The Best Beaches in Sicily
Sicily is the biggest archipelago in the Mediterranean and is famed for its beautiful beaches and majestic coastline. Its name brings up notions of long relaxed days, bright sun, and summer vacations. There is a unique combination of history, tradition, and beautiful landscape in Sicily.
Must-Visit Beaches in Sicily
The region is noted for its scenic coves, bustling seaside restaurants, and the turquoise waters of the Mediterranean that borders the island. Sicily’s beaches are a summertime favorite, from beautiful white sands and gentle seas to scenic rocky spots and majestic cliffs. These are some of the best beaches in Sicily:
Isola Bella Beach
Isola Bella translates literally to “the lovely island”. It is located on the eastern coast of Sicily, not too far from the stunning town of Taormina. The island was privately owned until the late 20th century and is now a protected landmark with sandy scenery that is brimming with wildlife. To enter the protected site, the cost is €4 per person and is open from 9am to one hour before sunset on every day except Monday.
You can reach Isola Bella from Taormina, with a quick cable car ride that will take you to Mazzaro beach. The cable car is a short 5-minute trip from Taormina and arrives at Mazzaro cable station. From here, it is just 5 minutes’ walk to Mazzaro beach where you can walk across and explore Isola Bella. Alternatively, you can take a bus from Taormina which takes approximately 10-15 minutes.
The beach is made of pebbles and you will find many people lying on sun loungers within the beach clubs. Sitting back with a refreshing drink or Sicily pasta is the ideal way to spend the day on this beach. Two main beach clubs occupy Mazzaro beach but if you head to the Eastern part, you can choose to lay up for free. Here you will often find people diving and snorkeling.
If you are feeling more adventurous while enjoying the day at one of Sicily’s best beaches, we definitely recommend going for a walk to explore the protected sites of Isola Bella. You can also take a boat trip to visit the Grotta della Conchiglia and the Gotta Blu for approximately €10 per person.
Calamosche Beach
Calamosche beach is one of Noto’s most beautiful coastline beaches. It is located in the deepest section of the natural gulf, making it ideal for people who want absolute immersion in nature.
Calamosche Beach is only 200 meters long. Despite this, its sandy slope is broad enough to host a significant number of beachgoers. The beach is free and easy to reach, thanks to the many interconnections provided to the Vendicari Nature Reserve.
It is hardly ever exposed to high winds, resulting in consistently calm waves. The water is quite shallow in the first several meters from the coastline, making it perfect for families travelling hee with kids.
If you do crave Sicilian cuisine, the nearby eatery provides tasty cuisine made from locally sourced ingredients.
The trek to this tiny bit of paradise is a little more difficult than to other beaches. You’ll require around a 15-minute walk from the parking lot at the reserve’s border.
Marianelli Beach
Marianelli beach, which is still within the Vendicari Reserve, is more difficult to access than Calamosche Beach. And, with its lengthy shoreline, it is one of the longest beaches in the Vendicari Reserve.
A walkway that crosses the beautiful Eloro beach allows access to Marianelli Beach. The journey is distinguished by a scenographic archaeological site that retains numerous antique artifacts associated with a Greek city from the eighth century BC.
In addition to its more typical attractions, Marianelli Beach is recognized for having one of the reserve’s most stunning settings. Marianelli Beach is located in the northern part of the reserve and is ideal for people who enjoy nature, wide-open spaces, and very few tourists.
San Lorenzo Beach
The lovely beaches of San Lorenzo are only a short drive from the authentically historical city of Noto. This area, situated close to Marzamemi and Pachino, is well-known for its long sandy beach with crystal blue seas.
If you want to see dazzling sand and the blue sea, this is a must-see place. You will witness incredibly long golden beaches that occasionally turn into rocks facing the turquoise sea.
San Lorenzo beach is somewhat more developed, so it is more suited to parents with kids and for people who’d love to try some food in Sicily. The locals showcase the beaches in a style that rivals a beach atmosphere in Cancun or the Caribbean.
San Vito Lo Capo Beach
One of the best beaches in Sicily can be found on the region’s northwestern coast. The beach of San Vito Lo Capo seems like a postcard image, with its broad expanse of smooth white sand, palm trees, and blue seas.
Vast stretches of open fields, wineries, and olive trees uncover a town of bleached coastal houses that was once a favorite hangout for local fishermen. The pristine Sicilian coastline stretches for almost two kilometers, ending at the soaring Monte Monaco at the far end.
The spacious bay gives you plenty of room to carve out your own private beach area. If you like to catch some sun while hiking, the route is quite straightforward. The hike takes around 1.5 hours, and you’ll be compensated with the stunning scenery of the Gulf of Castellammare.
Cefalu Beach
The crescent-shaped beach in Cefalu is one of the most recognizable in all of Sicily. It’s possible to mix sightseeing with a relaxing day at the beach in this area. Corso Ruggero, a pedestrian-only street, runs along the coast and is easy to reach.
In addition to swimming and sunbathing, the beach and harbor serve as a hub for water activities and cruises. Though certain areas require a ticket, the area closest to the historic center is free and open to the public. In the summer, it might get crowded, so go there early to grab a nice spot.
Sampieri Beach
Unlike some of Sicily’s beaches which have rocky cliffs or sandy coastlines, Sampieri has a long stretch of unique dunes that mellow the surrounding terrain. The long stretch of white sand begins in a tiny fishing village located near the town of Scicli.
Tourists enjoy the Pata Pata beach club where you can rent sunbeds and enjoy lunch or dinner. The venue also has a great vibe at night time for young people wanting to enjoy the evening.
The beach is located approximately 40 kilometers from the provence of Ragusa and is not to be missed.
Which Beach will you Visit First?
The Sicilian island and archipelago that dots its shores are both rich and picturesque. With so much to see and many things to do in Sicily, the most challenging part is deciding how to squeeze all of Sicily’s stunning beaches into your vacation.
The best beaches in Sicily are no longer a secret. They are highly popular not just with tourists but Sicilians and Italians who love to visit Sicily throughout the summer. If the busy beach scene is not really for you, then we recommend scheduling your Sicily travel for spring or fall to enjoy a calmer scenery.
Ciao,
Alicia & Daniele.
