Etna: Guided Summit Hiking Tour up to 3400m, Optional Pickup
4.928 reviews
Buy now
From 55,00€ per person
Wherever you go in Sicily, you’ll find a stunning beach. Along the 900 km of coastline in this region, there’s not a stretch where you won’t discover dreamy coves perfect for spreading out your towel and spending hours (or entire days!) in total relaxation. When the heat becomes unbearable, simply dive into the azure sea that bathes the island.
There’s something for everyone, from sandy beaches stretching for kilometres to tiny inlets, from easily accessible beaches reachable by car to those you can only reach by sea or along steep woodland paths, from free beaches to those offering facilities and entertainment opportunities.
Our mini-guide to Sicily’s most beautiful beaches is designed to help you find the ones that suit you best without extensive research.
We’ve selected 15 top beaches in Sicily and divided them by region. The list includes sandy beaches, pebble beaches and rocky shores, catering to young people, families, those seeking peaceful solitude and those who prefer aperitivos and music by the sea.
In Sicily, beautiful seas are everywhere: you don’t even need to venture far from the cities to find splendid beaches washed by crystal-clear waters, and this applies to Palermo as well, one of Italy’s largest cities. This means that those wanting a cultural and artistic holiday in the regional capital can carve out relaxing moments on beaches that rival any other parts of Sicily more famous for seaside holidays.
One beach that features in all rankings of Sicily’s finest is Mondello, the local favourite, easily reached from the city centre by local bus.
It’s a typical city beach, equipped with all amenities, yet the natural setting in which it sits makes it particularly charming. Highly frequented, it suits everyone: from families with small children to young people seeking entertainment.
If Mondello is too hectic for you, head to Isola Delle Femmine, a charming fishing village about 30 minutes from central Palermo. It’s part of a nature reserve, so the waters here are extremely clean and rich in flora and fauna: a paradise for snorkelling and diving enthusiasts!
The coastline is a succession of inlets and beaches (both free and equipped) ideal for enjoying nature’s beauty in tranquillity.
Cefalù is one of the region’s most picturesque villages, and it’s become one of the must-see attractions of northern Sicily for good reason.
Its town beach is one of the most photographed stretches along the north coast: a ribbon of fine sand squeezed between crystal-clear azure waters and a cascade of characterful pastel-coloured houses, with an imposing rocky peak towering behind.
Though almost always crowded, the Cefalù lido retains its romantic charm intact: it’s the ideal spot for an unforgettable sunset. This wonder is just an hour’s train journey from Palermo (and if you have a hire car, you’ll get there even quicker!).
Another perfect city to base yourself for a Sicilian holiday is Trapani: without needing to travel far, you can find dream coves and long sandy beaches where you can spend leisurely days relaxing or intersperse between cultural visits.
The Zingaro Nature Reserve is one of Sicily’s top attractions and one of Italy’s finest trekking routes. It encompasses the coastline stretching from Castellammare to San Vito lo Capo, washed by seas in every shade of blue and green, and overlooked by white or red cliffs and mountains covered with olive trees, almond groves, carob trees and dwarf palms.
Among the beaches in the Zingaro Reserve, Tonnarella dell’Uzzo is the largest and most easily accessible, a slice of paradise for those wanting to experience the sea immersed in wild natural beauty, without excessive frills or comforts.
One of the two gateways to the Zingaro Reserve is the fishing village of San Vito lo Capo, midway between Trapani and Palermo, but you don’t need to leave the village to find enchanting beaches.
The town beach at San Vito is a lovely stretch of fine sand at the foot of a mountain, washed by calm, clean waters with gently sloping seabed. It’s a full 3 km long and very wide (with both equipped and free zones), so you’ll always find your own spot even on the busiest days.
If you prefer rocky beaches, head to Cala Bue Marino, just 4 km from the town.
Heading south from Trapani, one of the finest beaches you’ll encounter is Tonnarella in Mazara del Vallo, another long stretch of exceptionally fine sand. It stretches for 8 km as far as the Capo Feto area, making it ideal for those who enjoy long seaside walks.
Tonnarella beach is beloved by both locals and tourists alike. Here too, the seabed is shallow, so small children and inexperienced swimmers can bathe in complete safety.
Are flight deals to Catania better value than those to Trapani and Palermo? Want to combine seaside days with visits to stunning towns like Taormina and Syracuse? Or are you crossing the Strait by ferry and stopping in Messina for a rest?
Make a note of Sicily’s finest eastern coast beaches for your seaside relaxation time.
Anyone visiting Taormina must make a relaxing stop at Isola Bella beach, a charming bay with views of an uninhabited islet covered in lush vegetation.
It’s a pebble beach washed by turquoise waters that combines natural beauty with the charm of maritime traditions, evoked by fishermen’s boats on the horizon. At low tide, the islet is connected to the mainland by a strip of sand.
Is the sea mainly about fun for you? Then don’t miss Giardini Naxos, one of Sicily’s liveliest resorts. Almost equidistant from Messina and Catania, this town is packed with tourists in summer, making it perfect for those who love vibrant atmospheres and meeting people.
Giardini Naxos’s coastline features numerous beaches, both sandy and pebbly. Among the most popular is Schisò, a golden sand beach surrounded by dense Mediterranean scrub; it’s historically famous as the landing point of the first Greek colonists.
Heading south along the eastern coast, you’ll reach one of Sicily’s absolute must-see beaches: the spectacular Calamosche, a slice of paradise nestled between two headlands that satisfies both lovers of rocks and reefs and those who prefer sandy shores.
The two rocky headlands shelter it from the wind, making it perfect for peaceful sleep without sand in your face, and for languid swimming in waters as calm as a swimming pool.
Calamosche beach lies within the Vendicari Nature Reserve and can only be reached on foot. The nearest car park is about 1 km away.
Famous for its ancient temples and baroque masterpieces, southern Sicily is also rich in seaside resorts and ancient fishing villages where you can enjoy magnificent seaside holidays. Dream beaches along the southern coast are plentiful – here are 3 not to miss.
Scala dei Turchi is one of Sicily’s top beaches, yet it bears no resemblance to the stereotypical postcard beach image: it’s something unique, an unusual and strikingly beautiful sight.
Imposing tiers of polished rock the colour of ice descending towards crystalline sea – this is the image that will unfold before your eyes. The contrast between the gleaming white marl, the distinctive rock that forms the steps, and the azure sea is highly evocative.
You can stretch out in the sun on the steps or nestle comfortably into one of the small natural cavities, rather like natural armchairs, that have formed over centuries through the action of wind and sea, or you can venture down to the small sandy beach that extends below the cliff.
It’s located in Realmonte, a few kilometres from Agrigento.
The ice-colour dominates too at Capo Bianco, a beach bordered by vertical rock faces topped with dense Mediterranean vegetation. Behind the beach stretches a pine wood offering shade during the hottest hours; on the headland’s summit you can wander among the archaeological remains of Heraclea Minoa.
The beach is sandy and stretches for a full 6 km. It’s located almost halfway between Sciacca and Agrigento.
Famous as “Montalbano’s Beach“, Punta Secca was one of Sicily’s hidden gems before the TV series about the celebrated detective made it known to the world. Today this golden sand beach next to a characteristic village is a destination for locals, sun-seekers and devoted fans of the TV series.
It’s located about 30 km from Ragusa and is easily reached by car. Its name derives from the presence of a small rocky formation in front of the beach, called “sicca” (dry) in the local dialect.
Why leave Sicily to explore other islands? Simple: to continue enjoying unforgettable days immersed in nature!
Sicily’s islands include the Aeolian Islands (off the northern coast), the Egadi Islands (to the west) and the Pelagian Islands (to the south, roughly halfway between Sicily and Africa); all three archipelagos offer wonderful seaside holidays.
Cala Rossa is the most famous beach on Favignana, known as the Pearl of the Egadi. On this butterfly-shaped island, cars are not permitted, making it possible to enjoy pristine nature in complete peace.
The Cala Rossa beach is surrounded by breathtaking scenery, nestled between walls carved into tufa rock. The sea’s colours will leave every visitor speechless.
One of the most renowned attractions on Lampedusa is the Spiaggia dei Conigli, which stretches along a bay with views towards a small islet inhabited only by animals, including rare species such as the yellow-legged gull. The beach, with its fine, powdery sand, is reached via an earthen path that cuts through a nature reserve.
This area is a nesting ground for loggerhead sea turtles: if you’re lucky, you might spot one swimming nearby.
Panarea is known as the chic island, favoured by celebrities and exclusive tourism. Indeed, it’s pricey and rather snobbish, but it’s also brimming with natural wonders to discover. One of these is Cala Junco, a magnificent natural pool created by a rocky headland that extends into the sea in an embracing arc.
The beach features pebbles, with some rocky areas. It’s bathed in waters of incredible hues ranging from turquoise to emerald green, and remains remarkably calm because the headland shields the beach from the wind; however, the seabed drops steeply, so Cala Junco beach isn’t recommended for those travelling with small children.
It’s one of the few beaches on Panarea accessible on foot. Allow roughly half an hour to walk here from the island’s main village.
In the following map you can see the location of the main places of interest mentioned in this article.
Hotel 
Budget accommodations 
Apartments 
Family Hotel 
Luxury Hotel 
Resorts