Where Italy gets Caribbean: The 10 most beautiful beaches!

Caribbean alla Italiana: La Pelosa in Sardinia ^{_{Photo: stock.adobe.com/den-belitsky}}

From our editorial team

Caribbean dreams don't have to be a long-haul destination. If you know where to look, you can find beaches in Italy that look so paradisiacal that you have to look twice.

From Apulia to Lampedusa, from Sardinia until Calabria: The Bel Paese has South not just picturesque bays like on the Amalfi Coast, it also offers a real South Sea feeling: bright sand, crystal-clear water, dunes, cliffs and colours that look like wanderlust. These are the 10 most beautiful Caribbean beaches in Italy:

Click on the pins to go directly to the beaches:

1st Pescoluse in Apulia: The "Maldives of Salento"

Pescoluse is located in the deep south of Apulia, on the Ionian coast of Salento. The nickname "Maldives of Italy" may sound like marketing, but it's actually true: the beach is several kilometres long, the sand as fine as flour, the water shallow and so clear that you know what the fish are having for breakfast as soon as you walk in. If you are looking for shade, you will be greeted by low dunes with protected sand lilies blooming between them - a rarity, just like reasonably calm days in August.

If sunbathing alone is not enough for you, drive a few minutes further to Santa Maria di Leuca. There, a 48 metre high lighthouse marks the end of the world - at least for the Romans, who called the place that. Next to it is the pilgrimage church, in front of which the coast plunges steeply into the sea. The road there, the SP358, is one of the most beautiful panoramic routes in southern Italy - but not for those with weak brakes or a fear of heights.

Location:

• Apulia region (Puglia), southern Italy
• Municipality of Salve, Province of Lecce
• Ionian coast, approx. 70 km south of Lecce

Special feature:

• Known as the "Maldives of Salento" 
• shallow, calm sea - ideal for families and children3
• Surrounded by dunes and Mediterranean vegetation, including the protected sand lily (Giglio di Mare)

Beach sections & infrastructure:

• Several lidos, but also free stretches of beach

Best time to travel:

• May to September
• Very busy in the high season, so we recommend visiting early in the morning or in the low season

Address:
Loc. Pescoluse, 73050 Salve LE

More info: Official tourism website

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2nd Cala Brandinchi in Sardinia: Little Tahiti

Cala Brandinchi is located on the east coast of Sardinia, around seven kilometres north of San Teodoro - and at first glance, it doesn't look like Italy, but rather like a Photoshop export from the South Seas. The light-coloured sand is fine, the water almost milky blue, and the transition between the sea and the lagoon is so gentle that you almost forget that there may well be waves here. At the back are pine trees and junipers, in front of which the water shimmers in colours that are otherwise more likely to appear on screensavers. It's no longer an insider tip - but it's one of the few overcrowded beaches that you won't regret visiting.

If you want to escape the hustle and bustle, walk ten minutes north to Lu Impostu beach - similarly beautiful, but often less crowded. And if you have enough sand between your toes, continue on to San Teodoro: a small town with bars, boutiques and the Sardinian attempt to create nightlife without losing the peace and quiet.

Location:

• North-east coast of Sardinia, Gallura region
• Municipality of San Teodoro, near Capo Coda Cavallo
• opposite the island of Tavolara, approx. 7 km from San Teodoro, approx. 25 km south of Olbia

Special features:

• known as "Little Tahiti"
• gently sloping sea, ideal for families
• Surrounded by pine forests, dunes and Mediterranean vegetation
• Birdwatching at the nearby pond with flamingos and herons

Beach sections & infrastructure:

• approx. 700 m long, well-developed beach
• Beach service: sunbed and parasol hire, bar/restaurant, canoe and pedalo hire
• Picnic areas in the pine forest, car park (charges apply in high season)
• Jetty for small boats, sanitary facilities

Best time to travel:

• May to June and September to October: pleasant climate, less crowded
• High season (July-August): very busy, early visit recommended

Address:
Cala Brandinchi, Località Capo Coda Cavallo, 08020 San Teodoro (SS), Sardinia, Italy

More info: Official tourism website

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3rd Fontane Bianche near Syracuse in Sicily

Just a few kilometres south of Syracuse lies Fontane Bianche - a family beach with shallow, crystal-clear water, light sand and a summery, relaxed atmosphere. The name means "white springs" and describes the colour intensity of this stretch of coast quite aptly.

And because Syracuse is only 20 minutes away by car, it's well worth a detour. The old town of Ortygia can be reached via a bridge and is largely car-free - winding alleyways, markets, baroque façades and restaurants in the centre that serve fresh fish without much fuss. For those who want to delve deeper: the Greek theatre from the 5th century BC is one of the largest in antiquity and is still in use today. Fontane Bianche provides the bath towel, Syracuse the context.

How Italy drinks coffee

Location:

• South-east Sicily, approx. 15-16 km south of Syracuse
• Province of Syracuse, directly on the Ionian Sea

Special feature:

• Fine, white and shallow sandy beach
• Named after the freshwater springs that flow directly into the sea at the beach
• Very child-friendly

Beach sections & infrastructure:

• approx. 3 km long, wide sandy beach with public sections and several lidos
• Facilities: sunbed and umbrella hire, beach bars, restaurants, showers, toilets

Best time to travel:

• May to October
• Very busy in high season (July/August), quieter and more relaxed in low season

Address:
Fontane Bianche, 96010 Syracuse, Sicily, Italy

More info: Official tourism website

4. La Pelosa in Sardinia

La Pelosa is located on the north-west tip Sardinia near Stintino: a beach that regularly appears in European rankings - and rightly so. The water is so clear that you can see every crumb of sand even at waist height. The beach itself is light-coloured, almost white, and slopes so gently that you can walk through the water for minutes without swimming. An old Spanish watchtower from the 16th century stands in front of the coast - today a backdrop instead of a bulwark.

Access is limited: If you want to come in summer, you have to book online in advance and pay an entrance fee. This protects the beach - and at least slows down the crowds a little.

Just a few minutes away is Stintino, a small town with a harbour, fish restaurants and surprisingly little hustle and bustle. Boats leave from here to the island of Asinara, which used to be a penal colony and is now a national park with free-roaming donkeys and crystal-clear bays.

Location:

• North-west coast of Sardinia, on the Stintino peninsula
• Province of Sassari, approx. 2 km from Stintino
• View of the islands of Piana and Asinara

Special feature:

• Famous for its snow-white sand and turquoise-blue water
• gently sloping sea, up to 20 metres ankle-deep - ideal for families and children
• Protected by offshore islands, therefore calm even in windy conditions
• Striking panorama with the historic Torre della Pelosa and view of Isola Piana

Beach sections & infrastructure:

• approx. 300-330 metres long, well-developed beach
• Facilities: sunbed and umbrella hire, bar, restaurant, kiosk, toilets
• Water sports facilities: Snorkelling, diving, canoes, surfing
• Car park available (subject to a charge during the season, access with online reservation)

Best time to travel:

• May to June and September - less crowded, pleasant climate
• Very busy in high season July/August, access limited and only possible by reservation

Address:
Spiaggia La Pelosa, 07040 Stintino (SS), Sardinia, Italy

More info: Official tourism website

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5th Baia delle Zagare in Apulia

In the Gargano, the heel of the Italian boot, lies the Baia delle Zagare - a beach that you don't find by chance. Wedged between limestone cliffs, Mediterranean scrub and a wooded steep slope, the bay can only be reached via a hotel lift or a long footpath. You are rewarded with fine, almost white sand and a panorama that impresses even Italians: two free-standing rocks - the Faraglioni - protrude from the emerald green water and give the bay its profile. The number of bathers is limited, which keeps the atmosphere calm and centred.

If you want to do more than just swim, there are plenty of options in the surrounding area. Vieste, the "white town" with its historic centre on the rock, is around 30 minutes away. The Gargano National Park also begins just behind the coast - with ancient beech forests, grottos, monasteries and the pilgrimage site of Monte Sant'Angelo, which towers spectacularly over the sea.

Location:

• Gargano coast, municipality of Mattinata, Apulia region
• Part of the Gargano National Park, nestled between high limestone cliffs

Special feature:

• Known for its spectacular limestone cliffs in the sea, including the iconic Faraglioni "Arco di Diomede" and "Le Forbici"
• surrounded by Mediterranean vegetation and fragrant orange blossom (Zagare)
• Secluded atmosphere, ideal for nature lovers

Beach sections & infrastructure:

• Beach divided into two main areas: exclusive area for hotel guests (access via lift/stairs) and public area (access via long staircase)
• Lido Baia dei Mergoli with sunbeds, parasols and kayak hire
• Access limited in high season to avoid environmental impact
• No bars directly on the beach, provisions recommended

Best time to travel:

• May to September for the best bathing weather and warm water
• Spring and early autumn for fewer tourists

Address:
Baia delle Zagare, 71030 Mattinata (FG), Apulia, Italy

More info: Official tourism website

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6th Spiaggia dei Conigli on Lampedusa, Sicily

The Spiaggia dei Conigli - which translates as "Rabbit Beach" - is located on the island of Lampedusa and is not only one of the most beautiful beaches in Italy, but also regularly ranks among the top beaches in Europe.

Despite the name, you are more likely to encounter turtles here than hares: The protected bay is a nesting site for the loggerhead turtle (Caretta caretta), which is why access is strictly regulated. Visitors are only allowed to descend on foot via a nature trail, and sunbeds or jukeboxes are out of place here. The beach itself consists of fine, light-coloured sand, the water is crystal clear and turquoise, and the Isola dei Conigli in front of it creates a lagoon-like ambience. Boats are taboo, snorkelling is permitted - and well worth it.

If you have time, you should also head for Cala Pulcino or Cala Creta: smaller bays, often almost empty. And in the evening? The best place to go is Capo Ponente - the westernmost point of the island offers sunsets for which you don't need a filter.

Location:

• South-west coast of the island of Lampedusa, part of the Pelagic Islands
• Part of the Riserva Naturale Orientata Isola di Lampedusa, about 6 km from the main town of Lampedusa
• Access via an approx. 800-1000 metre long footpath through a nature reserve

Special feature:

• is considered one of the most beautiful beaches in the world, with fine sand and turquoise-coloured water
• It is named after an islet off the coast ("Isola dei Conigli"), which is temporarily connected to the mainland by a strip of sand
• Important conservation area for the Caretta caretta sea turtle, which lays its eggs here
• Surrounded by unspoilt nature, with Mediterranean scrub and bird resting area
• Known as the "Piscina di Dio" (God's swimming pool), a term coined by the singer Domenico Modugno, who spent his last years here

Beach sections & infrastructure:

• No bathing facilities or commercial infrastructure on the beach
• Visitors should bring their own equipment (sun protection, food)
• Access is limited and must be partially reserved in high season
• The beach is only open during the day (08:30-19:30) to protect the turtle nesting season

Best time to travel:

• Spring to early autumn (May to September) for the best weather and pleasant water temperatures
• Very early arrival recommended to avoid crowds

Address:
Spiaggia dei Conigli, 92010 Lampedusa (AG), Sicily, Italy

More info: Official tourism website

7th Caminia in Calabria

Caminia is located on the Costa degli Aranci, the "Orange Coast" in the Gulf of Squillace, and is one of those beaches that are not known everywhere, even in Italy - but are all the more appreciated when you find them. Nestled between two steep cliffs with grottos, pine trees and rock faces, the bay opens up into a wide strip of light-coloured, almost white sand. The water drops off quickly but remains crystal clear - with visibility depths that will satisfy even the most ambitious snorkellers.

The beach is open to the public, but there are also a few lidos. It can get crowded in high season, but for most of the year Caminia remains comparatively quiet - perhaps because it's almost impossible to get there without a car.

The small monastery of Santa Maria del Monte is enthroned above the cliffs. If you take the path there, you will be rewarded with a panoramic view over the entire bay - pure Calabria.

Location:

• Ionian coast of Calabria, municipality of Stalettì, province of Catanzaro
• Nestled between two imposing cliffs, approx. 10 km south of Soverato

Special feature:

• Wide, light-coloured sandy beach with calm waters and a spectacular backdrop of rocks and lush vegetation
• sheltered, shallow bay
• Less crowded than other beaches
• Grotta di San Gregorio nearby, accessible by canoe or pedalo

Beach sections & infrastructure:

• Public and serviced beach sections with sunbed and umbrella hire
• Cafés, bars and restaurants right on the beach, excellent regional cuisine
• Pedalo and kayak hire, showers, toilets
• Paid car park directly behind the beach

Best time to travel:

• May to September for bathing weather, June and September particularly pleasant and less crowded
• High season July/August: busier, but not overcrowded

Address:
Spiaggia di Caminia, 88069 Stalettì (CZ), Calabria, Italy

More info: Official tourism website

8th Cala Goloritzé in Sardinia

Cala Goloritzé is located on the east coast of Sardinia, in the Baunei region, and is one of the few beaches in Italy that you can't just take on the side. Access is only possible on foot - via an approximately one-hour descent from the Supramonte plateau - or by boat, although anchoring in the bay is prohibited. Those who make the journey end up on a small, almost white pebble beach with turquoise-coloured water that looks more like glass on a clear day.

Behind the beach, the limestone needle Aguglia di Goloritzé rises almost 150 metres vertically into the sky - popular with free climbers and a landmark of the coast. The bay is a nature reserve and was declared an Italian natural monument in 1995.

There is little in the way of tourism here - no bar, no sunbed hire, no hustle and bustle. Cala Goloritzé is not a place for consumption, but a place to be earned.

Location:

• East coast of Sardinia, municipality of Baunei, province of Ogliastra
• At the southern end of the Gulf of Orosei, nestled in the Gennargentu National Park

Special feature:

• Created in 1962 by a landslide, declared an Italian national monument in 1995
• Known for its unique limestone cliffs, including the 100 metre high rock needle L'Aguglia (Punta Caroddi) and the natural rock gate L'Arco di Goloritzè
• Crystal-clear, turquoise-blue water and white pebble beach
• Voted the most beautiful beach in the world in 2025
• Favourite destination for hikers, climbers and nature lovers
• Boat mooring only permitted 200 metres off the coast to protect nature

Beach sections & infrastructure:

• Small, natural pebble beach with no permanent infrastructure (no toilets or showers)
• Access only on foot via hiking trails (approx. 3.5 km from Su Porteddu car park) or by boat (without motor)
• Hiking trails offer spectacular views, especially over Punta Salinas
• Nature reserve with strict rules to protect the environment and limit the number of visitors

Best time to travel:

• May to September for pleasant bathing weather and warm water temperatures
• Early morning arrival recommended to avoid crowds

Address:
Cala Goloritzè, 08040 Baunei (NU), Sardinia, Italy

More info: Official tourism website

9th San Vito Lo Capo in Sicily

San Vito Lo Capo is located on the north-western tip of Sicily, framed by the foothills of Monte Cofano, and offers one of the longest and brightest sandy beaches on the island: around three kilometres of fine, almost white sand, gently sloping and ideal for hours of swimming. The water is clear, turquoise blue and mostly calm - a beach that is touristy, but without the overstimulation of other holiday resorts.

The town itself looks like a Sicilian-North African mosaic: simple white houses, narrow streets, Arabic-influenced cuisine. If you prefer a quieter pace, you can set off from here to the nearby Riserva dello Zingaro nature reserve: crystal-clear bays, hiking trails and a coastline that shows that Sicily can be more than just a postcard idyll.

Location:

• North-west coast of Sicily, municipality of San Vito lo Capo, province of Trapani
• Right next to the village of San Vito lo Capo, framed by Monte Monaco and the lighthouse to the west

Special feature:

• Approx. 3 km long, fine, white-golden sandy beach with crystal-clear, turquoise-coloured water
• Shallow sloping sea, ideal for families and children
• Awarded the Blue Flag and the Green Flag for environmental quality and child-friendliness
• Popular seaside resort with lively beach flair and a wide range of leisure activities

Beach sections & infrastructure:

• Mixture of free beach sections and several well-equipped bathing establishments with sunbed and parasol hire
• Sanitary facilities, showers, beach bars, restaurants and kiosks on the beach and along the promenade
• Hire of pedal boats and other water sports equipment
• Barrier-free access through the "Zero Barrier" project for people with reduced mobility
• Very busy in high season, early arrival recommended to secure good seats

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Best time to travel:

• May to September, with particularly pleasant conditions in late spring and early autumn (May, June, September)
• July and August are peak season with high visitor numbers

Address:
Spiaggia di San Vito lo Capo, 91010 San Vito lo Capo (TP), Sicily, Italy

More info: Official tourism website

10th Riaci in Calabria

The beach at Riaci is located just a few minutes south of Tropea - but is much quieter. The bay is a mixture of fine sand, rock formations and clear water that shimmers from turquoise to deep blue in the sun. The large boulders in the sea are striking and ideal for snorkelling. There is plenty to discover even without a mask: visibility of up to 30 metres is almost normal.

On clear days, the view stretches across the water to the Aeolian Islands - with a bit of luck, you might even see Stromboli on the horizon. Riaci is not glamorous, but typically Calabrian: down-to-earth, natural, a little rough, but warm. A small lido provides coffee, ice cream and parasols - it's better to bring the rest yourself. If you find Tropea too lively, this is the place for you.

Location:

• on the Costa degli Dei (the Coast of the Gods), municipality of Ricadi, near Tropea, province of Vibo Valentia
• approx. 3 km south of Tropea

Special features:

• Fine, shallow sandy beach with clear water
• Known as one of the best beaches in Italy for snorkelling, awarded by National Geographic
• Calm, wind-protected sea with rich underwater world
• impressive rocks ("Scogli di Riaci")

Beach sections & infrastructure:

• Approx. 500 metre long beach with public and serviced areas
• Sunbed and parasol hire, bars, restaurants and bathing establishments near the beach
• Car park available (subject to charge) directly on the beach
• Offers for water sports, snorkelling and kayaking tours as well as boat trips to Capo Vaticano

All about the trendy region of Calabria

Best time to travel:

• May to September, with pleasant temperatures and calm water
• Early morning arrival recommended, especially in the high season July/August

Address:
Spiaggia di Riaci, 89866 Ricadi (VV), Calabria, Italy

More info: Official tourism website