Expat Travel Guide

8 Beautiful Beaches in Italy by Train

Skip the hassle of rental cars, ZTL fines, and coastal traffic. Discover Italy’s stunning seaside escapes reachable directly by rail.

Exploring the Best Beaches in Italy by Train

One of the absolute greatest perks of living in Italy as an expat is the incredible rail network. Whether you are planning a quick day trip from Rome or a weekend getaway along the Ligurian or Tyrrhenian coast, discovering top beaches in Italy by train is effortless, affordable, and scenic.

Using official national lines like Trenitalia, you can step off the train platform directly onto golden sands. Below is our curated guide to 8 stunning coastal destinations featuring top beaches in Italy by train, complete with exact stations, historical insights, and train travel tips.

🚆 At a Glance: Destinations & Train Stations

• 1. Sestri Levante (Liguria) — Station: Sestri Levante
• 2. Camogli & San Fruttuoso (Liguria) — Station: Camogli-San Fruttuoso
• 3. Santa Margherita Ligure (Liguria) — Station: Santa Margherita Ligure-Portofino
• 4. Anzio & Nettuno (Lazio) — Station: Anzio or Nettuno
• 5. Sperlonga (Lazio) — Station: Fondi-Sperlonga (plus quick local shuttle)
• 6. Vietri sul Mare (Amalfi Coast / Campania) — Station: Vietri sul Mare-Amalfi
• 7. Tropea (Calabria) — Station: Tropea
• 8. Taormina & Cefalù (Sicily) — Station: Taormina-Giardini or Cefalù

1. Sestri Levante: The City of Two Seas

Train Station: Sestri Levante (5-minute walk to the water)

Known affectionately as the “City of Two Seas” (Città dei Due Mari), Sestri Levante sits on a unique peninsula flanked by two distinct bays: the peaceful Baia del Silenzio (Bay of Silence) and the lively Baia delle Favole (Bay of Fairy Tales). The latter was named by famous Italian TV host Enzo Tortora in honor of Hans Christian Andersen, who visited and fell in love with the town in 1833.

From the railway station, a flat, pleasant 5-minute stroll leads you straight through the charming historic pedestrian center directly onto the beach.

2. Camogli & San Fruttuoso

Train Station: Camogli-San Fruttuoso

Camogli is famous for its tall, pastel-painted houses lined along the harbor—traditionally painted in vibrant colors so local fishermen could spot their homes from far out at sea. If you visit on the second Sunday of May, you can experience the famous Sagra del Pesce, where tons of fresh fish are fried in a gigantic 4-meter-wide frying pan right on the square!

From Camogli, take a quick ferry or embark on a scenic coastal hike (taking approximately 2 hours and 45 minutes) to reach the secluded cove of San Fruttuoso. Nestled beneath a 10th-century abbey, this bay is home to the famous submerged bronze statue Christ of the Abyss, placed underwater in 1954 in memory of pioneer Italian diver Dario Gonzatti.

3. Santa Margherita Ligure & Portofino Gateway

Train Station: Santa Margherita Ligure-Portofino

Santa Margherita Ligure offers elegant palm-lined promenades, grand hotels, and beautiful beaches with clear, calm waters. Art lovers shouldn’t miss the Church of San Giacomo di Corte, which features a historic crucifix attributed to Anthony van Dyck or his school.

It also serves as the main train gateway to nearby Portofino—you can either hop on a quick local ferry, take a short bus, or enjoy a picturesque walk along the coast.

💡 Looking for Travel Buddies or Expat Meetups? We organize weekly social events, aperitivos, and cultural outings in Rome. Connect with fellow international residents on our Expats Living in Rome Events Calendar.

4. Anzio & Nettuno: Easy Day Trips from Rome

Train Stations: Anzio or Nettuno (Direct regional train from Roma Termini)

For expats based in Rome, visiting local beaches in Italy by train like Anzio and Nettuno offers the fastest, most convenient seaside getaway. In under an hour from Termini station, you can be walking along wide sandy beaches.

Anzio is famous for its fresh seafood restaurants around the harbor and rich World War II history, while neighboring Nettuno boasts a beautifully preserved medieval walled old town (Borgo Antico) right next to the beach.

5. Sperlonga: Whitewashed Coastal Charm

Train Station: Fondi-Sperlonga (plus a 15-minute connected local bus)

Perched high on a rocky spur overlooking crystal-clear waters, Sperlonga resembles a whitewashed Cycladic village in Greece. Famous for Emperor Tiberius’s ancient seaside villa and grotto, this Blue Flag beach destination is easily accessible by taking the train from Rome or Naples to Fondi-Sperlonga, where dedicated buses wait right outside the station platform.

6. Vietri sul Mare: Gateway to the Amalfi Coast

Train Station: Vietri sul Mare-Amalfi

Vietri sul Mare is the only town on the world-famous Amalfi Coast with its own direct train station, making it one of the easiest coastal beaches in Italy by train to access. Known worldwide for its vibrant handcrafted majolica ceramics, Vietri offers lovely beaches, authentic artisan shops, and easy access to local ferries exploring the rest of the coastline.

7. Tropea: The Jewel of Calabria’s Gods’ Coast

Train Station: Tropea

Located along Southern Italy’s Costa degli Dei (Coast of the Gods), Tropea features dramatic cliffs topped with historic stone buildings that drop directly into turquoise waters. The train station sits right above the historic center, making it simple to walk through the town to the iconic Santa Maria dell’Isola sanctuary overlooking the sea.

8. Taormina & Cefalù: Train-on-a-Ferry to Sicily

Train Stations: Taormina-Giardini or Cefalù

Did you know you can take a train all the way to Sicily without getting off? Long-distance Intercity trains from Rome or Naples are loaded directly onto specialized ferry boats to cross the Strait of Messina before continuing along the Sicilian coast.

Both Taormina-Giardini (with its stunning Art Nouveau station building right near Isola Bella) and Cefalù (featuring a dramatic Norman cathedral right by a golden sandy bay) are premier beach destinations directly on the rail line.

🎟️ Tips for Visiting Beaches in Italy by Train

• Always Validate Regional Tickets: If using paper regional train tickets (Regionale), remember to stamp them in the green/white validation machines before boarding to avoid fines!
• Use Official Apps: Download the official Trenitalia or Italo apps to keep digital tickets on your phone easily. Digital regional tickets validate automatically at train departure time.
• Check Return Schedules: On summer weekends, return regional trains from popular beaches in Italy by train can fill up quickly—book ahead or plan your return time early!

🏛️ Planning a Permanent Move or Legalizing Your Stay in Italy? Navigating visas, residency permits, or citizenship applications? Check out our independent Italian Immigration & Legal Support Services.

Living in Rome or Planning Your Move?

Join thousands of international expats, retirees, and remote workers connecting through Expats Living in Rome. Get helpful guides, weekly social meetups, and local support.

🌐 Visit Expats Living in Rome

Expat Travel Guide

8 Beautiful Beaches in Italy by Train

Skip the hassle of rental cars, ZTL fines, and coastal traffic. Discover Italy’s stunning seaside escapes reachable directly by rail.

Exploring the Best Beaches in Italy by Train

One of the absolute greatest perks of living in Italy as an expat is the incredible rail network. Whether you are planning a quick day trip from Rome or a weekend getaway along the Ligurian or Tyrrhenian coast, discovering top beaches in Italy by train is effortless, affordable, and scenic.

Using official national lines like Trenitalia, you can step off the train platform directly onto golden sands. Below is our curated guide to 8 stunning coastal destinations featuring top beaches in Italy by train, complete with exact stations, historical insights, and train travel tips.

🚆 At a Glance: Destinations & Train Stations

• 1. Sestri Levante (Liguria) — Station: Sestri Levante
• 2. Camogli & San Fruttuoso (Liguria) — Station: Camogli-San Fruttuoso
• 3. Santa Margherita Ligure (Liguria) — Station: Santa Margherita Ligure-Portofino
• 4. Anzio & Nettuno (Lazio) — Station: Anzio or Nettuno
• 5. Sperlonga (Lazio) — Station: Fondi-Sperlonga (plus quick local shuttle)
• 6. Vietri sul Mare (Amalfi Coast / Campania) — Station: Vietri sul Mare-Amalfi
• 7. Tropea (Calabria) — Station: Tropea
• 8. Taormina & Cefalù (Sicily) — Station: Taormina-Giardini or Cefalù

Destination 1

1. Sestri Levante: The City of Two Seas

Train Station: Sestri Levante (5-minute walk to the water)

Known affectionately as the “City of Two Seas” (Città dei Due Mari), Sestri Levante sits on a unique peninsula flanked by two distinct bays: the peaceful Baia del Silenzio (Bay of Silence) and the lively Baia delle Favole (Bay of Fairy Tales). The latter was named by famous Italian TV host Enzo Tortora in honor of Hans Christian Andersen, who visited and fell in love with the town in 1833.

From the railway station, a flat, pleasant 5-minute stroll leads you straight through the charming historic pedestrian center directly onto the beach.

Destination 2

2. Camogli & San Fruttuoso

Train Station: Camogli-San Fruttuoso

Camogli is famous for its tall, pastel-painted houses lined along the harbor—traditionally painted in vibrant colors so local fishermen could spot their homes from far out at sea. If you visit on the second Sunday of May, you can experience the famous Sagra del Pesce, where tons of fresh fish are fried in a gigantic 4-meter-wide frying pan right on the square!

From Camogli, take a quick ferry or embark on a scenic coastal hike (taking approximately 2 hours and 45 minutes) to reach the secluded cove of San Fruttuoso. Nestled beneath a 10th-century abbey, this bay is home to the famous submerged bronze statue Christ of the Abyss, placed underwater in 1954 in memory of pioneer Italian diver Dario Gonzatti.

Destination 3

3. Santa Margherita Ligure & Portofino Gateway

Train Station: Santa Margherita Ligure-Portofino

Santa Margherita Ligure offers elegant palm-lined promenades, grand hotels, and beautiful beaches with clear, calm waters. Art lovers shouldn’t miss the Church of San Giacomo di Corte, which features a historic crucifix attributed to Anthony van Dyck or his school.

It also serves as the main train gateway to nearby Portofino—you can either hop on a quick local ferry, take a short bus, or enjoy a picturesque walk along the coast.

💡 Looking for Travel Buddies or Expat Meetups? We organize weekly social events, aperitivos, and cultural outings in Rome. Connect with fellow international residents on our Expats Living in Rome Events Calendar.

Destination 4

4. Anzio & Nettuno: Easy Day Trips from Rome

Train Stations: Anzio or Nettuno (Direct regional train from Roma Termini)

For expats based in Rome, visiting local beaches in Italy by train like Anzio and Nettuno offers the fastest, most convenient seaside getaway. In under an hour from Termini station, you can be walking along wide sandy beaches.

Anzio is famous for its fresh seafood restaurants around the harbor and rich World War II history, while neighboring Nettuno boasts a beautifully preserved medieval walled old town (Borgo Antico) right next to the beach.

Destination 5

5. Sperlonga: Whitewashed Coastal Charm

Train Station: Fondi-Sperlonga (plus a 15-minute connected local bus)

Perched high on a rocky spur overlooking crystal-clear waters, Sperlonga resembles a whitewashed Cycladic village in Greece. Famous for Emperor Tiberius’s ancient seaside villa and grotto, this Blue Flag beach destination is easily accessible by taking the train from Rome or Naples to Fondi-Sperlonga, where dedicated buses wait right outside the station platform.

Destination 6

6. Vietri sul Mare: Gateway to the Amalfi Coast

Train Station: Vietri sul Mare-Amalfi

Vietri sul Mare is the only town on the world-famous Amalfi Coast with its own direct train station, making it one of the easiest coastal beaches in Italy by train to access. Known worldwide for its vibrant handcrafted majolica ceramics, Vietri offers lovely beaches, authentic artisan shops, and easy access to local ferries exploring the rest of the coastline.

Destination 7

7. Tropea: The Jewel of Calabria’s Gods’ Coast

Train Station: Tropea

Located along Southern Italy’s Costa degli Dei (Coast of the Gods), Tropea features dramatic cliffs topped with historic stone buildings that drop directly into turquoise waters. The train station sits right above the historic center, making it simple to walk through the town to the iconic Santa Maria dell’Isola sanctuary overlooking the sea.

Destination 8

8. Taormina & Cefalù: Train-on-a-Ferry to Sicily

Train Stations: Taormina-Giardini or Cefalù

Did you know you can take a train all the way to Sicily without getting off? Long-distance Intercity trains from Rome or Naples are loaded directly onto specialized ferry boats to cross the Strait of Messina before continuing along the Sicilian coast.

Both Taormina-Giardini (with its stunning Art Nouveau station building right near Isola Bella) and Cefalù (featuring a dramatic Norman cathedral right by a golden sandy bay) are premier beach destinations directly on the rail line.

🎟️ Tips for Visiting Beaches in Italy by Train

• Always Validate Regional Tickets: If using paper regional train tickets (Regionale), remember to stamp them in the green/white validation machines before boarding to avoid fines!
• Use Official Apps: Download the official Trenitalia or Italo apps to keep digital tickets on your phone easily. Digital regional tickets validate automatically at train departure time.
• Check Return Schedules: On summer weekends, return regional trains from popular beaches in Italy by train can fill up quickly—book ahead or plan your return time early!

🏛️ Planning a Permanent Move or Legalizing Your Stay in Italy? Navigating visas, residency permits, or citizenship applications? Check out our independent Italian Immigration & Legal Support Services.

Living in Rome or Planning Your Move?

Join thousands of international expats, retirees, and remote workers connecting through Expats Living in Rome. Get helpful guides, weekly social meetups, and local support.

🌐 Visit Expats Living in Rome