24 AMAZING BEACHES IN SICILY
24 AMAZING BEACHES IN SICILY, on Sicily, the largest island in the Mediterranean, you may swim and sunbathe on a number of beautiful beaches. Many feature wide expanses of sandy shoreline and blue waters. From May to October, you could go swimming in the waters surrounding Sicily. Sicilian beaches range from the traditional sandy ones that are good for families to those that are close to or even inside of natural preserves and other well-known attractions.
This makes it easy to visit attractions and finish an excursion by taking a break on a beautiful beach in Sicily and a quick dip in the ocean. Here are the top 20 beaches to visit in Sicily.
1- SAN VITO LO CAPO BEACH, SAN VITO LO CAPO
This one km-long stretch of clear turquoise waters, white sand and palm trees makes the small town of San Vito Lo Capo seem like a paradise.
Even though this is one of the most popular beach destinations in Sicily and the entire Italian archipelago, it is not as crowded as other beaches in summer.
The beach is next to the Zingaro Nature Reserve in northwest Sicily and has nice restaurants, offering a laidback scene.
This Sicilian beach is popular for hikers and rock climbers, but if that is not your scene, you can take boat tours to explore surrounding cove beaches and the underwater.
San Vito Lo Capo is at Via Litoranea Lungomare, 91010 San Vito Lo Capo TP, Italy.
2- SCOPELLO BEACH
Scopello Bay is a stunning area with sea stacks that tower over turquoise waters and steep cliffs tumbling down to the sea.
The small strip of beach is popular with snorkellers looking for marine life.
Once a tuna fishing village, the town of Scopello is a delight to explore and a photographer’s dream destination.
Antique anchors adorn the shore and the historic tonnara (tuna factory), now housing a small museum, is an architectural feature that makes this beach area stand out.
This charming location was featured in the movie Oceans Twelve and starred in an episode of Inspector Montalbano.
Scopello Beach is at Largo Tonnara, 91014 Scopello TP, Italy.
3- MONDELLO, PALERMO
This beach in Palermo stretches from Capo Gallo to Monte Pellegrino.
There are plenty of lidos (beach clubs) along Mondello, which are fully equipped for comfort.
The beach is crowded, especially in July and August, due to the hundreds of tourists that flock here at this time of the year.
There are many archaeological sites around Mondello, such as il Faro and Torre Della Tonnara, and plenty of Art Nouveau villas, particularly the ‘Charleston’, which is built on a pier right in the middle of the bay.
Mondello is at Regina Elena – Valdesi, 90151 Palermo PA, Italy.
4- CEFALÙ BEACH, CEFALÙ
Cefalù Beach is a popular tourist destination in the lovely seaside town of Cefalù (Palermo).
It is known for its picturesque buildings overlooking crystal-clear water and clean sand.
Along the shore, a few small fishing boats add to the scenery.
If you’re visiting the centre of Cefalù, you could easily get to the beach on foot.
This beach in Sicily is perfect for kayaking as well.
Cefalu is at Via Vittorio Emanuele, 105, 90015 Cefalù PA, Italy.
5- LUNGOMARE DI CEFALÙ
Just a five-minute walk from Cefalù beach is the golden Lungomare, the main beach in Cefalù.
This beach is located near the historical centre and features a picturesque view of the colourful village and the beautiful mountains which surround the area.
Lungomare is perfect for sunbathing, picnics by the beach and its breath-taking sunsets.
Lungomare is at 90015 Cefalù, Metropolitan City of Palermo, Italy.
6- ISOLA BELLA, TAORMINA
Isola Bella, Taormina’s iconic beach, is a pebbled and gravelled beach right across the tiny one sq km islet bearing the same name.
The beach has a variety of resorts on one side and a free stretch of sand on the other, making it easy to find a quiet spot to sit and relax.
The water is clear blue and very deep.
To reach Isola Bella, take a boat trip, popular with tourists and locals.
Isola Bella is at Via Nazionale, 107/A, 98039 Isola Bella, Taormina ME, Italy.
7- ACI CASTELLO BEACH, ACI CASTELLO
A 20-minute drive from the Catania city centre is Aci Castello beach, located in the commune of the same name.
The small lava cliffs and boulders that start there and stretch to Acitrezza are a sight to behold, especially for divers exploring the beautiful seabeds below.
Some of these rocks are accessible and are great for lying on to sunbathe but be careful swimming here, as the water is very deep.
Pay a visit to the Castello Normanno, built on a rock into the sea.
It serves as a botanical, archaeological, palaeontological and mineralogical museum.
Once in the castle, the higher you go, the more beautiful the view of the beach and the surrounding area is.
Aci Castello Beach is at Piazza Castello, 95021 Aci Castello CT, Italy.
8- RIVIERA DEI CICLOPI, CATANIA
Literally translated as the Coastline of the Cyclopes, it is a coast that is 20 km long, from Catania to Acireale (a one-hour bus trip for anyone staying in Catania).
An interesting fact is that this is a lava coast that was created by many of Etan’s volcanic eruptions over the years.
A walk along the Riviera dei Ciclopi will give you a fantastic view of the black boulders, which start from Aci Castello (mentioned earlier on in the article), as well as the island of Lachea.
Riviera dei Ciclopi is at Via Lungomare Dei Ciclopi, 183, Via Litteri, 44, 95021 Aci Trezza CT, Italy.
9- PLAYA BEACH, CATANIA
Playa Beach prides itself on 18 km of well-equipped sand strips, kiosks and the usual sunbed and umbrella rental services you’ll find on popular Sicily beaches.
What I liked about this beach last time I visited is that it’s surrounded by the baroque beauty of Catania’s historic centre.
The view of Mount Etna is simply stunning.
10- FONTANE BIANCHE BEACH, SYRACUSE
On Sicily’s east coast, about a half-hour drive from Syracuse, is a tropical haven that takes its name (which translates to White Fountains) from the numerous freshwater fountains in that area.
It also has a 3 km patch of white sand.
This beach is a paradise for ocean lovers and divers, thanks to its rocky bottoms and clear sea.
You can also explore the coast by boat.
Beach resorts and campsites surround Fontane Bianche, at Viale dei Lidi, 96100 Fontane Bianche. Siracusa SR, Italy.
Recommended tours:
- Syracuse: Boat Trip with Lunch, Wine, and Swimming Stops
- Syracuse: Boat Trip of Ortigia Island and Sea Caves
11- VENDICARI BEACH, NOTO
Sicily may have several beautiful natural corners, but this beach has to be the one that stands out the most.
Vendicari Beach is in Vendicari Nature Reserve.
The beach is golden and sandy, with a stunning environment consisting of lagoons and bordering sand dunes.
This makes this beach the perfect peaceful beach in Sicily for a relaxing break.
12- CALAMOSCHE BEACH, NOTO
Another beach within the Vendicari Nature Reserve is Calamosche Beach, which is backed by high cliffs.
The shallow waters and landscape make this beach ideal for families with children.
Nature lovers also flock to this beach as Calamosche offers snorkellers an opportunity to explore the underwater world of this nature reserve.
Something I like about this beach is that there aren’t sunbeds to spoil its natural beauty, but it offers a small refreshment area and some showers.
Calamosche is at Riserva Naturale Orientata Oasi Faunistica di Vendicari, Contrada Vendicari, 96017 Noto SR, Italy
13- POZZALLO BEACH, POZZALLO
Pozzallo Beach is yet another beach that is bordered by a beautiful promenade.
It is located in southern Sicily, in the province of Ragusa.
The beach has shallow crystal waters, golden sands and a stretch of palm trees.
This makes it the perfect beach for those who enjoy beach sports such as volleyball.
Despite being crowded in the high season, the 800 m-long area allows you to find a tranquil place to enjoy the sea easily.
Pozzallo Beach is at Via Enrico Giunta, 74, 97016 Pozzallo RG, Italy.
14- SAN LEONE, AGRIGENTO
This beach is close to the Valley of Temples of Agrigento, making it one of the best beach resorts nearby.
San Leone is popular throughout the year, mostly due to its spectacular view and long, sandy beaches and the chance of finding a peaceful spot is high.
Formerly a prominent Greek port, some ruins remain in the city centre.
From San Leone, you could also go to the Viale delle Dune (Street of the Dunes) or enjoy a romantic sunset stroll along Lungomare Falcone and Borsellino.
San Leone is at 92100 San Leone Free municipal consortium of Agrigento, Italy.
15- PUNTA BIANCA, AGRIGENTO
16- SCALA DEI TURCHI, AGRIGENTO
With a moonscape of white limestone cliffs, Scala Dei Turchi (or the Stair of the Turks) is a unique natural white staircase carved by nature over the centuries.
Cliffs tumble toward glistening turquoise waters, and a fine sandy beach sits at the bottom.
This beach is seldom packed and if you’re one of the adventurous travellers who makes the effort, you’ll be rewarded with a stunning landscape with not a soul in sight.
Nearby, the Valley of the Temples is an archaeological site in Agrigento worth visiting for its incredible Magna Graecia architecture.
Scala dei Turchi is at Contrada Scavuzzo, 92010 Realmonte AG, Italy.
BEACHES AROUND SICILY
Although there are many other beaches in Sicily, it is important to point out that there are also some incredible beaches on the nearby islands.
17- CALA POZZOLANA DI PONENTE
18- SPIAGGIA BIANCA, LIPARI (AEOLIAN ISLANDS)
Spiaggia Bianca (White Beach) is the most spectacular beach on Lipari Island.
Its name is based on the proliferation of pumice sediments on the seabed off the beach.
The beach is child-friendly due to the warm temperatures of the sea.
A short walk up from the beach will lead you to a scenic spot known as Capo Rosso.
Spiaggia Bianca is at Contrada papisca, 98055 Lipari ME, Italy.
19- SPIAGGIA DEI CONIGLI, LAMPEDUSA
This beach is in a natural park on the island of Lampedusa, between Malta and Tunisia, opposite Isola dei Conigli (the Island of the Rabbits).
The water temperature here never falls under 21C, making it ideal for swimming in the summer heat.
What’s interesting about this beach is that sometimes it joins the island through a small strip of sand created by tides.
The Isola dei Conigli is not accessible to the public because turtles often lay their eggs there and are constantly monitored to protect them.
Spiaggia dei Conigli is at 92010 Lampedusa AG, Italy.
20- CALA JUNCO, PANAREA (AEOLIAN ISLANDS)
This magnificent bay on the southern coast of Panarea is a natural swimming pool with water ranging from shades of blue to green.
It is the main attraction of Panarea besides the Panarea Prehistoric Village and is very busy during summer.
Thanks to the rocky amphitheatre-like border, the beach used to be a dock in Prehistory.
Cala Junco is at vetta Panarea, 98050 Lipari ME, Italy
21- FORGIA VECCHIA BEACH, STRÓMBOLI (AEOLIAN ISLANDS)
This beach consists of black pebbles flattened by the sea and can be easily accessible through a path from another beach called Scari.
It is surrounded by large rocky formations which have caves and small loops etched in them.
This beach offers tranquillity and a background landscape of the volcano Strómboli.
I visited this beach several years ago and was amazed.
It’s not accessible when the volcano is active due to the smoke and risk of eruption.
Forgia Vecchia Beach is at Via Picone, 18, 98050 Stromboli ME, Italy.
22- VULCANO’S MUD BATHS, VULCANO (AEOLIAN ISLANDS)
Although technically not a beach, the island of volcano is a natural wellness centre in the very sense of the world.
The thermal mud (the “sand” of the “beach”) has healing properties for the skin and breathing, as well as relieving bone conditions.
I visited the Mud Baths while travelling around the Aeolian Islands and recall the stench of the surrounding mud and how hard it was to remove a muddy stain from my dress.
Even so, I had a fantastic time swimming.
23- CALA ROSSA, FAVIGNANA (EGADI ISLANDS)
Cala Rossa (Red Cove) is considered by many the most beautiful beach in Favignana.
This cove takes its name from the bloodshed that coloured the waters during the Punic wars, but now its prominent colour is a beautiful turquoise.
Accessing the sea may not be easy, but the clear waters and flat rocks ideal for sunbathing make it worth visiting.
Cala Rossa is in Favignana TP, Italy.
Recommended tours:
- From Trapani: Mini Cruise to Favignana and Levanzo
- From Trapani: Egadi Islands, Favignana and Levanzo Cruise
24- LAGO [DELLO SPECCHIO] DI VENERE, PANTELLERIA
Although this island, located between Malta and Tunisia, is not easily accessible, its charm makes it stand out.
Popularly called the “Black Pearl of the Mediterranean”, this lake’s water – which translates to the Mirror of Venus – is warm almost throughout the year.
The small beach also features a saltwater body with natural thermal waters flowing onto the shore and volcanic mud all around it.
Lago [dello Specchio] di Venere is in Pantelleria Island National Park.