Vespa rides along rugged coastal drives, picturesque pebbly beaches originating from earth-shaking volcano eruptions, and of course, the pastel-hue, skinny edifices lining the port: nothing screams an idyllic European summer quite like a European beach town.
Unfortunately, places like Amalfi, Positano, Sorrento, and Portofino aren’t exactly friendly to budget-conscious travelers.
With hotel rates averaging around $200 per night, and some dinners costing up to $80, Italy’s quartet of iconic coastal destinations is practically synonymous with heavy spending—but they’re far from telling the whole story.
You can still live that dolce vita, and gorge on homemade pasta as you watch an epic sunset, without breaking the bank, if you're open to checking out these 4 alternatives instead:
Ventimiglia
Right on the border with the French Riviera, Ventimiglia shares much of its neighbor's vintage feel and Old World vibes, except you won't find the same luxury yachts, Russian millionaires splurging at Hermès (spoiler: there's none), or overpriced trattorias.
It's somewhere you go to experience the local culture, especially considering the Old Town, Ventimiglia Alta‘s undeveloped appeal: think centuries-old stone houses that, for the most part, have not been painted in Instagrammable pastel tones, and crowd-free winding alleys.
The beaches in Ventimiglia have a mix of pebble and sand, like Spiaggia delle Calandre, a 15-minute walk from the center, meals in local restaurants cost roughly $10–13 (try the no-frills Pasta & Basta), and if you're looking for a B&B to crash, Da Dharma offers the best-value, at $100-a-night.
Barletta
A hidden gem of the Puglia Coast, Barletta is a culture-charged small town boasting a high concentration of landmarks, most notably Barletta Castle, a star-shaped fortification adjacent to the sea, and the Colossus of Barletta, a 1,400-year-old bronze statue honoring a Roman Emperor.
Unlike other parts of Puglia, where beaches are mostly pebbly, Barletta's Lido di Ponente is characterized by its fine sands lined with palm trees, and it features both public-access areas and private sections administered by beach clubs.
If you're on a tighter budget, a triple room with shared toilet facilities, only a few steps from the beach, will cost you $63-a-night at Villa Helios, whereas dining at the homely Ristorante Antica Cucina 1983 is an average $15–18 per person (if you're craving grilled octopus, this is the go-to spot).
Meta di Sorrento
Sorrento's forgotten sibling, just east down the coast, Meta di Sorrento is your typical Amalfi seaside resort, with the colorful Old Town, postcard-ready marina, and a long stretch of beach, which, unlike other cliff-side settlements on the coast, isn't pebbly:
Featuring soft, volcanic sands, Marina di Meta is a rare occurrence in Amalfi, and it rarely feels too crowded, even in the peak season, in stark contrast with the jam-packed beaches of Positano and Atrani—and the best part? It's far more affordable!
A one-bedroom apartment rental in the center of town costs $150 per night to book in summer (La Casa del Nonno), and casual beachfront eateries typically offer $10 Margherita pizzas and seafood pasta for around $15–18.
Brindisi
At the bottom of the Italian heel, Brindisi is a relaxed coastal city with none of Bari or Naples' hectic scenes, or the Amalfi Coast's inflated prices: picture a palm-backed promenade, a historic center dotted with Roman ruins, and sandy lidos hugged by the Adriatic.
The most-frequented beach in the area, Cala Materdomini, is a stretch of sandy beach straddling azure, shallow waters. Renting one of the classic blue-and-white umbrellas or a sunbed for the day costs roughly $10–12 per person.
When the munchies hit, head back into town and look for La Locanda del Porto, near the harbor. Here, you can sample orecchiette pasta for $14. May we add, it's a short 8-minute walk from the 3-star Hotel L'Approdo, where nightly rates start from a shockingly cheap $54.
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