Italy’s best hidden gems have ‘picturesque sandy beaches’

Whether you’re looking for beaches, culture or pizza under the sun – Italy has lots to offer holidaymakers.

Between four and five million British tourists travel to Italy every year, making it one of the UK’s top holiday destinations.

But while many tourists travel to Rome, Venice or the beaches of Sicily, there are a few underrated spots that Britons might not know about.

The travel and home exchange experts at HomeToGo have exclusively shared some of the country’s least-known destinations with Express.co.uk.

These destinations have never appeared in the 100 most-searched on the platform, meaning they’re likely to have far fewer tourists than more popular spots.

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Alassio, Liguria

A gorgeous city on the Italian Riviera, Alassio has some truly beautiful beaches and plenty of little boutiques to discover.

A HomeToGo spokesperson described the city as the perfect destination for “sandy beaches, medieval charm and a picturesque palm-lined promenade.”

Don’t miss trying a plate of trofie al pesto, a traditional regional dish that’s made from fresh pesto.

Ancona, Marche

Situated on Italy’s Adriatic coast, Ancona is known for its dazzling beaches and tasty seafood. As a busy port, it’s also well-connected to Greece, Albania and Croatia.

The spokesperson said: “[It has] a rich maritime history, an ancient Arch of Tajan, and a vibrant cultural scene along its picturesque harbour.”

The Arch of Trajan is one of Ancona’s must-see monuments and was constructed from Turkish marble.

Tropea, Calabria

A seaside resort in the Calabria region, Tropea has a gorgeous clifftop town and is located on La Costa degli Dei. That translates as the Coast of the Gods and it’s not hard to see how it earned its name.

While Tropea has received more attention from tourists in recent years, the town is still fairly unknown internationally.

It’s not the cheapest holiday destination but the high prices might be worth it for its “stunning beaches” and “dramatic coastal cliffs”.