Some of the most famoust Italian resorts are in the northeast, on the Adriatic Sea, in the regions of Friuli Venezia Giulia and Veneto. The best-known seaside resorts in this area are Lignano Sabbiadoro, Bibione, Caorle, Lido di Jesolo, as well as Lido di Venezia, one of the Venetian islands.

Further south, in the Emilia-Romagna region, are the resorts of Cesenatico, Rimini, Riccione, and Cattolica. In the Marche region, the resort of Senigallia is well-known, and a famous beach there is Spiaggia delle Due Sorelle, on the Riviera del Conero.

Continuing south, in the Abruzzo region, Pescara has beautiful beaches, though the city itself is not very attractive. The northern area is more appealing (with Alba Adriatica, Giulianova, and Roseto degli Abruzzi), as well as the Riviera dei Trabocchi to the south, with several resorts (we recommend Marina di Vasto, where the medieval town of Vasto is also very close).

Further south, the small region of Molise has only 35 km of coastline on the Adriatic Sea and is much less touristy. The better-known resorts are Termoli, Petacciato, and Campomarino. From Termoli, you can take a ferry to the beautiful Tremiti Islands, which, administratively, belong to the region of Puglia.

Puglia has hundreds of kilometers of beaches on the Adriatic Sea, stretching from the Gargano Promontory, north of Bari, down to Salento, the heel of the Italian boot, beyond which lies the Ionian Sea. Among the beautiful beaches are those near the towns of Peschici, Vieste, Otranto, and Ostuni, as well as the famous Lama Monachile Beach in Polignano a Mare.

The Ionian coast of Puglia also offers a variety of beaches, both sandy and rocky. Well-known is the resort of Santa Maria di Leuca, located at the tip of the peninsula's heel, whose promontory separates the Adriatic Sea from the Ionian Sea. One of the most beautiful sandy beaches in this area is Marina di Pescoluse, which stretches for about 4 km.

The Basilicata region also has a small stretch of coastline on the Ionian Sea. Better-known resorts include Metaponto and Pisticci.

Next comes the Ionian coast of Calabria, one of the wildest in Italy. Along it run the Costa degli Achei, Costa dei Saraceni, Costa degli Aranci, and Riviera dei Gelsomini. Better-known resorts are Laghi di Sibari, Soverato, and Marina di Gioiosa Ionica.

The entire eastern coast of Sicily also opens onto the Ionian Sea. Among the best-known seaside towns and resorts are Letojanni, Taormina (with the beach at Isola Bella), Giardini Naxos, Catania, and Syracuse.

The northern coast of Sicily opens onto the Tyrrhenian Sea. The best-known tourist towns are Palermo (with Mondello Beach) and Cefalù, while a famous resort is San Vito Lo Capo. The Aeolian Islands are also located in the Tyrrhenian Sea.

On Calabria's Tyrrhenian coast is the beautiful Tropea, one of the most famous resorts in Italy. Equally beautiful is the nearby Capo Vaticano area, as well as the beaches of Scilla, Praia a Mare, and San Nicola Arcella.

The Basilicata region also has a Tyrrhenian coastline. Its most popular beach is Cala Jannita, near Maratea.

Heading north, there is the Campania region, with the stunning Amalfi Coast, as well as the beaches near Naples and the beautiful islands of Capri, Procida, and Ischia.

The Pontine Islands belong to the Lazio region: Ponza, Ventotene, Palmarola, Zannone, and Gavi. If you enjoy wilder places and "less-traveled" routes, we recommend a vacation on Ventotene Island (accessible by ferry from Formia or Naples). Besides the islands, Lazio has 300 km of coastline on the Tyrrhenian Sea. Very close to Rome and Fiumicino Airport is the seaside town of Ostia. The beaches near Civitavecchia, Sabaudia, and Sperlonga are also well-known.

Next is Tuscany, which, although not always associated with beaches, has about 500 km of coastline, including both the mainland and the islands of the Tuscan Archipelago (including Elba). Well-known areas include Monte Argentario, Marina di Grosseto, and Follonica.

Also on the Tyrrhenian Sea is the entire east and northeast coast of Sardinia, home to some of the most beautiful beaches in Italy (including Cala Luna, Cala Sisine, Cala Birìala, Cala Mariolu, Cala Goloritzè, and the beaches of the La Maddalena Archipelago - with the famous pink beach on Budelli Island and the beaches of the Costa Smeralda). Major coastal cities include Cagliari and Olbia.

Just north of Cape Piombino, Tuscany opens onto the Ligurian Sea. Here you will find the city of Livorno and the area called Versilia, with famous resorts such as Viareggio, the luxurious Forte dei Marmi, Lido di Camaiore, and Marina di Pietrasanta.

The last region with a coastline as you head northwest is Liguria, with the tourist towns of Cinque Terre, Portovenere, Portofino, Santa Margherita Ligure, and Camogli, located on the Riviera del Levante, south of Genoa. Beyond Genoa, to the west, stretches the Riviera del Ponente, with the port of Savona and the town of Sanremo, where the famous music festival takes place.

The north and west of Sardinia open onto the Sea of Sardinia. Here, too, you'll find famous beaches such as La Pelosa Beach, the beaches on Asinara Island, Is Arutas Beach with its colorful pebbles, and the Bombarde and Lazzaretto beaches near Alghero.

Southern Sicily opens onto the Sea of Sicily and the Mediterranean Sea. Here are the Egadi Islands (including Favignana), Pantelleria Island, and the distant Lampedusa Island, home to the beautiful Isola dei Conigli Beach, considered one of the most beautiful in the world. On the mainland, better-known beaches include those near Ragusa and Modica, Sciacca, as well as Capo Bianco and Cala dei Turchi.