The coastline of Italy is just made for seaside holidays.

Popular Italian seaside destinations deliver umbrellas and sunbeds, restaurants and kids' play areas - everything you need for your holiday. But, if you want something a little quieter, simply taking a short journey along the coast reveals dozens of spots the tourists haven't yet discovered in droves. At the end of the day, return to a warm Italian welcome at your Gruppo UNA hotel.

To help you plan your Italian seaside holiday, we've suggested ten of the best beaches or resorts.

Ischia, Naples.

Ischia, a short boat trip away, is a popular summer destination with locals but a bit of a hidden secret to tourists. You'll find seaside kids' activities on the sandy beaches to the island's north, while other beaches are protected by imposing cliffs and are harder to reach.

In contrast to the rugged gritty quality of the town itself, the coastline around Naples delivers some of the best seaside places in Italy. Stay at the historic UNAHOTELS Napoli to combine the best of city and seaside life. 

Puglia. 

Lying in the deep south of the country, Puglia has some beautiful beaches. Those around Bari are well-known and busy but venture further to some of the most scenic beaches in Italy. Use the UNAHOTELS Regina Bari as a base for exploring both the beaches of Bari and those further south in Puglia. 

Cala Porto, Polignano, Puglia.

The small beach resort of Polignano lies at the heart of the Apulian coastline, and its Cala Porto beach has the photogenic feature of being covered in aquamarine and white pebbles rather than sand. These pebbles contrast stunningly with the blue sea and the town's white buildings.

G Beach, Gallipoli, Puglia.

G Beach is within easy reach of Gallipoli but located deep within the Natural Park Reserve of Punta della Suina, creating an isolated haven of picturesque scenery. Enjoy a coffee at the beach bar before following the wooden terraces down to the water for a day's swimming and sunbathing.

Sicily.

Any discussion of the best seaside places in Italy has to include Sicily, just a short boat journey away from the foot of the country. Stay at the UNAHOTELS Capotaormina and the Palace Catania | UNA Esperienze to explore the island's eastern coastline. 

If you want seaside kids' activities, you'll find plenty on the coast at Taormina. Its pebbly beach is cove-like and very popular with Italian families during the heat of the day, and visitors can return as the sun sets to enjoy some leisurely snorkelling among colourful fish and rock formations.

Calamosche.

Calamosche is a gem hidden away in the south-east of Sicily. Quieter than many of the island's other resorts, it is made up of little lagoons and sandy beaches. It's home to lizards and a huge variety of bird species including flamingos making it fascinating for nature lovers.