Best beaches in Italy

Sicily

Typical swim months: June, July, August, September, October

Palermo sea is 25-26.5 C July to September; June still cool, early September good, bad weather creeping in late September. Scirocco heat spells can reach 40-45 C in summer. Rain peaks in autumn and winter.

Scirocco heat waves June-August (up to 43-45 C at the hottest).

Sardinia

Typical swim months: June, July, August, September, October

Porto Cervo sea is 24-25 C July to September, a bit cool in June and October; slightly cooler on the west. The maestrale (northwest wind) hits the west and the Strait of Bonifacio and the island is windiest October to April.

Maestrale wind, mainly west coast; early autumn weather can turn from mid-September.

Campania (Naples, Amalfi Coast, Cilento)

Typical swim months: June, July, August, September, October

Naples sea reaches 25.5-27 C in July-August; June is still a little cool. Autumn is the wettest season (November 160 mm). Page does not cover Amalfi specifically; figures are for Naples.

Puglia (Apulia)

Typical swim months: June, July, August, September, October

Bari sea is 25-26 C in July-August; June still cool, September quite warm but weather can break in the second half. Salento is described as windy. Cold Balkan air can bring snow in winter.

Liguria (Italian Riviera)

Typical swim months: June, July, August, September

Genoa sea tops out about 25 C in August, 24 C in July, 22.5 C in September. July-August is best per source. Autumn brings heavy rain (October 170 mm) that can cause flooding; the western Riviera is drier than the central-eastern coast.

Autumn flooding rain, especially September-November.