Discover Italy’s Hidden-Gem Beach Towns

I will never forget my first true Italian beach experience. I don’t mean visiting the rocky shores of Positano and eating overpriced frutti di mare, or even visiting the crowded fishing villages of Cinque Terre. I’m talking about my first time in a small beach town, eating carbonara di mare from a small shack on the sand, and realizing that some of Italy’s waters are comparable to those of Southeast Asia and the Caribbean.

Italy really is the country that has it all. Though you might come for the food and the history,  one of the best ways to experience local life in Italy is by hitting up one of these underrated beach towns.

When I discuss my first ever real visit to an Italian beach, I’m referring to Tropea. It was 2021, and I had just spent time in my great-grandmother’s village in Basilicata. As I headed back to Rome to catch my flight back to the US, tears flooded from the experience of having reconnected so deeply with my roots. I wasn’t quite ready to leave Italy yet, so, with the courage of some wine, I cancelled my flight home and headed south to Calabria to visit Tropea.

Tropea has gotten much more popular in the past few years, and tourists are finally catching on. Known as the Pearl of the Tyrrhenian Sea, Tropea has all of the drama of Cinque Terre and the Amalfi Coast with its rocky cliffs, with water so blue your jaw will drop. It’s also home to some unique and memorable foods, including cipolla rossa di Tropea, or the red onions of Tropea. Locals swear they’re so sweet you can bite into them like an apple, but if chomping into a raw onion isn’t your thing, you can go for some nduja (a spicy sausage spread) or fresh seafood.

Where to Stay: Capovaticano Thalasso Resort SPA is perched on the white sandy beaches and boasts views of the Aeolian islands and the Stromboli Volcano. With 123 rooms, two restaurants, an outdoor swimming pool, and wellness treatments using local seawater, Capovaticano Thalasso Resort SPA is the perfect stomping grounds for exploring Tropea.

My first time visiting Sardinia was the result of another spontaneous change of plans. I was scheduled to fly back to New York City in February 2025, but when I saw the subzero temperatures, I opted to head to the Sardinian sunshine instead. (If you’re starting to catch a theme here, I now always buy refundable flights when I go to Italy.)

Sardinia was my 19th out of 20 Italian regions I visited, and it quickly became one of my favorites. The atmosphere is warm, organic food is the standard, and the quality of life is so high that Sardinia is just one of five blue zones in the world.

If it’s beaches you seek, you’ll want to head north to Palau. Here, you’ll find Spiaggia di Tarlmone, a peaceful beach where you can snorkel or simply sunbathe. Cala Capra is another idyllic destination located near Palau. From there, it’s a quick 15-20 minute ferry ride out to La Maddalena Archipelago National Park, covering close to 50,000 acres of sea and land and over 100 miles of pristine coastlines. The area is particularly known for bottlenose dolphins, which are best viewed from a boat.

Where to stay: Hotel Capo d’Orso Thalasso & Spa is a five-star luxury resort closely situated to the action of Palau. The resort joined the ranks as one of the Leading Hotels of the World thanks to its impeccable attention to detail, with guests particularly praising the hospitable staff. From the exquisite views of the sea to the spacious rooms, Hotel Capo d’Orso is easily the best accommodation in town.

My spidey senses tell me that Maratea might be the next Amalfi Coast. The charming coastal town of Basilicata is home to a little something for everyone: beachgoers will love Spiaggia Nera, or “Black Beach,” and Spiaggia Grotta della Scala. Nature enthusiasts can enjoy hikes like Monte San Biagio. If you want to get out on the water, consider kayaking throughout some of Maratea’s many caves, which might look familiar if you’ve seen No Time To Die.

Basilicata has an abundance of beaches, thanks to the Tyrrhenian Sea to the west, and the Ionian Sea to the east. The region is also known for some unique bites, specifically peperone crusco, or “dried peppers,” which are meant to be crushed over dishes. Peperone crusco can be found on several menus throughout town, as you enjoy an alfresco meal under the distant gaze of the Statua del Cristo Redentore di Maratea, Italy’s own Christ the Redeemer statue.

Where to Stay: Santavenere, managed by Egnazia Ospitalità Italiana (the same group behind the storied Borgo Egnazia in Puglia), is a stunning 26-room hotel situated atop a long stretch of private beach. Take a step back in time with the striking mid-century interiors, featuring ceramics from Minturno and hand-painted Vietri tiles.

Sicily is often minimized to its major cities of Palermo and Catania, with Taormina getting some love thanks to being featured in The White Lotus. And while Catania and Palermo certainly have a lot to offer, the southern coast of Sicily is home to some of the island’s best beaches.

Located approximately 90 minutes south of Palermo by car, Sciacca is a small town that’s ideal for tourists who want a peek into local life. With beaches like Lido di Tonnara, Lido di Goggia, and Capo St. Marco, the shores of Sciacca allow visitors to be a fly on the wall in a major fishing village in southern Sicily. One of the most popular sites in town is Castello Incantanto, a unique art display created by Filippo Bentivegna, made of thousands of carved faces in stone.

Getting to Sciacca is easier than ever, with Neos Airlines having a direct flight between JFK and Palermo. From there, simply rent a car, and enjoy your quiet Sicilian oasis.

Where to stay: Verdura Resort, a Rocco Forte Hotel, is a five-star resort that proves that even the smallest towns in Italy pack a punch when it comes to luxurious stays. Home to five dining options, like Ondina with its Mediterranean views, Verdura Resort makes the trek out of Palermo worth it on its own.

No Italian beach list would be complete without at least one stop in Puglia. Puglia is located on the heel of the “boot” and home to some of the best beaches in the country. The ideal way to explore this coastal region is by flying into Bari, renting a car, and heading down the coast. Doing this will eventually bring you to Ostuni, home to a plethora of pristine beaches.

Choose from options like Spiaggia di Torre Pozzelle, Spiaggia di Cala di Rosamarina, and Lido Onda Blu. Beyond the beaches, Ostuni is known as “The White City” thanks to nearly the entire city being painted white, from the ancient walls to the houses. Thanks to fairytale-aesthetics of Ostuni, this Puglian town is the most picturesque on the list.

Where to stay: Vista Ostuni is set within a restored 14th-century palazzo, reopening its doors after being abandoned for nearly 60 years. In a previous life, it was home to Manifattura Tabacchi, a tobacco-processing factory. Though only recently opened, Vista Ostuni has been deemed a member of Leading Hotels of the World.