mayor, Tommaso I say hi and that Vanessa Picano sent you 🥰 they’re all amazing and love the town so much, I’m sure they’ll give you a tour if you’d like. Can’t wait to read about your beach travels this summer!
Spiaggia Pietragrande ✨ in Catanzaro, Reggio-Calabria. it's a beautiful natural beach with a huge climbing rock to cliff dive off of, and the sea there (like most of Italy) is gorgeously clear.
The times I went were peak-summer (July) and it wasn't too bad. The best I could compare it to is a half-packed subway car lol. It seemed to be a local beach, too, which was really nice! Really cool area to swim.
I would add Calabria. Many beaches there are free and the more south you go the less people you find. For beautiful water and great food you can stop at Capo Vaticano. My family is originally from Locri, at the most south, there you can just grab a towel and enjoy meters of beach for yourself. There is also a beautiful archeological museum and temples from the Magna Graecia period. Oh and the beautiful ancient city of Gerace!
As an Italian hating crowded beaches in the scorching hot Italian summer, I approve! I have been to some of these places and loved them. I may add: go to beaches reachable only through hiking. In summer, Italians are quite lazy, and you'll discover some hidden gems with very few people!
Haha totally agree and glad you approve as an Italian! E.g. the zingaro national park in scopello, sicily… a series of natural bays accessible only via hike… the further you get into the park, the more abandoned the beaches become. Magic! But yes also a bit hot…
Well, I wouldn't mind a whole post about Sardinia! I'm planning to do the "cammino di Santa Barbara", and I've heard it is full of breathtaking locations :D
I loved this. I am busy planning our beach holiday and this will certainly come in handy. I was definitely considering Ponza and Isola Giglio and the Grosetto coast in Tuscany, so this list comes in handy with a few additional beaches to bookmark for future visits. Thanks so much for sharing your gems with us.
Hi Lizette, so glad I could help, maybe you have too many options now ;) ponza is stupendous, out of this world, Grosseto very, very natural and much easier to get to (well seeing as it's not an island duh)! Hope you have a beautiful holiday this summer x
Hoping the beat the tourist and crowds and do a Spring beach vacation... it's risky because the weather is very hit or miss I've had wonderful tot dreadful weather during these months but alas sometimes they are, our only option. My favourite time to go is usually June or Sep but this year we can't sonIban trying to squeeze in a beach holiday early.
I did a spring trip to Scopello in Sicily once and it was perfect, so warm! But they did say we were lucky… throw the dice!!
Exactly, we went to Praiano this time last year and it was GORGEOUS and Puglia the year before and the weather was abysmal. Think we'll most likely doing a roadtrip to Argentario bookended with a sprinling of Florence and Rome, we still have 2 out of the 4 holy doors to go through plus the Carvaggio exhibition to see. Definitely pocketing Giglio and Ponza for the next June. And then still haven't been to Sicily...
What a beautiful article! I’m from Tuscany and I’ve always known the places you mentioned – such stunning beauty! I’ve also written a small piece about the Tuscan coast, focusing on Baratti and Buca delle Fate.
Thank you so much for this article! https://open.substack.com/pub/myjourneyinmyfamilyrecipe/p/beyond-the-usual-exploring-tuscany-aa5?utm_source=share&utm_medium=android&r=1k7vw4
Tuscan beaches, who knew! Going to check your beaches now ❤️
Giglio 💯!
OK you're the second one to recommend it here, going on my list!!
Great beaches, delicious meals, mostly Italian families, and a v easygoing atmosphere.
This hotel there is excellent.
https://laguardiahotel.it/en/homepage-english/
I have had them on my wish list forever but I was hoping to go last minute late April , early May and they were booked full. Hoping we can oneday soon.
Ohh this place looks very special!! Thank you
Im at the airport in Ancona and I wanted to THANK YOU for the intro to Le Marche. What an incredible place - so grateful for your post and info. We stayed at Casa Grimaldi and Castillo de Granaria then ended at Seebay Hotel in Portonova. We ate at Emilia (the best) and explored Sirola and Numana. Would suggest you replace da Silvio with Giacchetti in Portonova - the first was a bit touristy, the latter delicious. We will definitely come back - I wish it wasn’t so far from Sydney - thank you again 🌞
Lizzie I'm so glad you had a great time in the Conero, isn't Ancona airport also the best in the world, so quiet and stress-free! Aww but I LOVE da silvio, have to try Giacchetti though this summer now and compare. Thanks for your feedback it means a lot! xx
Dear Katie do you know Nardo ? And would you recommend it for a family who loves swimming (and good food ) and poetry ?
I don’t know Nardo (yet) OK looked it up, it looks gorgeous and so natural! I would definitely want to go as a fellow swimming enthusiast 🩵
How gorgeous. I moved to Australia from Canada specifically for those expansive remote-esque beachscapes, and was put off by Italy’s Amalfi and other tourist places. As beautiful as they are, you’re right in that they’re tarnished by the roped off beach fair culture and crowds. I love your list of natural beaches. I can’t wait to visit a few when I’m there again next year.
Yes we're so lucky in Australia to have so much SPACE, definitely seek that out wherever I go. Thank you and I hope you love these special spots as much as I do xx
Wow, I think Italy might have just gone to the top of my list for a September break ❤️
September is a great time for all these beaches!
Thank you so much for this . What a great guide!
So pleased you found it and found it useful!
Loved this! I’m from Lazio and Ponza is very well known to us. Sperlonga and Gaeta are smaller beach towns in Lazio - I’ve spent some summers there and I love both equally. I have a soft spot for Sperlonga though - often times the best places are off the beaten path. Thank you for sharing!
I’ll definitely visit my friend in Nettuno this summer so these two will add to my list! Sperlonga numero 1 got it! 🙏🏻
This got me so excited 🥹 if you’re in the area, I’d suggest visiting my family’s hometown, Campodimele, it’s about 30 mins or so from Sperlonga. It’s named the town of longevity where its inhabitants lived well into their 100’s. it’s a beautiful mountain topped little town and so peaceful. If you do go, tell my friend the mayor, Tommaso I say hi and that Vanessa Picano sent you 🥰 they’re all amazing and love the town so much, I’m sure they’ll give you a tour if you’d like. Can’t wait to read about your beach travels this summer!
Thank you for sharing! This is so helpful!
So happy you’ve found it helpful!! Enjoy the gems ✨
Spiaggia Pietragrande ✨ in Catanzaro, Reggio-Calabria. it's a beautiful natural beach with a huge climbing rock to cliff dive off of, and the sea there (like most of Italy) is gorgeously clear.
https://www.lidodipietragrande.it/en/about-us/
Ahh sooo want to go to Calabria, do you recommend in summer or too busy? Adding this one to my calabria list in any case!! Thank you 🙏🏻
The times I went were peak-summer (July) and it wasn't too bad. The best I could compare it to is a half-packed subway car lol. It seemed to be a local beach, too, which was really nice! Really cool area to swim.
I would add Calabria. Many beaches there are free and the more south you go the less people you find. For beautiful water and great food you can stop at Capo Vaticano. My family is originally from Locri, at the most south, there you can just grab a towel and enjoy meters of beach for yourself. There is also a beautiful archeological museum and temples from the Magna Graecia period. Oh and the beautiful ancient city of Gerace!
Oh my goodness, Capo Vaticano just went to the top or my list, the temples sound amazing. Thank you for these golden tips!! 🙏🏻
Excellent! Thank you!
You’re so welcome, hope you get to one of these soon!
Beautiful! Can't wait to visit some of these spots - thank you!
i guess you know the ones in Tuscany well! Grosseto was very cool but I only visited in late winter so didn’t see it in full swing.
As an Italian hating crowded beaches in the scorching hot Italian summer, I approve! I have been to some of these places and loved them. I may add: go to beaches reachable only through hiking. In summer, Italians are quite lazy, and you'll discover some hidden gems with very few people!
Haha totally agree and glad you approve as an Italian! E.g. the zingaro national park in scopello, sicily… a series of natural bays accessible only via hike… the further you get into the park, the more abandoned the beaches become. Magic! But yes also a bit hot…
Yes! Also Sardinia has plenty of remote beaches that are truly mesmerising! But yes, bring plenty of water or you'll end up as dry as a raisin.
Ok saving that in google maps to check out!!
A friend messaged me yesterday to say I had forgot sardinia on this list 😭 I will have to do a whole sardinia post I guess.
Well, I wouldn't mind a whole post about Sardinia! I'm planning to do the "cammino di Santa Barbara", and I've heard it is full of breathtaking locations :D
I second this! I'm going to Sardinia in May & would love some recommendations!
Of course! Thanks for the feedback. i only visited one part so far but was pretty bloody natural and awesome.