Italy’s quiet coastal retreats you need to know about

The coast of Italy is one of the most varied in Europe. Within a single trip, you can experience long open beaches, beautiful coastal towns backed by sheer cliffs, and traditional fishing villages around the corner from glamorous hot spots. Many places that regularly make the top 10 lists are there for a reason, but venture somewhat off the beaten track or travel outside the busiest months, and you’ll find quieter destinations that lend themselves to a superb Italian vacation, longer and more relaxed. Here we explore the diversity of Italy’s coastal stretches, and a selection of tucked-away gems within them, to help you narrow down your perfect coastal retreat.

How to choose the right stretch of Italian coast

Liguria and the Cinque Terre coast: dramatic terrain shaped by the sea

Northern Italy’s Italian Riviera, Liguria’s crescent-shaped coastline is defined by steep slopes that drop directly into the water, which forced the towns to grow vertically rather than outward. This is what gives the Cinque Terre their distinctive look – terraces, stairways, and tightly packed colorful buildings form an enchanting and dramatic panorama that attracts visitors in their thousands each summer.

In peak season, the entire region is popular with Italians and tourists alike, but in fall and winter the crowds disappear, leaving you with some of the best coastal towns to choose from for your trip to Italy.

Amalfi Coast: a landscape on the coast of Italy designed to be seen slowly

The Amalfi Coast’s reputation is well earned. Even the road that connects its towns is considered one of the most stunning coastal drives in the world. The best way to visit the Amalfi Coast is to travel in low season and choose two or three of the popular towns to see in a week – Positano, Sorrento, Ravello or Amalfi itself – or visit Praiano for a quieter and more relaxed feel. As for how to get around the Amalfi Coast, driving gives you the most flexibility, but for local color, use the bus network between villages.

Puglia: open horizons and a slower pace

Over on the east coast, Puglia has a different feel to the western coast of Italy. The region is just as exquisite as the rest of Italy, but it’s less well-known and often quieter, making it a perfect Italian escape. Puglia is home to some of the most beautiful coastal towns in Italy. Visit Alberobello, renowned for its thousands of trulli (limestone huts with conical roofs), the ‘white city’ of Ostuni, the Baroque architecture of Lecce, and the dramatic sea cliffs of Polignano a Mare.

Calabria and Sicily: less polished, more layered

Calabria is the most southern point of the country and it’s where the coast of Italy becomes more rugged and less developed. It’s the place to head for a more authentic, local vibe and somewhere to take things at a slower pace. You can even take a ferry to the island of Sicily, where you’ll be rewarded with oodles of history and three of the best coastal cities in Italy – Syracuse, Palermo and Trapani.

Sardinia: beaches, space and contrast

Summer in Sardinia is for sun-seekers and luxury travelers who come for its turquoise coves, white-sand beaches and pastel-painted towns. The island also has a dramatic, mountainous interior perfect for hiking. In low season you’ll be sharing its pretty towns with the locals, and while many businesses close for winter, this is when several festivals take place, including January’s Festa di Sant’Antonio Abate in Mamoiada.

Read more: The islands of Italy: an ultimate guide

12 stunning yet secluded places along the coast of Italy

1. Cetara (Campania): a working village on the Amalfi Coast

Sitting just beyond the main Amalfi Coast circuit, Cetara is a working fishing village, known for its anchovy catch and the production of colatura di alicia, a traditional fish sauce. It is compact, with a small beach and a handful of restaurants focused on local ingredients. Staying here means easy access to the Amalfi Coast, while enjoying somewhere quieter and more authentic.

2. Castro (Puglia): cliffs, caves and clear water

Castro, in southern Puglia, is a coastal retreat that feels both dramatic and serene, perhaps because it’s divided into two parts; Castro Marina, by the sea, and Castro Alta, the medieval old town above. It’s a perfect retreat for those who prefer a peaceful, authentic coastal base when visiting Italy, with easy access to Salento’s highlights. Evenings are about sunset aperitivi, seafood dinners, and moonlit walks along the promenade.

3. Tropea (Calabria): a dramatic setting with room to breathe

Perched dramatically on the cliffs of Calabria’s Tyrrhenian coast, Tropea is one of southern Italy’s most breathtaking seaside towns. It’s a mix of medieval charm, turquoise water and postcard-worthy views, and a beach loved for its clear, shallow waters and dramatic backdrop of the town above. The town itself is a maze of narrow lanes and lively piazzas, filled with Baroque palazzi, artisan shops, gelaterias, and trattorias serving Calabrian specialties like nduja, a spicy spreadable salami.

4. Noli (Liguria): a coastal town with deep roots

Noli is one of Italy’s most charming and underrated coastal towns, and a refreshing alternative to its glitzier Riviera neighbors. Compact and walkable, its narrow, cobbled lanes feature pastel-painted houses, and open onto small piazzas and cafés spilling onto the streets, which all seem to lead to a crescent of sandy beach.

5. Tellaro (Liguria): small-scale Liguria at its most atmospheric

Looking for a quieter, more authentic alternative to the Cinque Terre? Say hello to Tellaro, a tiny fishing village on the Gulf of La Spezia in Liguria, and one of Italy’s most enchanting coastal secrets. It’s built on a rocky promontory, and you can lose yourself among its pastel‑painted maze of narrow lanes, admire the sea views, and soak up its timeless charm.

6. Atrani (Campania): compact and intensely local

Just a short stroll from Amalfi and less well-known, tiny picturesque Atrani is a perfect alternative. The village is a labyrinth of vaulted passageways, staircases and hidden courtyards, frozen in time. The heart of village life is Piazza Umberto I, framed by arches, cafés and the sound of church bells. It’s where locals gather for espresso in the morning and families meet for gelato in the evening. Join them and discover a secret Amalfi Coast that most visitors miss.

Read more: The best time to visit Italy: a seasonal guide

7. Alghero (Sardinia): a distinct identity on the coast

Alghero’s strong Catalan influence remains in its architecture, city traditions and cuisine, and especially in the local language which is distinctly Catalan. The city has a small-town feel, especially inside the walled old town, with its cobbled streets opening to a promenade dotted with sea‑view terraces and trattorias. Visitors come for the balance of history, culture and beach, a long stretch of soft white sand backed by pine trees, with shallow, clear water, just a few minutes’ walk from the center.

8. Cefalù (Sicily): a complete coastal town

You could visit Cefalù in a day from Palermo, but the danger is you might regret not staying longer. One of Italy’s most captivating seaside towns, Cefalù’s combination of medieval historic center, golden beaches, and dramatic mountain scenery make it a perfect Italian vacation destination. The massive limestone cliff rising behind the town makes a perfect hike, with a trail winding past ancient ruins and lookout points before reaching the Temple of Diana and panoramic views over the Tyrrhenian Sea and the red tiled roofs below.

9. Camogli (Liguria): a town that still functions as a port

A long, scenic promenade lined with tall, painted houses and cafés overlooking the Ligurian Sea, perfect for evening strolls with gelato in hand… Welcome to Camogli, a postcard-perfect fishing village that combines Riviera charm with a deeply local feel as a working port. Located on the peninsula of Portofino, it’s within easy reach of famous upscale villages yet retains its wonderful, authentic character and relaxed atmosphere.

10. Vieste (Puglia): variety along the Gargano coast

Vieste is a stunning coastal town in northern Puglia, where whitewashed houses cling to cliffs above a long golden beach and turquoise water. It’s a bit of a hidden gem, at least outside of Italy, partly due to its location at the far end of a peninsula covered by the Gargano National Park. Make the effort, work with the geography, and you’ll be rewarded with the perfect southern Italian vacation; a romantic maze of narrow alleys, staircases and sea-view terraces, and quintessential Italian restaurants, cafés and markets.

11. Scilla (Calabria): tied to myth and geography

According to legend, Scilla is named after the sea monster from Homer’s Odyssey, but today it’s better known as the ‘Venice of the South.’ This ancient fishing town is a jumble of narrow lanes and houses built right on the water’s edge, where wooden boats bob between the buildings. It’s especially magical at sunset when the lights reflect off the water.

12. Procida (Campania): compact, colorful and self-contained

Procida is the Italian island escape you’ve never heard of. With no airport, your arrival will be by ferry or hydrofoil, and your first view will be of the gelato-colored houses behind the harbor. Procida is tiny but well worth an overnight stay, especially after visiting Amalfi or to escape the craziness of Naples. In fact, when the day-trippers have left is the best time to enjoy it at its most peaceful and romantic.

Read more: Seeing another side to Italy: Q&A with a local expert

Make it happen

If you’re after some peace and quiet on the coast of Italy, reach out to our local experts for advice, recommendations, and help planning a bespoke journey based entirely around your style, budget and interests.