Skyscanner has named Fetovaia on Elba as Italy’s best beach for 2026, topping a new ranking that highlights 10 coastal spots across the country. The list weighs beauty alongside the best time to visit, with an emphasis on quieter and often cheaper months during the summer season.
The ranking puts Chiaia di Luna on Ponza in second place and Cala Spinosa in Capo Testa, Sardinia, in third. Skyscanner also points travellers towards the shoulder months for several of the beaches, warning that some of the most famous spots can become crowded in July and August.
The selection ranges from white pebble coves and granite inlets to wide bays and cliffs of white marl, showing the variety of Italy’s coastline. Among the beaches included are Marina Piccola in Capri, Baia delle Zagare in Puglia, Cala Mariolu in Sardinia, Marina dell’Isola in Tropea, the Scala dei Turchi in Sicily, Cala Rossa in Favignana and Spiaggia dei Conigli in Lampedusa.
| Rank | Beach | Location | Known For | Best Time to Visit |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Fetovaia | Elba, Tuscany | Golden sand and calm shallow water | May, June, September |
| 2 | Chiaia di Luna | Ponza, Lazio | Crescent beach and towering tufa cliffs | June, September |
| 3 | Cala Spinosa | Capo Testa, Sardinia | Granite rocks and snorkelling | Shoulder season recommended |
| 4 | Marina Piccola | Capri | Sheltered bay | Early summer |
| 5 | Baia delle Zagare | Puglia | White cliffs and sea stacks | June and September |
| 6 | Cala Mariolu | Sardinia | White pebbles and turquoise water | Early autumn |
| 7 | Marina dell’Isola | Tropea | Beach below historic sanctuary | Summer shoulder months |
| 8 | Scala dei Turchi | Sicily | White marl cliffs | June and September |
| 9 | Cala Rossa | Favignana, Sicily | Rocky cove and clear sea | Early summer |
| 10 | Spiaggia dei Conigli | Lampedusa, Sicily | Famous sandy beach and clear water | May, June, September |
The photo shows Fetovaia, on the south-west side of Elba in Tuscany, is described by the travel company as a sheltered beach of fine golden sand backed by Mediterranean scrub. Its calm, shallow water makes it suitable for families, while sunsets over the horizon are one of its main draws.
Skyscanner says the best months to visit Fetovaia are May, June and September. In high summer, the beach can fill up quickly, so it recommends arriving early in the morning or choosing off-peak hours.
Chiaia di Luna, on the island of Ponza in Lazio, is known for its crescent shape and steep tufa cliffs that rise to 100 metres. It is no longer accessible by land for safety reasons and can only be reached by sea, which has helped preserve its wild appearance.
The beach is less crowded than many better-known Italian coastal spots, but Skyscanner says July and August are best avoided there. June and September are the preferred months for visitors hoping for a quieter experience.
Cala Spinosa, which sits beneath the granite headland of Capo Testa in northern Sardinia, completes the top three. The beach is small and rocky, with clear water that lends itself to snorkelling, though the steep path down means it is not suitable for everyone.
Further down the list, Marina Piccola is highlighted as Capri’s sheltered bay, while Baia delle Zagare is singled out for its white cliffs and sea stacks on the Gargano coast. Cala Mariolu is praised for its white pebbles and turquoise water, while the Scala dei Turchi stands out for its dramatic white marl slopes above the blue sea.
In southern Italy, Marina dell’Isola in Tropea is placed among the top 10 for its sand beach below the Sanctuary of Santa Maria dell’Isola. Cala Rossa in Favignana and the Spiaggia dei Conigli in Lampedusa complete the ranking, both in Sicily.
The full list reflects a mix of famous destinations and harder-to-reach coves, with the ranking favouring places that offer striking scenery as well as a better experience outside the busiest weeks of summer. For travellers planning a beach trip in Italy this year, the guide points firmly towards early summer and early autumn.
