Sea: beaches and seaside resorts

A necklace of precious pearls surrounds the entire peninsula of Italy, linked by transparent, astonishingly colourful water lapping dream-like beaches, sunshine and vivid traditions to be enjoyed to the full. If you are looking for complete detox and sheer beauty, then Italy's smaller islands are the perfect choice.

It is enough to look out over the edge of the ancient volcanic caldera that gave birth to the Valle di Monastero for your gaze to wander over vineyards as far as the eye can see. These are Zibibbo grapes from Pantelleria, a very ancient vine that is still cultivated on the island according to a technique introduced by the Phoenicians. So much so, in fact, that it also merited inscription on the UNESCO World Heritage List in 2014.

The coastline stretching from the North Western section of the island across to the North Eastern area of Sardinia represents an ideal itinerary for those who love to spend their time visiting wonderful bays and for visitors who would prefer to combine a beautiful landscape with elements of cultural value. All this is possible when you travel from the Costa Paradiso – a district which by no mere chance acquired such a high-sounding name thanks to its enchanting beaches - to the tourist resort of Palau with its breathtaking landscapes.

Concentrated in the south of Italy, they are a visible sign of the tireless activity of the Earth, which has created these unique and extremely distinctive places in terms of shape and colour, and where the mouths of volcanoes are often still active. Their incessant bubbling, which sometimes turns into spectacular eruptions, makes these corners of the Mediterranean truly perfect for a special holiday, also in the pursuit of wellness. Indeed, thermal springs and volcanic muds are a special feature of these islands, particularly in the Aeolian Islands and on Pantelleria: here you can combine the relaxation of the sea, the freedom of boat trips, gourmet culinary experiences and relaxing or detoxifying wellness courses. In short, if you want to regenerate, these are the detox body treatments to try this summer, and beyond, in the spas and resorts of Sicily's volcanic islands.

In the meantime, let's consider some of the notable aspects of this pearl of the Mediterranean and its mosaic of wonderful scenery and facilities situated in an area of less than 8 square kilometres. A rocky coastline, cliffs overlooking the sea and various enchanting gorges enclosing small sandy beaches and basins of pure crystalline water are particular characteristics that render this island a unique venue. The interior of the island, which is of volcanic origin, is no exception and you will be captivated by its fascinating archaeological sites and small villages.

A mixture of surfing, skateboarding and snowboarding in the sand. It is Sandboarding, an extreme sport that has also reached Italy. In Italy, there are 2 spots that lend themselves well to this discipline: the coastal dunes of Porto Pino, south of Sardinia, and the slopes of the volcano Stromboli, in the Aeolian Islands. Two completely different landscapes, but perfect for acrobatic descents on the sand.

The beautiful coast of the Province of Trapani is spaced in between enchanting bays and beaches that greet the transparent sea. At turns resounding with tones of green and deep blue, the waters run towards the spectacular panorama of the Egadi Islands. This setting, a dream-come-true, is perfect for every type of vacation, and most of all, it is absolutely magnificent every day of the year. Besides its astounding littoral makeup, the Coast is littered with charming little towns that you should know – Alcamo, Campobello Di Mazara, Castellammare del Golfo, Castelvetrano, Custonaci, Erice, Marsala, Mazara Del Vallo, Petrosino, San Vito lo Capo and Trapani – abuzz with life, sun, the sounds and smells and of the sea, and history and monuments.

Landing in an environmentally friendly marina is every sea lover's dream. There are two facilities in Sicily that not only offer the necessary services, from electricity to refuelling, but also operate in an environmentally sustainable manner: Capo d'Orlando Marina and Marina del Nettuno, in Messina. Both Blue Flag 2022, they boast the best waters on the entire Messina coast.

From the Roccelletta Archaeological Park in Borgia to Cape Colonna, this journey looks at the history of Calabria by travelling through its tourist destinations and along the charming coasts of the Ionian Sea in the Gulf of Squillace.

If that weren't enough, the boot of Italy is dotted with blue pearls, small and large lakes in the plains areas or high in the mountains that characterize our landscapes. Finding out what's under that delicate line separating water from sky is an impulse that encourages more and more people to have a go at diving. Many courses are available in Italy, even during a short stay, to get closer to this experience in many places where sea-beds are home to wonders. All designed by Mother Nature, of course, with the colours of gorgonian corals home to a rich variety of marine fauna, as well as homo sapiens over the centuries. Under the water, just off the coastlines, evident traces of human evolution emerge which, in Italy as in few other parts of the world, bear witness to an indissoluble bond with our past.

A few kilometers from Syracuse, you can immerse yourself in a truly all-Italian earthly paradise: the Plemmirio Marine Park, one of the most pristine protected marine areas in Italy, which extends for 12 kilometers around the Maddalena Peninsula. Between mountain bike excursions, walks and unforgettable snorkeling sessions you’ll find some of the most beautiful beaches in Sicily. Nestled between cliffs overlooking the sea, ready to be immortalized in breathtaking shots. If you are now intrigued, here is everything you should know about the Plemmirio Marine Park, its most beautiful beaches, the Maddalena trail and what to see and eat in the magnificent surroundings of beautiful Syracuse.

Many know it as the Riviera of Fun, given its expansive and well-maintained beaches and innumerable attractions the Adriatic Riviera (in Emilia Romagna) is one of Italy’s best-known beach resort localities, and no doubt that the Riviera of Fun is a definition that suits this coast very well.

A sinuous promontory designed by the winds that Mount Conero (after which this area in the Marches was named) encounters while overlooking the Adriatic Sea. Tens of beaches surrounded by rocks and luxuriant vegetation that can only be reached by boat or on paths, and numerous cities full of history and tradition: This is the Conero Riviera. A surprising green and occasionally wild nature, unforgettable crystal-clear sea and many beaches - some easier to access than others - characterize the Riviera. Among these is Due Sorelle beach (which can only be reached by boat), named this way due to two large stacks (precisely the due sorelle or two sisters), and Mezzavalle beach.

Many know it as the Riviera of Fun, given its expansive and well-maintained beaches and innumerable attractions the Adriatic Riviera (in Emilia Romagna) is one of Italy’s best-known beach resort localities, and no doubt that the Riviera of Fun is a definition that suits this coast very well.

Versilia, a zone both fun and cultured, is known to many for its gossip pages. Yet this stretch of land (in the Province of Lucca), that runs past the slopes of the Apuan Alps and the Park of San Rossore, is famous for its beaches. Lying between the cities of Forte dei Marmi and Viareggio, its long, fine-sand beaches and coastal dunes – particularly from Viareggio to Torre del Lago – are typical traits of the Versiliese littoral. The resort localities that dot the coastline include the exclusive Forte dei Marmi, sunny Viareggio, Marina di Pietrasanta and Lido di Camaiore.

The third largest island in the entire Mediterranean, and with a seemingly-infinite array of assets, Elba requires a generous amount of time to visit and enjoy all of it. It is made up of eight communes, all of them with their own particular attraction. Similarly, each of Elba's other “six sisters” distinguish themselves with their own unique traits and features; nonetheless, their largest common denominator is their fantastically wild nature and landscapes.

People travel to the Costa Smeralda because they are attracted by the high-society lifestyle of its jet-set habitués or because they want to get to know the coves and promontories of one of the most fascinating and characteristic parts of the island. The real discovery of these places goes far beyond simple stereotypes.

Fine, white sand, breathtaking panoramas, waters that range from hues of azure to turquoise, and one of the most beautiful seascapes of the entire Mediterranean: welcome to Stintino, renowned touristic destination on Sardinia’s northwestern extremity, in the Province of Sassari. It started out as a fishermen’s village, when the Island of Asinara was made a penal colony. Not a bad idea, and Stintino possesses one of the most charming coasts in Sardinia – it is a certified paradise for sea lovers and an excellent vacation spot for those that want to take the plunge into its pure and wild natural surroundings.

Porto Recanati is a fishing village nestled in the beauty of Monte Conero. With 9 kilometres of beaches and a pedestrian promenade, it is popular with tourists in all seasons. Porto Recanati has been awarded the Blue Flag several times for its beaches thanks to its environmental sustainability policies. The medieval Swabian Castle stands in the central square and had the main function of defence against pirate attacks. Summer shows and cultural events take place in the large courtyard, which houses the Gigli Arena named after the tenor from Recanati Beniamino Gigli. Leaving the centre, you come across an interesting archaeological site, which has brought the ancient Roman city of Potentia back to life. An all-natural bike tour One of the features of Porto Recanati is that it is surrounded by numerous cycle paths. From the seafront to the surrounding countryside, those who love cycling will not be disappointed, and will be able to organise countless routes on two wheels. From the city centre to more secluded places as far as Loreto, cycling of all kinds and levels can be organised. Porto Recanati: a small town with a seaside tradition In Porto Recanati, traditions are important and besides the sea, events are in the hearts of the citizens. One of these is the Palio di San Giovanni, a distinctive historical re-enactment footrace. On this occasion, those present take to the streets and cheer on the athletes from their own districts. Another long-awaited event is the Pink Night, with the streets of the city centre animated until late at night and open shops, live concerts, street performers and street food trucks. A brodetto to be enjoyed One of the jewels of traditional gastronomy is the brodetto portorecanatese, composed of a soup enriched with various types of lower-grade fish. All the ingredients are then cooked in a pan with tomato. Every year it is remembered in June with a festival called “Brodetto Week”. On days dedicated to the dish, participating restaurants offer it at a discounted price. Tips for a tour of Porto Recanati Porto Recanati is easily reached thanks to its central location on the Marche coast, at the foot of the Conero Park. In the fishing village, an after-dinner stroll along the central Corso Matteotti is very pleasant. In summer, antique and handicraft markets are set up, which are worth exploring.

San Benedetto del Tronto is the most southerly coastal municipality in the Marche region. Also known as the Riviera delle Palme, and later extended to the neighbouring resorts along the coast, it attracts visitors from all over Italy and Europe. It is one of the main tourist resorts in the Marche region, thanks to its wide sandy beaches framed by the fascinating backdrop of palm trees and oleanders, capable of evoking marvellous exotic scenery. Seaside tourism offer The promenade is bordered by lush gardens, a pine forest, tennis courts, a skating rink and a building, the Palazzina Azzurra, the town's historic venue, at the mouth of the Albula river, which marks the end of the first section, south of which the more properly tourist area begins, with bathing establishments on the beach on one side and villas and hotels on the other side of the road. What makes the beaches of San Benedetto del Tronto child-friendly are the fine sand, suitable for building castles and digging holes, and the shallow waters particularly suitable for diving in with swimming armbands or on an inflatable. Also worth mentioning is the Giardino Zio Marcello, located in front of the public beach (between concessions 36 and 37), a large green area with children's games. The promenade is also characterised by the presence of no less than 8,000 palm trees of various species and numerous relaxation areas, children's playgrounds and thematic gardens, the oases: arid garden, wet garden, palm garden, rose garden, and Mediterranean scrub garden. A wide cycle path runs uninterrupted along the beach for more than 15 km, as far as Cupra Marittima; to the south, the path reaches as far as Via del Mare in Porto d'Ascoli. The town has a marina, a fishing port and one of the most important wholesale fish markets in Italy. North of the mouth of the Tronto River is the Sentina Nature Reserve, which is characterised not only by the migration of birdlife, but also by a stretch of sandy beach with an undeveloped hinterland. What to visit San Benedetto del Tronto has always been closely linked to the sea and the tradition of seafaring. The Polo Museale del Mare includes the Museum of Maritime Civilisation of the Marche, the Amphorae Museum, the Fish Museum and the Antiquarium Truentinum. The Sea Art Gallery, opened in April 2009, although located in the heart of the old town, is an integral part of the thematic museum centre dedicated to the sea that the municipal administration has set up at the Fish Market. Also interesting is MAM, Museo d'Arte sul Mare, a permanent open-air museum, which stretches along the south quay and houses 145 works of art, of which 135 sculptures and 10 large murals. The town has an ancient centre (the high town) a short distance from the sea, at the foot of which lies the marina, the fishing village that developed from the 18th century onwards. The old town is characterised by the 14th-century hexagonal Torre dei Gualtieri; the tower, whose clock marks each hour of the day, and is the symbol of the town. Among the most attractive tourist sites are: the Sanctuary of Our Lady of the Blessed Sacrament, the Cathedral of Santa Maria della Marina, the Church of San Giuseppe, the Bishop's Palace, the Palazzina Azzurra, the Concordia Municipal Theatre, the Lighthouse. The typical dish of San Benedetto del Tronto is brodetto alla sambenedettese, a fish soup, with the addition of peppers and vinegar. Some of the most significant events that take place in San Benedetto del Tronto throughout the year include: the L'Antico e le Palme market-exhibition, which attracts Italian and foreign antique dealers and collectors; the Festa della Madonna della Marina, which takes place on the last Sunday of July and consists of a procession at sea with fishing boats; the Libero Bizzarri Prize, one of the most renowned competitions in the field of documentary cinema at national level; Anghiò, the International Festival of Blue Fish.

A natural amphitheatre that opens onto an enchanting sea, this is Lacco Ameno, a small village on the island of Ischia, a land of rock and sea, as its name also recounts: Lacco seems in fact to derive from the Greek name 'lakkos', meaning 'stone'. Between the green of the Mediterranean maquis and the blue of the sea, the territory of Lacco Ameno rises on the first slopes of Mount Epomeo and reaches the coast, where the small white houses seem to touch the water and the boats rest before the day's fishing. In the middle of the sea, a few metres from the shore, rises what is the symbol of the village: 'Il Fungo'. This very ancient rock of green tuff, about ten metres high and surrounded by the blue waters of the sea, was erupted from the mouth of Mount Epomeo and then eroded over time by the sea, which gave it the particular shape that has made it famous.

This village of colourful houses and narrow streets, once a fish port and now a renowned tourist destination, is connected to the homonymous island by a narrow strip of land. To the east is Lido dei Maronti, from where you can take a boat to Cava Scura, the most famous hot springs on the island. An open-air thermal bathhas been excavated from the tuff on the hillside. There are numerous thermal outcrops all over the coastal area of Sant'Angelo, in some instances marked by conspicuous fumaroles and the high temperatures that affect the sand and rock.

Amidst the splendid beaches - in particular that of 'S. Francesco di Paola' and those of 'Chiaia' and 'Citara' - the moored boats and the lights of the village that, in the evening, reflect on the sea, Forio tells visitors about its seafaring soul. A village on the island of Ischia, it is striking for its architecture that still recounts the Saracen invasions, and it became especially famous in the 1950s among artists from all over the world who came here to enjoy the sun and the hospitality of the inhabitants. At sunset, the village becomes even more magical: the sea is tinged with gold and orange, the boats begin to return to shore and you find yourself listening to the lapping of the waves and imagining stories of sailors and pirates, mermaids and voyages, while the scent of the sea accompanies stories and fantasies.

Sea, mountains, the scent of Mediterranean scrub and saltiness, Agropoli rises in the splendid setting of the Cilento, Vallo di Diano and Alburni National Park, on the southern tip of the Gulf of Salerno, where the waters reflect the clear light of the sky and history, tradition and culture intertwine. The historic centre perserves traces of its past in the walls, the castle, the typical 'scaloni' (large staircases) and above all in the towers, built to defend the village from pirates. Then there is the beautiful coastline, a site of Community interest, with its 'San Francesco rock' and its small inlets that make it a magical, almost unspoilt place. Not to be missed, linked to the sea, is the traditional feast of Our Lady of Constantinople, when the statue is carried in procession on the sea, followed by the fishermen's boats as a good omen.

If that weren't enough, the boot of Italy is dotted with blue pearls, small and large lakes in the plains areas or high in the mountains that characterize our landscapes. Finding out what's under that delicate line separating water from sky is an impulse that encourages more and more people to have a go at diving. Many courses are available in Italy, even during a short stay, to get closer to this experience in many places where sea-beds are home to wonders. All designed by Mother Nature, of course, with the colours of gorgonian corals home to a rich variety of marine fauna, as well as homo sapiens over the centuries. Under the water, just off the coastlines, evident traces of human evolution emerge which, in Italy as in few other parts of the world, bear witness to an indissoluble bond with our past.

Lake Maggiore is one of the most beautiful Italian lakes and has enchanted the great Italian and foreign artists who have stayed here. It is believed to be the largest of the pre-Alpine lakes, hence the name "Maggiore", it is of glacial origin and its banks are in Lombardy, Piedmont and Switzerland. Surrounded by mountains and hills that shelter it from the cold northern winds, the lake has the Ticino River among its tributaries, a historic water route connecting the Po Valley to Central Europe.

The historic international regatta, the Barcolana in Trieste, is back for its 54th edition. As tradition dictates, it is held on the second Sunday in October, but spans an entire week with a rich calendar of events, including those specially tailored for children. Here is what to do in Trieste with children from 29th September to 8th October 2023, to enjoy the beauty of the Gulf of Trieste and feel like the real stars of the Barcolana.

With over 8,000 kilometres of coastline, Italy is a favourite destination for surfers from all over the world. From the coasts of Sardinia to the varied shoreline of Liguria via the Tyrrhenian ridge, there are many incredible places that provide waves and dream locations, and are more or less suitable depending on the time of year. If you're planning a surfing holiday in Italy, here are the unmissable surf spots in summer and winter, home to the most famous surf schools in Italy. Are you ready to go?

Spring holidays such as Easter are the time of the year when it’s permissible to escape the ritually laid tables and family gatherings. If you are fearless at heart, you could treat yourself to an out of the ordinary, alternative holiday full of adventure, and vivacious fun. Challenge yourself with outdoor experiences and exploring landscapes, with histories and traditions that will take your breath away. Here are 6 exciting destinations to spend an Easter weekend full of open-air fun, starting in southern Italy.

Standing on a board and holding a paddle in your hands: if you too are a Stand Up Paddle enthusiast, which has been sweeping the beaches in recent years along with the more traditional surfing, check this out. Have you ever thought that this water sport can also be enjoyed with great satisfaction in a lake? The crystal clear waters of Trentino, surrounded by forests, are perfect. Here is a map to help you find your way around.