When it’s hot in Italy, everyone heads to the beach. To say that “la spiaggia” is a holy site to which entire villages and families flock every August to dine, chat, and sunbathe would be an understatement. Italy is a peninsula that juts out into the Mediterranean, and its coastline is roughly 4,700 miles long, the fourth longest in Europe. This means that no Italian is more than a couple of hours’ drive from a beach. For first-time visitors, the abundance of options can be overwhelming. We’ve selected 11 of our favorites, ranging from the glitz of the Amalfi Coast to the affordability and accessibility of the Adriatic’s wide, white beaches. We’ve listed some of our favorite hotels and packages for you to check out.

Salina

If you’re determined, you can experience the real dolce vita in the slow lane in the Aeolian islands. Salina, the largest and most populous of the seven islands, is also the greenest and most attractive. Punta Di Scario is the nicest beach; it is a huge, pebbled cove located just below the town of Malfa. For just 10 euros, you can rent two lilos and a parasol for the day, and then cool down in the water after chowing down on some anchovies and white wine.

Tuscany

Maremma, a coastal district in Tuscany, offers some of the best white-sand beaches in the world. Roman politicians and celebrities take the Via Aurelia to L’Ultima Spiaggia (“the last resort” before Lazio) in the south, while Russians fly into Pisa from Moscow for the glitz of Forte dei Marmi in the north. Bolgheri’s Antinori family-owned beach is a tranquil oasis, but Ansedonia’s family-friendly atmosphere and proximity to Ristorante La Strega make it an attractive alternative.

Coast of Amalfi

Goethe once remarked, “See Naples, then die,” but the Amalfi coast, with its winding road perched on the edge of a sheer cliff, is probably more magnificent. This 25-mile length of coast is best experienced from the water, from the hidden but beautiful settlements of Nerano and Praiano to the pulsating glamor of show-stealing Positano and Amalfi. Reserve a table at Da Adolfo, where you can feast on fried mozzarella in lemon leaves while lounging in a deck chair on the beach. If you plan ahead, they will use their own boat to pick you up and return you to Positano at no extra cost.

Liguria

The Italian Riviera, a crescent-shaped coastline between France and Tuscany, is admired for its picturesque Cinque Terre Coast Path. Portofino may be where the rock stars and duchesses go, but if you want to experience a real Italian beach vacation, you should head to Santa Margherita and explore the tiny coves and fishing villages in between the two. Families visit because it’s a safe place to raise kids, while young adults hang out at the seaside cafes and bars.