Legambiente takes us on a journey to discover “Il mare più bello”

For more than twenty-five years, Il mare più bello - the Blue Guide published by Legambiente and the Italian Touring Club - has been a key reference point for sustainable tourism. The guide recognises Italian coastal and lakeside destinations that combine exceptional natural beauty with high standards of tourism, management and environmental sustainability. Italian beaches are awarded a score from 1 to 100, which is then summarised through Legambiente’s system of Sails, ranging from one to five. The criteria considered include the state of conservation of the local area and landscape, the quality of tourist facilities and services, and the attention paid to sustainable management and climate-change adaptation.

Twenty seaside destinations and ten lakeside locations have been awarded Five Sails, the guide’s highest accolade. It is reserved for places that have most successfully combined high-quality visitor services with bold, innovative choices rooted in environmental sustainability. Pollica, in the province of Salerno, tops the ranking of Five-Sail seaside destinations, followed by Baunei (NU), Otranto (LE), Domus De Maria (South Sardinia), San Giovanni a Piro (SA), Nardò (LE), San Teodoro (SS), S. Teresa di Gallura (SS), Cabras (OR), Castiglione della Pescaia (GR). In the 2026 edition of the guide, Sardinia once again emerges as Italy’s most highly awarded region, with six destinations earning the coveted Five Sails: Baunei, Domus de Maria, San Teodoro, Santa Teresa di Gallura and Cabras. Campania, Apulia and Tuscany follow in the ranking.

Among the lakes, Lake Molveno, in the province of Trento, takes first place, followed by Lake Mis, in the province of Belluno, and Lake Monticolo, in the province of Bolzano. In central Italy, Lake Scanno, in the province of L’Aquila, once again retains its Five-Sail status.

To find out more: guidablu.legambiente.it