Temperatures are on the rise…and so is the urge to grab the flip-flops and head for the nearest beach. Summer practically insists we enjoy at least one romp in the salty sea, no matter which part of the globe we find ourselves in. But if you’re Italian, heading for a beach whenever possible during summer months is practically a sacrament. Likewise, if you’re a straniero (foreigner) blessed with a visit to the Bel Paese, the opportunity to enjoy some Italian sand and surf should not be missed. 

Italy’s best  beaches

Italy is recognized for her wide array of incredible beaches from north to south, east to west. After all, with over 5.000 miles of coastline, getting to a beach requires practically no more than a two-hour journey in any cardinal direction. From the cliff-hugged and wildly popular beaches of Liguria and the Italian Riviera, to Puglia and Sicily’s astonishing crystalline blue waters, to the unbroken sandy stretches along Le Marche,  north into the Veneto and Friuli regions, a beach for almost every taste can be found. Not only is the offering of countless fabulous beaches abundant, Italy is also home to an impressive ten-percent of the world’s best beaches.