Bonerboard

Scala dei Turchi, Sicily The beach at the base of Scala dei Turchi, a rocky cliff on the coast near Realmonte, is striking in its uniqueness. Its fiery bronze sands are a stunning contrast to the azure ocean in front, and the pale gray cliffs behind. The area is famous for being one of Sicily's most beautiful natural wonders. Spiaggia delle Due Sorelle, Marche Located on the spectacular Riviera del Conero, this super-secluded beach is accessible only by shuttle or boat from Porto Numana. The shore is made up of fine, white pebbles, which lead into the striking, emerald green Adriatic. The best views are from the ocean, where you can admire the steep white cliffs of Monte Conero towering over the beach before you. Cala Tonnarella, Sicily It’s a trek to get to Cala Tonnarella, a hidden cove residing inside of the Zingaro Nature Reserve on the Gulf of Castellammare. Inaccessible via road, you’ll have to hike about an hour to get to it from the reserve’s southern car park, but it’s worth the effort: Upon arrival, you’ll be met with a secluded and uncrowded paradise. Baia delle Zagare, Puglia Accessible by land through its namesake hotel or via boat from Mattinata, Baia delle Zagare is as secluded and exclusive as they come. Sheltered by steep limestone cliffs, the half-mile beach allows just 30 visitors a day outside of hotel guests, keeping its shoreline pristine and perpetually uncrowded. Added bonus: the beach looks out towards some seriously Instagram-worthy rock formations, which jut out dramatically from the emerald-blue Adriatic.

Chiaia di Luna, Ponza Chiaia di Luna is quite easily one of the most scenic settings in Italy. The beach is a narrow crescent of silky sand at the base of a towering, 328-foot volcanic rock wall curved in a half-moon shape—hence its name. It’s located on Ponza, the largest island in the Pontine Archipelago, which is dense with spectacular beaches. Baia dei Turchi, Puglia Not to be confused with the beach at Scala Dei Turchi in Sicily, which also appears on this list, this sprawling beach is tucked away in a protected nature reserve in Puglia, just north of Otranto. Backed by a dense pine forest, Baia dei Turchi has a mile of white sand and water that happens to be some of the cleanest in the country, hence its Blue Flag status. Cala di Volpe, Sardinia Cala di Volpe is located on Sardinia's Costa Smeralda, one of the most beautiful and expensive stretches of coastline in all of Italy. The beach is famous for its Bermuda-blue water and the glamorous Hotel cala di Volpe resort behind it, though you don’t need to be a guest to swim there. Spiaggia di Sansone, Elba Tuscany's Elba Island is home to many contenders for this list, but Sansone tops it. Its pristine shore—a mixture of sand and smooth white pebbles—leads you to calm transparent water. It’s shallow, too, so it’s popular with families and for snorkeling .