10 Best Beaches in Naples, Italy

Though Naples stretches along the Bay of Naples, there aren’t many true sandy stretches within the city limits, so it’s not traditionally labeled a “seaside destination.” If you’re set on a beach break, however, don’t fret! With a little insider know-how, you can unearth a handful of delightful spots where you can lounge by the water’s edge, slip into the sea to cool off and recharge between espresso refills or Vespa rides.

I fell hard for Naples the moment I wound through its sun-bleached streets, thrift stores piled high with vintage treasures and devoured the world’s best pizza slathered in sardines and buffalo mozzarella. Yet amid that glorious chaos, the beaches around Naples and its lesser-known islands proved the perfect counterpoint—a place to swim off the city’s heat and savor golden afternoons. I rented a Vespa on Ischia and wove through pine-scented roads, pedaled Procida’s tiny lanes until my legs burned from the climb, only to be rewarded each time by a shimmering cove just a few steps away. Below, I’ve mapped out my ten favorite beaches in Naples, Italy (and its neighbors) for you to explore, too.

Tucked beneath Posillipo’s cliffside villas, Spiaggia della Gaiola is a tiny pebbly inlet perched atop the Gaiola Underwater Park (an official marine protected area crisscrossed with submerged Roman shipwrecks and villa ruins). Water shoes are a must here, as the shoreline can feel like walking on marbles, but once you slip into the translucent water, you’ll discover mosaics, sea urchins and submerged pillars just a few meters offshore.

A kiosk at the staircase foot rents out masks, fins and kayaks for around €15 and vendors wheel past with icy granitas and panini stuffed with prosciutto. When you’ve had your fill of snorkeling, climb the pebble stairs to the Gaiola Park visitor center for a quick dose of local history. Then wander back toward Posillipo’s heart for a bowl of spaghetti alle vongole and a crisp Falanghina at a seaside trattoria—all within a ten-minute stroll.

Nestled against the Lungomare Caracciolo, Mappatella Beach (known by locals as La Rotonda Diaz) feels like Naples’s very own backyard getaway. A gentle arc of sand and shingle, it’s dotted with rentable umbrellas and loungers for about €10 per day. A beachfront café spills wooden tables onto the boardwalk, where you can sip Aperol spritzes, sample creamy arancini and snack on fresh mozzarella as waves lap your feet.

The water is shallow and calm, making it ideal for easing into the Mediterranean’s embrace; toilets, showers and a lifeguard on duty add peace of mind. As evening falls, stroll past Piazza del Plebiscito and head down to Castel dell’Ovo, where the pastel-hued sky reflects off the bay for a truly unbeatable sunset backdrop.

For a touch of Neapolitan dolce vita, book a day pass at Bagno Elena, Naples’s oldest private lido. Here, striped umbrellas shade cushioned sunbeds and waiters deliver chilled prosecco and seafood salads directly to your lounger. A carved-into-the-rock pool lets you step from an infinity platform straight into the Tyrrhenian Sea. A short rocky terrace walk leads to Bagno Sirena, where DJs spin tracks over another infinity pool seemingly merging with the Gulf.

Both clubs maintain pristine restrooms, spacious changing rooms and full restaurant menus—perfect for lingering from dawn until dusk. When you’re ready to stretch your legs, hike up to Parco Virgiliano for panoramic views of Vesuvius and the Phlegraean Islands, then reward yourself with a sugar-dusty bombolone and strong espresso at a hilltop café nearby.

Not a beach in the traditional sense, the Scoglione is a broad flat platform of volcanic tuff reached only by boat from Marina Grande. Though not sandy, this rocky outcrop boasts water so clear it feels like floating in glass. There’s no beach bar or loud music—just smooth limestone terraces, private fissures for cliff-jumping and uninterrupted views of the coast. Spread your towel on the sun-warmed rocks and let nearby Marechiaro’s church bells drift over you as you swim through crystalline water. It’s unfiltered Mediterranean magic, best for travelers who don’t mind trading sand for spectacular seclusion.

On the southern coast of Capri, Marina Piccola is the blueprint for a postcard-perfect beach. Turquoise waters framed by white calcite cliffs host rows of fine imported shingle and marshmallow-colored umbrellas. Renting a sunbed here comes at a premium—expect to pay €30 or more—but you’ll be attended by waiters floating by with limoncello spritzes and plates of prosciutto e melone. Showers, toilets and a shaded café at the entrance keep you comfortable and just above the beach, the Pizzolungo trail winds toward Anacapri. Along the way, you’ll pass the art-nouveau Casa Rossa museum and Bar Tiberio, where you can savor a granita before descending back to the shore.

Clinging to the rocky shoreline beneath Ischia’s medieval Castello Aragonese, Cartaromana is equal parts history and seaside escape. After parking my Vespa in the village of Ischia Ponte, I devoured fresh mussels in garlic and white wine at a local restaurant down below, paired with a chilled prosecco. The water here is calm and shallow, perfect for wading or snorkeling around the castle’s base.

Once you’ve eaten and swam, climb the 15-minute path up to the Aragonese Castle’s museum, where centuries-old frescoes, cannon batteries and sweeping bay views transport you back through time. There is even an old, medievel torture chamber and a catacomb to walk through (creepy, but very cool). It’s a seamless blend of culture and coast, all in one unforgettable afternoon.

Back on the mainland, Pozzano is a wide sandy-gravel beach beneath Vesuvius’s looming silhouette. No umbrellas or loungers are provided—so pack your towel and stake your claim early. Portable toilets and outdoor showers sit discreetly behind a low wall and in high season, snack carts roll by offering granita, corn on the cob and fried squid. The water remains shallow for dozens of meters, so it’s perfect for families and non-swimmers. When the golden hour gilds the bay, wander into Castellammare di Stabia’s centro storico for artisan ceramics on Via Matteotti, then cap off your day with a slice of pizza al taglio from a nearby forno.

Technically on the Sorrentine Peninsula, Marina di Puolo feels like a hidden gem just south of Naples. A private club occupies black-pebble and sand stretches set among citrus and olive groves. Crystal-clear waters invite paddling and snorkeling at low tide and both public and private sections rent sunbeds and umbrellas (€15–€20).

A beachfront trattoria serves limoncello panna cotta and grilled antipasti and you’ve also got showers and changing rooms for comfort. Afterward, follow the cliff-top trail to Sant’Agata sui Due Golfi, where panoramic views of both the Gulf of Naples and the Gulf of Salerno reward the uphill climb (and remind you why Romans built their seaside villas here).

On Procida’s southern shore, Chiaiolella is a broad sandy-pebble bay backed by colorful fishermen’s houses. Gentle waves and a protected bay make it ideal for families and snorkelers. Umbrellas and loungers rent for about €10 and beach shacks offer fresh seafood panini and chilled beers. Showers, toilets and a small parking lot keep things convenient, while children can play in the shallow surf as fishing boats drift past. As the sun sets, stroll to the nearby harbor and watch pastel buildings glow in the fading light—then sample a local tuna carpaccio before catching the ferry back to Naples.

Perched on Procida’s western shore between the Chiaiolella and Ciraccio sectors, Faraglioni e Spiaggia is defined by two volcanic-tuff stacks—remnants of an ancient landslide—that rise dramatically from the shallow, transparent waters. The beach itself is a long crescent of dark, fine sand, backed by high cliffs that ensure sunshine nearly all day long.

The gentle seabed is perfect for snorkeling, revealing darting shoals of colorful fish in crystal-clear water. Along the shore you’ll find both free public stretches and organized beach clubs offering rentable sunbeds, umbrellas, restrooms and outdoor showers. A handful of bars and casual trattorias line the nearby promenade, ideal spots to grab a cold drink or a plate of freshly caught seafood before settling in for an afternoon of relaxation.