uncrowded sand beaches

Most of the beach around Italy and the northern Medare not sandy -- mostly small pebbles. They will be sand in another 1000 years. Which islands are you asking about?

I was curious about Elba Island and had seen some beautiful pictures of Port Azzurro. We had certainly thought about Sorrento, but I get the impression that it is very crowded. We're looking for something a little more quiet.

Early and mid-may the beaches will be empty. The private beaches will just be opening. That doesn't mean that there won't be a sea of umbrellas and possiably you would have to pay to rent them (8-10 euro a day). You can walk the beaches for free. There is sandy ones south of Cinque Terre. I can't remember the names of the towns now... but south of La Spezia and north of Livorno.

Lake SUperior has sandy beaches, usually uncrowded in May for some reason. Why in the world would you want to go to Italy??

Karen,
: ) Clearly you've been to my neck of the woods!!! Now you know what I'm looking for!

If you were thinking of going all the way down to Sorrento for beaches, try the island of Procida - a thirty minute ferry ride from Naples. It has sandy beaches and no tourists.

This may be obvious, but the water will still be very chilly in May. Consider going much farther south, if that's what you want. Perhaps the south coast of Sicily?

The beginning of May is the beginning of swim season, so May will be early in the beach season for Italy. Expect cold seas. Sicily’s northern seas are actually warmer than the waters on the southern or eastern coasts. Lerici has a nice sandy beach between the Cinque Terre and Livorno. There is also a private sand beach between Lerici and Tellaro. Sardinia has the best beaches of all.

Cold water won't be a deterrent for us. We live on the northern border of Minnesota right across from Canada so... our lake water is VERY cold. We're actually just looking for the beauty of a nice sand beach near a quaint town, even if the water isn't ready for swimming. Your ideas are a HUGE help!

You might enjoy Maremma, a less touristy, less discovered, and more local seaside area of Tuscany.
http://www.yourtuscany.com/maremma.asp

check out Orbetello and it's quaint fishing village of Porto San Stefano... there are some great beaches here - and no tourists!

I've heard good things about Sardinia, especially the northern coast, including Platamona. Their beaches are very sandy and appear to be not as crowded as the touristy beaches.

There is a beautiful sandy beach and resort just south of Porto Fino...walking distance halfway between Santa Margherita Ligure and Porto Fino....we stayed 3 days at the Metropol in Santa Margherita Ligure and loved every minute of our stay in the town (easy train 15 minute train ride down to the CT). There will be light crowds there in May.

Go visit the nature park in La Maremma near Grosseto. It has beautiful sandy beaches that have few tourists.