Sardinia is the undisputed queen of Italy's regions in the "The Most Beautiful Sea" guide . The island tops the podium thanks to six seaside resorts that have earned the "Cinque Vele" (Five Sails) award, the prestigious recognition given to those places that focus on sustainable tourism and management, but are also adapting to the ongoing climate crisis by providing solutions and options for cooler holidays and exploring the surrounding area.
The island's award-winning beauties range from Posada and San Teodoro , on the northeastern coast, to Santa Teresa di Gallura further north. Baunei , also on the eastern coast, and Domus de Maria on the southern coast. On the western coast, in the Gulf of Oristano, are Cabras , with the Sinis Peninsula Marine Protected Area, and Mal di Ventre Island .
Following Sardinia is Puglia, with five top-ranked locations: in the Ionian Upper Salento, Nardò and Gallipoli fly the flag; in the Adriatic Upper Salento, Otranto and Melendugno, while the best location on the Gargano Peninsula is Vieste. Tuscany receives four Five Sails, all in the province of Grosseto: Castiglione della Pescaia, Marina di Grosseto, Capalbio, and Isola del Giglio. Campania has three Five Sails locations, concentrated in the province of Salerno: Castellabate, Pollica-Acciaroli-Pioppi, and San Giovanni a Piro. Finally, Liguria and Basilicata round out the regional rankings with one Five Sails location each: Cinque Terre and Maratea, respectively.
For lakes , the regional ranking of Five Sails locations also sees Trentino-Alto Adige confirm its position as the top territory in 2026 with three Five Sails lakes: Lake Molveno, Lake Fiè and Lake Monticolo. Five Sails in Piedmont at Lake Avigliana and Cannero Riviera on the northernmost stretch of Lake Maggiore; Five Sails also at Lake Mis and Lake Santa Croce in Veneto and in the municipalities of Gardone Riviera and Toscolano Maderno on the western shore of Lake Garda, in the province of Brescia. Moving to central Italy, the Five Sails fly on the shores of Lake Scanno in Abruzzo.
