The best beaches in Sicily
Sicily’s coastline stretches for over 900 miles and covers a dozen islands. With the temperatures warm enough for swimming from late May to early October, it’s easy to see why locals spend half the year here diving off rocky outcrops and cooling off in the dramatic blues of the Ionian, Tyrrhenian and Mediterranean seas. Put your smooth, sandy Mediterranean beach preconceptions aside before visiting Sicily – many of the island’s spiagge are fashioned from salt-lashed rocks where it’s all about the glassy, intensely turquoise swim spots, though there are, of course, the classic lidos, typically skirting the cities and towns where parasols and loungers line up with military precision. From the dolce vita classics to the hidden, pebbly coves and off-the-radar spots, here are the best beaches in Sicily to seek out.
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Getty ImagesIsola dei Conigli, Lampedusa
The isle of Lampedusa (the largest of the Pelagie Islands) is actually closer to Africa than mainland Sicily. Its scorched, bleached and brittle landscape resembles little of that typically associated with the Mediterranean. Here, Rabbit beach, all dazzling white and iridescent turquoise, has kept its unsullied character as part of the surrounding, fiercely protected nature reserve. Only accessible by boat or on foot (wear trainers) the beach is one of the few spots in Sicily where loggerhead turtles lay their eggs. The waters here are positively Caribbean – absurdly blue and transparent. There are no cafes or restaurants, so pack a picnic and retreat into the dunes or under a parasol for a castaway-style lunch.
San Lorenzo, Syracuse
Near the Oasi Faunistica of Vendicari, where herons swoop over lagoons and perfectly pink flamingoes perch atop sand dunes, San Lorenzo Beach is a gorgeous sandy stretch. Come for gin-clear waters lapping golden sands, with rocky outcrops and kaleidoscopic fish darting between snorkelling swimmers. Just a 20-minute drive north, the sun-drenched city of Noto is the perfect place for a post-swim lunch.
AlamyTorre Salsa, Agrigento
Too often, those visiting Sicily earmark Agrigento solely for a day trip to the Valley of the Temples before hot-footing it to the Baroque South East or North West towards Trapani. They’re missing a trick: Riserva Naturale Torre Salsa (under the watchful eye of the WWF). This unspoilt patch of countryside rolls on to meet a blonde, often an empty stretch of sand flanked by cliffs. There’s no competition for a spot on this gloriously pretty beach, just a smug glance from fellow in-the-know folk you pass. Rosalyn Wikeley
Alec Favale/UnsplashScala dei Turchi, Agrigento
This is one of Sicily’s most alluring natural rock structures. On the south of the island near Agrigento is the moonscape of Scala dei Turchi (roughly translated to ‘Turkish steps’), a bone-white marl formation that has rippled into a wave-like shape after years of erosion from wind and sea spray. We suggest climbing up the side for the best views of the sparkling indigo sea and flanking sandy beaches.
Sophie KnightScopello, Trapani
This sleepy stretch of coast on the northwest side of the island, in the province of Trapani, is rocky and dramatic. It is this place that inspired Homer to write about the vast beauty of Sicily in The Odyssey. Historic tuna-fishing stations dating back to the 13th century dot the area, including the creamy pink museum-meets-inn Tonnara di Scopello. Turquoise and indigo-blue waters flood the surrounding bays, so it’s easy to spend long sun-kissed days stretched out on the rocks. It costs about £7 to enter this beach, but the fee includes access to the museum, a tour and a sun lounger.
Sophie KnightLungomare di Cefalù, Cefalù
Just over an hour by train from Palermo, Cefalù is an idyllic spot for all-day bathing. This is a town beach, so it does fill up quickly but its golden sandy crescent blends beautifully with the dusty browns and whites of the historic buildings behind – what’s more, unusually for Sicily, it offers genuine sandy beach, not the typical smooth, oven-hot slab of stone. Explore the narrow roads, little stores and gelaterias for a welcome afternoon respite from hours of sunshine.
- caves and quarries cut out from rows of golden tuff rocks. Named after the monk seals who used to reside here, Blue Marino is less a beach and more a smooth, stoney surface the locals come to dive off. Head here on a bike (one of the easiest modes of transport on the island) and follow the path to find secret caves to claim for the day.","contentType":"photo","credit":"Sophie Knight","segmentedSources":{"sm":[{"height":480,"width":320,"url":"https://media.cntraveller.com/photos/611bf2cf24f18e2bd3cbecba/master/w_320,c_limit/3sicily-jan21-sophieknight.jpg"},{"height":960,"width":640,"url":"https://media.cntraveller.com/photos/611bf2cf24f18e2bd3cbecba/master/w_640,c_limit/3sicily-jan21-sophieknight.jpg"}],"md":[{"height":960,"width":640,"url":"https://media.cntraveller.com/photos/611bf2cf24f18e2bd3cbecba/master/w_640,c_limit/3sicily-jan21-sophieknight.jpg"},{"height":1920,"width":1280,"url":"https://media.cntraveller.com/photos/611bf2cf24f18e2bd3cbecba/master/w_1280,c_limit/3sicily-jan21-sophieknight.jpg"}],"lg":[{"height":1536,"width":1024,"url":"https://media.cntraveller.com/photos/611bf2cf24f18e2bd3cbecba/master/w_1024,c_limit/3sicily-jan21-sophieknight.jpg"},{"height":3072,"width":2048,"url":"https://media.cntraveller.com/photos/611bf2cf24f18e2bd3cbecba/master/w_2048,c_limit/3sicily-jan21-sophieknight.jpg"}],"xl":[{"height":1920,"width":1280,"url":"https://media.cntraveller.com/photos/611bf2cf24f18e2bd3cbecba/master/w_1280,c_limit/3sicily-jan21-sophieknight.jpg"}],"xxl":[{"height":1920,"width":1280,"url":"https://media.cntraveller.com/photos/611bf2cf24f18e2bd3cbecba/master/w_1280,c_limit/3sicily-jan21-sophieknight.jpg"}]}}}" data-testid="GallerySlideWrapper">
Sophie KnightBue Marino, Favignana
On the Aegadian island of Favignana there's a matrix of caves and quarries cut out from rows of golden tuff rocks. Named after the monk seals who used to reside here, Blue Marino is less a beach and more a smooth, stoney surface the locals come to dive off. Head here on a bike (one of the easiest modes of transport on the island) and follow the path to find secret caves to claim for the day.
Sophie KnightCala Dogana, Levanzo
Sun-bleached Levanzo is the smallest of the Mediterranean's three Aegadian islands. This sleepy seaside port is seriously picturesque – a cluster of blue-and-white houses hug the harbour dotted with fisherman's boats. The beach here, Cala Dogana, is off-the-beaten-track and pocket-sized, but warm waters in the summer mean you'll spend more time in them than out.
Sophie KnightSan Vito lo Capo, Trapani
At the foot of Monte Monaco (all scribbled in hiking trails) is the tropical-looking San Vito lo Capo. The beach has an almost Brazilian feel with sweeping golden sands that tip gently into bright blue shallows and giant palms, but the vendors who walk up and down all day selling fun floats and ice-cold granita remind sunbathers they’re in Italy.
Sophie KnightCaletta del Bue Marino, Trapani
It’s a quick drive along the coast from San Vito lo Capo to Caletta del Bue Marino, an off-radar, blink-and-you’ll-miss-it pebble beach. This pretty cove is relatively undemanding; have a swim, dry off in the sun and head on your way for lunch. Bring trainers to reach the beach from the car, jelly shoes for the caves above the water, and a snorkel for those below its surface.
- The White Lotus</em></a>), Isola Bella is a semicircular pebble beach just minutes from the hilltop town of Taormina (via cable car). Rent a sunbed here (neatly lined up, as is often the form in Sicily), and bring a snorkel for the surrounding marine park and its crystal clear waters. The tiny isle, once owned by British gardener, folly designer and pioneering wildlife conservationist Florence Trevelyan, is only accessible from the mainland by a thin strip of sand during low tide, just off Lido Mazzaro.","contentType":"photo","credit":"Getty Images","segmentedSources":{"sm":[{"height":213,"width":320,"url":"https://media.cntraveller.com/photos/611bf2d136358776d9492ccb/master/w_320,c_limit/isola-bella-gettyimages-1289290225.jpg"},{"height":427,"width":640,"url":"https://media.cntraveller.com/photos/611bf2d136358776d9492ccb/master/w_640,c_limit/isola-bella-gettyimages-1289290225.jpg"}],"md":[{"height":427,"width":640,"url":"https://media.cntraveller.com/photos/611bf2d136358776d9492ccb/master/w_640,c_limit/isola-bella-gettyimages-1289290225.jpg"},{"height":853,"width":1280,"url":"https://media.cntraveller.com/photos/611bf2d136358776d9492ccb/master/w_1280,c_limit/isola-bella-gettyimages-1289290225.jpg"}],"lg":[{"height":683,"width":1024,"url":"https://media.cntraveller.com/photos/611bf2d136358776d9492ccb/master/w_1024,c_limit/isola-bella-gettyimages-1289290225.jpg"},{"height":1365,"width":2048,"url":"https://media.cntraveller.com/photos/611bf2d136358776d9492ccb/master/w_2048,c_limit/isola-bella-gettyimages-1289290225.jpg"}],"xl":[{"height":853,"width":1280,"url":"https://media.cntraveller.com/photos/611bf2d136358776d9492ccb/master/w_1280,c_limit/isola-bella-gettyimages-1289290225.jpg"}],"xxl":[{"height":853,"width":1280,"url":"https://media.cntraveller.com/photos/611bf2d136358776d9492ccb/master/w_1280,c_limit/isola-bella-gettyimages-1289290225.jpg"}]}}}" data-testid="GallerySlideWrapper">
Getty ImagesIsola Bella, Taormina
Known as the Pearl of the Ionian Sea (and for its starring role in the second series of The White Lotus), Isola Bella is a semicircular pebble beach just minutes from the hilltop town of Taormina (via cable car). Rent a sunbed here (neatly lined up, as is often the form in Sicily), and bring a snorkel for the surrounding marine park and its crystal clear waters. The tiny isle, once owned by British gardener, folly designer and pioneering wildlife conservationist Florence Trevelyan, is only accessible from the mainland by a thin strip of sand during low tide, just off Lido Mazzaro.
Getty ImagesRiserva Naturale dello Zingaro, Trapani
Meander along dusty trails, past tumbling greenery and rocky cliffs, to reach the bright-blue waters of Sicily’s first nature reserve. The route is off-putting to some, but it’s worth persevering as only a few locals and parasol-toting visitors actually make it to the beaches. West of Palermo and east of Trapani, the sea here is crystal clear and ideal for paddling throughout the day. There are no shops, though, so come prepared – comfortable shoes, sun cream, Sicilian snacks and lots of water.
Getty ImagesMondello, Palermo
Just a 30-minute bus ride from bustling Palermo, Mondello has a long, half-moon-shaped beachfront with stretches of white sand, colourful sun loungers and city folk cooling off in the waves. It can be shoulder-to-shoulder during the height of summer, when it seems like the entire population of the capital migrates here for ferragosto, but it’s worth visiting for the Art Nouveau waterfront villas and striking rock cliffs that sandwich the shore.
Bazzina Beach, Alicudi
The achingly beautiful, painfully shy Aeolian island of Alicudi drifts some 17 miles west. Surreal flashes of blue assault from every angle, luring travellers out from their cool white houses and into the water. While the best beaches on the Aeolians are typically the preserve of the fishermen, Bazzina is a particularly idyllic one easily accessible by boat. The sand is powder white (unusually so for the Aeolians) and tips into balmy, inky blue water, best explored with a snorkel. Rosalyn Wikeley
