When it comes to the ultimate vacation to Italy, towns on the coast may immediately come to mind. With roughly 4,900 miles of coastline, the Italian peninsula offers vastly different flavors of sun, sea, and sand all over the European boot: the lemon-scented beauty of Positano; the handsome elegance of verdant Portofino; the rustic and laidback vibes of Med-side comunes in Puglia, the breathtaking higgledy-piggledy buildings in all five settlements of Cinque Terre, and the big yachtin’-in-Capri energy of Italy’s glamorous island resorts.
In Italy, it’s always a good time to head to the ocean—even in the off-season. It’s just a matter of which coastal town to visit and fall in love with. The bustling restaurants of Rome, the sleek hotels of Milan, and the historic museums of Florence can wait; as much we adore the great cities and rolling hillsides of Italy, towns on the coast have plenty to offer all types of travelers, whether visiting for the first time or marking their tenth passport stamp from Rome-Fiumicino.
Below, see 15 of the best Italian coastal towns, from Sicily to Manarola, as well as Condé Nast Traveler-approved recommendations of where to stay. These coastal havens have Mediterranean views, pristine beaches, excellent seafood, and well-preserved architecture—all of them well-worth a stop on your next trip. Warning: You may never want to come back.
This gallery has been updated with new information since its original publish date.
