Positano is approximately 20 miles from Naples, at the center of the Amalfi Coast. There are two beaches in Positano, the Spiaggia Grande and Fornillo. You will not find sand at Spiaggia Grande, but rather pebbles. It is the main beach and port in Positano, making it more crowded than Fornillo. The Destination360 website recommends not traveling to Spiaggia Grande during the months of July and August, because many Italians visit at that time to sun bathe. Fornillo is a much more secluded beach with volcanic sand and pebbles, and just a few eateries. You can take diving classes, and rent diving equipment for an underwater excursion.
Minori is a small city on the Amalfi Coast approximately 37 miles from Naples. The beach at Minori is composed of tall jagged rock, and gray, pebbled sand. Sunbathing can be challenging with little area of beach between the water and the rock. The prices at Minori are more reasonable than many areas on the Amalfi Coast, but it is not overcrowded.
A short ferry ride from Naples, Procida is part of the Phlegrean Islands. It is a popular island destination for southern Italians as well as international tourists. It is a 13 mile ferry ride from Naples, and there are cafes and restaurants located right on the Mediterranean Sea. Located in Procida, Cala del Pozzo Vecchio beach was the site where part of the film "Il Postino" was shot. One of the prettiest beaches in Procida is Chiaiolella, which is long and sandy and offers beach concessions and sunbeds.
One of the top tourist destinations in Italy, the Isle of Capri is one of the more well-known beaches in Italy, located 20 miles from Naples. The beaches are all pebbled or rocky due to the composition of the coastline, and are situated on the Mediterranean Sea. Venture to the beach of Bagni di Tiberio, and see the sea-edge palace built by Emperor Tiberius, or travel to the southwest coast of Faro di Punta Carena where you can enjoy the sun from one of the rocky platforms. On the coast of Anacapri, you can visit one of the bathing establishments while admiring the lighthouse above you.
On the northern tip of the Gulf of Naples, Ischia is a mountainous, volcanic island with twenty miles of coastline. It is full of resorts and known for its thermal spas. There are a number of restaurants and bars on the island and the nightlife has something to offer every one. It has become a popular place for couples to come to get married, due to the beauty of its beaches.
