Hike up to Castello Brown, Portofino’s 15th-century castle, for spectacular views. Italy boasts a wealth of postcard-perfect coastal towns, each with its own panorama of breathtaking ocean views. The truth is that the Italian coast has some of the best beaches in Europe. Portofino became famous for la dolce vita in the 1950s and ’60s, when movie stars such as Humphrey Bogart, Clark Gable, Elizabeth Taylor, and Sophia Loren vacationed here. John Steinbeck, who lived here in 1953, wrote, “It is a dream place that isn’t quite real when you are there and becomes beckoningly real after you have gone.” Then again, you might never want to leave. Originally dug into the mountain in 1939, this former-cellar-turned-studio apartment is as rustic as it gets. The 10 Best Resorts in Italy Check out our pick of great resorts in Italy. Watch the sun rise over the Adriatic Sea from this traditional Apulian holiday home. Have you ever been to Rome in August and wondered where all the locals are? It’s also famous for its Carnival festivities, considered the best in Sicily. Italy’s stunning beauty might break the lens on your camera, but these Airbnbs aren’t going to break your wallet. Traditional houses climb up the valley from the beach, broken up by lemon terraces and colourful gardens and creating an atmospheric tangle of tightly packed buildings and narrow staircases. It boasts one of the biggest carnivals in Italy and countless events for all tastes. Sitting upon the unspoilt, serene blue waters of the Gulf of Genoa, Riomaggiore is famed for its sweet wine Sciacchetrà, made from Bosco, Vermentino and Albarola grapes. And yet, most of the coastal towns are so crowded that you think everyone in Italy goes to the same beach. Set within the province of Naples, the old town is known for its production of lace and ceramics. Cala Mariolu, Sardinia Many of the well-known beaches get crowded or too touristy, but this list also includes some under-the-radar gems where you can escape the hubbub. I want emails from Fodor's Travel with travel information and promotions. 20 Gorgeous Seaside Towns In Italy. Having become increasingly upmarket in recent years, it’s popular with the rich and famous, and you’ll now notice plenty of luxurious superyachts adorning the horizon here. Forio is the largest town on the island of Ischia, which fans of Elena Ferrante’s Neapolitan Novels will recognize from the books. This small town on the Amalfi Coast awes visitors with its pastel-colored houses perched on mountains that rise above the sea. The whole village is built on a foundation of black rock, and colorful buildings hover over the small marina. Long stretches of pristine beaches draw Romans to the village today. Portofino caters to its affluent visitors, so if you’re traveling on a budget, you may want to stay in nearby Camogli or Santa Maria Ligure. Blink and you could miss this tiny town in the heart of the Maremma, but if you want to get back to nature, it’s the perfect place to go. Though Marche is less wealthy and full of art than nearby Umbria and Tuscany, the region is celebrated for its rugged beauty. So why not do as the Romans do and head to the sea? Find a better price on your booking and we’ll match it. Long plagued by the mafia, Palermo has largely cleaned up its act, which means visitors can enjoy all the treasures it offers. It wouldn’t be an exaggeration to say that Positano is one of the most beautiful places on earth. On a clear day, you can see all the way to the island of Elba, where Napoleon was exiled. If you can tear yourself away from the beach, it’s worth visiting some of Tuscany’s best wineries, like Rocca di Frassinello. The largest town in the Maddalena archipelago, which lies between Sardinia and Corsica, La Maddalena is renowned for its dazzling beaches. The French, Spanish, English, Austrians, and a 16th-century band of pirates have all taken their turn at ruling Portofino. But Italians sing its praises, from the pristine beaches with crystal-clear water to the laid-back lifestyle of its inhabitants. Porto Ercole is accessible by train, though it’s generally easier to get there by car. There is an excellent open-air market in the historic center, but for a traditional Sicilian treat, try the granita, a semi-frozen dessert similar to gelato. The old town has all the charm of a historic Italian village, with pale yellow and orange buildings, narrow streets, and piazzas where visitors gather for a drink or meal. The natural beauty of the Grotta Azzurra is unparalleled and became a symbol of the pastoral Romantic ideal when it was “discovered” by Germans August Kopisch, a poet, and artist Ernst Fries in 1826. Amalfi lies at the mouth of a deep ravine at the foot of Monte Cerreto within the province of Salerno. Located where the mountain meets the sea and where citrus plantations alternate with deep valleys, Sorrento is set in an extraordinary landscape. This article will look at ten of the most charming seaside villages Italy has to offer. As the easternmost point in Italy, Otranto was originally a Greek village known as Hydruntum, which sided against Rome in the wars of Pyrrhus and Hannibal. It’s a popular spot for cliff divers, but there are many tamer ways to enjoy the scenery, like strolling through the white-washed town, gelato in hand. Overlooking the main square of Portofino is this exclusive three-bedroom flat, which, thanks to its unique rooftop terrace, strikes the perfect balance between glamour and convenience. Tuscany, the Italian cradle of art, with its sea and breathtaking views, the elegant seaside resorts, the beaches of Forte dei Marmi, the wilderness of Talamone and the ancient villages and spas of Maremma, offers holidays that combine culture with seaside entertainments. Polignano a Mare is a great base for exploring Puglia’s many charming towns, including Alberobello, where you can see the, Prepare a picnic with fresh food from the Mercato di San Benedetto, considered one of the best fish markets in Italy. A pathway through the woods leads to the higher part of the town, which boasts beautiful views of the Salento coast, all the way up to the headland of Santa Maria di Leuca. Places to Stay The Best Hotels on the Amalfi Coast, Italy. It is also rumored to be the home of Circe, the sorceress who seduced Odysseus and turned his men into pigs. Seaside resorts in Italy Italian seaside destinations. Positano’s enviable location allows visitors to travel by boat to nearby Capri, Ischia and the Grotta dello Smeraldo. If you are looking for beautiful beaches, Sardinia has some of Italy’s finest. Of course, most people just dive in and swim out to the next outcropping. See & Do Beautiful Coastal Towns in New South Wales, Australia. INSIDER TIP Prepare a picnic with fresh food from the Mercato di San Benedetto, considered one of the best fish markets in Italy. After registering, I can manage my newsletter subscriptions by visiting my Profile Settings page. photo @kolibri5 on pixabay Coastal towns in Tuscany – Northern Tuscany VIAREGGIO. About halfway between Florence and Rome lies Porto Ercole, “Port Hercules,” in the province of Grosseto. The town is characterised by the typical architecture of the early 20th century, and its coast is punctuated with thermal springs, situated within four natural caves along the cliff. Long ago, Portofino was an ancient Roman colony, seized by the Republic of Genoa in 1229. From Cattolica to Trieste on the Adriatic, and from Ameglia all the way to Ventimiglia on the Ligurian Sea, there are scores of Blue Flag beaches in Northern Italy, a designation awarded to beaches worldwide by the Foundation for Environmental Education (FEE), on the basis of water quality, cleanliness, and safety, among other factors.The province of Liguria alone lays claim to 27 Blue Flags. Sardinia also has some of the best windsurfing in Italy. As the smallest town in Southern Italy, Atrani’s ancient medieval structure remains incredibly intact. Whether you're looking for a busy beach resort or a picturesque old fishing town, this selection of summer holiday resorts offers something for everyone. On a clear day, which is most days here, you can see the snow-capped mountain ranges of Albania as well as the Greek island of Fanos from the comfort of this perfectly located villa, which sleeps four people. Look up and you’ll be dazzled by the glittering Byzantine mosaics and intricately carved wooden ceiling that dates back to the 10th century. Visualizza altre idee su Viaggi, Paesaggi, Luoghi. From the Italian Riviera to the farthest reaches of Sicily, there are plenty of seaside villages to please travelers in search of pristine beaches, ancient ruins, art, culture, and delicious cuisine. There’s little more than a marina, a handful of restaurants, the charming Baglioni Resort Cala del Porto, and its beach club, La Vela. Positano is one of the most gorgeous and scenic seaside towns in Italy. You can also choose to spend a day on Fornillo beach, a smaller alternative to the popular Spiaggia Grande. If it’s a calmer experience you’re after, consider staying at one of the luxurious hotels on the island, like J.K. Place Capri or the Capri Tiberio Palace. More recently, Wes Anderson filmed some scenes from The Life Aquatic here. Just hop on a car, and in less than 1.30hr you will find the beautiful seaside town of Sabaudia, in the Parco Nazionale del Circeo . The Cappella Palatina inside the Palazzo Reale is not to be missed. Every year in late August or early September, the Lido hosts the Venice Film Festival, which draws a large international crowd. You must visit the Grotta di Nettuno with a guide; tours are offered on the hour and you can reach the grotto by land or by boat from the port of Alghero. Another off-the-beaten-path spot on the Adriatic, Numana is more tranquil than beach towns to the north, such as Rimini and Ravenna, and just as beautiful. We list 10 of the most gorgeous Italian coastal towns and cities that are guaranteed to spark romance in your soul. The Best Hiking Trails in Italy. With its prime location, the town easily makes up for its lack of beaches: Amalfi Coast to the north, rolling countryside to the east and stunning Capri just offshore. Suneva is the most beautiful Italian Village now present in Sardinia. If your sea legs are steady, why not experience how the other half lives by staying on this 14m (47ft) yacht? Riomaggiore’s multi-coloured ravine of pastel buildings is where the famous Sentiero Azzurro (Blue Path) begins. The town is poised high above the Bay of Salerno, and is celebrated for Villa Rufolo and Villa Cimbrone, two romantic gardens offering spectacular views of the water. Don’t miss a visit of the Church of San Lorenzo, beautiful both inside and out with its sweeping views of Manarola and neighbouring towns. 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French author Andre Gide wrote that it’s “closer to the sky than the sea,” and he’s right. Santa Cesarea Terme sits atop a rugged plateau overlooking the sea in Puglia, on the ‘heel’ of Southern Italy. Embrace this fisherman’s town with a stay at the Fisherman’s Cove. Surrounded by dramatic cliffs and coastal scenery, Amalfi is modestly sized, and visitors can walk from one edge of the town to the other in 20 minutes. Sperlonga is easily accessible by train from Rome, and the beach is much cleaner and more beautiful than those of Lazio’s more popular seaside towns, such as Ostia and Fregene. Travelers can swim in the pristine turquoise sea and trek up to the Castello Aragonese medieval fortress. Since it still feels like old Sicily, it is a good destination if you are after authentic culture and Sicilian traditions. The following 9 are some of the best beach towns in Italy to be found. A guide to the best seaside destinations in Italy. 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