Italy has one of the most romantic beaches in the world. It boasts glorious landscapes, an incredible cuisine, and an ancient culture that draws you in and creates unique, magical, romantic moments everywhere you go.
From picturesque medieval mountain villages and rolling Tuscan vineyards to stunning ancient ruins and dramatic seaside towns, Italy is quite possibly the best place for a couple’s trip.
But Italy does have one downside, particularly when it comes to planning a peaceful trip with your partner – it is an extremely popular tourist destination.
If you head to one of the recommended destinations – the Amalfi Coast or Cinque Terre, for example – then chances are the opportunities for romance without crowds are going to be few and far between. But that doesn’t mean that you shouldn’t pack your bags and head to Italy for romance and adventure.
Luckily, while the main tourist trail is overloaded, there are still plenty of corners of this stunning, wonderful country that haven’t been discovered, and loads of secluded, secret romantic beaches where you can enjoy each other’s company without having to dodge the crowds.
So next time you are planning a romantic getaway discovering Italy and Greece on a cruise, make sure you include enough time to discover the marvelous, magical, and totally secret romantic beaches in Italy that only the locals know about.
Any vacation that takes in one of these hidden treasures is guaranteed to deliver one of the most romantic experiences of your life!
Gaeta, Lazio
The delightful town of Gaeta in Lazio is a short drive south along the coast from Rome and is a perfect spot for a quiet, romantic getaway.
It has a sleepy, old-fashioned charm that remains to this day, and is full of traditional fish markets and gorgeous historic sights.
The beach itself is incredibly pretty, and the old town in Gaeta Vecchia is the perfect spot to grab dinner and drinks after a busy day relaxing on the sand.
It is very much off the mainstream tourist trail, but a favorite summer destination for in-the-know Romans and Neapolitans.
Bagni Della Regina Giovanna, Campania
Bagni Della Regina Giovanna (the Baths of Queen Joan) is a gorgeous collection of rock pools and a sheltered lagoon near Sorrento.
A well-kept secret due to the steep cliffs that surround the beach and make it tricky to access, but it is absolutely a challenge that is worth undertaking. With an amazing air of tranquility and some stunning views, this is one of the most romantic spots in the area.
Isola Bella, Sicily
If you really want total seclusion, a tiny island off the coast of another island is not a bad way to go! Isola Bella lies off the coast of Sicily, near the town of Taormina, and is as beautiful as its name (literally ‘beautiful island’) suggests.
It is technically possible to reach Isola Bella via a sandbar that appears during low tide, but unless you like damp feet it’s best to take a boat.
The natural beauty of the island is topped off by a gorgeous medieval villa that perches on the summit of the hill overlooking the beach, where you can gaze across the channel at the dramatic, menacing beauty of Mount Etna, Sicily’s very active volcano.
Scilla, Calabria
Some of the best, most romantic, and least visited romantic beaches and vacation destinations in Italy lie in the south of the country.
Due to the popularity of Tuscany, Rome, Venice, and Milan, tourists often don’t venture down towards the bottom of the country, so the rewards are great for anyone who does.
Scilla, just a stone’s throw away from the airport of Reggio di Calabria, is a charming and incredibly beautiful seaside town that offers stunning panoramas out over the Strait of Messina to Sicily and the Aeolian Islands, and yet flies completely under the radar.
You’ll have the beach to yourself during the day, and never have to worry about getting a table at one of the many wonderful restaurants in town in the evening!
Baia delle Zagare, Puglia
Puglia is another region of Italy that is bafflingly under-explored by tourists, and the Baia delle Zagare is one of its finest attractions.
This picture-perfect bay and beach are thought of by locals as one of the most beautiful in Italy, with stunning golden sand and turquoise waters framed by the bright white limestone arches of Arco de Diomede and Le Forbici.
One of the best things about Baia delle Zagare (and the real reason behind its off-the-beaten-track status) is that there are only two ways to access it. One is to stay in one of two hotels that have direct access, and the other is to get a special pass and arrive by boat.
The city council of Mattinata only distributes 30 visitor passes every day, making this one of the most exclusive non-private beaches in the world!
Santa Margherita di Pula, Sardinia
Sardinia is a gem of an island, a craggy coastline, and a beautiful forested interior. It also boasts some of Italy’s most underrated romantic beaches, including Santa Margherita di Pula, a short drive from the capital of Cagliari.
On this southern extremity of the island, the beach is pristine, with ivory-white sand and glittering calm waters.
Riserva Vendicari, Sicily
Sicily is full of off-the-beaten trail locations, so it is the perfect place to explore in a little more depth if you are looking for peace and tranquility for your romantic getaway.
Riserva Vendicari, just outside the quiet and picturesque historical city of Siracusa, is one of these spots and is a gorgeous beach paradise set amidst the unspoiled splendor of a protected national park.
Full of medieval ruins, minute hidden bays, and almost no tourists, the reserve has more than its fair share of secret romantic beaches where you can be alone with your loved one.
Although much of Italy is overcrowded, there are still plenty of hidden corners perfect for a romantic vacation to get away from it all and live la dolce vita surrounded by the beautiful landscapes of this marvelous, historic country.
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