The best beach breaks in Italy: from idyllic islands to chic rivieras, find your next coastal getaway

Get your swimmers ready for sun, sea and sand on an Italian break

From riviera retreats to beachy resorts – such as the gorgeous Club Hotel Baja in Sardinia – Italy has a wealth of must-visit coastal resorts (Jet2holidays)

Italy is renowned for la dolce vita, or living ‘the sweet life’ and you’ll find no better place to do that than basking on one of the country’s gorgeous beaches. With a whopping 4,723 miles of coastline, dotted with some of the most beautiful seaside towns and stretches of sand in the world, you can swim in clear, azure waters, then sip cocktails under a stylish striped parasol. Whether you head for one of Italy’s beautiful lakes or one of its stunning islands, you’re guaranteed the perfect escape.

To help you find that perfect beach holiday this summer, travel experts Jet2holidays offer great-value breaks in more than 50 amazing destinations, including six in Italy. Hotspots and hidden gems, all boards and budgets, flexible stays and fab flight times – there’s something for everyone. With just a £60pp deposit*, 22kg baggage included and flexible monthly payments** to help spread the cost of your well-deserved holiday, it’s never been easier to get that dreamy Italian getaway booked.

What’s more, with the Jet2holidays sale now on, you can enjoy even better value on your break with up to £240 off† all holidays. Simply sign up for a myJet2 account, visit your independent travel agent or call the Jet2holidays contact centre. Book now and let the countdown to sunshine begin.

Here’s our pick of some of the best beach destinations Italy has to offer....

Soak up the sun in Sardinia

Relax on a stunning private beach at Grand Hotel Smeraldo Beach (Jet2holidays)

Italy’s largest island sits in the Mediterranean to the west of the mainland and offers rugged nature and crystal-clear seas all the way from Sardinia’s glitzy resorts of the Costa Smeralda in the north to the unspoilt southern coast.

A stay at the Grand Hotel Smeraldo Beach, close to the glamorous resort of Porto Cervo, gives you access to a private beach as well as four swimming pools, while nearby Club Hotel Baja Sardinia (main picture, above) is set back from the picturesque, rocky Cala Battistoni beach where it has its own reserved section for guests. Not far from either hotel is Spiaggia Rena Bianca, a swathe of pale sand and clear, shallow waters, often labelled as one of the island’s best beaches.

Hilltop backdrops and stylish surrounds make Hotel Calacuncheddi an idyllic stay (Jet2holidays)

Further down the northeastern coast, check into the elegant Hotel Calacuncheddi, just a stone’s throw from the striking Li Cuncheddi beach where the clear waters are perfect for snorkelling. Not far is Cala Brandinchi, nicknamed ‘Little Tahiti’ for its thin arc of soft, talc-like sand lapped by crystalline turquoise waters and surrounded by pine trees.

Find serenity in Sicily

Floating just off the toe of Italy’s boot, Sicily is a true sunshine paradise. Base yourself at the luxurious Delta Hotels by Marriott Giardini Naxos, a relaxing retreat on the island’s northeast coast with its own private beach. Just a 20-minute drive away is the picture-perfect hilltop town of Taormina, which you might recognise from series two of The White Lotus.

Head to Spiaggia di Isola Bella, a semicircular pebble beach reached by cable car, and swim in the translucent waters of the surrounding marine park. Head north west to the coastal village of Scopello, where you’ll view striking rock formations from the breathtaking beach. Nearby, overlooked by the craggy Monte Monaco mountain, is San Vito Io Capo; think turquoise waters and golden sands fringed by palm trees.

Lounge by lovely Lake Garda

The 19th century Grand Hotel Gardone Riviera hotel makes for a memorable stay (Jet2holidays)

Italy is peppered with hundreds of lakes, with the largest being Lake Garda. Check into the elegant, 19^th century Grand Hotel Gardone Riviera, which sits on the lake’s western side and boasts a private bathing platform so you can slip right into the water. For a more traditional-style beach, head to the pebbly shores of Torbole at the northern tip of Garda, where you can enjoy stunning views across the crystalline waters and majestic mountains in the distance.

Blooming with hot pink bougainvillea and windswept pine trees is pretty Spiaggia Fonte Torrente San Giovanni in Limone sul Garda, on the lake’s western side. If you’re looking for more tropical vibes, head to Jamaica beach at the charming southern town of Sirmione, and don’t miss the alluring Parco Baia delle Sirene; located on the lake’s eastern shore, it offers calm, quiet waters and magical scenery.

Relax on the Venetian Riviera

Enjoy days by the pool or on the private beach at Almar Jesolo Resort and Spa (Jet2holidays)

You might not associate Venice with beaches, but the archipelago city is close to a region of pretty towns set along a picturesque bay known as the Venetian Riviera. As well as scenic harbours and historic architecture, you’ll find a handful of attractive stretches of sand. Lido di Jesolo is a traditional seaside town located just across the lagoon from Venice, featuring ten miles of golden Blue Flag beach.

Stay at the luxurious Almar Jesolo Resort and Spa, or the stylish Falkensteiner Hotel and Spa, both of which have their own private section on sweeping Jesolo beach. Further down the coast is busy Capannina Beach, where traders bearing trolleys of cold drinks and ice creams come straight to your sunlounger, while nearby, quieter Cavallino is the place to hire boats or pedalos for family fun.

With a pool overlooking the sea Falkensteiner Hotel and Spa makes a lush getaway (Jet2holidays)

Jet2holidays, the UK’s number one tour operator, offers package holidays you can trust where everything’s included. With you every step of the way, Jet2holidays has an incredible range of great-value, expert-rated getaways for all types of holidaymakers, across more than 50 stunning destinations. From the five-star luxury of Indulgent Escapes by Jet2holidays® to the compelling cities of Jet2CityBreaks, VIBE by Jet2holidays for Insta-worthy stays that suit your style to family-friendly Jet2Villas, the boxes are ticked for every age, budget and interest. What’s more, with holidays secured for just £60pp deposit* and flexible payment options**, plus a host of perks like 22kg baggage and return transfers included††, it’s easy from start to finish. It’s all ABTA and ATOL-protected too, so you can enjoy sunshine with peace of mind. To find out more and book with the best, head here.

^{*On bookings made ten weeks or more before departure. **Terms and conditions apply. Please visit www.jet2holidays.com/part-payment for details. †Based on 4 people. On all holiday departures until 31 October 2025. T&Cs apply. See http://Jet2holidays.com/promotions#60OFFMYJET2SALE ††Transfers are not included as standard on Jet2CityBreaks. Jet2Villas packages include car hire instead of transfers.}