The beach is exceptionally busy during the summer months of July and August but you can head a couple of miles up the road to the little fishing village of  Mazzaforno where the beaches tend to be quieter. ), 17 Quick Cinque Terre Tips You Need to Hear, 7 Days in Italy: 7 Ways to Spend a Week in Italy, Visiting Pompeii + Mount Vesuvius: Complete Guide, The Complete (Detailed) One Day in Naples Itinerary + Travel Guide. You might also be interested in: What to pack for Italy in the summer. Most of the "beaches" in the Veneto, Piemonte and Lombardy Regions so not have sandy, white beaches. Rimini’s beach town fame started in the mid-1800s, when a few bathing establishments were built along the Adriatic Sea to accommodate tourism. A striking cascade of candy-colored buildings culminate with an ancient citadel, from which there are incredible views of the town, countryside, and sea. Hi, we’re Kate and Jeremy Storm! In the Gargano you’ll find spectacular sand beaches. Perched on the edge of the boat-filled bay surrounded by colorful houses, it is incredibly beautiful. Commentdocument.getElementById("comment").setAttribute( "id", "a41d160b8ac2c35e2204665fe8311b95" );document.getElementById("fc83fdfcf2").setAttribute( "id", "comment" ); Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. Highlights of Gallipoli Old Town include a wealth of  Baroque buildings, a seaside promenade with a pretty beach and the impressive 13th-century Angevine-Aragonese Castle. Baia Blu, Lerici. That’s the neighborhood of Sa Costa, where colorful houses are perched on the slopes of the Serravalle hill. From Halef & Michael of The Round the World Guys. In the evenings, spend a lot of time relaxing and watching the world go by in Piazza Castello. The north of the country is also dotted with smaller, lesser known cities, such as Turin and Padua, that offer all the character of the more famous cities without the crowds. Ravenna is a quick 90 minute detour on the Venice – Florence train route and can easily be explored in a day trip. Located in the Emilia-Romagna region of northern Italy and just north of Bologna is Modena, another one of the country’s smaller but equally magnificent cities. From there a short stroll along the Molo Audace, a 200-meter paved walkway takes out to sea. Located on the Salento Peninsula in the “heel” of Italy’s boot an hour by car from Brindisi on the Adriatic Coast, Gallipoli is one of the best places to stay in Puglia if you are looking for easy access to the beaches of the Ionian Sea as well as cultural diversions. The capital city of the South Tyrol province, Bolzano is an important, and equally breathtakingly beautiful place. From Alpine mountains and glacial lakes to the sunny shorelines of the Riviera and Adriatic, the geographical diversity of Northern Italy is its most striking characteristic. It’s one of the most beautiful and well preserved Romanesque churches in Puglia. With its scenic backdrop, you will notice glimpses of snow-topped mountains through the side streets when wandering around the city center. The immense palaces and intricately designed buildings appear to float above the winding lagoon dotted with gondolas and scenic bridges. Take a day trip down the coast to Amalfi, Ravello, or any of the charming towns along the way. Situated near Slovenia and isolated from the majority of other Italian cities lies Trieste, a magical and enchanting city. There are many reasons why I think Bosa is one of the best places to see in Sardinia. Gallipoli, Italy (not to be confused with the Gallipoli in Turkey)  happens to have that magical combination of sun, sea, Located on the Salento Peninsula in the “heel” of Italy’s boot an hour by car from Brindisi on the Adriatic Coast, Gallipoli is one of the. The best way to explore Capri and Anacapri is by walking down along the beautiful floral lanes and then going in for a boat experience across the island. The best view over Rapallo can be had from the sanctuary of Montallegro, about 600 meters above the town, easy to reach by cable car, or with a scenic hour-long hike. It’s not all about seafood though, the region of Liguria is known for incredible pesto. Please see our, 7 Phenomenal Italy Road Trip Ideas (+ Driving Tips! This town has it all: wild nature, unspoiled landscapes, excellent food and wine … While Italy's famous beaches, especially those near towns of any size, are crowded all summer, the shores of its national parks remain delightfully wild and uncrowded—if a little harder to get to. Behind you are elegant art nouveau villas, flowering Mediterranean shrubbery, and a charming town... Santa Margherita Ligure (Liguria). It is perched on the Gulf of Trieste and has breath-taking views of the surrounding area. Parma is one of the best small towns to visit in Italy. I often call it Venice’s sister town on the mainland, because of its canals and the spectacular, beautiful Piazza D’Unità D’Italia on the sea. Located about an hour from Palermo, the town of Cefalu, pronounced Chef-a-loo, is home to beautiful beaches and a historical town–you won’t find any high rises here! My name is Chrissy, You might want to check out: The most beautiful towns in Lake Como and Lake Como or Lake Garda, where to go? The secret beach town of Tropea is a hidden gem. Sampieri beach, a few miles south of Ragusa, boasts a vast expanse of pretty much deserted golden sand, and nearby are the Unesco-listed towns of … What is clear from this article is that northern Italy is immensely diverse, and you could travel between various towns and cities and experience a completely different side to the country. Highlights of Gallipoli Old Town include a wealth of  Baroque buildings, a seaside promenade with a pretty beach and the impressive. Tropea Credit: GETTY Nearest airport: Lamezia Terme. As an Amazon Associate, Lone Star Travel Guide earns from qualifying purchases. Nominated the second most beautiful town in Italy, you can’t go wrong with a visit to Bosa on Sardinia’s western coast. It’s not very often you discover a beach destination where there also happens to be an ancient castle in the middle of town. The main beach is lined with typical Italian beach clubs where you can splash in the open Ligurian Sea or lounge in style with your cappuccino or glass of wine. The beaches here are pebbles right down and into the water. When you get hungry the cobbled streets of the old town are not far away. The five towns are Riomaggiore, the largest and busiest, Manarola, which is slower-paced and picturesque, Corniglia, which is much less touristy, Vernazza, which is home to a magnificent castle, and Monterosso al Mare, which hosts the best beaches. Situated in the south region of the Alps lies the picturesque town of Cortina. Elite Escapes. The town is divided into two sections, the old town, and the new town. One of the city’s more modern charms is the fact that it was where Ferrari cars were invented; there is now a museum that tourists can visit commemorating the history of the supercars. From Gemma of A Girl and Her Dog on the Road. The views of the emerald green cove and the golden abbey from the hills above is iconic. Abruzzo has 82 miles of white, sandy beaches, ancient towns and the high peaks of the Apennines. In terms of population, this region of Italy has an estimated population of at least 27.2 million inhabitants. One of the best ways to do this is by taking the Cable Car Renon up the mountains and stagger at the awe-inspiring views of the neighboring Alps and city of Bolzano below. Also, ensure that you make a visit to Ponte di Tiberio, a magnificent bridge built in 21AD with an extensive history. The Ideal One Day in Milan Itinerary (+ Last Supper Details! Castro is also the place I suggest to seafood lovers: here you can enjoy the very best local fresh fish and seafood both in restaurants and in small and friendly food trucks and seafood bars. In San Fruttuoso, which is only accessible by foot or boat, the pebbly beach is framed by a 10th Century abbey and covered in the ubiquitous sunbeds and umbrellas that characterize Italian beaches. We have 2 girls, 11 and 14, who love the water. It’s a long stretch of white sand lined with palm trees and small kiosks where you can stop for a light meal or a drink. One of the most amazing things in Parma is Teatro Regio di Parma, which is an opera house that was built in 1829; the interior is truly breath-taking. When the sea is calm, from the rocks you can plunge into the blue waters and enjoy a lovely swim. I’d recommend hiring a car and taking your time to discover many of the beautiful towns on this stretch of coast, including the nearby town of Monopoli. Check out all our expert guided tours at walksofitaly.com.And if you like small towns, read our blogs on the best small towns to visit all around Italy.. Among the more vibrant small cities overlooking the amazing sea of Salento, there is Castro. When you aren’t relaxing on the beach, take some time to go on a hike. When you first arrive in the historic center of Bologna, you will feel as though you have stepped back in time to Medieval Italy. 6 … At night, one of the best things to do in Cagliari is going to Poetto for a drink or to one of the outer kiosks where there regularly is live music. Here you’ll find the quintessential landscape of dreamy hill towns and cypress trees that seems to come straight from a quattrocento masterpiece. Notify me of follow-up comments by email. Prices drop halfway through the day. Source: Krzyzak / shutterstock. An ancient riverbed divides the town in two, and in the middle, you’ll find the picturesque Lama Monachile, which is undoubtedly one of the most beautiful beaches in Puglia. The gateway to visit Tropea, you can plunge into the mix is just unfair and ability you restrooms. Is a must-see containing medieval frescoes and relics northern italy beach towns old town freely vantage point over Monachile. 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