These are the Best Beaches in Sicily
Sicily is an Italian island known for its beauty, especially when it comes to the beaches. In fact, this island is home to 1,000km of coastline, so you’ll have quite a few sandy spots to choose from. Stick to the northern end of the island if you’re looking for a more tried and tested, laid […]
Sicily is an Italian island known for its beauty, especially when it comes to the beaches. In fact, this island is home to 1,000km of coastline, so you’ll have quite a few sandy spots to choose from. Stick to the northern end of the island if you’re looking for a more tried and tested, laid back beach experience. If you’re looking for a bit of rugged adventure, the southern beaches will be a treat. And, if you want a bit of culture, check out the east coast for its charming fishing villages and rocky, but picturesque beaches. Grab your bathing suit, load up on sunscreen and get ready to explore the best beaches in Sicily.
Calamosche
Visitors to Noto will want to make a pit stop at Calamosche in southern Italy. It can be found between Vendicari and Eloro nature reserve where the entrance is waiting to be embarked upon. This natural swimming pool is an absolute gem for snorkelers as the seabed is teeming with marine life, caves, and colourful reefs. Exploring all of the wonders of the sea is easy for beachgoers visiting Calamosche. This bay spans for about 200m and is surrounded by rocky outcrops that keep it shielded from the sea so the waters stay calm. It’s perfect for families who are travelling with children so that they don’t have to worry about rough waters. Visitors will find parking at the beach but should still expect to walk about 1.2km to reach the shore. Don’t worry, the walk is easy, but don’t push it by trying to bring too much stuff. For a day of lounging, reading, sunbathing, swimming, and relaxing, this beach is perfect.
Isola Dei Conigli
Also known as Rabbit Island, this beach is found off the southwest coast of Lampedusa, and it’s where you can find one of Sicily’s most beautiful beaches. This beach does have an unsettling history of being the location for migrants, but this shouldn’t deter you from visiting. Make sure to check out the large cove and inlet that is part of the protected nature reserve. This is where you might see sea turtles laying their eggs or migratory birds wandering the land between April and September. If you’re planning a trip here, keep in mind that the beach is only open during the day so that the turtles will be left undisturbed. Be prepared for the 20-minute walk it takes to get from the beach to the inlet. As long as you bring a pair of shoes, the walk is quite nice. It’s certainly worth the short trek as you’ll be met with white sand and the deep blue hue of the Tabaccara Sea. The beach is somewhat off-the-beaten-path but you can reach it by ferry from the city of Trapani or fly to Lampedusa from Milan and Rome.
La Scala Dei Turchi
The name translates to ‘Stairs of the Turks,’ which originates from the times of frequent raids performed by the Moors. You’ll find this rocky cliff on the coast of Realmonte between two beaches in southern Italy. These are some of the most remote beaches in Sicily, which need to be reached using a limestone rock formation that resembles a staircase. This ‘stairway’ was formed slowly over time by the seawater and air, making the perfect passageway to these stunning beaches. While the beaches are technically remote, they still get very busy during the summer season so make sure to get there early to avoid the crowds. The crystal blue waters and rugged landscape make this picturesque beach a favourite for locals and tourists.
San Vito Lo Capo
If you’re staying in the capital city of Palermo, you can easily reach this beach by car in 30 minutes. San Vito Lo Capo is a small seaside town that is nestled in a valley between two prominent mountains. It sports a very sandy public beach that is a favourite for locals. If public beaches aren’t your thing, you can always pay to stay on one of the private beaches instead as they are often less crowded. Neither one is better than the other, but it all depends on the type of beach outing you’re looking for. This beach is definitely a winner for those who love diving or snorkelling as the waters are perfect for exploring what’s underneath the surface. Expect coves and colourful coral reefs that will give you plenty to view while you’re down below. The beach stretches for about 1.8 miles so it’s very likely that you’ll find the perfect patch to lay out your towel and soak up the sun. One of the best parts about visiting this beach is the opportunity to do as the locals do and perhaps even make a few Italian friends. The beach is beautiful and offers an authentic travel experience that you won’t forget.
Spiaggia Delle Formiche di Portopalo di Capo Passero
Also referred to as the ‘Beach of the ants’ Portopalo di Capo Passero consists of three cosy coves. This is where you’ll find the cliff of Punta Delle Formiche, which has a coastline that stretches the entire south-eastern border of the island. It’s referred to as the beach of ants because of the rock formations that look like lines of ants from above. If you’re looking to do a bit of snorkelling you’ll want to visit the ravines and caves behind Spiaggia Delle Formiche. The swimming conditions are typically great and the water is clear so you can see all that’s going on beneath the water. The cliffs that line the beach are popular for diving, but you should be very careful before deciding to take the plunge. Make sure that the water below is deep enough before you jump. Don’t miss the sunsets from Punta Delle Formiche as they are absolutely stunning and make a visit to this beach even more beautiful. Keep in mind that Spiaggia Delle Formiche isn’t the easiest beach to reach as it requires driving, taking a dirt road, and walking just a bit. However, it’s certainly worth it for the views.
Riserva Naturale Dello Zingaro
This beach is technically considered a nature reserve which means it is quite pristine and offers a ton of natural scenery. It’s one of the best Sicily beaches for getting into nature, which is why it’s perfect for outdoor enthusiasts. The beach stretches for nearly 7km and is frequented by locals on their vacation. You’ll find this reserve within San Vito Lo Capo, so you’ll have access to beautiful and quite rare flowers and plants. The location also makes it an excellent choice if you’re trying to see multiple Sicily beaches in just one day. There’s a coastal path here that features multiple bays so that you can check out the different beaches as you move along. You’ll also find eight beautiful coves which really represent the beauty of this beach destination. The beaches here are actually considered award-winning so you won’t want to miss out. For those who are looking to pack in as many beaches and natural sites as possible in one day, this is definitely the spot.
Isola Delle Correnti
If you want to experience the stunning landscape in the south of Italy, this is the place. This beach can be found at the southernmost point of the island and offers rugged scenes that will awe anyone who loves nature or photography (or both.) This beach is right at the point where the Mediterranean and Ionian seas come together, which makes it unique and beautiful. Take just a short walk from your car to this sandy beach that is bordered by electric blue water. Make sure to take the time to hike around the beach and explore as the trail offers natural scenery that you’ll want to take a deeper look into. The island here features an abandoned lighthouse that is a great subject for photos but also reminds you that you’re slightly off-the-beaten-path. Beachgoers can swim, sunbathe, snorkel, and explore the surrounding area with little to no crowds to contend with.
Capo Bianco
This beach can be found between the cities of Sciacca and Agrigento. It means ‘white cape’ as it’s dotted with white rock formations and cliffs that meet with the Mediterranean Sea. This beach runs into Eraclea Minoa, a town that was founded by Ancient Greeks so you can actually see the Greek auditorium, settlement, and theatre. The long stretches of sand and clear waters are flanked by lush pine forests making it a beautiful and dynamic landscape to explore. The beach can get quite crowded so make sure to come early and claim your spot. And, don’t forget that this is one of the most historic beaches in Sicily given its proximity to the Greek settlements so make sure to give it a visit if you’re a history buff.
Isola Bella
Located in Taormina, this beach is one of the best in eastern Sicily. It’s an islet that is connected to the mainland by just a small strip of beach that can be accessed as long as the tide is low enough. The island was actually a gift given to the people of Taormina by the King of Sicily, Ferdinand I of Bourbon in 1806. The beach is well preserved and Isola Bella is now considered a nature reserve so you can see and do multiple activities. You can get to this beach by taking the cable car via Pirandello to Mazzaro. The beach is pebbly, free, and open to the public. You can rent a lounge chair if you prefer to relax in style on your visit.
Levanzo
This beach is part of the Egadi Islands archipelago and has some of Sicily’s best beaches. It’s the smallest of them all with a surface area of only 5km². While it may not be big, it does have some incredibly gorgeous beaches. You’ll see calm bays, jagged coasts, and rugged beauty that’s both relaxing and invigorating. Many people rent a boat and a guide so they can explore all of the natural scenery that Levanzo has to offer. Check out the quaint coves and their beaches like Cala Minnola, which is about a 20-minute walk to the southeast side of this island. The crystal clear waters are great for swimming and the pine trees are perfect for offering shade when you need a break from sunbathing. There are picnic tables and benches for those who want to bring their own lunch. And, if you’re a scuba diver, this is definitely a beach you want to visit. Divers can see a Roman shipwreck and pottery fragments just 27 meters under the water.
Favignana
You’ll find this beach on the largest of the Egadi Islands. Favignana is about 9km in length and is close to the Sicilian coast. It is considered one of the most beautiful beaches in Sicily, but also offers other interesting sites like the town markets and the port. The three markets take place in Matrix Square, Europe Square, and Marina Square, so try to visit at least once to pick up some souvenirs. This island may be the biggest in the archipelago but it’s possible to see the whole thing by foot or by bike. You’ll find sandy beaches, colourful reefs, rocky shores, and plenty of scenic viewpoints as you explore. Make sure to visit Cala d’Azur beach for its fantastic swimming conditions as well as Cala Rossa and Bue Marino beaches where you can dive off the large rocks there. You’ll find even more sandy beaches when you head to Ravine, Marasolo, Cala Azzurra, and Lido Burrone.
Sicily is brimming with stunning beaches that you’ll want to explore. From the relaxing beaches in the north to the more rugged beaches in the south, Sicily has got a bit of everything. No matter where you are on the island, it’s certain that you’ll find a sandy piece of land to soak up the sun, bathe in the sea, and relax like the Italians.