Cities in Italy: 9 Coastal Destinations for Couples

Quick answer: for a romantic trip to a coastal Italian city, the most reliable choices are Portofino, Sorrento, Amalfi, Polignano a Mare, Cefalu, Cinque Terre, Taormina, Trieste and Venice. May, June and September offer pleasant seas without the crowds of August.

Italy is one of the most romantic countries you will ever visit. Most tourists, when planning a trip to Italy, usually choose the classic destinations – namely Rome and Milan.

However, Italy also boasts many wonderful coastal cities, ideal for romantic getaways both in summer and during spring and autumn.

See below for 8+1 Italian cities to spend carefree moments with your other half!

Positano

The famous presenter Anthony Bourdain once said, “I believe food, culture, people, and landscapes are inseparable”. There is no coastal area in Italy that represents this statement more than Positano with the Amalfi Coast.

The food is a representation of the people and culture, which are perfectly characterised by the mountainous and coastal landscape of the area.

Whether you want to hike the Path of the Gods (Sentiero degli Dei) with your partner or simply spend your afternoon cruising along the beach in a small boat, Positano is the ideal destination for couples.

You will enjoy your days on the beach and your evenings in romantic restaurants with some of the most delicious pasta dishes you’ll ever taste.

The nearest airport to Positano is 32 km away, in Naples.

Book your flights to Italy from our website from Athens and Thessaloniki to Naples.

Ryanair operates this route with direct flights!

From Naples airport, you will head by bus or train to the city of Sorrento and then take the ferry to Positano.

In Positano, you will find many wonderful and luxurious hotels to spend relaxing moments with your partner. See all available options on the Booking.com page.

https://www.booking.com/luxury/city/it/positano.el.html

 

Cinque Terre

Cinque Terre – a series of five small towns on the Eastern Ligurian Riviera – is one of the most beautiful coastal Italian attractions.

Each of these five towns – villages – resembles a box of crayons.

You should visit Cinque Terre during the warm months from April to September. It might also be lovely off-season as you’ll avoid the crowds, but you certainly won’t have good weather on your side.

Accommodation in the area is unnecessarily expensive. The best thing to do is to stay in Florence and take a day trip to Cinque Terre.

The busiest villages are Vernazza and Manarola. But you can definitely see them all in one day, along with the villages of Riomaggiore, Corniglia, and Monterosso.

Monterosso can be just as crowded with tourists, but there is always plenty of space on its beach. Riomaggiore and Corniglia are the villages where you will encounter the fewest tourists, and there aren’t many activities you can do there either.

 

Atrani

Atrani is located in the province of Salerno in southwestern Italy.

If you want to avoid the crowds but still enjoy the beauty of the Amalfi Coast, then Atrani is the ideal place for you. It’s just 20 km from Positano but is yet to be discovered by the masses.

It’s a very beautiful area within walking distance of Amalfi. There’s even a tunnel you can pass through to reach the popular town safely.

 

 

 

Mondello

Southern Italy is one of the most beautiful places on earth, and Sicily is right in its centre.

Due to Sicily’s unique history, it has a different feel from the rest of Italy. Most residents speak Italian, but many have preserved Sicilian – an Italian dialect – which you won’t hear anywhere else in Italy.

Before the Renaissance, many different dialects were spoken in various regions of Italy, but thanks to Renaissance artists like Dante and Leonardo, the Italian we know today is a literary version of ancient Tuscan.

Mondello is exactly what comes to mind when you think of Sicily: beautiful, clean, and crystal-clear waters with wonderful white sand, large mountains bordering the coastline, and finally, the most delicious local cuisine.

It is the place Italians choose to spend their holidays and their retirement. Mondello moves at a slow pace; it is peaceful and seems detached from the world’s worries.

 

Cefalu

Another favourite town in Sicily.

The beaches may not be the most beautiful you’ve encountered, but the town itself is unique and one of the most charming you’ll see in all of Italy.

The food alone is worth your trip, but if you combine it with the wonderful scenery and the unique hospitality of the locals, it becomes an irresistible destination.

For those interested, there’s an open-air market in Cefalu every weekend, and many other activities including hiking and climbing.

 

Cala Gonone

Cala Gonone is a beautiful town, but it alone wasn’t enough to make our list.

The reason Cala Gonone is included in the list of the most beautiful coastal cities in Italy for couples is because it’s the closest town to some of Sardinia’s most unique beaches.

The island of Sardinia is truly very large. To cross it from North to South will take you 4 hours, and driving from its West to its furthest East will also take several hours.

For this reason, it’s essential to know which area of the island you want to explore. Renting a car is the best option in Sardinia, but the island’s most beautiful beaches are not accessible by car.

From Cala Gonone, you can hire a boat and visit the magnificent beaches of Cala Goloritzé, Cala Luna, and others along the East coast.

 

Capri

The island of Capri is one of the most popular islands on the West coast of Italy. It is located right next to the coasts of Naples and Amalfi, and is accessible by ferry in just half an hour.

Capri is incredibly beautiful, though quite densely populated. During the summer, it is absolutely packed with tourists from all over the world.

Take the ferry to Capri, rent a Vespa from the island’s main port, and head to the back of the island to avoid the large groups of tourists.

 

Naples

In Naples, you will find two of the most wonderful things the world has to offer: pizza and beaches.

Naples is not the first city that comes to mind when we talk about coastal areas. It is not clean, nor is it defined by beaches. However, it is the home of pizza.

Naples is the 3^rd largest city in Italy after Rome and Milan. It is also a very important port due to its sea access.

In Naples, you will find some of the best pizzerias in the world; try Sorbillo, Da Michele, and Starita.

As we mentioned above, you can visit Naples with Ryanair flights and the company’s direct routes!

Portofino

Portofino is very close to Cinque Terre, which we saw above, and is essentially a continuation of those five towns.

In Portofino, you will find yachts anchored out at sea, small fishing boats all around, and colourful houses lined up along the coast.

There isn’t much to do in Portofino compared to other Ligurian towns, but it’s worth visiting if you are in the wider area and have some spare time.

 

Bellagio

Bellagio is the famous town on the shore of Lake Como in northern Italy, near Switzerland.

The town is picturesque, colourful, and charming, the perfect destination for all couples. It is ideal for those who want to relax on a romantic trip with their other half, as there isn’t much to do in the area.

Prices in the town are relatively overpriced and most restaurants are full of tourists, but you will be able to enjoy a boat trip on the lake.

Whichever of the above towns you decide to visit, you are sure to discover a different Italy from the one you know through Rome or Milan.

An Italy with lots of colour, amazing beaches, and traditional cuisine.

To get to Italy, you can book affordable flight tickets through our website. Flights are operated by both Ryanair from Thessaloniki and Athens, and Aegean from Athens and Eleftherios Venizelos airport.

 

Cities in Italy by Region

Italy is not one destination but twenty regions with distinct character, cuisine, and coastline. An easy way to choose is to start with geography.

Northern Italy

Liguria with Portofino, Cinque Terre and Genoa, Veneto with Venice and Verona, Lombardy with Milan and Lakes Como and Garda. A good choice for train journeys and for travel outside of summer.

Central Italy

Tuscany with Florence, Siena and Lucca, Lazio with Rome, Marche and Abruzzo with lesser-known beaches and significantly cheaper prices.

Southern Italy and Islands

Campania with Naples, Sorrento and the Amalfi Coast, Apulia with Polignano, Ostuni and Lecce, Sicily with Palermo, Taormina and Cefalu, Sardinia for tropical-style beaches.

When to go and how much it costs

August is the most expensive and busiest month, as Italians also travel then. May, June and September offer temperatures of 24 to 28 degrees and prices up to 40% lower. A four-day trip for two to a coastal city costs approximately 700 to 1,100 Euros including flights, accommodation, and food. Frecciarossa trains connect major cities quickly, and pre-booking tickets halves the price.

Frequently Asked Questions

Which are the most beautiful coastal cities in Italy?

Portofino, Sorrento, Amalfi, Polignano a Mare, Cefalu, Taormina, Manarola in Cinque Terre, Trieste and Venice.

Which city is the most romantic?

Venice for classic romance, Portofino for elegance, and Polignano a Mare if you want something less touristy.

When is the best time to visit?

May, June and September. August has the highest prices and the most crowds.

How much does a four-day trip for two cost?

Approximately 700 to 1,100 Euros in total, depending on the season and the city.

Do I need a car in Italy?

In major cities, no, trains are better. For Apulia, Sicily and the Amalfi Coast, a car helps, with caution regarding restricted traffic zones.

Which region is cheaper?

Apulia, Calabria, Marche and Abruzzo cost significantly less than Tuscany, Liguria and the Amalfi Coast.

How many cities should I combine in one week?

Two, three at most. Distances are long and travel time eats into your trip.

Read also

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• Portofino: a trip to the cosmopolitan town
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