Historical Aragonese Castle | Photo by Boris Stroujko ()
Surrounded by some of the most beautiful landscapes, the Tyrrhenian Sea provides coastlines to its visitors that are sure to shock and awe. Get ready for some fun in the sun in Italy and on the islands of Sardinia and Corsica with crystal clear waters and pillow-soft sand that stretches for seemingly endless miles along the coast. Nothing screams summer like the ultimate beach trip to one of Europe’s most fabulous countries!
Though you may not have heard of the Tyrrhenian Sea, it is part of the glittering Mediterranean. The Tyrrhenian includes the western coast of Italy, Sicily, Sardinia, the French island of Corsica and several smaller islands. It is a major trade and transportation route, as well as a popular tourist destination.
Gulf of Mondello in Palermo, Sicily | Photo by marcopa82
Consider basking in the sun in Palermo, Sicily. It was dubbed “kingdom of the sun” by Normans in the 12th century and earned the “Capital of Culture” title in 2018. For a taste of the local culture, hit up a market for some truly outstanding food. Capo, Vucciria and Ballarò are some of the main markets and feature all of the fruits, vegetables, meats, spices and trinkets you could imagine. But the beach is where the magic happens. A quick 20-minute bus ride from the city is Mondello. Once a fisherman’s village, the beach promenade is now full of Art Nouveau style villas and lounge chairs that are nestled between Mount Gallo and Mount Pellegrino.
If you’d prefer to stay on an island, consider Corsica’s luxurious beaches. Palombaggia, on the southern side of the island, is particularly stunning. White sand dunes, shady pine trees and delightfully warm, shallow waters make this area perfect for families. If you want to escape the crowds visit Campomoro Beach. It offers a mountainous backdrop and near solitude. It’s a veritable paradise!
Reflections in La Maddalena harbor at sunset | Photo by alkanc
Sitting on one beach can sometimes make you feel restless. Curb that feeling by island hopping in La Maddalena, a cluster of pink granite islands and islets between Corsica and Sardinia. These islands are considered the secrets of Sardinia and house turquoise lagoons, pristine beaches and an air of otherworldliness. The beaches are only accessible by boat, and therefore hardly touched. Don’t worry, you’ll still discover plenty of tiny restaurants and shops in the port towns!
Endless lounging on the beach is lovely, but you can also see some amazing things if you hop in the car and cruise on SP71 road along the Costa del Sud in southern Sardinia. Twist and turn along the rocky coast and pull off at all the stopping points to take endless amounts of pictures of the postcard-perfect area. A popular destination on this route are the beaches in Chia. Both families and divers love the shallow turquoise waters, and more active visitors will love windsurfing in this location. Let the golden beaches and copious amounts of vitamin D carry you away to your happy place while you relish this experience!
Tyrrhenian sea coast shore, Calabria, Southern Italy | Photo by Aliaksandr Antanovich
Why go There
Sun worshippers flock to the Tyrrhenian coast when the weather really heats up, and for obvious reasons. Maybe it’s the glistening azure waters or the pristine beaches. Perhaps the craggy cliffs that provide the perfect backdrop draw in visitors. It could be the gorgeous coastal towns that draw the crowds. Whatever your reason is for visiting this holiday hotspot, don’t delay on scheduling your trip now. Get ready to say “ciao” to one of the best vacations of your life!
