Crystal-clear water, exclusive beaches, hidden coves, sheer cliffs and natural beauty to discover: Sicily’s 10 most beautiful beaches are waiting for you
It’s the largest island in the Mediterranean, a land of sea and sun, rich in art, history and natural beauty to be discovered in every season of the year. We are really talking about Sicily! Its beaches, more than 1,000 km long, are true paradises on earth, with their fine sand, sheer cliffs and hidden coves. Perfect for relaxing a stone’s throw from unspoilt nature reserves or for discovering on foot or by bike during nature excursions, Sicily’s beaches have something for everyone. You can give in to the lure of the most crowded lidos, or carve out some privacy in sheltered coves in absolute tranquillity.
Whatever your destination, you’ll always be surrounded by beautiful, crystal-clear waters.
We are sure that if you choose Sicily and its beautiful beaches as your holiday destination, you will be charmed. Let’s discover together which are the best beaches in Sicily!
Find the best accommodation for you:
1) Fontane Bianche, Syracuse
25 kilometres from Syracuse, amidst cliffs and beaches of fine sand lapped by a cobalt sea, lies Fontane Bianche, a 3-kilometre-long stretch of coastline named for the numerous natural freshwater fountains that spring from the seabed and for the white colour of the sand. The lack of pollution and the absence of large towns in the vicinity make the waters truly clean.
In this corner of paradise, you will find both public beaches and lidos, making it the perfect destination for families with children thanks to the shallow waters and warm water temperatures, but also for lovers of extreme sports.
In fact, not far from the coast you can practice water sports such as surfing and discover the wonders of the sea with a boat trip.
To end the day on a high note, you can enjoy an aperitif at sunset in one of the many bars along the promenade.
Fontane Bianche, Syracuse
2) Calamosche Beach, Syracuse
Inside the Vendicari Reserve, there is the beautiful beach of Calamosche, a cove of fine sand about 200 metres long, characterised by a crystal-clear and always calm sea, sheltered from the currents by two rocky promontories rich in caves and inlets that delimit it at both ends.
The small bay, which can be reached by walking for a kilometre along a path, is suitable for everyone. In fact, the seabed is sandy and shallow in the central part until it becomes deeper and rockier at the ends, where it is possible to snorkel and admire some splendid specimens of the rich Sicilian marine fauna.
Calamosche beach is certainly not the most crowded beach in Sicily, so you will have no problem finding your own corner of the beach even in high season. In 2005, it was named ‘Italy’s most beautiful beach’ by the Legambiente Blue Guide.
3) Zingaro Nature Reserve
Along the northern coast of Sicily, from Castellammare del Golfo to San Vito lo Capo, is the Zingaro Nature Reserve, where you can visit uniquely beautiful beaches, coves and unspoilt cliffs, as well as numerous nature trails to discover one of the most beautiful parks in Sicily and Italy. All the white, pebbly coves look like little niches carved into the side of the high rocky ridges and are bathed by a crystal-clear turquoise sea.
Starting from San Vito lo Capo, the first cove you will encounter is Tonnarella dell’Uzzo, the largest and most popular. For those who want more tranquillity, all you have to do is walk along paths that wind through the Reserve to arrive at small natural oases of great beauty, such as Cala Torre dell’Uzzo, Cala Marinella, Cala Beretta, Cala della Disa and Cala della Capreria.
The seabed of the Reserve is a true paradise for snorkelling and underwater sports lovers thanks to the riot of colours and underwater life. For trekking lovers, the various paths through the heart of the Mediterranean maquis are perfect. You will find several refuges where you can stop, subject to authorisation, and where you can apply for guided tours.
You can only access the Reserve on foot, leaving your car in the parking areas at the two entrances to the north (San Vito Lo Capo) and south (Castellammare del Golfo)
4) San Vito Lo Capo
San Vito Lo Capo beach is one of the most popular in Sicily and is located 40 km from Trapani, along the island’s northern coast. Famous for the beauty of its white sandy beach bathed by a crystal-clear turquoise sea, it is surrounded by high cliffs, Monte Monaco and Piana dell’Egitarso, ending with the majestic lighthouse that stands in the distance.
San Vito lo Capo is the ideal place to spend a relaxing day between swimming, walking, water sports and boat trips. Thanks to its shallow waters, this beach is also perfect for children, who can spend their days diving and building sandcastles.
There is a wide choice of lidos where you can hire umbrellas and deckchairs, as well as numerous refreshment stands along the promenade. At either end of the beach there are also free, unequipped areas.
5) Cala rossa, Favignana
Situated to the north-west of the island of Favignana, between bays and rocks alternating with Mediterranean scrub is Cala Rossa. The cove owes its name to the colour of the blood that was spilt in its waters during the Punic Wars and can be reached by boat or via a steep but picturesque path that is well worth the effort. Floating in the waters of Cala Rossa is a thrilling experience: from this privileged position you can fully appreciate the cleanliness of the seabed and the enchantment of the landscape. Diving in, with or without a mask, is a must in order to admire the wonders of this unspoilt place.
Cala rossa, Favignana
6) Rabbit Beach, Lampedusa
Well-known to all for the simple fact that once you have been there you can’t help but tell about it, Isola dei Conigli was voted the most beautiful beach in the world in 2013, in Europe and in Italy in 2015 and 2021.
This island belongs to the Pelagie Islands archipelago and is located a few metres from Lampedusa. The sea is turquoise and varies from emerald green to cobalt blue, the water is crystal clear and the sand is fine and white. The seabed is so shallow that it is possible to walk to the Isola dei Conigli, which is opposite and gives its name to the beach.
The island opens up between steep rocks and is surrounded by Mediterranean shrubs. The name derives from a mistranslation of Rabbit Island, the name with which it was defined on English nautical charts in the 1800s, where the term “rabbit” from the Arabic, should mean “connection”, given its strategic position. The island is part of the Lampedusa Island Oriented Nature Reserve and, as such, is not always open to the public. As it is a protected area mainly because of the fauna it hosts, such as the Caretta Caretta turtles that come here every year to lay their eggs, it is accessible to tourists from 8:30 to 19:30.
Rabbit Beach, Lampedusa
7) Scala dei Turchi, Agrigento
A few kilometres from the Valley of the Temples in Agrigento, you can admire the fascinating white cliffs of Scala dei Turchi. To access it, you have to walk along a path, halfway along which you will find a restaurant, leading to the beach, from which you can already admire the white cliffs. The long coastline of fine golden sand is free and served by a few lidos offering bar services and equipment hire.
At the end of the beach you will find the large, smooth white cliff, with its steps and the downhill ridge, on which you can lie back and relax while admiring the surrounding landscape. The more courageous can also enjoy diving from some points of the cliff, bathed by the beautiful waters. At the top of the cliff you can enjoy a wonderful view of the entire coast. On the opposite side you will find a small unspoilt sandy beach, surrounded by high walls of white rock. However, you have to be very careful because the path is not easy to follow and you have to walk along narrow, unprotected sections of cliff. Near the entrance to the beach of Scala dei Turchi there are several free and paid parking areas.
8) Mondello, Palermo
Only eleven km from Palermo, on the northern coast of Sicily lies Mondello Beach. The bay, characterised by white sand and lapped by a crystal-clear sea, is nestled between Monte Pellegrino and Monte Gallo and extends for about 1.5 km in a beautiful natural setting. If during the winter months you can enjoy the calm and serenity that the place offers, during the summer months Mondello is also populated thanks to the comforts offered by the numerous bathing establishments.
In addition to the numerous lidos offering the possibility of renting beach umbrellas, deckchairs and cabins, Mondello is also ideal for lovers of water sports such as windsurfing. The elegant promenade, lined with Art Nouveau houses, offers the opportunity to take a relaxing stroll, admiring the sea and the surrounding landscape.
Mondello, Palermo
9) Spiaggia di Scopello, Trapani
Along the northern coast of Sicily, on the edge of the Zingaro Nature Reserve, lies Scopello, one of Sicily’s most beautiful seaside resorts, characterised by a cove with fascinating cliffs. Here you can find the Tonnara of Scopello which is bathed by a clear sea, ideal for snorkelling lovers and for those who want to immerse themselves in a truly breathtaking natural landscape. In front of the cliff are the imposing Faraglioni rocks, which you can reach by boat. A little further south is the Bay of Guidaloca, a small free sandy beach lapped by a transparent sea and served by numerous bathing establishments. Along the coast there are several less frequented and wilder coves that are worth a visit for the beauty of the sea and the natural landscape, including Cala Rossa, Punta Pispisa and Cala Mazzo di Sciacca.
Spiaggia di Scopello, Trapani
10) Isola Bella, Taormina
The beach of Isola Bella, a short distance from Taormina on the coast of eastern Sicily, is definitely one of Sicily’s best beaches. Also known as the ‘Pearl of the Mediterranean’ due to its unique location and lush nature, it is accessible via a flight of steps and it is framed by high cliffs falling sheer into a crystal-clear turquoise sea. The rocky seabed gives the waters wonderful colours. It is important to be careful when diving into the waters because the rocks are uneven and sometimes sharp. On the eastern side of the island you will find stretches of free beach, where the seabed is higher, ideal for those who like to dive from the rocks or snorkel, but also equipped beaches. Here you can take a boat trip and visit the Grotta Azzurra and the Grotta della Conchiglia or hire a jet ski and explore the area. Isola Bella is connected to the mainland by a narrow strip of sand that can be walked on even at high tide.
