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The nearest beaches to the centre of Naples that are of any appeal can be found at Posillipo, although they’re shingle, not sand, and the water is far from immaculate. Further away, at the ends of the Cumana and Circumflegrea railways, there are more attractive sandy beaches, although, again, they are not especially pristine.

This small island has several good beach options. One of the longest stretches from Chiaiolella Marina to Ciriaccio; called the Lido, it is the island’s most popular beach so expect crowds. From here a bridge leads to the nature reserve of Vivara, which has rocky access to the sea. To the northeast, Pozzo Vecchio also has a beach.

To gain access to any beach here – at least the good parts – you will need to pay, but for around €15 to €20 per day you receive the use of a sunbed and an umbrella. There are plenty of beaches to choose from, including sandy stretches in Forio and Ischia Porto. More out-of-the-way options include San Montano and Sorgeto.

There’s very little in the way of sandy beaches here, although there is a small one just up from Marina Grande. A popular pebbly choice is Marina Piccola, where there are full facilities including some good restaurants. The more adventurous should head down to the bottom of Via Krupp, where huge flat stones lie along the shore.

In this resort town bathing platforms have been constructed, with lifts or steps leading down to them from several hotels, but unless you are a hotel resident you will have to pay for this option. Elsewhere along the peninsula there’s a fine beach to the east, at Meta di Sorrento, while to the west, there’s a small sandy beach at Marina di Puolo and another at Marina di Lobra (see Sorrento).

Again, at this fashionable, busy resort, payment is necessary for a sunbed and umbrella. For something a little more independent take the path to the west, around the cliff, to the beach at Fornillo – it’s smaller and rockier but more relaxed.

This small cove, just beyond Positano, has a bit of beach you can generally call your own, as few tourists stop here. However you will share the cove with local fishing boats, a couple of bar-restaurants, a diving centre and the coast’s premier disco, Africana (see Praiano).

A very precipitous path goes straight down to this tiny beach. A few fishermen’s homes cluster here, with their boats neatly moored along one side, and there’s a bar-restaurant.

These two towns are home to the Amalfi Coast’s longest and flattest beaches, now developed into rather low-key tourist resorts.

The beach at Erchie is a small cove graced by a watch-tower, fishing boats and a few houses. At Cetara bathers share the narrow rocky strip with boats, but it’s good for a dip.