by Alessandra Busacca @alessandra_busacca

Salt on the skin, wavy mermaid hair and miles of beach. Some collect seashells on the shoreline, others prefer a game of tennis on red clay. But of all summer destinations, the Italian coast has an irresistible appeal for those who thrive on “vitamin Sea”.

The first beach resorts as we know and love them originated in the 19th century in the Tuscan region of Versilia, with the Bagni Dori in Viareggio. Over the course of a hundred years, rail lines and Art Nouveau works connected and embellished the coastlines, and cabanas and beach umbrellas sprang up all over Rimini, the Lido in Venice, Naples and Palermo, with the notorious Mondello and its ancient bathing establishment.

Although names and customs have changed profoundly over the decades, just like beach outfits, the beach resort became the quintessential summer landmark in the 1950s and 1960s, with cult spots such as the Kursaal in Ostia.

Today we’re on a quest to discover the chicest and most sought-after beach resorts and establishments of this era, for you Gou Gous who love the salty air with an extra touch of elegance.

BAGNI FIORE

In one of the coolest areas of Liguria, in the bay of Paraggi at a stone’s throw from Portofino, Bagni Fiore invites you to step into the shoes of Hollywood stars. The atmosphere is absolutely vintage: from Brigitte Bardot to Maria Callas, many actresses have fallen in love with this strip of sand. And it’s not hard to guess why.

TIGU BEACH 

We welcome you to Tigu Beach, a gem on the Ligurian Riviera in Sestri Levante. The sea melts into the horizon in front of tables set in Parisian fashion. At your back, inland greenery echoes the sage and écru of the seats and loungers. The light curtains move back and forth in time with the tide…

ECO DEL MARE 

At the opposite end of the region, in the Levante, the lapping of the waves can be heard in the distance. Eco Del Mare in Lerici, in the classic and romantic Golfo dei Poeti, is nestled in unspoiled nature, a retreat for the senses born in the 1950s from an idea of François and Nicoletta Mozer, curious sea lovers who turned a steep cliff into a corner of paradise.

BAGNO SANTA MARIA

For a taste of seafood, small oysters au gratin, and the best spaghetti alle arselle (wedge clams) in the area, Bagno Santa Maria is your go-to spot, standing out against the iconic backdrop of Forte dei Marmi and reachable by bicycle or after a leisurely stroll along the waterfront.

BAGNO ALBA

Also in Forte dei Marmi, for a candlelight dinner under the iconic white marquees, Bagno Alba hands us a chalice to toast the sunset. The entrance is dotted with wisteria and the pastel table setting is delightfully elegant.

CIRCOLO LA MACCHIA

A radical chic touch is inevitable, even by the sea. That’s why there’s Circolo La Macchia, hidden among Capalbio‘s lush vegetation in an old 16th-century farmhouse. A stylish, members-only stay: private beach, cocktail bar, a panoramic terrace overlooking the sea and a furnished garden on the dunes.

DA GIOIA BY LA PALMA

Lemons and the scent of orange blossoms, cliffs plunging into the turquoise sea, local handicrafts, and colorful ceramics. In one of the most iconic areas of the island of Capri, in Marina Piccola, Da Gioia by La Palma offers a breathtaking view as Hotel La Palma’s elegant beach. Chef Gennaro Esposito elevates each recipe with fresh, local produce, to be savored in front of the rocky Faraglioni.

LA FONTELINA 

To fully enjoy Capri‘s dolce vita, made up of sunshine but also sparkling nights at dusk, the best place is La Fontelina, Capri’s beach club that unfolds like an oasis of rocks bathed in water. A glass of Sangria with sweet local peaches welcomes us to the most authentic heart of the island.

ALLA DAMA BIANCA

At the far end of the northern Adriatic Sea, amid the white rock ramparts of Duino, Alla Dama Bianca hosts a terrace that doubles as an intimate beach, perfect for lounging lazily. The climate is Mediterranean, but the breeze carried from time to time by the Bora cools the air pleasantly. For the decadent Gou Gous, there will be the legendary Dario to satisfy your every request, including carpaccio, tartare and scampi, paired with a delicious Saint Germain spritz to sip under the umbrella.

HOTEL EXCELSIOR – VENICE LIDO RESORT

The aquatic city of Venice gives us the dreamy locations on the lagoon and luxurious private beaches like that of the Hotel Excelsior. Here, arrayed as far as the eye can see, white or hazelnut-colored cabanas transport you back in time to the golden summers of the Belle Époque.

MAREPINETA BEACH CLUB 

And now we come to the joyous splendor of fun! Blueberry juice, white miniskirts, and wristbands: the MarePineta Beach Club in Milano Marittima is just waiting for our tennis rackets. The sound of the ball bounces softly to the rhythm of the waves. After a game among friends, we slip into our bikinis for a midnight swim.

MARÉ 

Between the pier and the sea in Cesenatico, Maré (mare, but watch the accent!) is a beach with an open boutique facing the water. The large windows, the wood of the striped cabins, and the lingering scent of lavender and rosemary are hard to forget.

GRAND HOTEL RIMINI

We are immersed in a legendary Fellini film set every time we cross the threshold of the Grand Hotel in Rimini, the director’s beloved artistic city. We imagine him there, on the terrace of white wrought-iron chairs or on the sublime beach, intent on fantasizing about his next film…

BAGNI 45 MARISTELLA

Let us now enjoy the unforgettable view from the terrace “Dalla Gioconda” in Gabicce Mare on the last offshoot of the Romagna coast and at the dawn of the Marche coast. Let’s try a cocktail or a fresh fish menu and descend to the sea to enjoy the well-deserved sunshine. Bagni 45 Maristella, with its sunset-colored sun umbrellas, is a small corner of tranquility.

PETTOLECCHIA IL LIDO

In Savelletri, in the heart of Puglia, we experience the luxury beach resort par excellence: Pettolecchia Il Lido, one of the most distinctive for its carefully studied environment, from the catering to the beach amenities that provide absolute comfort thanks to the extra soft canopies.

BAGNO MARINO ARCHI

On the cliffs of Santa Cesarea Terme, in one of the most evocative stretches of Salento, rise the coral-colored umbrellas of Bagno Marino Archi: though situated on the rocks, it offers smooth access to the sea thanks to secret pathways and hidden stairs, immersed in the clear waters.

Don’t let summer come without planning dips and dinners on the shore: save and share Gourmode à la plage!