If you’re planning a summer escape, you probably want to know where to find the best beaches in Sicily? In that case, this guide has you covered!
Updated December 2023
Two recent summers have seen us, by choice and by happy accident, seeking out the sunshine in Sicily.
This gorgeous southern Italian island so much of what one hopes for when dreaming of a Italy, and if you're in planning mode at the moment, you should quite rightly be excited for what's to come.
In this post, we wanted to share our personal pick of the best beaches in Sicily alongside some important advice before you arrive on the island or plan your Sicily road trip based on a single picture you've seen on social media!
A Guide to Discovering the Best Beaches in Sicily
Beaches in Sicily | The Essentials
If it's your first time to Sicily in summer, then it's important to know about a few differences between the island's coastline in comparison to somewhere like Portugal or Spain.
First, it’s that long stretches of soft golden sand are not the norm. They absolutely do exist (and the best of them are in this post), but Italians have an innate ability to turn (and call) anywhere you can pitch a chair and a parsol a 'beach' (spiaggia).
Therefore, wherever you see a 'spiaggia' in Google Maps, don't assume it's going to be long and sandy.
Second is the very Italian phenomenon of the 'lido'. Many of you will be familiar with pictures of rows of tightly packed sun-loungers paired with bright, colourful umbrellas, all laid out with hypnotically perfect precision and repetition - that's a lido. Though they come in various shapes, styles and standards, all subscribe to that particular aesthetic of matching sun-lounger (lettini) and ombrellone (parasol). You have to pay an entrance fee to access them and their facilities, which usually includes the rental of your own lounger and umbrella for the day.
They are pretty common in Sicily.
For first-timers in Italy, or if you've never before travelled its nearly 5,000 mile coastline, then understanding what these are and how they operate in advance will save you a good deal of shock, befuddlement, and irritation.
We’ve written a whole post about these if you'd like to know more: The Art of The Italian Lido.
As well as letting you know the best beaches in Sicily - of the traditional sandy variety - we've also shared our picks for those destinations in the island where the swimming is great and the sunbathing divine, but it's on a rocky outcrop, a pebble cove, or a concrete patch which has turned into summer central.
Until our two summers in Sicily, we always thought this was a poorer option to spend a day by the water, but we now love it (and often choose it over a sandy option).
When the days draw out, the mercury begins to rise, the skies turn blue, there are fewer places we’d love to be than along the Sicilian coast.
Top Tip // Whilst several of these beaches are accessible by public transport, a number are either much easier or only possible to reach with your own rental car. We rarely go direct when hiring our road trip vehicles, instead preferring to use two popular rental aggregators to compare costs and find the best deal. The two companies we use are AutoEurope and RentalCars - both of which we have had excellent experiences with.
If you scroll down, you’ll find in depth descriptions of our favourite beaches in Sicily (including ideal bases from which to explore them and how to get there), but for a quick guide that’s useful when trying to plot out your itinerary, we’ve created this little map.
The Beaches of Favignana
Situated off the northwestern coast of Sicily, only accessible by boat from Trapani, Favignana island’s thirty seven kilometres of sharp, cragged stone are a summertime dream. Part of the three Egadi islands, it continues to be the most beautiful, most popular and the most treasured amongst Italians and an increasing number of travellers looking for sunshine, dusty roads, and saltwater blues to rival any Caribbean island we’ve ever visited.
There are countless coves and bays along Favignana’s coastline, but we have selected three that we believe are the island’s most magical.
Cala Rossa
Due to size and proximity to the town (it's only about a 7-minute cycle ride away), this large cove is a super popular spot for day trippers and Favignana-based holiday makers alike.
The large expanse of calm and crystal clear water translates to a wonderful and safe swimming spot, but the 'beach' of razor-sharp coral can be a little challenging for unprotected tootsies. There are areas of smoothed rock where you can lay a towel but if you plan on venturing into the sea (and you absolutely should), we'd recommend bringing a pair of sea slippers.
Blue Marino
Named after the monk seals that used to call this place home, Bue Marino is a sun and sea loving playground of towering rocks, caves and a kaleidoscope of blue. With no beach as such, it is the smooth rocks of an old quarry and a man-made ledge upon which you can stretch out, towel to towel with bronzed Italian bodies.
Quintessentially Sicilian, and attracting young and old, this bathing spot provides a bounty of entertainment, and is a people-watcher’s dream: la dolce vita at its finest.
Cala Azzura
Shallow azure waters atop a bed of white sand, alive under a hot Sicilian sun - a single glance and it's clear to see how this little cove got its name.
Undeniably popular, the narrow and rocky path between the sea and limestone cliffs creates a natural limit on the numbers of sun worshippers that can lay claim to it for the day. This means that even when we visited, Cala Azzura didn't feel overwhelmingly busy. In fact, it felt very much like somewhere we could spend the entire day. Particularly suitable for families due to the shallow water swimming spots.
For further information - including full details on how to get there - please read our guide to visiting Favignana. If basing yourself in the western city of Trapani, it’s worth noting that its ‘city beach’ is small and not too great, but it does have a much bigger, family-friendly sandy beach on the outskirts.
San Vito Lo Capo
Whether you choose to tag San Vito Lo Capo on to the end of your trip to Lo Zingaro (as we did), or hire yourself a couple of beds, a parasol and submit to the heat of the Mediterranean sun for the the day, this Blue Flag beach remains a solid choice for those looking for to enjoy the best of the Sicilian summer without too much exertion.
A word of warning however for those visiting during the peak summer months - this beach is hugely popular with locals and tourists alike and so if you’re planning on visiting for the entire day, we’d recommend you arrive nice and early to claim either a good spot on the ‘free’ section of the beach or a prime place at one of the lidos.
Plan | San Vito Lo Capo is located around 45 minutes drive from Trapani, and can be found here on Google Maps. There is plenty of paid-for parking available in the town within easy walking distance of the beach (both on street and in private lots).
Stay | Whilst we visited San Vito Lo Capo from Trapani, if you’d prefer to stay closer to the beach its standing as a super popular holiday destination means that there are an abundance of accommodation options - Artemide Hotel and Hermes Hotel are two popular options.
Scala dei Turchi
Located along the stretch of sea between Realmonte and Porto Empedocle is one of nature’s great masterpieces - the Scala dei Turchi.
Roughly translated as the ‘Turkish Stairs’ after the Arab pirates that sought safety beneath its chalky limestone cliffs, it is the passing of time, the sea and the salty breeze which has transformed this rocky outcrop into southern Italy’s most spectacular sight; a staircase of blinding white made even brighter by the indigo waters that surround it.
Submitted to UNESCO by the local authorities in 2007, the Scala have become an increasingly popular sunbathing spot for locals and tourists alike in Sicily, often enjoyed on a day trip in combination with the famous Valley of the Temples just down the road.
Plan | The Scala dei Turchi are located in the south of Sicily, about 14 kilometres outside of Agrigento (on the SP68 road) You can find the exact location here, on Google Maps.
For full details on how to visit, see our complete guide to Scala dei Turchi or incorporate it into your route by following our east Sicily itinerary.
Update 2023 // Please note that access to this beach has been limited in the last 12 months and it appears that between the hours of 8.30 am and 8.30 pm there is a guard preventing access - should you visit, we’d love if you could give us a first-hand update in the comments!
Cefalu
Located in the north of Sicily, just an hour and half east of Palermo, is the charming small town of Cefalù.
An ancient fishing port at heart, it has grown in recent years to become the beachside break of choice for those seeking sun and sand along the Tyrrhenian coast of Sicily, with locals and holidaying Italians flocking to its shores to enjoy its perfect slither of biscuit coloured sand and magical old town.
Unquestionably the most photogenic section of beach is towards the old town, near Porta Pescara, however Cefalu beach actually extends nearly two kilometres west - all of it sandy.
Due to its popularity in the summer months, if you’re planning your own visit, it’s imperative that you arrive early - especially if you’re travelling in a group of more than two people. Space is at a premium, and if you’d prefer to save a few Euros and plump for the free beach, you’ll need to beat the Italians!
Alternatively, you can opt for a sun lounger and parasol combo at one of the several lidos along the beach. Prices can vary considerably depending upon on your proximity to the old town and the time of year that you visit. In high season, expect to pay up to €30 for two loungers and a parasol at a lido near the harbour, or €20 further along the beach.
The water is warm enough to swim in up until the end of October (some people even venture in until November) and it’s generally calm and wave free.
Stay | We adored Cefalu and think it would make a glorious base in Sicily - especially if you manage to snap up our very favourite Airbnb. Alternatively, consider the charming Lirma B&B, or if you’re looking or for a luxurious resort vibe, consider Hotel Kalura.
Keep Reading // A Curated Guide to Cefalu
Lo Zingaro
Lo Zingaro is a version of paradise; 4,000 acres of rugged grey and black cliffs and crags, a tinderbox of sprawling and tumbling greens, and endless views of the turquoise water coves which form the faint outline of Sicily's beginnings.
This is a place that makes the soul happy - and is home to several beaches that would rank highly on the lists of all those who visit (it certainly does on ours).
Due to its status as a natural reserve (the first in Sicily) it is only possible to access its secluded bays and beaches on foot or horseback, via narrow dusty trails and tracks, which does - to some degree at least - act as a buffer to the large crowds of people that descend on more accessible beaches.
There are two entrances to the park, both with carparks: the south entrance (Google Maps) and the north entrance (Google Maps), from which you can walk, explore and pick your beach of choice. Our personal favourite is Cala dell’Uzzo but honestly, they’re all quite magical.
Do note that the beaches closest the each entrance are the busiest, naturally.
Plan | We’ve written an entire guide to Lo Zingaro, so highly recommend heading over there for more photo inspiration and further details.
Torre Salsa Nature Reserve
Created in 1996, and managed by the WWF, the Torre Salsa Nature Reserve covers more than 760 hectares of land between Agrigento and Sciacca, offering a unique combination of hills, chalk cliffs, sand dunes, fields, and wetlands, all of which provide the perfect natural habitat for numerous species of animals and birds (including tiny caretta caretta turtles)
What attracts most visitors however, are the ruggedly beautiful, golden sandy beaches that hug Torre Salsa’s border and the turquoise blue waters that lap its shores.
Getting here is not for the faint of heart, requiring a bumpy, dusty drive along at dirt track towards the sea, but those that make the effort will be rewarded with near-empty stretches of coastline and a true sense of tranquility.
Plan | You can find out more in our guide to Torre Salsa.
Castellammare del Golfo
Located halfway between Trapani and Palermo, the pretty harbour town of Castellammare del Golfo is famous for its large Norman seafront castle looking out over its sea. For those keen on a summer escape however, it also offers a number of beaches for visitors to enjoy:
Harbour | Just below the castle is a harbour front promenade with a small beach, as well as an excellent selection of seafood restaurants.
Cala Petrolo | This is a narrow golden sand bay just around the corner from the Castle. Backed by a huge stone wall, it’s important to note that at certain times of day, this is in shade.
Spiaggia Plaja | If you dream of long, wide stretches of soft golden sand, La Plaja is the beach for you! Extending 10km from the east side of the city, there are an abundance of lidos alongside ‘free beach’ areas as well as seafront restaurants.
We’d also recommend checking out Scopello a few minutes drive from Castellammare. It can be overwhelmingly busy (which is why it hasn’t made it into this list on its own merits), but is undeniably photogenic! Both are included in our western Sicily road trip.
Stay | There are lots and lots of accommodation options in Castellamare, including:
Santina Hotel, with its elegant and fresh rooms with a seaside vibe, great staff and large terrace overlooking the town.
Carusi, a perfect pied-à-terre from which to explore, ideal Airbnb for a couple.
And Le Suite del Mare, a good sized Airbnb, with cute terrace overlooking the ocean.
Calamosche
Located at the end of a dusty trail in the Vendicari Marine Reserve, a short drive from the beautiful Baroque south eastern city of Noto, lies the pretty little cove of Calamosche - named Italy’s best beach in 2005.
Known as ‘Funni Musca’ by locals, this bay of golden sands and clear, calm waters ((its position between two headlands shelters the bay from waves and winds) is by far the most popular in the Reserve, attracting day tripping Italians and the odd more intrepid foreign tourist who cover the beach in a sea of colourful parasols.
To reach it you’ll need to park in the carpark here and then walk through the reserve. It’s an easy-ish 20 minute walk (around one kilometre) through scrubland punctuated by quintessential Sicilian flora and fauna. It’s clearly sign-posted, but should you be visiting in the summer months, just follow the tanned bodies to the water!
As you would expect, there are no formal facilities here but there are a few beach vendors to offer you drinks, sarongs and trinkets throughout your stay. Definitely come prepared if you plan to bed down for the day though.
And don’t forget your snorkel gear - the reef not far from the shore is said to be home to lots of interesting marine life!
Fontane Bianche
Taking its name from the numerous freshwater springs which arise from its seabed, Fontane Bianche is a wonderful stretch of white sand just over 1km long. Clear shallow water makes this a great option for families, and the availability of lidos, restaurants and general amenities mean it has everything you could need for a full day at the beach.
Fontane Bianche is around 25 minutes away from Noto by car or, if you’d prefer to use public transport, there are frequent trains leaving from Noto train station. Journey time is around 20 minutes and costs approx €2 per person.
Plan | Our East Sicily Itinerary
Mondello
Located just 10 miles from Palermo, the small town of Mondello is home to the closest crescent of white sand and turquoise waters the capital’s residents can access.
The only problem with proximity and convenience however, is that it does tend to come with big crowds. During summer months, warm spring days, or indeed weekends in general, Mondello beach gets A LOT of visitors; indeed, it can sometimes feel like the entire city has come to join you. We visited on a Monday at the very beginning of July, and the beach was super packed with locals and tourists alike - if you enjoy your personal space, secluded coves, and the absence of screaming teens, this probably isn’t the beach for you!
That said, on those stifling hot summer days in the city, when the mercury shoots up to 30C by 9 a.m., it’s amazing how little of that space in the sand you really need to feel happy.
Keep Reading // Most people visit Mondello whilst they are based in the city of Palermo - check out our Palermo guide if you’re visiting the city as well as our guide to the best day trips from Palermo.
Isola Bella
A rocky outcrop set below the popular town of Taormina, Isola Bella (so named by the remarkable English lady Florence Trevelyan) is a designated nature site supervised by the World Wide Fund for Nature. Viewed from above, it is really quite breathtaking, but - and this is important if you’re planning a visit to Taormina purely because you’ve seen this place on Instagram - its photogenic appeal probably outweighs the direct experience of it.
Which is why we ummmed and and ahhhed about adding it to this list.
For those that would still like to visit, you have three access options:
Walking from Taormina | Located next to Belvedere di Via Pirandello viewpoint (Google Maps) - the spot we took this image - is a stairway that leads down to Via Bagnoli Croci, and onward to Mazzarò (the actual town Isola Bella is located).
Cable Car | From Taormina, you can take the Mazzarò cable car staight down to the beach of Isola Bella. The cable car only takes five minutes, and departs every 15 minutes (7.45 am - 8 pm daily, or from 8.45 am on Mondays). A one-way ticket is €6 per person, and a return journey costs €10. You can find the cable car station on Via Luigi Pirandello 22 (Google Maps).
Driving | If you want to spend the day at the beach and Isola Bella, then your best bet is to bypass Taormina and drive straight to Mazzarò. Do note that there are various private beach clubs and lidos here, and parking will be very tight on weekends or peak summer months.
If based in Taormina, there is also another popular stretch of long narrow beach down the hill in Giardini Naxos.
Keep Reading // How To Spend A Day In Taormina
For an alternative view upon the coastline, consider joining this super popular and highly-rated boat tour that takes your out from Taormina to discover the beautiful coastline, as well as to excellent swimming and snorkelling spots (you may even spot some dolphins!).
Where to Next
13 Wonderful Things to Do in Sicily
23 Things to Know Before You Visit Sicily
This Is Your West Sicily Road Trip
