Sicilian Beaches

Sicilian Beaches have not the same reputation of other ones in the Mediterranean coast, but their variety has nothing to envy to the latter ones. In Sicily you can walk on wide and equipped beaches; you can swim in small natural turquoise-water swimming pools; you can also enjoy attractive bays where there is nothing else than limpid sea or climb on cliffs and rocks, perhaps quoted by some classical Greek author. On the 1500 kilometres of coastline you can find arvellous corners of coast. If you want to discover the coasts of Sicily, the following list of beaches is just a taste.


In the west side of the island you can see the Scala dei Turchi and the Siculiana Marina beaches, famous for their fine and clear sand, located in the province of Agrigento, really close to Porto Empedocle. The first one has typical natural terraces carved by wind and waves. A little bit on the north there are Torre Salsa and Eraclea Minoa, two charming long sandy beaches.

About 39 km north from Trapani you will find San Vito Lo Capo, one of the most popular seaside resort both with a wide range of hotels and crystal clear waters. In the Castellammare Gulf there are the Zingaro beaches, which are located inside the homonymous nature reserve with charming coves and dark cliffs. Near Palermo there are typical seaside villages, such as Mondello and Sferracavallo. These ones attract many tourists with their warm and crystal water as well as with their tasting of typical local food delicacies. Then, Cala Gallo is a long rocky extension characterized by enchanting submarine landscapes, with a rich typical fauna including lobsters.

Cefalù beach is one of the most beautiful postcards in Sicily with its docks and the cathedral in the background. This is a white sand beach where you can rent sun beds and beach umbrellas. It is probably one of the beaches where tourism is more observable. Then, on the road toward Messina there is the Pollina beach with the two little stony beaches Contrada Raisigerbi and Baia Turchina.

Also in the east side of Sicily there are beautiful beaches. On the north we can cite the Capo D’Orlando beach in the charming San Gregorio coastline, where you will enjoy wonderful sunsets.  Then, there is the Marinello one, with natural small lake on the beachfront. From here you can move to Salina (in the Aeolian Islands) to visit the Pollara volcanic stony beach in a small village called Malfa.

Leaving the Tyrrhenian and moving to the Ionian sea, you can find Sant’Alessio beach, located near Taormina, with its castle on a crag. In Taormina there is the Isola Bella beach, which is a real orchard with a beach protected from waves by a little island covered by vegetation, declared nature reserve. Close by there you will find the trendy Giardini Naxos beach with characteristic hammocks.

Further south, beyond Catania and Syracuse, between the two rocky headlands and sandy dunes, is located Cala Mosche. This beach has fresh and crystal water, while the “Oasi di Vendicari” beach (Vendicari Oasis beach) is wild and with lush vegetation. Those are both located near Noto, in the province of Syracuse.

Still further south, on the opposite on the south of Sicily and in the nearby of Portopalo di Capo Passero, there is the Correnti Island with three small sandy coves. Finally, there are La Marza (located in Pozzallo) and Pisciotto, two large fine-sand beaches, respectively surrounded by lush vegetation of eucalyptus three and shrubs typical of the Mediterranean vegetation.