Best beaches in northern Italy to visit in 2025

When you think of the Italian beaches, the common imagination often flies to the sunny coasts of the South, with Sardinia, Puglia, Calabria, Campania and Sicily as its masters. 

However, the North of Italy holds a treasure of breathtaking coastlines and beautiful beaches. 

From impressive and stunning cliffs overlooking the sea to endless expanses of light golden sand; from concupiscent hidden bays to lively seaside resorts, the North offers an incredible variety of marine landscapes and lakes, which are perfectly adapted to the needs. 

Such a wealth of destinations to choose from, combined with an incredibly varied tourist offer developed in order to make everything as accessible as possible to the most, makes Northern Italy a must-see destination for sun lovers, water and relaxation.

Are you ready to discover the best beaches in northern Italy?

For nothing but wonder is what awaits you at the end of this amazing journey to the highest point of our peninsula.

Northern Italy has several regions with a well-defined bathing vocation, each with its own peculiarities:

- Liguria: known as the "Riviera", Liguria offers a rugged and scenic coastline, characterized by colorful villages overlooking the sea, hidden coves and pebble beaches. It is the ideal destination for those looking for suggestive landscapes and a picturesque atmosphere.

- Veneto: the Venetian coast is distinguished by its long, sandy and well-equipped beaches, perfect for families and those who love comfort. Locations such as Jesolo, Bibione and Caorle are among the most popular and busy tourist destinations in Veneto.

- Friuli-Venezia Giulia: this region boasts a shorter but equally fascinating stretch of coast, with wide and equipped beaches, flanked by nature reserves and protected areas. Grado and Lignano Sabbiadoro are the great names of seaside tourism in this region.

- Lombardy: This region is home to some of the most iconic lakes in Italy, such as Lake Como and part of Lake Garda and Lake Maggiore. The beaches that crisscross the malignant profile of these immense lakes are often composed mainly of pebbles and gravel, and host an exorbitant number of equipped beaches that, in turn, offer the possibility to practice water sports and enjoy suggestive panoramas, surrounded by historical villas and mountains.

- Trentino-Alto Adige: in addition to the northern portion of Lake Garda, Trentino offers gems such as Lake Braies, Lake Carezza (although more to admire the landscape than for bathing), Lake Molveno and Lake Ledro, with beaches immersed in breathtaking mountain landscapes.

- Piedmont: Piedmont is the region that hosts most of Lake Maggiore and the picturesque Lake Orta. Its lakeside beaches are often surrounded by lush gardens and quaint villages, offering an elegant and peaceful atmosphere, ideal for a relaxing getaway for couples.

Let’s take a quick look at some of the most beautiful coastal beaches in northern Italy:

- Monterosso al Mare (Liguria): the largest of the Cinque Terre, offers the only sandy and pebble beach in the park, large and well equipped, ideal for families. Its crystal clear waters and the charming village make it a destination not to be missed.

- Camogli (Liguria): a picturesque fishing village with a pebble beach nestled between colorful houses and the promontory of Portofino. The atmosphere is calm and relaxed, perfect for those seeking tranquility and beauty.

- Sestri Levante (Liguria): famous for its two bays, the Baia del Silenzio and the Baia delle Favole, the first, with its colorful boats and intimate atmosphere, considered one of the most beautiful in Italy, while the second offers a wider and equipped beach.

- Baia del Saraceno (Finale Ligure, Liguria): one of the most iconic beaches of the Riviera Ligure di Ponente, with white sand and crystal clear sea, framed by a rich Mediterranean vegetation.

- Beach of Varigotti (Finale Ligure, Liguria): another Ligurian gem, belonging to a characteristic village of Saracen origin or and a beach of clear sand and pebbles, famous for its crystal clear waters.

- Lido di Jesolo (Veneto): one of the longest and most equipped beaches in Italy, with fine sand and a wide range of services, entertainment and nightlife. Perfect for those looking for a dynamic holiday and nightlife.

- Bibione (Veneto): smile in Jesolo for its long sandy beaches, Bibione is particularly appreciated for its attention to the environment and for its thermal facilities.

- Grado (Friuli-Venezia Giulia): known as the "Isola del Sole", Grado offers wide sandy beaches and shallow waters, ideal for families with children. It is also a renowned spa resort.

The great lakes of northern Italy offer a bathing experience that has nothing to envy to the coastal alternatives superlated, this in terms of quality of service offered and an unusually high number of perks that almost make them, In a sense, even more worthy of attention than the much more inflated coastal beaches.

- Lake Garda (Veneto, Lombardy, Trentino-Alto Adige): the largest lake in Italy, boasts numerous public and private beaches, pebbles or sand, ideal for swimming, sunbathing and water sports. The villages of Riva del Garda, Malcesine, Sirmione and Limone sul Garda offer accesses to the lake with beautiful and well-equipped beaches.

- Lake Como (Lombardy): its jagged shores are home to small beaches and equipped lidos, with breathtaking views embedded in historic villas climb the voluptuous slopes of the surrounding mountain profiles. The villages of Bellagio, Varenna and Menaggio offer accesses to the lake and lovely and well equipped beaches.

- Lake Maggiore (Piedmont, Lombardy): with its Borromean islands and lush gardens, Lake Maggiore offers beaches immersed in a setting of great beauty. the villages of Stresa, Verbania and Cannobio are some of the resorts that can boast well-kept lakeside beaches.

- Lake Iseo (Lombardy): certainly less known than the three above mentioned lakes but equally fascinating, with quiet beaches and enchanting views, as for the villages of Iseo and Sarnico.

A solid perk to the beaches of Northern Italy is their excellent accessibility coefficient.

The main seaside resorts are well connected by motorways and railways, making it easy to reach destinations both by car and public transport.

Many beaches, especially in Veneto and Friuli-Venezia Giulia, have large car parks and facilities for disabled people.

The beaches of Northern Italy are also well-known for their family facilities. They often offer:

- Shallow and safe waters, ideal for children.

- Bathing establishments with entertainment, games and areas dedicated to children.

- First aid and lifeguard services.

- Shops, restaurants and ice cream parlours at your fingertips.

Northern Italy, with its surprising variety of sea and lake beaches, offers a rich and diverse bathing experience, often unfairly overshadowed by the most famous southern coasts. From the wild cliffs of Liguria to the wide sandy beaches of Veneto, from the crystal clear waters of the lakes to the picturesque villages overlooking the sea, this region is a true paradise for lovers of sun and relaxation. The great accessibility, combined with the attention to families and the excellent tourist offer, makes Northern Italy a must-see destination for your next beach holiday.

Below, you will find a brief summary of the places of interest listed in the article:

- Liguria: Cinque Terre (Monterosso), Camogli, Sestri Levante, Finale Ligure (Varigotti, Baia del Saraceno).

- Veneto: Jesolo, Bibione, Caorle.

- Friuli-Venezia Giulia: Grado, Lignano Sabbiadoro.

- Lakes: Lake Garda (Sirmione, Riva del Garda), Lake Como (Bellagio, Varenna), Lake Maggiore (Stresa, Cannobio).