Best beach spot in Italy in mid June

These are good options, I would like to add a suggestion which is the Aeolian Islands (off of Sicily). It's quite a unique landscape and has some nice beaches as well. If you are thinking of Sardinia we had some very nice beach days in and around Santa Teresa di Gallura at the northern tip of the island. From there you can also do boat trips to the Maddalena Islands (or even stay on those islands) which have some of the best beaches in the Mediterranean. One thing to note about Italian beaches is many tend to be rocky rather than sandy, so you may want to check that as you research. Good luck deciding.

Thanks so much Cat

Great tips will take a look. Can I ask have u also been to south of France? How does that compare to.

For south of France, I've not been to the beaches during the summer beach season, but I know they have some nice (and sandy) ones. However, speaking of French beaches, we had a really nice beach holiday one year in Corsica- they have some lovely beaches, and my favourite was near Bonifacio in the southern tip of the island. Bonifacio is actually really close to Santa Teresa di Gallura in Sardinia- you can see one from the other across the water. We did those as two separate holidays but you could have a really nice time visiting both (there are ferries between them). There are also some small islands off of Bonifacio called the Lavezzi islands which I have not been to but look amazing. Honestly, I think wherever you choose you will have a good time!

Are you going this month?
If so, you might want to decide pretty quick so you can find a hotel.

Much depends on the rest of the itinerary and your form of transport.
I’d rule out Amalfi coast as the beaches are small, rocky, the whole place is overwhelmed with crowds.
Cilento has marvelous beaches, Sardinia’s second to none but you need ample time if heading to the island.

My own ranking of best:
Sardinia (the top of the top)
Puglia (Salento area and Gargano peninsula)
Calabria (Tropea area, Sovereta area, Scilla, Maratea, which is actually in Basilicata)
Sicily (San Vito Lo Capo, Zingaro reserve, Cefalu) and all the smaller Sicilian islands (Aeolian, Egadi, Pelagie)
Campania (Cilento). Amalfi Coast is nice but way too crowded, including the islands around.
Tuscany (Maremma, Mt Argentario, Tuscan Archipelago)

Maratea would be near the top of my list, too.
Not Amalfi Coast, for sure.
Salento
Vieste (Gargano)

Here's a recent article from Condé Nast Traveler, about the "best" beaches in Italy:

https://www.cntraveler.com/gallery/best-beaches-in-italy?utm_source=nl&utm_brand=cnt&utm_mailing=CNT_Daily_060125&utm_campaign=aud-dev&utm_medium=email&bxid=6075fdbd3dd9376e1843f5a6&cndid=62878162&hasha=0dee8c5e0c0937a65978470ef18bed0e&hashb=07ba9341519f1b8b1b2ae8aa19c1faf81fbae0de&hashc=f1522ec5867c84021c24485183ea9431ead3d4883722620dc492041379079aa4&esrc=IDCONDENAST_REGGATE&utm_term=CNT_Daily

How Rimini made it on a list of the most beautiful beaches in Italy we will never know.

That's the first thing I thought of when I read that article. Not only that, but there are quite a few other things I would quibble about. For one thing, does the beach at Atranii really look like the one in the photo?

And from what "ocean" should we get a great view of the Riviera del Conero?
Forio is "one of the prettiest coastal towns in Italy?"
Stay in Palermo to visit Scala dei Turchi?

According to the article, most of the best beaches are on the islands, not mainland Italy....

As far as San Fruttuoso, "This secret bay can be reached only by hiking from Portofino or by ferry from Rapallo or Comoglu—but that seclusion is part of the appeal." And this is in a publication that touts itself as the best travel magazine in the US (??)

In June, I’d personally avoid the Amalfi Coast if your goal is to relax by the sea. While it’s stunning, it can get pretty crowded even early in the summer (I was there last June). Sardinia or Sicily would probably be your best bets.

Are you going this year or next? Have you booked hotels yet? If not it’s probability too late. Don’t forget, today is a national
Holiday, it being La Festa Della Reppublica, celebrating the fall of fascism and Mussolini. Personally, and given your request for the best beaches in Italy, a broad question to be sure, I LOVE the beaches in Liguria, south east Sicily, Salento, yes, even the pebble beaches, and Alghero. You don’t say what region of Italy you’ll be visiting though.

Amazing, going to historic Italy to go to the beach.
If you are from the USA, beaches are better there than Italy.

To each his own. I’m in California and go to Hawaii every year in winter, but I still enjoy the beaches of Sardinia or Puglia or many other places in the Mediterranean. They are not the same and American beaches are not better or worse, they are different. Just because Europe has so many famous museums doesn’t mean Europeans shouldn’t bother to come to the US to visit the Met or the MOMA or the Getty, and stick to Yosemite or the Grand Canyon only.

I so agree! What better way to immerse oneself in Italian life than to spend some time at a beach club?
We've had some fabulous vacations centered around beaches: Martha, the Cilento, Liguria, Senigllia, Salina....(well, the last not so much for the beach, but for the pool!)

Last year took a week in a rural hotel outside Marina di Ragusa....heaven!
Happy to say that I did not visit one museum on that last trip, to Sicily.

And I never go to the beach at home in the US.

I think the OP is having one on us....going in mid June, (so, next week?? week after??) but no hotels booked...(??) and no firm itinerary. I wish I could be so spontaneous! I already have my hotels booked for October.

I suspect the OP is planning for June 2026 not for this month.

As regards the ranking I agree with Roberto, good advice there

Thanks so much Roberto, Ekscrunchy, Jon and the rest of the wonderful tips from traveller friends.
Sorry for the delayed response as we were busy getting ready to go..
So currently we are in Rome which is incredible..
We decided this trip to leave some dates open and travel by the fly, on a whim depending on the day, weather and how we felt once we got here.
So far it’s been incredible, probably my favourite things has been getting lost, and walking down a street that was so beautiful my heart skipped a beat. Or just stopping and smelling the roses.. lol.
The Colosseum was good, and Ancient Rome was something else…
We are in Rome for 4 nights then onto our next part which the seaside sounds perfect as it’s getting hot!
As there still seemed to be a bit of accommodation available, hence us leaving the by the sea part of our trip open…
Sardinia would also be at the top of our list if it wasn’t so far.. we are still a little jet lagged after 24 hours of flying from Australia!!

But otherwise the Cilento does sound good.
We then will be heading north, to the French Rivera and Provence for 10 days.

And ending our trip back in Tuscany for 12 days in July.

How hot is Tuscany in July? Is it still ok staying in the Val d orca had booked with a pool but is it still enjoyable or too hot??

Thanks for your help and great advice.

If you are from Australia, I don't think the heat of Tuscany in summer (yes, it will be scorching) will be anything unusual for you.
Anywhere in the Cilento should be a relatively easy trip, fast train to Salerno and then switch to local transport.

Thanks for the heads up and yes absolutely it’s hot in Australia..
Also thanks Cat for wonderful advice. Bonifacio sounds beautiful alongside Sardinia!!

It depends on where in Australia you are. In July Tuscany during the day is hotter than Sydney during the day in January, and similarly muggy. Melbourne and Tasmania are definitely cooler.
If you have 4 days, rent a car in Olbia and head north. There are many nice beach spots, but not in Olbia which is kind of an industrial port town.

Thanks Roberto,

Great tips.
Any suggestions on best areas of the Cilento coast? The other option but maybe it’s super packed would be ischia?

In Cilento I’ve stayed in Santa Maria di castellabate which was beautiful - close to Paestum and you can day trip to some other beautiful areas like marina di camerota. This was many years ago and at least then we were the only Americans …so our Italian came in handy… Perhaps it’s changed now. I wouldn’t hesitate to go back!

Don't leave Maratea out of the equation!!
One of the most beautiful beaches I've seen in. Italy was there...La Secca. But there are innumerable beaches along the coast, stretching for many miles below the actual town of Maratea.

In Cilento, also look at Marina di Camerota, and Palinuro, which many people think has the best beaches in Cilento. The town of Palinuro, though, is very tourist oriented.

Thank you so much Eks

Wonderful advice…
After this part of the trip we are heading north towards south of France, did you have some favourite coastal areas in Liguria or Genoa.
Thank you

Camogli is beautiful!