Italy is home to thousands of kilometres of coastline, but Sardinia is stealing the show this summer. New research has revealed the country’s most popular beaches for 2026, with two-thirds of the list found on the Mediterranean island.
Summer in Italy is practically synonymous with beach days – and with thousands of kilometres of coastline to choose from, the hardest part is deciding where to lay your towel.
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From glamorous stretches of sand to hidden coves and crystal-clear waters, the country is home to some seriously spectacular seaside spots.
But which beaches are attracting the most attention right now?
Travel booking platform Holidu has crunched Google Maps data and reviews to reveal the 30 most popular beaches in Italy for 2026.
While the list features much of Italy’s coastline, it’s Sardinia’s beaches that are far and away the most popular in the ranking. In fact, 20 of the island’s beaches made the top 30.
Interestingly, the top five ranked beaches stayed in exactly the same position as in last year’s list, meaning they’ve maintained their quality.
From famous favourites to lesser-known gems, these are the Italian beaches set to be on everyone’s radar this summer.
The top five best beaches in Italy now
Rabbit Beach, Lampedusa, Sicily
This world-famous beach on the island of Lampedusa scored 4.9 out of five in Google Maps reviews, meaning it’s really rather special.
Rabbit Beach is widely considered one of Italy’s most beautiful beaches – and it’s not hard to see why. Tucked away in crystal-clear Mediterranean waters, the beach is known for its powdery white sands, turquoise sea and untouched natural surroundings.
Rugged cliffs and lush greenery frame the shoreline, giving the beach an idyllic, almost otherworldly feel. Its name comes from the wild rabbits that once lived in the area, although these days it’s the scenery that draws visitors from around the world.
Regularly ranked among the best beaches on the planet, Rabbit Beach is the perfect spot for those looking to experience the Sicily region at its most spectacular.
Cala Mariolu, Baunei, Sardinia
Following hot on Rabbit Island’s heels is this breathtaking spot in Sardinia, which scores 4.8 out of five in Google Maps reviews.
Cala Mariolu is one of Sardinia’s most famous beaches, often named among the world’s best, offering dramatic scenery and a secluded feel.
Tucked away on the island’s eastern coast, the small cove can only be reached by boat or via hiking trails, making getting there part of the adventure.
Rugged cliffs and lush greenery surround the beach, while the water shifts from deep sapphire to bright aquamarine around the pristine white pebbles.
For the best views, hike up the surrounding cliffs and look down over the cove – the contrast between the vivid blue sea and white shoreline is seriously spectacular.
Tuerredda Beach, Teulada, Sardinia
In the south of Sardinia, you’ll find Tuerredda Beach, a spot often compared to the Caribbean thanks to its fine white sand and exceptionally clear blue waters.
Scoring 4.7 out of five in the Google Maps review ranking, the beach looks out towards the tiny islet of Tuerredda, just a few hundred metres from the shore and covered in fragrant Mediterranean scrub. You can swim or snorkel across the shallow, gently sloping seabed, or spend a few hours relaxing on the warm rocks and sand.
The coastline is a mix of soft sandy stretches and rugged rock formations, with smaller coves dotted between them.
The surrounding waters are home to plenty of marine life, while the islet itself attracts seabirds and other wildlife, making it well worth exploring beyond the main beach.
Is Arutas Beach, Cabras, Sardinia
Also scoring 4.7, Is Arutas is one of the most unusual beaches in Sardinia, known for its crystal-clear blue-green sea and distinctive grains of quartz that look almost like tiny grains of rice.
The sand is in shades of white, green and soft pink, creating a colourful shoreline unlike almost anywhere else on the island.
Set on the Sinis Peninsula, just over 10 kilometres from the town of Cabras, it’s an idyllic spot for a lazy day by the sea. Getting there takes you through the quiet village of San Salvatore, famous for its annual Corsa degli Scalzi – or Barefoot Race – and its starring role in several Spaghetti Westerns.
Porto Giunco Beach, Villasimius, Sardinia
Another Sardinian beach to score 4.7 out of five, Porto Giunco is one of the best beaches in southern Sardinia, with white sand and vividly blue sea.
It sits in Villasimius, just over 40 kilometres from Cagliari, making it an easy choice for a day trip from the island's capital.
The beach is backed by the Notteri salt lagoon, where pink flamingos are often spotted wading through the shallow water. The sea is also relatively shallow, making it a good option for families, while the windier conditions attract surfers and windsurfers.
At one end of the beach, a rocky cape rises above the coastline, topped by a historic lookout tower with views across the surrounding landscape.
Porto Giunco can get busy in summer, but its long, wide stretch of sand means there's usually space to settle in. There are also plenty of facilities, including a beach bar, sun loungers and parasols.
Italy’s best beaches for 2026
The top 30 most popular Italian beaches for summer 2026, according to the Holidu research.
- 1. Rabbit Beach, Lampedusa, Sicily
- 2. Cala Mariolu, Baunei, Sardinia
- 3. Tuerredda Beach, Teulada, Sardinia
- 4. Is Arutas Beach, Cabras, Sardinia
- 5. Porto Giunco Beach, Villasimius, Sardinia
- 6. Su Giudeu Beach, House of Mary, Sardinia
- 7. Cala Goloritzé, Baunei, Sardinia
- 8. Arcomagno Beach, San Nicola Arcella, Calabria
- 9. Mari Pintau Beach, Quartu Sant'Elena, Sardinia
- 10. Cala li Cossi Beach, Trinity of Agultu and Vignola, Sardinia
- 11. Dune Beach, Teulada, Sardinia
- 12. Piscinas Beach, Arbus, Sardinia
- 13. Scivu Beach, Arbus, Sardinia
- 14. Varigotti Beach, Varigotti, Liguria
- 15. Cala Spinosa Beach, Head Chief, Sardinia
- 16. Torre Vignola Beach Sea, Aglientu, Sardinia
- 17. San Giovanni di Sinis Beach, Saint John of Sinis, Sardinia
- 18. Dead Sea Cove, Monte Argentario, Tuscany
- 19. Su Sirboni Beach, Gairo, Sardinia
- 20. Rotonda Beach, Tropea, Calabria
- 21. Golfetto Beach, Tortolì, Sardinia
- 22. S'Archeddu'e Sa Canna Beach, Cabras, Sardinia
- 23. Campana Beach Pier, Chia, Sardinia
- 24. Fetovaia Beach, Field in Elba, Tuscany
- 25. Boccadasse Beach, Genoa, Liguria
- 26. Queen Giovanna Baths, Sorrento, Campania
- 27. Cavoli Beach, Elba, Tuscany
- 28. Cala Pira Beach, Cala Pira, Sardinia
- 29. Cea Beach, Tortolì, Sardinia
- 30. Porto Selvaggio Beach, Nardò, Puglia
