Coastal Towns of Northern Italy
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Latest page update: 23 January 2025
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By: Dion Protani
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The coastal towns of northern Italy look out on to the Ligurian Sea on one side of the country and the Adriatic on the other.
They come from the regions of Liguria and Tuscany in north-western Italy while across on the opposite side of the country they work their way up from Marche to Emilia Romagna, Veneto and the Friuli Venezia Giulia region that borders Slovenia to the east. Liguria is split into two coastlines with the capital city of Genoa marking the midway point; to the west of Genoa the Riviera di Ponente stretches to the French border while the Riviera di Levante eventually reaches Tuscany and its Versilia coast. |
Santa Margherita Ligure
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Within the coastal areas we find a variety of seaside resorts: the Adriatic Coast is typified by its long stretches of flat, sandy beach with dozens of seaside towns attracting large numbers of visitors during the summer. The Versilia coast of Tuscany is similar but things start to change in Liguria which is characterised by its colourful architecture and more of a rocky coastline with picturesque bays.
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Sirolo
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Italy's eastern, Adriatic Coast is a huge expanse of beach that runs from one end of the country to the other, but it changes a little bit at the Conero Peninsula in Marche where the town of Sirolo is the jewel in the crown.
Perched on the slopes of Monte Conero, overlooking the Adriatic Sea and known as the "Pearl of the Adriatic," it offers stunning views, charming medieval streets, and unspoiled beaches. Key attractions include Spiaggia delle Due Sorelle, a secluded beach with crystal-clear waters, and Parco del Conero, a nature reserve with scenic hiking trails. |
Sirolo, Marche
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Camogli
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Liguria's Camogli was so-named because the wives of the fishermen used to run the town while their husbands were at sea. Ca-mogli loosely translates as "house of wives" and its now one of the most popular resorts in the north west.
The village features a pebbled beach, a bustling harbour filled with fishing boats, and a historic promenade lined with cafes and shops. Camogli’s history dates back to Roman times, flourishing as a maritime hub during the Middle Ages and later as a centre for fishing and shipbuilding. Notable landmarks include the Basilica of Santa Maria Assunta and the Castle of Dragonara. |
Camogli, Liguria
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Rapallo
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Oozing charm and elegance, the city of Rapallo is the cornerstone of the stunning Golfo del Tigullio. Literary figures have flocked here over the years to enjoy the waterside climes and Liberty-style grandeur of the city's buildings.
Located along the Italian Riviera between Genoa and Portofino, the town’s landmarks include the 16th-century Rapallo Castle, built to defend against pirate attacks, and the Basilica of Saints Gervasius and Protasius. Visitors can take a cable car to the Sanctuary of Montallegro for breathtaking panoramic views. |
Rapallo, Liguria
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Caorle
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The north-eastern region of Veneto of which Venice is the capital, offers just one entry on this list: Caorle. It features a beautiful cathedral with a particularly distinctive Cathedral Bell Tower which is cylindrical in shape. Its attractive centro storico is just a few steps from a promenade linking two large sandy beaches.
The town is characterized by its colorful houses, cobblestone streets, and historic landmarks, including the Romanesque-style Cathedral of Caorle and the iconic Bell Tower, which dates back to the 12th century. Historically, Caorle was an important fishing and trading hub, with roots going back to Roman times. Today, it blends rich cultural heritage with a lively tourist atmosphere. |
Caorle, Veneto
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Viareggio
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Another huge region has ended up with just one seaside town among the best. Viareggio in Tuscany is famous for its annual carnival but also for its ten kilometres of sandy beaches and art-nouveau architecture.
Viareggio's Carnival is one of the largest and most celebrated in Italy, featuring elaborate parades and floats. While Viareggio enjoys the majority of fame in the local area, it is nevertheless flanked by a number of popular beach resorts along the coastal area known as Versilia. Neighbouring towns include the likes of Forte dei Marmi and Lido di Camaiore. |
Viareggio, Tuscany
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Cesenatico
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Emilia Romagna's Cesenatico is a beach resort underpinned by a series of canals which Leonardo Da Vinci helped to create. The iconic image of the town is that of its open-air museum on one of those canals with its display of colourful sailboats.
The canal is lined with colorful buildings and fishing boats, making it a popular spot for both tourists and locals. Cesenatico has a rich maritime history, once being a significant port for fishing and trade. The town is also home to the Maritime Museum, which showcases its seafaring past. A short drive from Cesenatico is the beautiful city of Ravenna with its UNESCO-listed monuments. |
Cesenatico, Emilia Romagna
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Santa Margherita Ligure
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Back up in the north west region of Liguria and sitting on the Portofino Peninsula is the town of Santa Margherita Ligure. It's larger than Portofino and offers some of the best accommodation choices in the region.
Known for its picturesque harbour, elegant villas, and colorful seaside buildings, it offers a perfect blend of natural beauty and historic charm. Historically, Santa Margherita Ligure grew as a fishing village and later became a favoured resort for aristocrats and artists in the 19th century. |
Santa Margherita Ligure
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Muggia
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Just about as far away as you can possibly get from the Italian Peninsula without leaving the mainland is the town of Muggia in the Friuli Venezia Giulia region. It lies just a few kilometres from the Slovenian border and at the top of the mainly-Croatian Istrian Peninsula, just across the Gulf of Trieste.
Muggia's main attractions include the Church of Santa Maria Assunta, the medieval Muggia Castle, and the scenic waterfront. Historically, Muggia was part of the Republic of Venice, and its heritage is reflected in its architecture and traditions. A short distance from Muggia is the grand city of Trieste. |
Muggia, Friuli Venezia Giulia
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Portonovo
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Portonovo, a picturesque coastal hamlet in the Marche region of Italy, is nestled on the Adriatic Sea at the foot of Monte Conero, near the city of Ancona.
Key features include the pebble beaches of Spiaggia di Portonovo, the historic Napoleonic Fort, and the Romanesque Church of Santa Maria di Portonovo, dating back to the 11th century. Nearby, visitors can explore the Conero Regional Park, offering scenic hiking trails and breathtaking views. It's just a short distance from Portonovo to the larger town of Sirolo which features at the top of this list. |
Portonovo, Marche
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Castiglioncello
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Castiglioncello is a charming coastal town located in Tuscany, along the Etruscan Coast, between Livorno and Pisa. Known for its picturesque beaches, clear waters, and rocky coves, it is a popular seaside destination for both locals and tourists.
Situated to the south of the large port city of Livorno, Castiglioncello is one of a number of coastal towns and smaller beach resorts in the area. Foremost among these is the Calafuria Nature Reserve, a small but beautiful area of parkland hugging the coastal stretch. You can reach Castiglioncello by either road or rail. |
Castiglioncello, Tuscany
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