6 beaches near Milan: Where to go for sun, sand, and surf
When you think of Milan, you generally don't think of the beach. There are so many historic and cultural activities to do in the city, without even mentioning the great food and shopping. But, when the city gets to be too much, or you need a break from the summer heat, consider adding one of the best beaches near Milan to your Italy plans. Being able to relax on sandy beaches in the sun and just read a book and listen to the surf can be the perfect, peaceful day during any vacation.
Before you start picking and choosing from the beaches near Milan that you want to visit, you need to make sure that your bags are stored safely. Head to a Bounce luggage storage in Milan to drop everything off. You can also store your beach gear here too when you're not using it. Without all the extra bags, you can make the most of your time at these beautiful beaches. Even if you are just planning to spend part of one day on the Italian Riviera relaxing on the best beaches in the world, you will still want to let us take care of your bags while you soak up the sun.
Monterosso al Mare
One of the best beaches near Milan and, frankly, one of the best beaches on the Italian Riviera is Monterosso al Mare. There is so much to do here besides just sitting on the sandy beaches in the sun. This is one of the best beaches near Milan for hiking and picturesque scenery due to its location and as one of the villages of Cinque Terre.
Monterosso al Mare travel distance from Milan
Since Milan is not close to the coast, the drive to Monterosso al Mare can take up to three hours. Alternatively, the train will take around three and a half hours and departs from Milano Centrale with a transfer to La Spezia Centrale.
Activity recommendations
The beach here isn't exactly huge, but there are options to rent sun loungers and umbrellas and a few bars and restaurants for when you need refreshments. The added cost to rent a sunbed is generally worth it because it reserves your spot for the day. This is one of the best beaches near Milan for relaxation, but it does get very busy in the summer.
Swimming and working on your tan are the best things to do at Monterosso al Mare, but it's also fun to people-watch. The town itself is definitely worth a wander for its impressive views and quaint way of life.
Sestri Levante
This seaside town boasts miles of sandy beaches as well as lots of lovely shops nearby. You will be able to enjoy things like scuba diving here as well as yoga on the beach. This picturesque beach town is also a great place to choose for a weekend getaway near Milan if you have the time in your schedule for this kind of trip. This is a famous beach because of the lovely places to enjoy the sun and the surf combined with the beautiful beach town and the shopping and dining options.
Sestri Levante travel distance from Milan
The drive down to this lovely beach town area is about two hours, and it takes about three hours to get here on the train. You can head here from Milano Centrale if you have not rented a car.
Activity recommendations
Luxury boat trip options are everywhere here, and you can enjoy the sunset with a glass of wine in hand and delicious food served to you by staff on the boat. This is an expensive option, but it can be well worth the money if you want to make memories.
You might also want to wander around town and make the most of the cute little ice cream shops that line the beach area. The ice cream shops are right by other kinds of dining and shopping, just steps away from the beach in some places. This is one of the best beach towns for a well-rounded experience, and you will be glad that you chose this location if you want to be able to experience everything that Italy has to offer.
Lake Como
Made famous by the celebrities who vacation and have homes here, Lake Como is perched right at the foot of the Alps, and the area is as beautiful as you would expect due to the location. This is one of the best beach towns for those who love scuba diving and water sports. Many people make a stop in Milan on the way to staying at Lake Como for a vacation, but that doesn't mean that you can't make Lake Como your weekend trip instead of your primary travel plan.
Lake Como travel distance from Milan
This lovely lake area is a little over an hour from Milan by car and about two hours on public transit.
Activity recommendations
This is actually a lake that was created by glacial processes. Lake Como is in a part of Italy that you would not think of as a location for beautiful beaches near Milan. However, this is one of the best beaches for a variety of unique experiences, and the Lake Como area itself is charming and scenic. Private boat tours are a common way to enjoy this lovely part of northern Italy, and you can even rent a beautiful vintage boat to travel around in on your own.
The water here is relatively still and quiet, which means that these beautiful beaches are some of the best in the country for swimming and water sports. If you are looking for a place to rent an umbrella and a chair and just hang out, this might be the right beach location for your needs as well.
One of the other reasons that this area offers up the best beaches around is that you can visit various fancy, historical villas along this famous beach. You will also have access to a lovely botanical garden area if you want a break from the sun and the sand.
Bergeggi
This is one of the best beaches near Milan for a quiet beach day in the sun. Hiking and other kinds of outdoor activities can be enjoyed here as well. The beautiful beaches in this area are right by Bergeggi Island and offer up some of the most private and cozy beach hours that you can spend in this part of Italy.
This area is one of the best beaches for swimming, and there are various eateries in the area as well, so you don't have to worry about bringing your own food and drinks.
Bergeggi travel distance from Milan
Bergeggi and its beautiful beaches near Milan are about two hours from the city. Public transportation isn't great in this area, so it's best to drive or join up with a tour.
Activity recommendations
The pretty beaches are not the only thing to do in this area. You can head here, rather like Lake Como, for an outdoorsy adventure too. If you love hiking, there are many places where you can enjoy this experience and get some exercise to work off all the pasta that you have probably been eating. You might also want to rent a paddleboard or a kayak and travel around the area to see the sights from the water.
This is not a beach town exactly, but there are a few amenities to be had here if you need them. You might want to take advantage of the fact that this beach is near Milan and bring some food and drinks with you, but you can buy these kinds of items when you arrive as well. This is one of the most peaceful beaches near Milan as well as one of the most beautiful in the region.
Rimini
This beach is one of the largest beaches near Milan. The water is also really shallow here, making this a great place for kids to play and for swimming if you don't enjoy swimming in the open ocean. This is a popular beach near Milan for good reason, but that does mean that this beach can be pretty busy during the peak summer season.
Rimini travel distance from Milan
Like Monterosso al Mare, Rimini is a little far from Milan, but since you need to leave the city anyway for a beach trip, the three-and-a-half-hour drive is worth it. Public transportation in the form of a train and a bus is possible to get here and will take around the same amount of time.
Activity recommendations
The beach in Rimini is roughly 15 km long, so if you like walking and running along the surf, it's easy to accomplish here. This is also a popular tourist destination because of the amenities here as well as the lively nightlife.
The nightlife is excellent here, with high-quality dance clubs and bars in the area. Of all the beach towns in this list, this is the most ideal place to head if you want to enjoy a young crowd with lots to do at night. Because of the nighttime activities here and the distance to get here, this spot makes an excellent weekend trip from Milan.
Whether you're here to party or not, the Mediterranean Sea is lovely, and there are chairs and umbrellas to rent to keep you comfortable. Spend a whole day here lounging in the sun before heading into the town and enjoying a fine dining experience.
Alassio
There is no beach area near Milan that is more classic than this picturesque fishing village. This special beach town could not be more beautiful, and you will want to take in every part of what this little village with lovely sandy beaches has to offer.
Alassio travel distance from Milan
The trip by car to this beach town near Milan is about three hours. Public transport will take you about three and a half hours.
Activity recommendations
This beach town location rose to prominence in the 1920s and 1930s, and there is art deco architecture everywhere to attest to this fact. This is a lovely beach with stretches of soft, white sand to enjoy. You can rent an umbrella and some chairs and just tan all day here if you want.
While this might have been a fishing village once upon a time, the location is also steeped in history that is much older. There is a lot to see and do in the town if you want to learn about the history of this part of Italy's northwest coast. This can be a day trip location, but you might miss out on the shopping, dining, and historical aspects of this lovely spot if you don't at least spend one night here.
Make sure to consider stopping in at Muretto di Alassio for a meal and check out the mural wall covered in tiles with the names of all the famous people who have eaten there. There are also lots of really great shopping areas here in this small area by the Mediterranean Sea. You could choose to head here just for the cultural and dining experience alone if you want without missing out.
Conclusion
If you only have a few days to spend in Milan, it's best to stay in the city and see as much as you can. But if you've already been to Milan or have longer to spend in the area, why not plan an exciting weekend trip from Milan to one of the outlying beach towns on this list, like Alassio or Rimini? Plus, since traveling in Italy can get costly, spending an entire day at the beach is a cost-effective way to visit the surrounding areas of Milan on a budget. There is no shortage of ways to plan the perfect vacation, and you will have no trouble creating a trip to the Italian Riviera to remember with a little research before you go.
From scuba diving to stunning scenery to visiting beach resort town locations near Milan, there are many ways to create memories while you visit this part of the world.
