Italy faces the loss of nearly half its beaches by the end of this century, according to a stark new report from the Italian Geographical Society. The study, Sunken Landscapes, presented in Rome on Tuesday, warns that rising sea levels, erosion, and flooding linked to the climate crisis could submerge up to 20% of Italy’s beaches by 2050 and 40% by 2100.
The report paints a troubling picture of Italy’s 8,300-kilometre coastline, much of which is already showing signs of degradation. Low-lying coastal areas of the northern Adriatic are among the most vulnerable, particularly around Venice and the Po Delta, where land subsidence and high tides are already regular threats. The beaches of the Gargano Peninsula in Puglia, stretches of the Tyrrhenian coast between Tuscany and Campania, and coastal zones around Cagliari and Oristano in Sardinia are also at risk of severe retreat or submersion.
According to the Italian Geographical Society, the combined pressures of sea-level rise and land erosion could lead not only to the disappearance of popular beaches but also to the loss of vital infrastructure and farmland. Around half of Italy’s port facilities and more than 10% of its agricultural land could be directly affected by encroaching seas. Amphibious areas such as the Venice Lagoon and the Po Delta, where the line between land and water has always been delicate, are now considered to be on the front line of the climate emergency.
Interplay of human and environmental factors
Experts say that a complex interplay of human and environmental factors has amplified the risk. Urbanisation has hardened large stretches of Italy’s coastline, reducing the ability of dunes, wetlands, and other natural buffers to absorb wave energy and prevent erosion. The report also highlights the effects of sediment loss caused by damming rivers, which has reduced the natural replenishment of coastal sandbanks.
In economic terms, the stakes are high. Coastal tourism accounts for nearly half of Italy’s total visitor economy, and beach erosion threatens both livelihoods and local identity. Agricultural zones in the Po Valley and along the Tyrrhenian plain are also at risk of salinisation as seawater pushes inland. Meanwhile, vital port infrastructure may need to be relocated or heavily adapted to remain operational.
Urgent coastal management required
The Italian Geographical Society urges immediate action, including improved coastal management and investment in nature-based adaptation measures such as dune restoration, wetland recovery, and managed retreat in the most exposed areas. The report also calls for the inclusion of erosion and flood risk data in regional planning policies to prevent further construction in vulnerable zones.
While Italy has already adopted some measures to manage coastal erosion—such as breakwaters and artificial beach nourishment—researchers say these efforts remain fragmented and insufficient without a national adaptation strategy. Without coordinated planning and long-term investment, they warn, many of Italy’s most famous shorelines could look dramatically different within a generation.
Quick Facts
- Italy could lose 20% of beaches by 2050 and 40% by 2100.
- 8,300 km of coastline is exposed to erosion, flooding, and sea-level rise.
- High-risk zones include the northern Adriatic, Gargano (Puglia), Tyrrhenian coast (Tuscany–Campania), and Sardinia’s Cagliari and Oristano.
- 50% of port infrastructure and 10% of agricultural land are in danger.
- Amphibious regions such as the Po Delta and Venice Lagoon face severe risk of submersion.
