The Italian boot is surrounded by almost 8,000 kilometers of coastline – from the sandy beaches of the Adriatic Sea to the sinuous waves and dizzying cliffs of the Tyrrhenian Sea. Add to that more than 400 islands, and you have a beach lover’s paradise. This hotel portfolio includes historic monasteries and Belle Époque villas, exotic masseries and clifftop resorts with private beaches and thermal baths. On the coasts of the mainland or on the islands of the Mediterranean Sea, they are all located in an enchanting setting. From Sardinia to Sicily and from Positano to Puglia, here are the best beach hotels in Italy.
How we assess
Each hotel on this curated list has been visited by one of our expert reviewers, usually hosted free of charge. They stay at least one night, test at least one meal and try other experiences the hotel may have to offer.
This 1960s icon flows down a hill into a secluded private cove on the Tuscan promontory of Monte Argentario, a stone’s throw from the port town of Porte Ercole. It is one of Italy’s most photogenic hotels, popular with photographers and movie stars alike thanks to its dramatic setting and stylish décor by Marie Louise Sciò, creative director of Pellicano Hotels. The picture is completed by a Michelin-starred restaurant, a saltwater pool, a spa, tennis courts and a solarium jutting out into the Tyrrhenian Sea.
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One of the best beach hotels in Italy, Santa Caterina clings to the cliff face in a dazzling coastal setting just outside Amalfi – away from the crowds yet close to Ravello, Positano and ferries to Capri. Owned by the Gambardella family since 1904, the beautiful Art Nouveau villa features a Michelin-starred restaurant and romantic rooms decorated with 19th-century antiques and locally hand-painted ceramic tiles. Lush Mediterranean gardens and lemon groves flow through to the private beach club, with waterfront terraces, saltwater pool and seafood restaurant.
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Liguria’s most glamorous ‘grand dame’ is housed in a vast former monastery in the hills above the port town of Portofino. The lush gardens, infinity pool and breathtaking views over the Gulf of Tigullio make it one of the most romantic places on the ‘coast of the rising sun’; no wonder Richard Burton asked Liz Taylor the question here. You can walk or take the hotel shuttle to the beach and harbor, where public ferries and private boats ply the coast.
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This exquisite 22-room country house hotel combines high-quality Italian design (think vintage yacht style) with a relaxed and welcoming atmosphere. It appears to float on water like a boat, with serene views over the Gulf of Naples. The colorful harbor of Marina Grande, with several public beaches, is a five-minute walk away; Capri town just 10 minutes away by hotel shuttle. Highlights include the romantic, lantern-lit pool on the ocean’s edge and the panoramic JKitchen Restaurant, which focuses on Neapolitan cuisine using seasonal organic produce.
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Le Sirenuse has been enchanting visitors since the 1950s, when John Steinbeck described it as ‘an old family home converted into a first-class hotel, spotless and cool’. Its enticing clifftop location on the outskirts of Positano offers far-reaching views across the village to the ocean; a five minute walk will take you to the port and beach of Marina Grande. Furnished with beautiful antiques and contemporary art, the hotel offers all amenities but still retains the atmosphere of a beautiful private home.
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Named after the giant bear-shaped rock that guards the Strait of Bonifacio on Sardinia’s legendary north coast, the Capo d’Orso sits between two pretty bays where you can sunbathe by the water or stroll the headland. This boutique hotel is run by the Delphina group, proponents of a green ethos on the Emerald Coast. It features bijou ‘cottages’ buried in juniper forests with shady nooks and crannies, a seawater pool and spa, romantic bars and restaurants that float dreamily above the sea. water.
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The legendary San Pietro – haunt of movie stars and royalty – clings to a rocky promontory in a breathtaking setting just outside Positano. Despite its celebrity status and litany of services, it remains a family affair – run impeccably by the Cinque family for over 50 years. The lush gardens and lemon groves, the fabulously romantic terrace bar and the Michelin-starred Zass restaurant all offer enchanting views of the Amalfi Coast; On the water you will find a swimming pool, a spa, a tennis court, a solarium and the outdoor restaurant Carlino’s on the beach.
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This exotic masseria from Puglia – once a medieval watchtower that guarded the sea – is located on a 100-hectare estate through which you can walk, cycle or take the shuttle to two private beaches. You can also sit and wallow in the expansive palm-rimmed lagoon pool in the gardens. With a minimum age requirement of 14, this quiet oasis near the beautiful San Domenico Golf Club will appeal to adults looking for an old-world atmosphere. Guests can also use the facilities of the nearby sister hotels: the glamorous Borgo Egnazia and the rustic Masseria Cimino.
The Sant’Andrea exudes classic Sicilian charm: an aristocratic villa whose bright and high rooms (most with sea views) are lined with marble floors and family heirlooms. Located on the sandy bay of Mazzarò and immersed in exotic gardens, it is just a three-minute cable car or shuttle ride to the historic city of Taormina, allowing guests to combine beach life and urban culture. It offers a free boat trip, an infinity pool, an outdoor spa, good restaurants and fun activities for children, and is suitable for the whole family.
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The Moorish-style Mezzatorre – former holiday home of film director Luchino Visconti – grew up around an ancient watchtower that dominated a rocky bay on Ischia’s northwest coast. Surrounded by pine forests like a castle from a storybook, it overlooks the glittering Gulf of Naples. Now under the wings of Pellicano Hotels, the exotic villa has been updated in an airy retro style. Sybarites can wallow in the thermal spa, the cliff-hanging saltwater pool or in the legendary waters of Ischia; the nearest beach is just over a 10 minute walk away.
Contributions by Ros Belford, Ondine Cohane, Toni DeBella, Chloe Sachdev and Nicky Swallow