Skip the Amalfi Coast—These Mediterranean Destinations Offer Better Beaches and Fewer Crowds

The Amalfi Coast is world-renowned for its dramatic scenery, but with visitor numbers during the peak season often exceeding five million, the crowds can be intense and the costs high. Plus, it’s not the best destination for a beach getaway. Most stretches here are small, made up of pebbles that can be uncomfortable or even painful to walk on, not to mention the elbow-to-elbow sunbathers. Driving the coast is incredibly scenic, but with steep, winding roads and traffic congestion, it’s often more stressful than pleasant. 

For a beach vacay, many Mediterranean towns provide access to better beaches with a more tranquil atmosphere, minus the inflated prices. You’ll find plenty right in Italy, but it’s worth considering other countries too, from Spain and France to Greece and less-visited places like Albania and Montenegro. 

The Cilento Coast isn’t as well-known as the Amalfi Coast, but it’s just a few hours south. Located in Salerno, you’ll enjoy more authentic, relaxed charms. Marina di Camerota is an ideal base as a beach town that’s part of the UNESCO-listed Cilento National Park. Here you’ll enjoy the same breathtaking scenery while avoiding the crowds and exorbitant costs. 

The unspoiled beaches are some of the best in Italy, with blue-green waters renowned for their exceptional clarity, ideal for swimming, snorkeling, or diving. Just a few favorites include award-winning Cala Bianca, featuring white pebbles and fine white sand. Family-friendly Calanca offers soft sand and shallow water. Visitors can also explore medieval hilltop villages like Acciaroli and Agropoli, and hike in the national park.

Sardinia is home to beaches that can even rival sandy stretches in the Caribbean. Sant’Antioco, in the southwestern region of the island, is known for its colorful houses, clustered around the fishing port, rich history that includes Phoenician and Roman ruins, and beautiful beaches. It’s home to some of the most spectacular and uncrowded stretches, providing a more tranquil, budget-friendly alternative to towns on the Amalfi Coast. 

Maladroxia Beach is Blue Flag-certified for its pristine environment, including high-quality, safe, and shallow waters perfect for families. It even has unique warm thermal waters bubbling up near the shore. With calm, sheltered waters, Coaquaddus is outstanding for snorkeling while also offering a long stretch of sandy and rocky coastline. Cala Lunga, Spiaggia Grande, and Is Praneddas are just a few of the others that shine.

In July and August, Polignano a Mare (located in the less-visited region of Puglia in the “heel of the boot” will be busy, mostly with Italian tourists, but many feel this coastal town is worth enduring the summer crowds. It offers stunning panoramic views, a picturesque old town with atmospheric cobbled streets, and iconic Cala Paura Beach with golden sand lapped by clear aquamarine water. If you prefer a more serene atmosphere and warm water for swimming, visit from late May through mid-June, or mid-September through early October. 

Charming Sant’ Angelo, found on the southern coast of the picturesque island of Ischia in the Bay of Naples, is an ideal base for enjoying sandy beaches and natural hot springs. It’s a pedestrian-only fishing village with vibrantly painted homes and buildings, while Chiaia di Rose beach, located right in the town center, provides a convenient option for families. Nearby is secluded Cava Grado and the dramatic two-mile-long Maronti Beach, one of the island’s most popular. It’s famous for its volcanic sand, crystal-clear blue water, and natural hot springs that are directly on the sand.

Portopalo di Capo Passero, located at the southernmost tip of Sicily, is renowned for its soft, sandy coastline and rocky coves. You’ll be spoiled for choice when it comes to beaches here, where the Mediterranean meets the Ionian seas. The area is renowned for its crystal-clear waters and beaches like Scalo Mandrie. This scenic public beach right in the fishing village blends directly into the waterfront, providing easy access to shops, cafes, and restaurants. You’ll also have a direct view of Cape Passaro Island, which you can easily reach with a short boat taxi ride, by wading, or swimming.

The golden sands of Playa Carratois offer a mix of free areas to toss down your towels and beach clubs where you can rent umbrellas and sunbeds, along with access to bars and casual eateries. No matter which you choose, the incredibly clear waters are teeming with colorful marine life, making Portopalo di Cap Passero a popular spot for snorkeling and diving. You might even catch sight of a dolphin or two. 

There are some outstanding Mediterranean beach towns beyond Italy as well. While many picturesque seaside villages in Spain are now overrun with tourists, souvenir shops, and sprawling resorts, the tiny port town of Cudillero has retained its authentic charms. A tiny, colorful fisherman’s village in the more far-flung Asturias region on the northern coast, it’s often celebrated as the “Amalfi Coast of Spain.” Its brightly painted homes cascade down the steep cliffside in a natural amphitheater, ending at the bustling port. 

While Cudillero doesn’t have its own beach, there are multiple stunning options very close by. Playa de Aguilar is one of the best, with expansive golden sands ideal for unwinding after a day of exploring. A descent down a set of stairs is worth the effort to reach peaceful Playa de Oleiros with its breathtaking beauty and quieter atmosphere, the perfect spot for a picnic. 

We recently covered San Sebastian, named the best food city in Spain. But as noted, it doesn’t just have a rich food culture, particularly renowned for the pintxo (a sophisticated Basque Country version of tapas), but spectacular beaches. While few tourists seem to head here for a beach escape, San Sebastián and the Amalfi Coast share the same coveted “triple threat.” Think stunning coastal scenery, world-class cuisine, and historic European elegance. They both boast awe-inspiring cliff-backed ocean views for spending the day beach-hopping and dining, yet the city on the Bay of Biscay in the north doesn’t draw the massive crowds. 

There’s an easily accessible beach for everyone, but Playa de La Concha is the crown jewel. One of the country’s most spectacular, the soft golden sands curve for nearly a mile and are lapped by clear blue waters. Playa de Ondarreta at the far end of the bay is ideal for those seeking a more tranquil environment, while Playa de la Zurriola is the “surfer beach” less than 10 minutes on foot from the Old Town. 

Located near the Spanish border, the fishing village of Collioure is known for its pastel-painted houses and small pebble beaches, nestled beneath a castle. An artsy Catan gem with a laid-back vibe, it offers a more tranquil atmosphere than the heavily visited Amalfi Coast. The main town beach is Plage de Collioure (Boromare). A pebbled beach in the heart of Collioure, it offers scenic views of the Château Royal and the church. Next to the jetty and the church just south, you’ll find sandy Saint-Vincent, set within a protected cove. Here you’ll enjoy a less-crowded experience and outstanding views over the bay. 

Known as the “Maldives of Europe,” Ksamil is located on the Albanian Riviera, only about 50 miles east of Salento, Italy, across the Strait of Otranto. It’s renowned for its pristine, powdery white sand and brilliant turquoise water backed by rugged mountains. It provides a rare, uncrowded, and affordable beach getaway that’s much cheaper than Italian alternatives. The resort town of Ksamil in Butrint National Park does get busy during the summer, but it’s easy to find more serene spots. Its beaches range from secluded spans tucked into coves such as Mirror and Lori, to options with beach clubs such as Poda and Bora Bora. If you want something even quieter, you can take a boat or paddle out in a kayak or SUP to reach the four small, peaceful islands nearby. 

The UNESCO-listed walled town of Kotor provides an ideal spot for a beach vacation, combined with exploring history and culture. You’ll enjoy around 80% of the Amalfi Coast’s scenic magic, and less than half the cost. Located in a dramatic fjord-like bay where towering mountains plunge into the sapphire bay, the Old Town is filled with medieval architecture. Discover everything from St. Trypon Cathedral with its 12th-century bells to the Gothic-style 14th-century Buca Palace. Several beaches are just steps away, including Kotor City Beach, popular for sunbathing and swimming, while lined with beach bars and cafes. 

The quiet island of Kythira, nestled between the Ionian and Aegean seas off the southern tip of the Peloponnese Peninsula, is one of the most secluded in the Ionian archipelago. It offers a mix of Venetian castles and sandy beaches, with much of it undeveloped. The lush landscapes include the unique heart-shaped Green Lake and the more than 60-foot-high Fonissa Waterfall, while forests dip to golden sands. 

Avlemonas is frequently cited as the island’s most beautiful village, renowned for its fjord-like rock pool that offers access to the clear emerald waters via ladders and carved stone steps. While the main swimming area is a rocky inlet, just around the corner are several idyllic beaches.