10 Best Resorts in Italy: From Sicily to the Venetian Riviera

If you're familiar with sightseeing in Italy, the coastline of this hospitable country offers a huge variety of resorts to suit every taste – so it's not easy to decide where to vacation. Let's figure out where the best resorts in Italy are located, with beautiful beaches, stunning landscapes, and interesting sights.

Cefalù

This Sicilian resort rightfully ranks among the most beautiful in the country. Excellent beaches coexist here with well-preserved architectural masterpieces, narrow streets straight out of colorful postcards, pizza being cooked and gelato being sold on every corner, and the scent of freshly cooked fish in the air... It's Paradise on Earth, friends!

About the rich history of the city (it has been under the rule of Greeks, Arabs, Normans, French, Swedes, and Dutch before becoming Italian), you will learn from such landmarks as the ruins of the castle and the Temple of Diana (4th century BCE) on Mount Cefalù, the Cathedral included in the UNESCO World Heritage List, the Grand Osterio Fortress (12th century), and the Norman palaces of Maria and Osterio Manio.

Below the Old Town is a small sandy beach, while another, larger one awaits you near the port. Both are among the most picturesque in Italy.

How to get there? You can reach Cefalù from Palermo in about an hour by bus, which departs 5-6 times daily (ticket costs around €25).

Capri

An island in the Bay of Naples, renowned for its beauty and known as a resort since Roman times. In Homer's "Odyssey", these places are described as the abode of sirens, luring sailors into their trap with their song.

There are two populated areas here: Capri and Anacapri. The former is home to most restaurants, shops, bars, and nightclubs, while the latter is more suitable for those seeking a tranquil retreat.

There are no large sandy beaches on the island; instead, the coastline features a series of coves with rugged cliffs, grottos, and pebble beaches. The most popular ones are located near Marina Piccola, the Blue Grotto, and the Faraglioni Rocks.

Interesting attractions in Capri include the ruins of Emperor Augustus's palace, the Tiberius Baths, Villa Jovis, Casa Malaparte, and the Faraglioni Rocks. Capri and Anacapri are connected by the Phoenician Steps, a staircase carved into the rock with 921 steps dating back to the 6th-7th centuries BCE (restored and opened to visitors in 1998). The island's landmark is the Blue Grotto with its azure waters, accessible by lying at the bottom of a small rowing boat.

How to get there? By sea from Naples, Sorrento, Salerno, Positano, or from the island of Ischia. The journey by ferry or hydrofoil from Naples takes 40-80 minutes, with tickets costing €45.

Lido di Jesolo

This resort is located on the Adriatic Sea coast, not far from Venice. Italian tour operators call it the "Venetian Riviera" and praise its golden sandy beaches. Add to this developed infrastructure and a vast number of entertainment venues, and you'll understand why tourists from around the world flood Lido di Jesolo every summer.

The resort's 15-kilometer coastline is covered with golden sand. It is divided into beaches, some of which are open only to hotel guests.

This resort is perfect for those who enjoy a style of vacation where "we sunbathe under the sun during the day and party at night". The only attraction in old Jesolo is the ruins of a church; the nearest "sightseeing" city is Venice. Temporary exhibitions and various shows for children and adults are periodically held here, and the Aqualandia water park operates. Every June-July, the resort hosts a sand sculpture festival, and in August, an air show.

How to get there? The closest international airports to the resort are Venice's Treviso and Marco Polo. Both are connected to Lido di Jesolo by bus.

Tropea

This resort is located on the coast of the Tyrrhenian Sea, in southern Italy. It is famous for its historical center and picturesque surroundings, mainly popular among Italians who come here in July-August. In May, June, and September, it is less crowded, prices drop, and the weather is perfect for a great vacation.

The resort is situated high on cliffs, so on the way to the sea, you will have to cover significant distances daily via stairs or winding roads. There are both private and municipal beaches, all covered with sand and considered the best in Calabria.

The old town is compact; you can walk around it in half an hour. During your walks, you will see the ruins of the fortress wall that once protected Tropea from sea attacks, as well as admire ancient palaces. Don't miss Tropea's landmark, the Santa Maria dell’Isola church.

From here, you can also take a boat trip to the Aeolian (Lipari) Islands of volcanic origin, which appeared about 700,000 years ago. The most famous among them is the active volcano Stromboli, which you can climb to the top of as part of a guided tour.

How to get there? From Naples, the most convenient way is by train with a transfer at Lamezia Terme or Rosarno station. The journey will take a total of 5 hours, with tickets costing from €55.

Sanremo

Located 50 kilometers from Monte Carlo, the "gambling capital of Europe," is its Italian counterpart — the ancient resort Sanremo. In the mid-19th century, representatives of European nobility began to come here for vacation.

The most famous attraction in Sanremo is the casino, operating since 1905. If you're not into gambling, take a stroll through the narrow streets of the Old Town, then visit the port where you can have a delicious lunch while admiring the yachts moored along the shore. Be sure to visit the villa of Alfred Nobel, where he spent his last year of life, and the Hanbury villa in the surroundings of the resort, famous for its botanical garden (nearly 6,000 species of tropical plants).

Sanremo has several pebble beaches (municipal and private), but the water here is murky due to wastewater. Local residents prefer to relax outside the city, for example, in Bussana. By the way, Bussana Vecchia (Old Bussana) is a ghost town. After an earthquake, it was abandoned by its inhabitants and fell into disrepair until artists, musicians, and representatives of other creative professions founded their colony here.

How to get there? Direct trains run from Milan's Central Railway Station to Sanremo (one-way ticket costs €55-60, and the journey takes about 3.5 hours). A taxi from the airport will cost from €650. Nice is closer; you can take a direct train from there.

Santa Margherita Ligure

This resort in Liguria attracts tourists with its old-fashioned charm, beautiful nature, and variety of beaches. Italians, especially affluent Milan residents, love to vacation here.

The beaches of Santa Margherita are considered the best on the Riviera di Levante, the most popular of which is Bagni Minaglia.

If you decide to leave the beach for a while to explore the city, pay attention to the numerous old mansions that now house hotels. Also interesting are the Church of St. Margaret of Antioch, the Church of St. Johannes, the complex including the villas of Durazzo Centurione and San Giacomo, and the Abbey of Cervara. The resort is a convenient starting point for trips to Cinque Terre, Portovenere, San Fruttuoso, Portofino and Rapallo (ferries run between them and the port of Santa Margherita in the summer).

How to get there? The nearest international airport is in Genoa, but since there are rarely cheap flights to Genoa, we recommend flying to Milan. You can get to Santa Margherita by train in a couple of hours; a one-way ticket will cost about 40 euros.

Ischia

The largest island in the Gulf of Naples and one of the most fashionable resorts in Italy, popular since Roman times. It is famous for its thermal springs, the water of which has a positive effect on the human body and is used in various spa treatments.

The oldest part of the island and its capital is the town of Ischia. Most hotels, clubs, restaurants, and shops are concentrated here. The key attraction is the Aragonese Castle, where the entire population of Ischia could shelter during pirate raids. Today, it is a private property open to tourists, housing collections of weapons and instruments of torture.

In the municipality of Forio (western part of the island) is the thermal complex "Gardens of Poseidon," protected by UNESCO. Also worth visiting is La Mortella — an exotic garden created on the site where a lava flow once passed. In the north, in the commune of Casamicciola, is the thermal complex "Gardens of Castiglione," and in the commune of Lacco Ameno in the northeast of the island, you can see one of its symbols — the Mushroom Rock.

In the south, in the commune of Serrara Fontana, are the most expensive hotels on Ischia and two thermal parks: "Tropical" and "Aphrodite-Apollo". In the southeast, the commune of Barano houses Maronti Beach (the best on the island) and the Nitrodi spring, whose water helps prevent and treat skin diseases.

Ischia has three volcanoes: Epomeo (the highest point of Ischia, 789 meters above sea level), Trebotti, and Monte Vezzi. They pose no danger — the last eruption occurred here in 1301.

How to get there? Ferries and hydrofoils shuttle between the port of Naples and the island. Depending on the type of transport, the journey takes from 40 minutes to one and a half hours, and the ticket costs about €45.

Procida

A small island in the Gulf of Naples, snugly located between the mainland and the island of Ischia. There are not many sights here — people come not for them, but for beach relaxation and the special national atmosphere. By the way, the picturesque landscapes of the island have attracted the attention of filmmakers — some scenes of the movie "The Talented Mr. Ripley" were shot here.

One of the nearest beaches to the port is just a few minutes' walk from where you disembark from the ferry. On the opposite side of the harbor, there is another small beach from where you can climb stairs to the Old Town. However, the best beach on the island is in Chiaiolella, which can be reached by bus.

The most famous attraction of Procida is the Abbey of Saint Michael the Archangel, located on Terra Murata cliff. Its library houses ancient manuscripts, and the catacombs feature frescoes. Also of interest is the D'Avalos Castle, which served as a prison for particularly dangerous criminals for a long time. You can cross a bridge to the island of Vivara and visit the nature reserve.

How to get there? The island is connected by regular ferry service to the ports of nearby Naples and Ischia. The journey from Naples takes about an hour, and the ticket costs around €35-45.

Salerno

This resort has been known since 197 BC and today is the center of the Campania region. Rich in attractions, it is ideal for those who want to combine beach relaxation with sightseeing.

We recommend visiting the cathedral, where the relics of Saint Matthew are kept, the baroque palaces of Ruggero and Genovese, the monumental complex of Saint Sofia (former Benedictine monastery), the Papal Chapel, Santoro Palace, and Arèchi Fortress, as well as the botanical nursery "Garden of Minerva".

There is a free sandy beach within the city limits, but cleaner and less crowded options are located in the vicinity of Salerno.

How to get there? The resort is located 60 kilometers from Naples. You can take the Buonotourist bus to Salerno Railway Station (ticket costs around €20).

Gallipoli

An island in Apulia, on the heel of the Italian "boot". It is famous for its clean sea and beaches covered with white sand.

Opposite the entrance to the Old Town, there is a small beach with convenient access to the sea. In the summer, it gets very crowded, so tourists seeking solitude head to the beaches in the surrounding areas. 3 kilometers south of Gallipoli lies Baia Verde, slightly further — Punta Suino. To the north of the city are the beaches of Rivabella, Padula Bianka, and Lido di Conchiglie.

Gallipoli consists of the Old and New Towns, connected by a bridge. Its historic quarters are a labyrinth of narrow streets, where you will come across ancient churches during your walks, such as the Cathedral of Saint Agatha. Crossing the bridge from one part of the city to another, admire the landmark of the resort — the Angevin-Aragonese Castle (13th century). On the mainland side is the Greek Fountain, considered one of the oldest in Italy.

How to get there? The most convenient way is by flying to Bari, and from there, taking a train or bus for several hours. The bus ticket costs around €35.

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