10 Best Beaches in Naples

La Gaiola Beach (Spiaggia della Gaiola) is among Naples’ most popular beaches, offering 2 sections that are free to enter and offer unique experiences. One of these sections is inside the Gaiola Underwater Park. This requires you to show a ticket when you enter. The other is open to all with no restrictions. Regardless of which beach you attend, it’s a good idea to get here early, as starting in the late morning they can get quite crowded, and it can be tricky to find a good spot.

One of the best things about this beach is that it’s serviced by the city’s Metro Line 2. It is about 40 minutes southwest of the city centre.

Marina Piccola Beach (Spiaggia di Marina Piccola (Capri Island)) was made famous by Homer's 'The Odyssey', and offers a sheltered cove with a truly magical vibe. In Homer’s poem, this is the spot where the sirens tried to capture Odysseus. In real life, you probably won’t see a siren, but you’ll find clear, warm turquoise waters ideal for snorkelling as well as a pebbly beach with spectacular views of the iconic Faraglioni limestone spurs soaring over the bay. Even better, just steps away from the beach you’ll find an amazing fine dining establishment with spectacular views of the seashore.

This beach is on an offshore island and takes about 2 hours to reach. It’s best to plan a day trip.

Bagni Regina Giovanna is located on the Cape of Sorrento and offers a secluded swimming hole with a rocky shore but tons of romantic surroundings. This spot is named for a medieval queen who it’s said had romantic trysts with secret lovers at this particular cove. It’s tucked among aromatic scrub and has warm, calm waters at the base of a flight of stairs. Just offshore you will find a natural stone arch that’s wonderful for Instagram photos, or you can swim to it to explore a small sea cave.

Bagni Regina Giovanna is also home to ruins from the 1st century BCE and a beach bar resort. All of this is about 1.5 hours south of the city centre.

Citara Beach (Spiaggia di Citara (Ischia Island)) is on the largest island in the Neapolitan Archipelago and offers a laid-back vibe, making it a great spot to soak up some local culture. It’s famed not only for its long but narrow stretch of beach and dark blue waters, but also for the trattorias that line the beach and offer regional delicacies and fantastic dining. Also here is a famed thermal spa, the Poseidon Thermal Gardens, which are fed by volcanic vents and feature over 20 natural hot springs.

The beach is also famed for its spectacular sunset views and clear waters that are ideal for snorkelling. It’s about 2 hours west of the city centre.

Marina di Praia offers a sequestered and dramatic setting with fantastic views and plenty of nearby attractions to explore from historic sites to a quaint fishing village. The sun only warms this beach for a few hours every day, and that’s the ideal time to walk the pebble-strewn shore. After it’s moved on, you’ll want to check out the medieval tower of Torre a Mare on the beach’s right side for great views, while a smaller, second hidden beach to the east offers a great spot during the high season.

The fishing village is marked by historic seaside churches, fun beach bars and a quirky, yet authentic vibe. It’s about 1.5 hours southeast of the city centre.

Chiara Beach (Spiaggia della Chiaia (Ischia Island)) offers powder-soft white sand, a gently sloping sea and a warm vibe with ideal swimming conditions due to the breakwaters. The beach also offers plentiful amenities, so you’ll have everything you need right at your fingertips. Just steps away, the town offers medieval sites including watchtowers and a 14th-century church, as well as restaurants offering local Biancolella wines that must be sampled to be believed.

On the beach, beach games and water sports are popular, and you can always find a pickup game of volleyball. It’s wide, with plenty of room to spread out. This island paradise is about 1.5 hours west of the city centre.

Maronti Beach (Spiaggia dei Maronti) offers opportunities for a day trip to explore the countryside and enjoy natural springs and views of the Sant'Angelo Cross. This beach has both free and paid areas. The latter gets less crowded and has more amenities, but even the free beach is clean and offers soft sand and beautiful clear waters. The natural springs are only a 10-minute walk from the beach proper and offer the chance to get away from the crowds on the beach and relax for a time.

The nearby cliffside hotel just a 6-minute walk from the beach offers incredible sunset views and amazing food. The ferry ride takes you about 2 hours southwest of the city centre.

Bagno Elena is a vibrant local beach that’s as popular with locals as visitors, offering stunning views and easy access to the famous Palazzo Donn'Anna right on the beach. This spot gets very crowded during the peak season, so get here early in the day to secure a good spot. Umbrellas and sunbeds are available to rent, and a cafe right on the beach offers the chance to enjoy good eats with spectacular seashore views. The beach is also lined with great hotels and options for lodging at superb prices, making it an all-in-one holiday destination.

One thing that speaks for this beach is that it’s close to the Naples city centre. It’s just about 20 minutes southwest of town.

Ieranto Bay Beach (AI - Baia di Ieranto) offers a more secluded option for sun and sand away from the hustle and bustle of local attractions, with plenty of amenities. This beach is located on the Sorrento Peninsula about an hour and 40 minutes from the Naples city centre. It’s been called a hidden paradise of the Mediterranean. Reaching the beach does require a short hike down a cliff, but it’s along a well-marked trail. The crowds are thinner here with a secluded, calm and even romantic vibe.

Nearby amenities include luxury and boutique hotels only about 10 minutes away. This location offers full-service pampering, a gourmet restaurant with private views and even rooms with private terraces.

Marina Grande Beach (Spiaggia Marina Grande aka Spiaggia di Cala Grande) is a beach in a former fishing village turned vibrant port and setting-off point for island exploration. It offers breakwater swimming, an active port with sleek yachts and brightly painted fishing boats as well as ferries and cruise ships. Some have referred to this beach as the 'Jewel of the Tyrrhenian'. It is among the largest beaches on the island and offers plenty to see, from elegant seashore views to the stunning boats in the harbour.

The cliff-backed beach offers fantastic viewpoints and the ability to leap into the water, while just steps away you’ll find delicious sit-down and takeaway dining. It’s 2 hours south of the city centre.