Marina di Puolo Beach

On the Costa Lubrense between Sorrento and Massa Lubrense, the adorable fishing village of Marina di Puolo offers one of the area's loveliest beaches. Arched along the little cove, the hamlet centers on the water. You'll find fishing boats mingling with sunbathers, and restaurant tables set out right on the beach, waiting to serve you some of its fabulous, fresh fish.

The beach is a mix of pebbles and sand, protected in the cove with two promontories at either end -Punta del Capo and Capo di Massa. There are some concessions that pack in umbrellas and sun beds, a pier called the solarium where you can rent a space to soak in the rays, and some patches of free beach. It's a popular seaside destination for both locals and visitors, especially crowded on weekends. But you'll see why, as it is a pretty spot with the village behind it and Mt Vesuvius in the foreground, where the water is clear and bars and restaurants are right at hand.