Beach Tours & Trips in South Italy

Relax on Marina Grande in Capri and Spiaggia Grande beach in Positano, where colorful houses line the Mediterranean coast. From April through October, a fast boat runs from Positano to Amalfi along the coastline, and you'll see the Blue Grotto by rowboat before taking a hydrofoil across the Bay of Naples between Sorrento and Capri.

Vulcano Island has unique hot water beaches where you can try the therapeutic sulfurous mud springs during your hydrofoil trip through the Aeolian islands. Free time on Taormina's beaches sits at the foot of Mount Etna, and the scenic Tyrrhenian Sea coast leads to the beach town of Cefalù, where you'll see its Norman cathedral before lunch with sea views.

A boat takes you to Capri where you'll see the Blue Grotto from a traditional rowboat, then you can relax along Sorrento's coast with Mediterranean views. Sicily has great beaches—check out the fishing town of Noto on the southeast coast and the shores near Taormina, and you'll stay at hotels with easy beach access in both Sorrento and Taormina.

Positano's Spiaggia Grande beach sits beneath the colorful cliffside houses, and seasonal boat rides from April through October skip the coastal traffic. Ravello's elevated terraces at Villa Rufolo give you great sea views, and you can browse artisan shops in the peaceful hilltop town while trying fresh lemon gelato along the way.

Swim in the turquoise waters of Marzamemi's fishing harbor after walking through UNESCO-listed baroque Noto, then spend time at this coastal South Italy village's beach. Wander along Cefalù's golden sand beach beneath the town's Norman cathedral and medieval streets along the Tyrrhenian coast. Taormina's terraced beaches offer views of Mount Etna and the Bay of Naxos, accessible via cable car from the historic center. Try fresh seafood at Catania's busy La Pescheria market before wine tasting at an Etna vineyard.

The cable car drops you from Taormina's old town down to Isola Bella Beach, where bright turquoise water meets black volcanic sand with Mt Etna in the background. There's an optional boat trip around Capri with chances to swim in quiet coves and blue grottos, then time to walk clifftop paths and check out upscale shops.

This coastal route stops at Positano's Spiaggia Grande beach and Marina Grande's waterfront in Sorrento, with a hydrofoil ride across the Bay of Naples to Capri. During high season there's a boat tour around Capri's coastline after you see the Blue Grotto, and the famous Amalfi coastal road winds past cliffs dropping into the Mediterranean.

Lounge on Positano's pebbled beaches and swim in crystal-blue waters, with breakfast and dinner at your hostel in Meta di Sorrento. A ferry takes you to Capri Island for boat tours around sea caves, with possible entry to the Blue Grotto if weather allows, and on Friday there's free time for water activities along Positano's colorful beachfront.

The drive along the Amalfi Coast passes Positano's colorful cliffside houses on the way to Ravello, where Villa Rufolo and Villa Cimbrone have gardens overlooking the Gulf of Salerno. On Ischia, you can relax on thermal beaches at Citara Bay or spend time in the Poseidon Gardens thermal park with its healing pools, plus there's a full beach day around Monte Epomeo.

Vulcano and Stromboli's beaches have black volcanic sands meeting clear Mediterranean waters that are great for swimming and sunbathing. A sunset boat trip takes you to Ginostra to watch Stromboli's glowing lava fountains from the sea while cruising the coastline, then you'll have afternoons at beachfront hotels in Lipari and Salina.