Italy is home to some of the most stunning beaches in the Mediterranean, adding to its long list of accolades for museums, ancient sites, small villages, and cuisine. In the summer months of July and August, when many Italians flock to the country's finest beaches to enjoy their yearly respite at sea, these hidden gems become everything from secret. Still, a beach vacation in Italy may be rewarding with breathtaking landscape, incredibly turquoise waves, dordle and, often, an atmosphere that is distinctively Italian and unlike any other in Europe provided you are prepared (or go in June or September, when the peak season is over). 

In this article, we will go over sixteen of the top beaches in Italy. It goes without saying that "best" is subjective. You can't go wrong with any of them, and what works for one kind of beachgoer may not be ideal for another. So, we aimed high, trying to cover a broad range of locations: busy, quiet, sheltered, ideal for kids, sandy, pebbly, and everything in between. Some even use the warm water from volcanic eruptions to create bubbles. We've also done our best to describe each beach so you can choose the perfect spot for an Aperol spritz, snorkeling, relative seclusion, or a combination of the three.

My 18-month-old daughter and I made our first voyage to Follonica Beach with the sole purpose of locating the ancient Roman road that rumor had it ran close by. It turned out to be down on the same spot where we were standing. Follonica, situated in a protected harbor to the south of Piombino, has a breakwater constructed from the remnants of the Via Aurelia. The end product is a swimming area with water that is as clear as a pool, a clean, soft-sand bottom, and good snorkeling on both sides of the underwater old road. The bulk of Follonica visitors are families with little children, and the town's inexpensive hotels, campsites, and restaurants cater to their needs.