Italy is a paradise of natural beauty unique in the world. The towns, art and culture are mixed with coasts and beaches which, in this season, become the favourite destination of all true sea lovers. The peninsula, bathed for three quarters by the sea, offers a show of shades of blue, green and blue which give life to a scenario that you will rarely find anywhere else. In Italian seaside resorts, time seems to have stopped giving images that bring back to the days of the Dolce Vita: lemon groves, rocky promontories and beaches with crystal clear waters constitute an iconic panorama that finds its greatest charm in the summer. We decided to leave, at least with the mind, to discover this beautiful country during this weird Summer 2020, and take you to some of our most loved wonders. Let’s start with the beaches! Here are the Italian beaches to visit at least once in a lifetime:
Ps. In the background, you will hear the notes of “Penso che un sogno così non ritorni mai più…”
ISOLA DEI CONIGLI, Lampedusa
Isola dei Conigli is an island belonging to the Pelagie archipelago, in Sicily. Made up of 4.4 hectares of beauty, the island is a protected nature reserve. It is very little from the coast and its access is exclusively by land, as navigation, to protect the seabed, is prohibited. The peculiarity of this island? In addition to the breathtaking charm of its rocky wall and the more than crystal clear waters, the Isola dei Conigli is accessible only during the daytime, in order to safeguard the nesting of the turtles, here called Caretta Caretta, which find their natural habitat. If you are lucky enough to be able to visit it in the appropriate period, you will witness the hatching of the eggs, otherwise, the show will not be less exciting, thanks to the so-called “Pool of God” in which you will have the honour of diving.
POLIGNANO A MARE, Apulia
Considered one of the most beautiful villages in Italy, Polignano a Mare is a place where nature and history meet. The stone houses, loggias and labyrinthine streets are one of the components that make this village overlooking the sea unique. Located in the province of Bari, Polignano is one of the most popular holiday sites, thanks also to its waters, which have won the coveted blue flag every year. Polignano beach, accessible from the historic Via Traiana, is called Lama Monachile. Here you can dive into the blue, green and deeper blue and savour the true essence of the place … perhaps tasting one of the famous fresh fish sandwiches, typical of the area.
LA FONTELINA, Capri
There is no better place than this to tell the true story of the iconic Italian Summer. Located in one of the most beautiful islands in the nation, La Fontelina is the famous beach overlooking the Faraglioni of Capri, of which you have certainly glimpsed the iconic blue umbrellas in the most clicked photos on the web. It is accessed on foot, from the historic Belvedere di Tragara, and surrounded by spectacular nature, you will arrive in one of the few places where you can lie in front of the Faraglioni and dive into the infinite blue of the Mediterranean Sea. At Fontelina you can certainly experience the perfect Caprese summer day, swimming under the rocks and enjoying moments of relaxation in the shade of the beautiful pergola of the beach.
SCALA DEI TURCHI, Sicily
Another of the most iconic Italian maritime destinations is undoubtedly the Scala dei Turchi in Agrigento, Sicily. The Scala, with its predominant pure white colour, is considered one of the most beautiful sites in the world. It consists of a rocky wall that rises sheer above the sea, along the coast of Realmonte. It has become famous for the singularity of its cliff, not only by the iconic colour but by the soft shapes, levelled by the sea and entirely passable on foot. At the peak of the cliff, there are two fine sandy beaches, reachable by going up a slope resembling a huge natural limestone staircase. The water here is clear and very blue and the view is something indescribable and, of course, super Instagram approved. You will see, the fatigue of the staircase will be rewarded by the wonder you will witness!
PORTONOVO, Marche
Immersed in the Conero Park, the bay of Portonovo is also called the Green Bay. To welcome you you will find a true oasis of green and blue, where crystal clear waters and breathtaking views meet in an unforgettable experience with an all-Italian flavour. The beach is pebbly and white gravel and has various bathing beaches where you can spend a perfect summer day. Lovers of unspoiled nature, however, must not despair because from the far north of the bay you can access the famous Mezzavalle beach, one of the most suggestive points of the Adriatic where the coast becomes sandy and heavenly.
LA PELOSA DI STINTINO, Sardinia
Those who think of the Italian sea undoubtedly think of Sardinia and the inevitable beauty of La Pelosa beach. Here the colour to dominate is blue in all its nuances. The sand is very fine and white, the waters reach the ankles for tens of meters and their unique colour clears the distance between the sea and the sky. La Pelosa is located between the stacks of Capo Falcone, the Isola Piana and the Asinara, which protect it from the impetus of the open sea. Universally recognized as one of the most beautiful beaches in Europe, the Pelosa is an indispensable destination surrounded by the iconic Mediterranean scrub, made of junipers and green expanses, as well as the only element that distinguishes it from one of the wonderful Caribbean beaches that the whole world dreams of. To be the master, the Saracen Tower of Falcone, admirable from the beach.