Italian beaches are some of the best in Europe, but there are some things you should be aware of before setting off on your beach day. Italians are very passionate about their beach culture, with Neapolitans no exception to this!

In Italy there are two categories for beaches, either they are free or a beach club manages a section of the space.

Free beaches are of course free to use, but this means they get very busy.

Often these public beaches are located closer to major towns and cities (like Mappatella beach in Naples) and so are not as special as private beaches or secluded coves.

This doesn’t mean they aren’t still a great way to enjoy the sunshine, but we hear from visitors who were disappointed because the free beach was not the perfect sandy beach they saw on Instagram.

Lifeguards are sometimes present on public beaches, but not always, and there are limited bathroom and shower facilities available (if any at all).

You may be able to hire beach chairs and a beach umbrella for the day during the height of summer, but generally you will need to bring all items with you.

Beach clubs provide a full service, with showers, bathrooms and at a minimum a bar (but often a restaurant) selling drinks and food, as well as mandatory lifeguards.

To use a private beach section you have to pay to hire sunbeds and beach umbrellas, with varying prices depending on how extensive the facilities are.

These private beaches vary significantly in style and exclusivity. Some are more simple, whereas others are large complexes with swimming pools, family areas, playgrounds and more.

Helpfully, many of them have websites so check out what they offer in advance and see if a particular beach establishment looks like a good fit for what you want.

We find that the relatively small charge for the beach clubs is worth it if we are going to be at the beach all day. Having everything you need right there is well worth the cost, but if we just want to spend a couple of hours swimming and sunbathing, a free beach is fine.

I know that paying for the beach seems odd to people who have never had to do it before but this is a very strong Italian tradition!

If you’re planning to visit some Italian beaches during your trip, here are some essential safety tips to keep in mind:

On Italian beaches you will see flags flying which are either red, yellow or both.

These signal whether a lifeguard is present or not. A red flag means there is no active lifeguard service and/or swimming conditions are dangerous. Yellow means there is a limited or reduced lifeguard service, and a flag with both colors on it means the lifeguard service is active within specific hours.

These hours will be posted on a board at the entrance to the beach or near the lifeguard station.

It’s important to check the presence of a lifeguard, especially if you are swimming in an unfamiliar place.

There are strong currents all around Italy’s coastline, and many beaches are surrounded by rocks, so always pay attention to the water’s depth and the waves. Our tip is to watch what the locals are doing – if they’re staying away from a particular spot or not going out past a certain point, do the same!

It goes without saying that Italian summers are hot. We talk about bringing hats, sunscreen, fans and more when it comes to what to pack, but you should be extra careful when relaxing on a beach.

The intensity of the sun in Italy can quickly take you from feeling fine to overheating. So, when prepping for your beach day make sure to consider if you have enough water (or can buy more on the beach) and if you’ll have access to shade.

Beach umbrellas make a surprising difference so I’d always recommend paying for one if you have the option.

On many beaches, both public and private beaches, across Italy you will see a blue flag or board with Bandiera Blu on it.

Originating in France, this organization assesses beaches for their cleanliness, water quality, environmental practices and safety procedures. If a beach is deemed to have met their high standards then they are awarded the Blue Flag.

Beaches are also assessed each year to make sure they continue to be worthy of the award, so it is a reliable mark of quality.

It’s important to note that Italian beaches without the Bandiera Blu qualification are not bad, with other local and national government rules in place to keep standards high. We visit many beaches that do not have the blue flag, but are still lovely!

As a general rule, you can wear whatever you feel comfortable in on the beach in Italy.

Italian women of all ages and body types mostly wear bikinis although a one piece bathing suit is also common (there is no real concept of ‘getting beach body ready’ here!)

Italian men wear either Speedos or fitted shorts/swim trunks. Loose, long board shorts are not common but if you want to wear them that’s fine.

Make sure to have flip flops to avoid burning your feet on hot sand, and if the beach you’re going to is pebbly (like many on the Amalfi coast) water shoes are a good idea.

When not actually on the beach, including if you’re walking up to a bar to get gelato or going to the bathroom, it’s normal to wear flip flops or sandals rather than going barefoot. You should also dry yourself off a little if you’ve recently been in the sea. This is to make sure you aren’t leaving pools of water or sand for staff members to clean up!

When arriving at/leaving the beach you will need to have something to wear over your bathing suit. Shorts and a t-shirt or a light dress are good options, what you’re wearing can be casual but the point is to be respectful of the wider community and residents of beach towns. Simply wrapping a beach towel around you is not okay!

One thing that many visitors don’t always consider is how inaccessible some beaches can be in Italy.

Yes, there are some beaches which are wide stretches of golden sand where you can walk off the street and onto the beach, but this is less usual.

Many beaches, especially in southern Italy, are at the base of cliffs or perched on the edge of a headland. Some involve steep stairs or are inaccessible from land and you need a boat to reach them.

It’s important to work out how you are going to get to your chosen beach beforehand. Do you need to take a bus, and if so, what tickets do you need? If you’re planning on driving, is there parking available?

Some of the most beautiful beaches are often the hardest to reach so don’t let this put you off, but it’s essential to do some research in advance.

There some specific beaches and also private beach options that are accessibility-friendly.

Look out for beach establishments with mobility information at their entrance. These will have walkways onto the beach, accessible bathrooms and more facilities such as amphibious chairs to rent.

It’s always worth contacting a private beach establishment in advance if you have specific requirements, but you’ll find many that will accommodate your needs.

When it comes to Italian culture, the beach and the sea are a huge part of this. Every summer, particularly in August, Italians flock to beaches all over the country and they are very passionate about their downtime!

Here are some essential beach etiquette points to be aware of so you don’t stand out too much:

• Nudity is not acceptable apart from in very specific, clearly labeled beach areas. Some women do sunbathe topless but this is far less common than in other places in Europe. Usually women undo their bikini and lie on their front, but then put their top back on when they turn over.
• You should absolutely avoid leaving trash on the beach, or disturbing the environment in general. It’s fine to lay out your beach towel on the sand but don’t scoop up the pretty white sand into a bottle to take home – if caught, you will be fined. Dispose of your trash before you leave or take it with you to be recycled if you’re at a secluded spot.
• If your part of the beach is quiet and peaceful, make sure to respect this. If people are looking to relax and enjoy the sun they will not appreciate loud games, music or shouting!
• People-watching is a popular pastime in Italy, so be prepared to be looked at more frequently than you may be used to. This is nothing to do with what you’re wearing or what you look like, Italians are just interested in life! They won’t look for long so carry on enjoying your day, and don’t worry about being looked at.
• While Italians will often enjoy a few drinks at the beach, or have wine with their lunch, they do not get drunk. Be aware of how much alcohol you are consuming, especially when it is super hot, and make sure not to overindulge.