Hidden Gem Beaches in Italy

We rank the 19 hidden gem beaches in Italy. Cala Goloritzé (Italy) comes first with 4.8 / 5, followed by Cala Mariolu, Baia di Ieranto.

The sea reaches about 24 degrees C in season, and most of these beaches are at their best from June to September. 3 of the 19 have easy access, and 19 are hidden gems.

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1Cala Goloritzé

Sardinia, Italy · 4.8 / 5 · Challenging access · about 24 °C

A secluded cove under a limestone needle, reached only on foot or by boat — worth every step.

2Cala 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.

3Baia di Ieranto

Massa Lubrense, Campania · 4.7 / 5 · Challenging access · about 24 °C

A secluded cove on the Sorrentine peninsula, set between steep rocky headlands with deep turquoise water and a rugged, unspoilt shoreline.

4Baia delle Zagare

Mattinata, Gargano, Puglia · 4.6 / 5 · Moderate access · about 24 °C

A pebble cove on the Gargano coast of Puglia, known for its white limestone sea stacks, clear turquoise water and dramatic cliffs backed by pine trees.

5Cala degli Inglesi

San Domino, Tremiti Islands · 4.6 / 5 · Moderate access · about 24 °C

A rocky cove on San Domino in the Tremiti Islands, with clear blue water and a rugged shoreline.

6Cala Fuili

Cala Gonone, Dorgali, Sardinia, Italy · 4.6 / 5 · Moderate access · about 22 °C

A pebble and rock cove near Cala Gonone on the east coast of Sardinia, set below green limestone cliffs.

7Cala Sisine

Baunei, Gulf of Orosei, Sardinia · 4.6 / 5 · Challenging access · about 24 °C

A remote cove in the Gulf of Orosei, where a green canyon opens onto pale sand and shingle.

8Calamosche 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.

9Spiaggia dei Gabbiani

Conero Riviera, Marche · 4.6 / 5 · Challenging access · about 23 °C

A pebble cove on the Conero Riviera in the Marche, set below pale cliffs with clear turquoise water along a quiet stretch of the Adriatic coast.

10Spiaggia 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.

11Torre Guaceto Beach

Carovigno, Puglia · 4.6 / 5 · Moderate access · about 24 °C

A long, flat, sandy beach inside the Torre Guaceto marine reserve on the Adriatic coast of Puglia.

12Baia dei Turchi

Otranto, Puglia · 4.5 / 5 · Moderate access · about 25 °C

A natural bay in Salento, a few kilometres north of Otranto, with fine pale sand, pines and clear shallow water.

13Cala Cipolla

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

A pretty bay on the south coast of Sardinia near Chia, with soft sand, clear water and a rocky headland.

14Marina 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.

15Mingardo Beach

Marina di Camerota, Campania · 4.5 / 5 · Moderate access · about 23 °C

A quiet cove of small pebbles and clear water on the Cilento coast, set between green cliffs near Marina di Camerota.

16Portu Illixi Beach

South-east Sardinia · 4.5 / 5 · Moderate access · about 25 °C

A quiet sandy bay in south-east Sardinia with clear water, low scrub behind the beach and a wild, unhurried feel.

17Cala Rossa

Favignana, Egadi Islands, Sicily · 4.4 / 5 · Moderate access · about 25 °C

A rocky cove on the island of Favignana in the Egadi Islands, with pale tufa cliffs and clear turquoise water.

18Fiascherino 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.

19Balai Beach

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

A small pebble and sand cove on the north-west coast of Sardinia near Porto Torres, with clear water and a rocky shoreline.

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How we picked these beaches

Included when we flag the beach as a hidden gem, meaning it is quieter than the headline beaches nearby, then ranked by editorial score. See how we rate beaches for the full method.

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