Sardinia's Top 2026 Beaches, Plus Summer Rail Delays in Italy

Sardinia's beaches draw the crowds

New rankings put Sardinia ahead of the rest of Italy for 2026, according to Euronews Travel. Two-thirds of the top spots are on the island, and Sardinia has become the default summer pick. La Pelosa and Cala Brandinchi fill up fast, so arrive before 9 AM if you want space on the sand. Coastal parking runs about 15-25 EUR a day. For fewer crowds, try the smaller coves on the east coast instead, the water is just as good and the sunbeds are easier to find.

Rail delays can slow you down

Track work is a recurring cause of delays on Italian rail lines during peak summer months. The Local Italy has flagged works affecting routes through Florence and connections toward Cinque Terre and the Adriatic coast. High-speed trains between Rome, Florence and Milan can run late or get rerouted onto local lines. Check Trenitalia or Italo the morning of travel, not the night before, and avoid booking tight connections. If you're headed to Sardinia, flying into Cagliari or Olbia sidesteps the rail network, and ferries from Genoa, Livorno or Civitavecchia are worth booking weeks ahead in summer.

Beat the heat at a public pool

Most Italian towns run a municipal pool, or piscina comunale, according to The Local Italy. Entry runs about 5-12 EUR for adults, and hours are usually around 10 AM-7 PM with a midday break near 1-3 PM. Bring a swim cap for indoor pools and expect a mandatory shower first. Rome's Foro Italico and Milan's Bagni Misteriosi are solid options in the big cities. On a lake, Lake Como has beach clubs with pool access from about 15 EUR.