Choosing where to go in Sicily for a seaside holiday means evaluating locations and beaches scattered across over 1000 km of coastline washed by three different seas (Tyrrhenian, Ionian and Mediterranean). It’s far from uniform, spanning an enormous variety of landscapes, facilities and prices that such a large region as Sicily can offer.
With such a wide choice, there’s something for everyone: sandy beaches with shallow waters, pebble beaches with steeply shelving seabeds, rocky shores and cliffs, tiny coves, kilometres-long stretches of sand, fully serviced beaches, remote and secluded strands…
The good news is that wherever you choose to land, or whichever port you sail into, crystal-clear waters are always just a few kilometres away. You can opt for a base at a seaside resort with gorgeous beaches within easy walking distance, or create an itinerary hopping between different spots to see as many beaches as possible.
To help you choose the best area for a seaside holiday in Sicily, we’ve created a mini-guide divided into five zones: north coast, east, south, west and islands. None of these is definitively the best—they’re all stunning. Where you go depends on the type of break you’re after, which beaches appeal to you most, and how you’re planning to get to Sicily (flying or sailing? which airport or port?).
The north coast of Sicily is almost like a straight line linking San Vito lo Capo in the west to Messina in the east, interrupted by bulges that correspond to the Gulf of Castellammare, the Gulf of Palermo and the Gulf of Termini Imerese.
Washed by the Tyrrhenian Sea, it’s largely a steep and jagged coastline punctuated here and there by expansive stretches of golden sand that extend for miles and are framed by towering headlands.
This area is home to some of Sicily’s most famous resorts and finest beaches: don’t miss the charming town of Cefalù with its characteristic town beach, the wild beaches of the Zingaro Nature Reserve between San Vito lo Capo and Scopello, the fishing village of Isola delle Femmine and the fashionable beach at Mondello near Palermo.
The advantage of choosing the Tyrrhenian coast for a seaside holiday in Sicily is that road connections in this area are excellent, so you can move easily from one resort to another: perfect if you want to explore by car!
Another plus is the presence of one of Sicily’s major airports in this area—Palermo—served by numerous budget flights. This magnificent city is an excellent base from which to explore the entire coast, heading both west and east.
Washed by the Ionian Sea, the east coast of Sicily is the most varied. Heading south from the Strait of Messina to Cape Passero, the landscape changes repeatedly, alternating between golden or grey sandy shores and sheer cliffs with heavily indented rocky stretches. Around Catania, the proximity of Mount Etna is evident in the dark colour of the sand.
The Ionian coast, like the Tyrrhenian coast, is an excellent choice if you’re flying in on a budget airline (Catania airport is the region’s main gateway) and planning to explore by hire car, and it’s absolutely the best option for those wanting to reach the island by ferry with their own vehicle.
There’s a very wide selection of seaside resorts, but the most beautiful beach is undoubtedly the stunning Calamosche in the Vendicari Natural Reserve (province of Syracuse).
The eastern coast is also Sicily’s most cosmopolitan, recommended if you’re after nightlife and want to be seen. You’ll find chic resorts like Taormina, Sicily’s quintessential “diva” town, and fashionable spots like Giardini Naxos.
The southern coast of Sicily is served by a smaller airport than those of Palermo and Catania (Comiso), which is why many visitors start their holidays elsewhere before moving here.
It’s easily reached from all the major airports, but if you manage to find a budget flight to Comiso, you’ll save a few hours of driving and get to spend more time on the stunning beaches of the south coast.
Epic-looking beaches that inspired the great poets of antiquity, beaches set in wild nature, beaches with unique features like the famous Scala dei Turchi near Agrigento, or tiny town beaches that mark the boundary between land and sea in picturesque fishing villages—the south coast awaits you with a remote, proud Sicily, deeply rooted in tradition, its gaze turned towards Africa.
There are plenty of seaside resorts in this area, perfect for either a long stay or as stops on a road trip. Among these are Marina di Modica, Marina di Ragusa, Porto Empedocle, Realmonte and Sciacca.
Given Sicily’s almost triangular shape, the western coast is significantly shorter than the other three and is generally not the first choice for sun-worshippers and sea lovers. In fact, along the short coastline west of San Vito lo Capo to Mazara del Vallo—mostly sandy and monotonous—you won’t find Sicily’s most beautiful beaches, but you can alternate lazy days by the sea with interesting cultural visits and tastings of fine wines and other exquisite Sicilian products.
It’s also worth noting that Trapani is the main port for the Egadi Islands. If you stay here, you can make unforgettable day boat trips or take the ferry to the islands.
The islands off Sicily are dream destinations for those wanting to sunbathe on pristine beaches and swim in extraordinarily coloured waters. A true paradise for seasoned sun-worshippers, snorkelling enthusiasts and beginner or experienced divers, Sicily’s most beautiful islands are the perfect mix of natural beauty and tourist facilities.
Each archipelago is a microcosm unto itself, with very distinct landscapes and cultural identities. Some islands are heavily developed for tourism, with plenty of hotels and B&Bs, whilst on others accommodation is limited.
Panarea is a very upmarket island, while Alicudi and Linosa are better for those who shun the jet set and want to immerse themselves completely in nature. The beaches are equally diverse: stretches of brilliant white sand, dark sandy beaches of volcanic origin, rocky coves… there’s something for all tastes!
The Egadi Islands and the Aeolian Islands are close enough to the Sicilian coast to be visited in a day, while the Pelagian Islands are further away and need at least a couple of days. On the other hand, Lampedusa has an airport, so it can easily be reached from mainland Italy with a direct flight.
It’s hard to say which Sicilian island is the most beautiful, but many would agree that the top islands for great sea are Favignana, Marettimo and Lampedusa.
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