The coasts of Italy are dotted with numerous small, picturesque towns that are almost too beautiful to believe. Naturally, selecting the best seaside towns in Italy proves to be quite subjective.
Criteria for the best seaside towns in Italy
Keep in mind, we are focused here on the best small beach towns in Italy, rather than on any of the larger cities along the coasts of Italy.
Therefore, in terms of year-round population, we are looking for towns with 25,000 or fewer people in general.
Otherwise, our criteria include… character, charm and/or historical significance.
As a result there may be some surprising exclusions from this list when compared to the standard list of best Italy beach towns and the like.
Here are our choices for the best seaside towns in Italy.
Cefalu
Cefalu beach promenade
Cefalu is located along the north coast of Sicily, so it is a bit off the beaten path. There are fewer than 15,000 full time residents, but it receives millions of visitors throughout the year.
What makes Cefalu one of the most beautiful small coastal towns in Italy?
First, it has one of the nicest beaches, as unlike many of the towns on this list, it has a sandy beach. On a calm day, the water is crystal clear, and when the wind is up, it is popular among surfers.
Second, the historic town center is stunning, with a 13th century Norman cathedral located at the center. From the main piazza (Piazza del Duomo), you can stroll down the narrow cobblestone streets, some lined with shops and restaurants, others with residences and B&Bs.
Backstopping the town is a massive rock, atop of which sits the ruins of an ancient Greek temple. Climb atop this and you will get breathtaking views of the town below and the Sicilian coast.
While Cefalu is in Sicily, it is less than an hour east of Palermo by train, making it a perfect destination for a day trip from Palermo.
Add all this together and it is no wonder that Cefalu is one of the best coastal towns in Italy and also included in our list of best beach towns in Sicily.
Positano
Positano
No list of the best Italy seaside towns is complete without Positano, located along the Amalfi Coast to the south of Naples.
Positano has been a popular seaside destination in Italy going back to ancient Rome. It’s mild winters, sunny weather in the summer cooled by offshore winds, and stunning scenery make it a must visit coastal town in Italy.
The Marina Grande Beach is located at the base of the cliff upon which Positano is situated, and is the most popular beach of the town. While the beach is not sandy, the water is clear and beautiful.
Similar to Cefalu, there is a 13th century cathedral (Church of Santa Maria Assunta) that is one of the main attractions in town.
Positano is also known for its Limoncello, a wonderful after dinner drink.
Because of the location of Positano among the cliffs overlooking the Amalfi Coast, the town is a bit hilly, so keep that in mind.
Portofino
Portofino
Portofino is another gem than must be included on any list of the most picturesque towns in Italy.
Located in the Italian Riviera, to the east of Genoa, Portofino is truly one of the most picturesque towns in all of Italy. This is due to the pastel colored buildings backstopping a breathtaking harbor.
Portofino has been drawing tourists from Europe’s elite since the late 19th century, and it is not uncommon to find some pretty sizable yachts anchored offshore during the summer months.
Because Portofino is small, you can stroll through all of the town in less than a day. As a result, it is a popular destination for day trips from the nearby city of Genoa.
Due to its location at the end of a small and rugged peninsula jutting into the Mediterranean, the best way to get to Portofino is by boat. Boat tours to Portofino are provided from nearby Rapallo.
Otranto
Otranto
Located on the heel of Italy’s boot, Otranto is somewhat difficult to get to, but well worth the effort.
The town gets its name from the Strait of Otranto, which separates Italy from Albania, and connects the Adriatic Sea to the north with the Ionian Sea to the south.
As a result, Otranto was an important port in ancient times, as the Romans used it when sending its military eastward.
This was a double edged sword for the town, as it was repeatedly attacked throughout history. The most notorious of these attacks was by the Ottomans in 1480, where over half of the inhabitants were killed.
As a result of this strategic location, the town, similar to other beautiful towns in Italy, has been influenced by a variety of cultures.
Today, the 15th century castle constructed after the Turks abandoned the town remains and is an imposing presence around the town.
However, there is a small port and promenades along the sea are dotted with restaurants that provide diners outstanding views. And of course, there is a beautiful white sandy beach providing access to the turquoise waters.
As mentioned, it is not easy to get here, as the nearest international airport is in Bari, a 2 1/2 hour drive to the north. A smaller airport is located in Brindisi, just over an hour drive to the north.
Therefore, the best way to get to Otranto is via car.
Taormina
Teatro Antico di Taormina
Taormina is our second and last entry in our list of the best seaside towns in Italy on the island of Sicily.
Taormina is somewhat similar to Positano, given it is situated on a rugged cliff overlooking the Ionian Sea on the east side of Sicily. You have the town above, and the beaches below.
What makes Taormina unique and among the most picturesque towns of Italy is the presence of the Teatro Antico di Taormina, the ancient Greek theater that overlooks the town.
From the top of the theater, you get stunning views of the town below, the coastline from north to south, and on a clear day, the summit of Mt. Etna. And, best of all, the theater still hosts live performances.
Another cool characteristic of the town is the cable tram that provides access from the town to the beaches below. Once you get down to the beaches, the more famous is Isola Bella, you have beautiful views of the small rocky outcroppings that surround them.
Corso Umberto is the main pedestrian street in town and is lined with shopping and restaurants. However, it can be crowded, so do yourself a favor and venture down the side streets. You’ll also want to stroll through the public garden, which sits below the Greek theater.
If you are looking for a really cool and small bed and breakfast, we highly recommend Casa Arico, which is perfectly located close to all of the amenities.
The best way to get to Taormina is by car, but once you get there, parking will be an issue.
Another way to travel around Sicily is by train, but they run more slowly than the connections between the big cities on the mainland.
Also, be prepared for longer train rides, and a little craziness getting on the regional trains where assigned seats are not available.
Tropea
Tropea
Tropea is among the best seaside towns in Italy for a reason… a beautiful old town situated high upon a steep cliff overlooking an incredible beach!
Tropea is situated on the southeast coast of Italy in the Calabria region.
As mentioned, Tropea has an amazing beach… one that stands out among all of these beautiful seaside towns of Italy. Why? A wide stretch of white sand.
Among the towns perched upon a cliff, this is a bit unusual, and this is what makes Tropea special, not to mention the beautiful turquoise water.
However, the town itself should not be discounted, given the views from high up the cliffs, which provide spectacular sunsets, and on a clear day, you can see the volcanic island of Stromboli.
Speaking of Stromboli, you can take a day trip via a boat tour out to the island to enjoy all of its natural beauty.
Back to the town of Tropea, there is some good history there too. Legend has it that the town was founded by Hercules when returning from his labors at the Pillars of Hercules (Strait of Gibraltar).
In real life, there was an ancient battle fought nearby during the Roman civil war between General Pompey and future ruler Octavius (who went on to become Augustus Caesar).
A 12th century Norman cathedral is located in the town, and the church of Santa Maria dell’Isola sits on a magnificent rock outcropping flanking the beach.
Similar to most small towns in Italy, you can enjoy a stroll in the evening with plenty of shops and restaurants to choose from.
You can get to Tropea via train from Naples in about four hours, or by car from either Naples or Palermo in Sicily in about five hours.
Cinque Terre
Vernazza
The Cinque Terre, meaning “five lands” comprises five villages along the Italian Riviera to the north of La Spezia in the Liguria region of Italy.
These very small towns have their own individual characteristics, but due to their proximity to one another, can literally all be seen within a couple days.
Perched above the Mediterranean Sea (this part is known as the Ligurian Sea), the towns are easily reachable by train from Florence via La Spezia. As a result, a trip to the Cinque Terre can easily be included in any trip to Florence.
The five villages are from south to north, Riomaggiore, Manarola, Corniglia, Vernazza and Monterosso al Mare. Along with the coastline and surrounding hills, the area is contained within the Cinque Terre National Park.
The primary activity in these towns involves strolling through the towns, soaking in the views, and hiking the path that connects them, as they separated by only about 5.5 miles (a bit longer when walking).
The towns are each bathed in the beautiful pastel colors that these small towns are known for.
While the quickest way to reach the villages is via train, perhaps the best way to visit them is by boat. Boat trips to each of the villages are available from La Spezia.
Given the small size of the villages, and the narrow roads leading to them, travel by car is not recommended.
Lerici
Lerici
Lerici is perhaps the most beautiful seaside town in Italy that few people know about outside of Italy. Lerici, along with the adjacent towns of San Terenzo and Tellaro, forms the southern tip of the Italian Riviera.
Located about five miles south of La Spezia, Lerici dates back to the Etruscan period, and it is known as the area where the poet, Percy Shelley drowned. Shelley was married to Frankenstein author Mary Shelley, and they had a home in San Terenzo.
One of the primary attractions to the area is a castle dating back to the 12th century. Beneath the castle is the Lerici harbor.
These towns are located southeast of the popular Cinque Terre, but because there are no train stops, fewer people head to these towns than Cinque Terre.
All three towns boast the same colorful facades found in the Cinque Terre, and offer incredible views of the Mediterranean. San Terenzo and Lerici are also connected by a beautiful promenade, perfect for an evening stroll.
What differentiates these three towns from Cinque Terre is the quality of the beaches. The main beach at San Terenzo is the largest, and is a sandy beach with calm water.
There are also smaller beaches and coves to explore nearby.
The best way to reach these amazing small seaside towns is by train to La Spezia, and then a 20 minute cab ride, or you can rent a car.
Sant’Antioco
Sant’Antioco
No list of the best seaside towns in Italy can be complete without including at least one town on the beautiful island of Sardinia, one of the five autonomous regions in Italy.
Sardinia arguably has the most beautiful beaches in all of Europe, let alone Italy. As a result, millions of vacationers flock to the island every summer.
The Costa Smeralda at the north side is the most popular with tourists, as the beaches here are nothing short of incredible.
However, the towns there are a little lacking in character when compared to the best small coastal towns in Italy.
Ultimately, we settled on the island of Sant’Antioco, which is accessible by bridge from the main island of Sardinia.
Located at the southwest of Sardinia, Sant’Antioco is actually the fourth largest Italian island on its own.
There are two main towns on the island, Sant’Antioco on the east side, and Calasetta on the north side.
Sant’Antioco is the larger of the two towns, and is located at the end of the bridge from the main island.
Calasetta provides a bit easier access to the amazing beaches on the west side of the island. In both cases though, you will be limited to vacation homes rather than hotels, as this is a sparsely developed island.
Keep in mind, this is a much more quiet part of Sardinia, away from the major crowds that head to the resorts of the north and south sides of the main island.
The best way to get to Sant’Antioco is by car. Calasetta is about a 90 minute drive from the airport near Cagliari, the main city and capital of Sardinia. Naturally, Sant’Antioco is somewhat closer.
Final thoughts on the best seaside towns in Italy
This is by no means an exhaustive list of the nicest coastal towns in Italy. As suggested earlier, these lists can be quite subjective.
However, there is no doubt you can have an enjoyable experience by staying in any of these towns for a day or two or more.
If considering a visit to any of these towns, be sure to check out our tips for traveling to Italy.
