Hi guys,

I'm starting to think about/plan my first trip to Italy towards the middle of May. I definitely want to spend 3 days/nights in Rome then want to either go to Cinque Terre or down to the Amalfi Coast. We want to get the most of our time and not spread it too thinly, and I don't think 8 days would be long enough to do all three. We really want to spend time in Rome and also visit some beautiful beaches. Any thoughts?

Well the CT i more for hiking than for beaches = and no one nows when the hiking trails will recover from the recent flooding. The Amalfi Coast should be pleasant in May - we've ben there twice at end of May and the wether was warm enough for pools to be open. Not sure if it's warm enough to swim in the sea yet - and the local beaches are nothing to write home about - pebbles versus sand, small, set in towns, and there are no waves - the water just sits there. (Really disappointing to someone used to the north atlantic).

I guess in May I would opt for the Amalfi Coast which would be a bit warmer. Neither Cinque Terre nor the Amalfi Coast has beautiful beaches. They are mostly narrow and stony. Both have beautiful vistas of the coastline and the perched villages.

I wouldn't recommend all 3 destinations in 8 days.

Italy has beautiful coast lines, but not so much "beautiful beaches." I too would choose to go south, but beaches in most parts of Italy are nothing like the wide sandy beaches of the US, the Caribbean, or Latin America. nytraveler is telling you like it is.

While I agree with the posts above, for a swimmer, the shoreline of the Amalfi area is excellent.
Since I don't like big waves, I prefer swimming there than in the ocean of the NE USA.


Some pretty spots are located down many flights of steps, though. For example Gavitella in Praiano.

Here are some photos of area beaches:



http://www.positano.com/it/spiagge


Having said all that, I do think that mid May would be cold to swim, although there are many in the sea at that time.

The most beautiful beaches I've seen in Italy are further south than Amalfi, in the Cilento, near Maratea in Basilicata, and in Puglia.

but fear not, even tho there are not sandy beaches the Amalfi coast in May will be delightful. If you want to relax and hang out, I'd suggest staying on Capri. If you want to do Pompei and be a bit more active, then maybe Sorrento.

Thanks for the help! The beach portion of our trip is a bit important and now I'm considering taking a ferry to Sardinia straight from Rome. Anyone have thoughts on that?

Yes, I would go after 15 June for a beach vacation.