The Best Beach Holidays in Italy

Gorgeous sunshine, beautiful sandy shores, dramatic landscapes and one of the finest restaurant cultures on earth... Italy really is the country which has everything. With stunning coastlines along both the Mediterranean and Adriatic seas, it’s a nation which offers beach lovers a massive range of choices - indeed, a trip to Italy will allow you to explore truly astonishing places in which you can sunbathe, swim, surf and enjoy the enviable beach culture the locals get to experience on a daily basis.

We know that our customers are a suave bunch, and as a result, you’re going to fit right in on the golden beaches of Italy. More so than in any other country, great style is truly appreciated on the Italian coastline - it’s the kind of place where making a bit of extra effort with your appearance can reap great rewards, and your eye-catching Sanwin Beachwear is sure to help you stand out from the crowd.

If you’re interested in a beach holiday in Italy, it’s worth taking a closer look at the sheer range of resorts and locations there are to choose from. We’ve put together a far-from-exhaustive list of top beach locations in Italy, selected for their beauty, sophistication and potential for fun in the sun for you to choose from. However, it’s worth noting that in Italy, you’re never far from a world-beating beach… so no matter where you decide to spend your Italian beach holiday, you’re pretty much guaranteed a slice of la dolce vita!

The Classy One: San Fruttuoso, Liguria

If you’re on a beach holiday in Liguria, you’re going to spoilt for choice when it comes to stunning and elegant stretches of coastline. However, special mention must go to San Fruttuoso, not least because it’s home to some of the most picturesque and sophisticated seafood restaurants on earth, with views overlooking the sparkling sea and golden sands. Just a short boat ride from Portofino (another top beach resort, and a favourite of the yacht-sailing elite), San Fruttuoso is one of those places you can unwind with a top bottle of sparkling wine and a plateful of lobster, and with the sun on your back you can truly feel like all is good in the world.

With its secret coves, gentle waters, and more beautiful sun-kissed women than you could imagine, this is a genuinely special part of the country which few tourists take the time to uncover. However, to do so is to get to the real heart of stylish, laid-back and flawlessly elegant Italian coastal culture. Bellissimo!

The Underrated One: Tropea, Calabria

Calabria as a region often gets overlooked by tourists seeking the perfect Italian beach holiday, and when you look at the unregulated mess that makes up some its coastline (half-finished hotels, sprawling cities and a hefty mafia presence), it’s not difficult to see why. But - and this is a big but - scratch beneath the surface and do a little research, and you’ll be able to discover some seriously incredible beach resorts, offering some of the most incredible views and unspoilt beaches found anywhere in the country.

Tropea is a seriously good example; it’s a chic and rustic old town, filled with great trattorias offering traditional fare at low prices - meaning you can go all-out when it comes to food and drink. The coastline at Tropea boasts craggy cliffs with views overlooking the Aeolian islands, perfect for romantic evenings with a local beauty admiring the sunset, or for some party-filled nights at one of the local beach clubs.

The Foodie One: San Vito Lo Capo, Sicily

Sicily is a fascinating island, and one which features more beaches than you could ever hope to visit in a year, let alone a week or two of holidaymaking. With some of the best weather found anywhere in Europe, it’s the ideal destination for sun-worshippers and those looking to maximise their time on the sands, and one of our favourite resorts is the fantastically decadent San Vito Lo Capo.

This coastal resort in Sicily boasts a three kilometre stretch of golden beach, which features beautiful and dramatic views of Monte Monaco and a lively bar scene. However, the main draw is the food - if you’re looking for the perfect blend between Italian fare and Arabic cuisine, San Vito Lo Capo seriously impresses. The island’s Moorish history is evident here in the combination of locally caught tuna and couscous, as well as other superb fusions of the two cultures. Amazing wines (including the superb Sicilian Nero d’Avola wines), a louche cafe culture, and a plethora of watersports means you’ll never get bored, and you’ll never want to leave.

The Glamorous One: Monte Argentario, Tuscany

It’s difficult not to imagine you’re a 50’s or 60’s film star when in Tuscany, and you can easily imagine yourself as Cary Grant or Gregory Peck as you wander along the gorgeously luxurious beach resorts and stay at some of the region’s most glamorous hotels. To get the full vibe and the best excuses to show off your designer swimwear, head to Monte Argentario, a resort which has some of Italy’s best hotels and secluded beaches, and which is impossible not to fall in love with.

With a wide range of spas and Michelin starred restaurants, you can really live the good life in Monte Argentario, in the way which only the Italians know how to do properly. Beautiful women, incredible food, the bluest waters in all of Europe and a close proximity to some of the best wineries on the continent… it’s about as close to heaven as you can get.

The Hidden Gem One: Vasto, Abruzzo

Southern Italy has plenty of well-trodden tourist resorts. However, we know that Sanwin Beachwear fans like things to be a little more exclusive, and as authentic as it gets. As such, we have no doubt that Vasto in Abruzzo is going to tick all of your boxes when it comes to discovering a top-notch beach holiday destination in Italy. With its white sand beaches, year-round sunshine and snails-pace way of life, it’s the kind of coastal region where you can truly lie back and reset your batteries, as well as have a huge amount of fun exploring and enjoying the beach culture it offers.

This part of the Adriatic coastline is also fantastic for those wanting to get away from the hustle and bustle of the city, and soak in some natural beauty, too. With nature reserves aplenty and perfect opportunities for fishing, hiking, surfing and other such activities, it’s going to allow you to get in touch with nature and have a fantastic time doing so, too. The wine and food’s amazing, the sands are as idyllic as you’re likely to find anywhere else on earth, the people hospitable… could it get much better than this?

There you have it: our top 5 recommendations for Italy beach holidays that are off the beaten track. No matter where you choose to spend your next holiday, be sure you’re packing a stunning pair of Sanwin swim shorts - the perfect way to stand out from the crowd and boost your confidence on the sands, at the pool, and anywhere you wear them!