Italy by beach but not too touristy

[MokaEfti]

I'm planning to go to Italy with DD in the summer for 4 or 5 nights - can anyone recommend somewhere not pricey but also near a beach? I was thinking maybe Salerno - has anyone been there?

I don't want to stay in a hotel but would like an apartment. I've been trawling through booking.com but have gone cross- eyed. I thought I'd ask here if anyone has a recommendation - not for accommodation but for general area?

Would like to be within an hour from an airport. Also, DD is grown up so no need for somewhere with loads for kids to do. DD and I just want to chill out, for to cafés, get a bit of culture, and visit a beach!

The Ligurian coast is nice

Le Marche on the Adriatic coast, Riviera del Conero.

Towns perhaps to look at are Numana and Sirolo.

2nd Liguria. Though when in the summer are you thinking? August will be rammed everywhere.

When my kids were little and I lived in London, we used to go once or twice a summer to Sperlonga. We stayed at a lovely family owned place (little apartments with kitchens) called Florenza Residence
It's been 15 years since I've been (I live in Los Angeles now), so maybe it's changed a bit, but from the pictures it looks the same. They have a private beach area and it's all very Italian. The water is shallow forever, so it's great for children. We were often the only non-italians there.

You can fly into Rome and it's a 1.5 hour train ride to Fondi and then a bus or taxi (depending on your budget).

I liked Salerno - it felt more like a 'normal' Italian town but still within easy reach of other places - did it as part of a holiday with Naples, Capri, Vesuvius, Sorrento.

I'm thinking of going mid June - so should be less crowded.
@SofiaAmes that is a wonderful recommendation it looks great!
Lots of places for me to investigate, thank you.

@midsomermurderess that area looks great - and it is apparently 35 min drive only , from the airport. I don't want to rent a car and need to get to and from the airport by taxi. So that works!

Any other ideas greatly appreciated.

I've been to the Ligurian coast before, that's a nice idea, but hoping to venture somewhere new. Plus I'm not sure it's that close to an airport.