Surfing in Italy: our 5 favorite spots across the Apennine Peninsula
When searching for the best surf spot, Italy is rarely the first country that comes to mind. Yet, surfing is surprisingly popular in Italy. Tourists who flock to the beaches in summer would never believe that these tranquil Mediterranean beaches can also host waves beautiful enough to be surfed.
Once the summer season is over and the tourists have left, surfers can finally enjoy ideal conditions. They closely monitor the weather, waiting for depressions from the Atlantic or the western Mediterranean to combine with offshore winds to bring swell along the Italian coast. Swell can form in any season, less so in summer, so the key is to be flexible and prepared. Prepare your car for a surf trip in search of the perfect Italian wave.
Varazze, Liguria
Varazze is a town in the province of Savona in the Italian region of Liguria. It is best known for being one of the few places in the world where you can surf at night. The conditions are ideal with a west, southwest, or south swell, and it is possible to enjoy fast and hollow waves, often exceeding 2 meters.
Capo Mannu, Sardinia
https://www.youtube.com/watch?time_continue=3&v=2EXyg0RQQig&feature=emb_logo
Thanks to its prime location in Sardinia, at the heart of the Mediterranean, the island is battered by swells from all directions and, depending on the conditions, offers many surfable spots. Capo Mannu is certainly the most famous place in the region as it has several breaks to surf, regardless of the direction and strength of the wind and swell. However, be cautious of the local surfers who are not always very welcoming to tourists.
Levanto, Liguria
https://www.youtube.com/watch?time_continue=8&v=09Cb-EtfGyM&feature=emb_logo
Levanto is a town in the province of La Spezia in the Italian region of Liguria, known for being the most consistent surf spot in Italy in terms of large waves regularly exceeding 2 meters on the best days. The spot is also known for its spectacular landscapes that you can admire from the sea, and the local population is friendly. The only downside to this paradise is the hordes of tourists that sometimes populate its beautiful beaches during the good weather.
Santa Maria di Leuca, Apulia
https://www.youtube.com/watch?time_continue=5&v=OHcA3c3oHKw&feature=emb_logo
Santa Maria di Leuca is part of the municipality of Castrignano del Capo in southern Italy, just an hour’s drive from Lecce. This gem for surfers is only known to locals. With good weather conditions (south swell), perfect left-hand waves break in crystal-clear waters, making it truly worth the trip. The nearby camping sites and tourist village have easy access to the beach, making it an ideal surf spot.
Banzai (Santa Marinella), Lazio
To reach this Italian surf mecca with waves over 2 meters, take the A12 Roma-Civitavecchia highway north of Rome for about 50 km, exit at Santa Marinella-Santa Severa, and drive north on the Aurelia road for 1.5 km, and you can’t miss the beach on your left. The locals can be a bit stern, so be respectful and act like them to enjoy as many waves as possible. At this surf spot, consider wearing booties, or you’ll have to pull out the tweezers to remove sea urchin spines from your toes, ouch!
