There are many options for beaches in Italy, even if you stay in one of the three major tourist destinations. It can be difficult to find the best beaches close to Rome, Florence, or Venice. It can also be difficult to find out how to get there! These are the most popular and convenient beaches for your Italy vacation.
The best beaches close to Rome
Santa Marinella is the most convenient beach. Although it is crowded on weekends, the sand and water are soft and the water clear. There is also a stretch of beach that is free (i.e. You don’t need to pay for a cabana but you can use your towel free of charge. It’s also super-convenient, taking only 45 minutes to get there by train and costing EUR4.60.
Sperlonga is the most beautiful beach. Sperlonga is a picturesque whitewashed town perched on a cliff overlooking the ocean and the beach below. The beach is also blue-flagged, unlike Santa Marinella. This means it meets high standards of environmental cleanliness, water quality, and safety. It is more difficult to get to Sperlonga than Santa Marinella. It takes about 2 hours to drive from Sperlonga if you rent a car (which can be longer if there is weekend traffic). You can also take the train to Fondi-Sperlonga station for EUR6.90, 1hr 10mins, and then grab a taxi (around EUR20) or bus (EUR1) that runs every hour during the summer.
It is worth noting, however, that many tourists visit the Amalfi coast (which has some spectacular, but small beaches) from Rome. It is about three hour’s drive from Rome, so it is not very accessible.
The best beaches close to Florence
Viareggio is the most convenient beach. The town isn’t very picturesque but the beach offers everything you need: water and sand; restrooms; showers; cafes. It has been blue-flagged. It is great for children because of its shallow water. The beach is also very long so even if it gets crowded you will still find a spot. However, renting a cabana, which you must do here, will be more expensive. The train ride from Florence takes approximately 1.5 hours. The station is half a mile away from the beach.
Castiglioncello is the most beautiful beach. This blue-flagged area of Etruscan coast offers both sandy and rocky beaches. It also has clear water. You will be amazed at the stunning scenery with its coves and cliffs. You can reach the beach in less than 2 hours using the fastest train route (EUR9.60). The Castiglioncello train station lies right next to the beach.
Venice’s best beaches
Lido is the most convenient beach. The Lido beach in Venice is very popular during summer, but it has been blue-flagged and the water is clear. It couldn’t be easier. There are several Vaporetto lines that run from Venice to Lido. The cost for 60 minutes is EUR7.
Caorle is the most beautiful beach nearby. Caorle is a colorful fishing village that has become a resort town. It boasts great restaurants and historic churches as well as a promenade along the coast. There are also many long, sandy beaches. It is a great place to spend the day with children, as there are many places to play, gelaterias and cafes. Caorle does not have its own railway station. It is possible to get there by bus from Venice in 2 hours (check the ATVO website). Or you can take the train to Portogruaro–Caorle station, then catch one of the hourly buses.
