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Best Beaches in Italy in May

We rank the 17 beaches to visit in Italy in May. Cala Mariolu (Italy) comes first with 4.8 / 5, followed by Cala Luna, Porto Giunco.

The sea reaches about 23 degrees C in season, and most of these beaches are at their best from May to September. 10 of the 17 have easy access, and 5 are hidden gems.

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Cala Mariolu, Gulf of Orosei, Sardinia, Italy

1Cala Mariolu

Gulf of Orosei, Sardinia, Italy · 4.8 / 5 · Challenging access · about 23 °C

A pebble cove with vivid turquoise water below steep cliffs, reachable only by boat or on foot.

Cala Luna, Gulf of Orosei, Sardinia, Italy

2Cala Luna

Gulf of Orosei, Sardinia, Italy · 4.7 / 5 · Challenging access · about 22 °C

A crescent of pale pebbles and coarse sand between limestone cliffs, with caves along the back and a freshwater pond behind the beach.

3Porto Giunco

Villasimius, Sardinia · 4.7 / 5 · Easy access · about 23 °C

A wide sandy beach in the south-east of Sardinia, with an old watchtower on the headland and a lagoon behind.

4Spiaggia Grande

Amalfi Coast, Italy · 4.7 / 5 · Easy access · about 23 °C

Nestled beneath the pastel-coloured cliffside village of Positano — one of the most dramatic and romantic settings in Europe.

Calamosche Beach, Vendicari, Noto, Sicily

5Calamosche Beach

Vendicari, Noto, Sicily · 4.6 / 5 · Moderate access · about 24 °C

A small sandy cove between rocky headlands inside the Vendicari nature reserve on the south-east coast of Sicily.

6Punta Molentis

Villasimius, Sardinia · 4.6 / 5 · Easy access · about 23 °C

A small beach of pale sand and clear shallow water near Villasimius, between low granite rocks.

Scala dei Turchi, Realmonte, Sicily, Italy

7Scala dei Turchi

Realmonte, Sicily, Italy · 4.6 / 5 · Easy access · about 24 °C

A dazzling white marl cliff carved into giant steps above a small sandy beach on the south coast of Sicily, near Agrigento.

Spiaggia di Piscinas, Arbus, Costa Verde, Sardinia

8Spiaggia di Piscinas

Arbus, Costa Verde, Sardinia · 4.6 / 5 · Moderate access · about 22 °C

A wild, long beach backed by some of the tallest sand dunes in Europe, on the Costa Verde of south-west Sardinia.

9Fetovaia Beach

Fetovaia, Elba · 4.5 / 5 · Easy access · about 23 °C

A curved bay of golden sand and granite grains on Elba south-west coast, with calm clear water and a pine-scented hillside behind.

10Marina di Praia

Praiano, Amalfi Coast · 4.5 / 5 · Moderate access · about 24 °C

A small pebbly cove at the bottom of a steep gorge, with a pretty old fishing hamlet, a few restaurants and a sea that is deep blue and very clear.

Punta Prosciutto, Porto Cesareo, Salento, Puglia

11Punta Prosciutto

Porto Cesareo, Salento, Puglia · 4.5 / 5 · Easy access · about 25 °C

A long sandy beach on the Ionian coast of Salento, backed by dunes and part of a protected area within the Porto Cesareo marine reserve.

Sa Colonia Beach, Chia, Domus de Maria, Sardinia

12Sa Colonia Beach

Chia, Domus de Maria, Sardinia · 4.5 / 5 · Easy access · about 24 °C

A sandy beach at Chia on the south coast of Sardinia, with a coastal lagoon behind it where pink flamingos sometimes feed.

13Sansone Beach

Portoferraio, Elba · 4.5 / 5 · Moderate access · about 23 °C

A small bay of bright white pebbles and clear turquoise water on Elba north coast near Portoferraio.

14Cala Sinzias

Castiadas, Sardinia · 4.4 / 5 · Easy access · about 24 °C

A wide, gently shelving bay of fine pale sand and shallow turquoise water in south-east Sardinia, with granite rocks and pines on both sides.

Fiascherino Beach, Fiascherino, Lerici, Liguria

15Fiascherino Beach

Fiascherino, Lerici, Liguria · 4.4 / 5 · Easy access · about 22 °C

A small cove on the Gulf of La Spezia between Lerici and Tellaro.

16Fornillo Beach

Positano, Amalfi Coast · 4.4 / 5 · Moderate access · about 24 °C

A pebbly beach in a small bay west of Positano town, calmer and less crowded than Spiaggia Grande.

17Budoni Beach

Budoni, Sardinia · 4.3 / 5 · Easy access · about 24 °C

A long sweep of fine white sand and clear shallow water on Sardinia north-east coast, backed by dunes and juniper.

Quick comparison

#	Beach	Country	Score	Water	Best season	Access
1	Cala Mariolu	Italy	4.8	23 °C	May–September	Challenging
2	Cala Luna	Italy	4.7	22 °C	May–October	Challenging
3	Porto Giunco	Italy	4.7	23 °C	May–October	Easy
4	Spiaggia Grande	Italy	4.7	23 °C	May–October	Easy
5	Calamosche Beach	Italy	4.6	24 °C	May–October	Moderate
6	Punta Molentis	Italy	4.6	23 °C	May–October	Easy
7	Scala dei Turchi	Italy	4.6	24 °C	May–October	Easy
8	Spiaggia di Piscinas	Italy	4.6	22 °C	May–October	Moderate
9	Fetovaia Beach	Italy	4.5	23 °C	May–September	Easy
10	Marina di Praia	Italy	4.5	24 °C	May–September	Moderate
11	Punta Prosciutto	Italy	4.5	25 °C	May–September	Easy
12	Sa Colonia Beach	Italy	4.5	24 °C	May–October	Easy
13	Sansone Beach	Italy	4.5	23 °C	May–September	Moderate
14	Cala Sinzias	Italy	4.4	24 °C	May–September	Easy
15	Fiascherino Beach	Italy	4.4	22 °C	May–September	Easy
16	Fornillo Beach	Italy	4.4	24 °C	May–September	Moderate
17	Budoni Beach	Italy	4.3	24 °C	May–September	Easy

How we picked these beaches

Included when the beach usual swimming season covers the month, then ranked by editorial score. See how we rate beaches for the full method.

Frequently asked questions

Which are the top-rated beaches to visit in Italy in May?

Our top three are Cala Mariolu (4.8 out of 5), Cala Luna (4.7 out of 5), Porto Giunco (4.7 out of 5). Scores are editorial ratings from the EuroShores team.

When is the best time to visit these beaches?

Most are at their best from May to September. Water temperatures average about 23 degrees C in season. Each beach page lists its exact season.

Which of these beaches are easiest to reach?

Porto Giunco, Spiaggia Grande, Punta Molentis, Scala dei Turchi, Fetovaia Beach and 5 more have easy access. The others need a walk, stairs or a rougher road, so check the access note on each page.

More lists

All beaches in Italy · Beach finder · Map of all beaches · All lists