
Within the Vendicari Nature Reserve, in the province of Syracuse, lies the spectacular Calamosche beach, a small cove of fine sand approximately 200 metres long, with crystal-clear and always calm waters, sheltered from currents thanks to two headlands that frame it at either end.
Calamosche is certainly one of Sicily’s most beautiful beaches, so much so that in 2005, Legambiente’s Blue Guide awarded it the title of Italy’s most beautiful beach. Here you can relax in the sun, go snorkelling or swim in clear, brilliant blue waters. You’ll reach it after a walk of about one kilometre along a pathway, which is straightforward but can become tiring in the summer heat. No matter – once you arrive, it will have been worth the effort, and you won’t want to leave!
The beach suits everyone, as the seabed is sandy and shallow in the central area, whilst it becomes deeper and rockier at the ends, where you’ll often spot some magnificent examples of Sicily’s rich marine life. It’s worth noting that the beach has no facilities and is virtually entirely exposed to the sun: bring a parasol, food and drink, and above all plenty of sunscreen. Despite its beauty, Calamosche beach is certainly not the most crowded in Sicily; therefore, you’ll have no trouble finding your own spot even in August or during other peak season periods.
To reach Calamosche beach you need to access the Vendicari Nature Reserve, between Noto and Marzamemi, approximately 40 km from Syracuse. To get there, take the Provincial Road 19 Pachino-Noto; after about 11 kilometres from Pachino you’ll see the sign for “Calamosche beach” on the right; you’ll arrive at the car park, where you can leave your car and continue on foot.
Being located within a nature reserve, and especially being accessible only after a one-kilometre walk, there are no accommodation options in the immediate vicinity of Calamosche beach. There are some holiday apartments along Provincial Road 19, which marks the western boundary of the Vendicari Nature Reserve, whilst alternatively there’s no shortage of hotels and accommodation of all types at Lido di Noto, situated just a few kilometres north of the beach.
Calamosche Beach is located in the province of Syracuse, within the municipality of Noto, on Sicily's south-eastern coast. It sits within the Vendicari Nature Reserve, with Lido di Noto being the nearest settlement.