With over 4,700 miles of coastline freckled with some of the world’s most beautiful resort towns and beaches, there’s no doubt that Italy is a top summer destination.
From the pastel-colored towns of the Cinque Terre, the Italian Riviera, to the romantic villages of the Amalfi Coast, there are plenty of beaches to partake in il dolce far niente, the Italian sweetness of doing nothing.
Every week, America Domani will release a list of the top five beaches in each coastal region to prepare you for the summer months ahead. This week’s list will take a look at the Tuscany region, home to the islands of Elba and Giglio, and the Renaissance city of Florence.
Forte dei Marmi
Forte dei Marmi is a seaside town in northern Tuscany, nestled between Pisa and the Cinque Terre. Considered to be an upscale getaway, its seven-mile stretch of fine sandy beach is backdropped by the Apuan Alps. It is known for its elegant, and at times, expensive beach clubs, which are within walking distance to the town’s main attractions.
Cavoli
This beach is located on the island of Elba, known for its sandy beaches and as Napoleon's palace of exile in the early 1800s. It lies in the Tyrrhenian Sea, in the Tuscan Archipelago, alongside the islands of Palmaiola, Giglio, Pianosa, and more. Cavoli beach is a narrow stretch of sand that is particularly popular with Italian families. One of the most popular beaches in Elba, its sheltered position on the island makes it a swimmer’s paradise.
Cala del Gesso
This cove, found on the island of Giglio, is surrounded by dramatic cliffs and seafood restaurants with views of the sparkling blue sea. Activities like snorkeling, paddle boarding, and fishing are common at this secluded cove.
Cala dell’Arenella
This cove, found on the island of Giglio, is surrounded by dramatic cliffs and seafood restaurants with views of the sparkling blue sea. Activities like snorkeling, paddle boarding, and fishing are common at this secluded cove.
Spiaggia di Fetovaia
Located on the south side of the island of Elba and sheltered by half a mile of headland is the Spiaggia di Fetovaia. This small beach has blinding white sand and crystalline waters surrounded by hills sprouting dense Mediterranean vegetation. Boats are generally not allowed into the sheltered cove, giving visitors unfettered access to swimming and snorkeling.
Asia London Palomba
Asia London Palomba is a trilingual freelance journalist from Rome, Italy. In the past, her work on culture, travel, and history has been published in The Boston Globe, Atlas Obscura, The Christian Science Monitor, and Grub Street, New York Magazine's food section. In her free time, Asia enjoys traveling home to Italy to spend time with family and friends, drinking Hugo Spritzes, and making her nonna's homemade cavatelli.