All products are independently selected by our editors. If you buy something, we may earn an affiliate commission.
Italy’s coastline has long shaped the rhythm of the European summer. From the Ligurian Riviera to the shores of Sicily and Sardinia, some of the most chic seaside towns in Italy continue to attract travellers drawn to polished hospitality, exceptional coastal scenery, and a slower, beautifully paced approach to summer living.
For summer holidays in 2026, Italy’s coastal appeal feels particularly broad. Some destinations remain synonymous with old-world glamour and superyacht culture, while others attract visitors seeking quieter stretches of shoreline, refined boutique stays, and long afternoons built around local seafood, beach clubs, and unhurried evenings outdoors.
These are the Italian seaside towns that continue to stand apart for atmosphere, setting, and the kind of luxury experiences that define a memorable Mediterranean summer.
1. Portofino
Portofino remains one of the Mediterranean’s most recognisable harbours for good reason. Curved around a small marina filled with polished tenders and visiting yachts, the village combines Riviera glamour with the intimacy of a fishing port that never entirely lost its original character.
Summer days here revolve around the harbourfront and the hillside terraces above it. Guests arriving at Splendido, A Belmond Hotel, still descend into town for aperitivi in the piazzetta before lingering over dinner at Ristorante Puny or waterfront seafood restaurants overlooking the marina.
Private boat excursions to San Fruttuoso and Camogli remain among the most elegant ways to experience this stretch of the Ligurian coastline, particularly in the quieter hours of early morning and late afternoon.
2. Positano
Positano continues to define the cinematic side of the Amalfi Coast. Its steep cascade of pastel buildings, beach clubs, and terraced hotels remains one of Italy’s most photographed coastal settings, yet the town still feels remarkably atmospheric once the pace slows in the evening.
Many of the coast’s most desirable stays are concentrated here, including Le Sirenuse and Il San Pietro di Positano, both with private terraces and cliffside pools overlooking the Tyrrhenian Sea. Days are often structured around boat charters to Capri, afternoons at Arienzo Beach Club, and late dinners accompanied by uninterrupted coastal views.
Despite its popularity, Positano still delivers the kind of glamour many travellers associate with an Italian summer holiday.
3. Forte dei Marmi
Forte dei Marmi has a different rhythm from Italy’s more theatrical coastal destinations. Favoured by affluent Italian families and long associated with discreet summer wealth, the town is defined by elegant villas, pine-lined streets, designer boutiques, and refined beach clubs stretching along the Tuscan coast.
Its bathing establishments remain central to the experience. Private cabanas at historic clubs such as Alpemare and Augustus Hotel’s beachfront lido create an atmosphere that feels polished without becoming overly performative. Cycling remains one of the preferred ways to move through town, particularly between beach lunches, shopping along Via Carducci, and evening reservations at restaurants like Bistrot Forte dei Marmi.
For travellers seeking understated Italian coastal luxury, few destinations feel more established.
4. Porto Cervo
Porto Cervo remains one of Europe’s defining yacht destinations. Developed around the Costa Smeralda’s emerald waters and sculpted coves, the town attracts an international summer crowd drawn to Sardinia’s combination of beach culture, privacy, and marina life.
The season peaks around the Porto Cervo Marina, where superyachts line the harbour and evenings continue late into the town’s restaurants, bars, and beach clubs. Iconic stays such as Hotel Cala di Volpe and Romazzino, A Belmond Hotel, remain among the Mediterranean’s most sought-after coastal resorts.
Days are often spent cruising between beaches accessible only by boat before continuing to Phi Beach for sunset cocktails and music overlooking the sea.
5. Taormina
Perched above Sicily’s eastern coastline, Taormina combines coastal beauty with a stronger cultural atmosphere than many seaside resorts. The town’s terraces frame views of Mount Etna and the Ionian Sea, while its historic streets remain filled with elegant hotels, boutiques, and Sicilian restaurants.
The reopening and continued prominence of San Domenico Palace, Taormina, A Four Seasons Hotel, has further reinforced the town’s international appeal. Guests divide their time between Isola Bella’s beach clubs, private excursions along the coast, and evenings spent within Taormina’s historic centre.
Its balance of scenery, heritage, and polished hospitality continues to make it one of Italy’s strongest luxury summer destinations.
6. Santa Margherita Ligure
Santa Margherita Ligure offers a softer Riviera atmosphere than nearby Portofino while retaining much of the same elegance. Palm-lined promenades, Belle Époque villas, and polished marinas shape the town’s character, attracting visitors who prefer quieter sophistication over high-profile summer scenes.
The waterfront is particularly appealing during long summer evenings, when aperitivo terraces begin to fill, and private boats return from the Ligurian coastline. Several grand hotels overlook the harbour, while nearby access to Portofino and Cinque Terre makes the town an ideal base for extended stays along the Italian Riviera.
For travellers seeking classic coastal Italy without excessive visibility, Santa Margherita remains one of the region’s strongest choices.
7. Capri
Capri’s reputation has endured for generations, yet the island continues to attract travellers seeking a distinctly glamorous Mediterranean summer. Arrivals by yacht at Marina Grande still set the tone for the season, particularly in July and August, when the island reaches its social peak.
Luxury stays such as JK Place Capri and Hotel Quisisana remain central to the island’s appeal, alongside designer shopping along Via Camerelle and evenings that stretch from rooftop cocktails to dinners beneath lemon groves at Da Paolino.
Private boat excursions around the Faraglioni and towards hidden swimming coves remain one of the island’s defining experiences.
8. Polignano a Mare
Polignano a Mare reflects the growing appeal of southern Italy among luxury travellers looking beyond the country’s traditional resort circuit. Built dramatically above limestone cliffs on the Adriatic coast, the town combines whitewashed architecture with a slower, more intimate atmosphere.
Boutique cave restaurants, small harbours, and private boat tours beneath the cliffs define much of the local experience. The surrounding region also offers access to some of Puglia’s most refined masserie, where countryside stays can easily be combined with coastal afternoons.
The pace here feels measured and relaxed, particularly compared with Italy’s more heavily visited summer destinations.
9. Porto Ercole
Located on Monte Argentario, Porto Ercole has long appealed to travellers seeking privacy and understated coastal luxury. The harbour remains elegant without feeling overstaged, while the surrounding coastline offers secluded coves, sailing routes, and some of Tuscany’s most refined seaside hotels.
Hotel Il Pellicano continues to shape the destination’s reputation, attracting guests drawn to its relaxed glamour, celebrated beach club, and longstanding reputation within Italian high society.
The wider Monte Argentario peninsula rewards slower exploration, particularly by boat or along its coastal roads overlooking the Tyrrhenian Sea.
10. Cefalù
Cefalù combines beach life with a rich Sicilian atmosphere that feels deeply tied to the town’s history. Its Norman cathedral, medieval streets, and expansive seafront create a setting that remains lively throughout the summer without losing its local character.
Boutique stays and elegant small hotels sit alongside traditional seafood restaurants and piazzas that become especially atmospheric after sunset. Visitors often divide their time between the beach, boat excursions along Sicily’s northern coast, and evenings spent wandering through the historic centre.
For travellers seeking a more relaxed Sicilian coastal experience, Cefalù offers warmth and authenticity alongside polished hospitality.
11. Camogli
Camogli retains the charm of a traditional Ligurian fishing town while offering one of the Riviera’s most picturesque coastal settings. Tall painted buildings line the waterfront, backed by steep green hills that descend towards the harbour.
The town’s appeal lies in its slower rhythm. Long seafood lunches overlooking the sea, small boutique hotels, and easy access to Portofino Marine Park make it particularly attractive for travellers seeking a quieter Riviera stay.
Camogli feels most rewarding in the early evening, when the harbour softens into a far calmer atmosphere than many neighbouring destinations.
12. Sperlonga
South of Rome, Sperlonga offers a polished seaside atmosphere that remains comparatively understated internationally. Whitewashed lanes, beach clubs, and clear Tyrrhenian waters have made it a longstanding summer destination for Italian travellers.
The town’s elevated old quarter creates striking coastal views, while nearby stretches of sand continue to attract visitors seeking elegant beach days within easy reach of the capital. Boutique hotels and stylish lidos shape much of the summer experience here, particularly during July and August weekends.
Its proximity to Rome also makes it ideal for combining city stays with a quieter coastal escape.
13. Maratea
Maratea remains one of southern Italy’s most refined hidden coastal destinations. Built along a dramatic stretch of the Tyrrhenian coastline in Basilicata, the town combines cliffs, forested hillsides, and secluded coves with a quieter atmosphere than many better-known resorts.
Luxury here feels more discreet. Boutique hotels are tucked into the hills, private boats access hidden swimming spots, and long lunches often stretch across terraces overlooking the sea.
The coastline surrounding Maratea is particularly striking by water, with rocky inlets and small beaches that remain comparatively uncrowded even during peak summer weeks.
14. Panarea
Among the Aeolian Islands, Panarea has developed a reputation for relaxed yet highly polished summer glamour. Whitewashed houses, bougainvillaea-covered terraces, and yacht-filled waters shape the island’s atmosphere during the Mediterranean season.
The island’s social life centres around waterfront aperitivi, boat excursions, and evenings that continue late into Panarea’s bars and restaurants. Visitors often arrive by private yacht or helicopter, particularly during August when the island reaches its busiest point of the year.
Despite its exclusivity, Panarea still retains a sense of simplicity that distinguishes it from more overtly commercial luxury destinations.
15. Ravello
Although set high above the Amalfi Coast rather than directly beside the sea, Ravello remains one of Italy’s most elegant summer destinations. Terraced gardens, historic villas, and sweeping coastal views create a quieter atmosphere than neighbouring Amalfi Coast towns.
The town is closely associated with grand hotels such as Caruso, A Belmond Hotel, where infinity pools and garden terraces overlook the coastline below. Ravello’s cultural reputation also continues through its summer music festival, which brings classical performances to spectacular open-air settings above the sea.
For travellers seeking refinement, privacy, and a slower Amalfi Coast experience, Ravello remains exceptionally compelling.
The Enduring Appeal of an Italian Coastal Summer
Italy’s seaside towns continue to resonate because each destination offers a distinct version of summer. Some revolve around yacht harbours and polished beach clubs, while others favour quieter piazzas, hidden coves, and evenings shaped by local restaurants rather than nightlife.
Together, they form a coastline that still feels remarkably varied despite its enduring popularity. For summer holidays in 2026, these destinations remain among the Mediterranean’s most desirable places to slow down, settle into the season, and experience coastal luxury with a stronger sense of character and atmosphere than many resort destinations now provide.
