Beaches
The best beaches in Sicily, coast by coast
Sicily has three coasts and three quite different seas. These are the beaches worth driving for, from Palermo's own seaside to the nature reserves of the south-east, and where to stay.
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In the Zingaro reserve, a dusty path runs along the cliffs, and every so often a smaller path drops to a cove of white pebbles and water so clear you can count the stones on the bottom. There is no bar and no sunbed hire. You bring lunch, a snorkel and more water than you think you need.
Sicily is the largest island in the Mediterranean, and its coast changes from soft sand in the north-west to white cliffs in the south and volcanic rock in the east. Distances are longer than the map suggests, so most visitors pick one or two coasts. Here are the beaches that justify the drive, grouped by where they are.
Short answer: which beaches in Sicily are best?
San Vito Lo Capo in the north-west has the finest sandy beach, and the Zingaro reserve next to it has coves you reach on foot. In the south-east, the Vendicari reserve has quiet beaches, and Isola Bella below Taormina is the most famous. Mondello is Palermo's own beach.
Best sandy beach: San Vito Lo Capo
Best nature reserve: Riserva dello Zingaro
Best city beach: Mondello, Palermo
Best for quiet: Vendicari, near Noto
Best view: Isola Bella, Taormina
Villa Igiea
Villa Igiea by the sea in Palermo.
Palermo and the north coast: Mondello and Cefalù
Mondello is where Palermo goes to swim. The bus takes about half an hour from the centre, and the bay has both private beach clubs and free public stretches. Out on a pier stands an Art Nouveau bathing pavilion from the days when this was the smartest place in town. Arrive early at weekends.
An hour east, Cefalù is a medieval town with a Norman cathedral and a sandy beach right below the old centre. Swim in the morning, then wander the lanes for lunch.
Villa Igiea: an Art Nouveau villa by the sea
Rocco Forte Villa Igiea stands on the water at Acquasanta, north of central Palermo, in an Art Nouveau villa with gardens running down to the sea. You are close to the city and to Mondello. A calm place to begin or end a road trip, especially for couples.
Book your stay: Check availability and prices at Villa Igiea
The north-west: San Vito Lo Capo and Zingaro
San Vito Lo Capo has a long arc of pale sand and shallow turquoise water beneath Monte Monaco. It is one of the best family beaches on the island, with plenty of restaurants in the town behind it.
Between San Vito and Scopello lies the Riserva dello Zingaro, Sicily's first nature reserve. A coastal path runs for about seven kilometres, with side paths down to small coves. There is an entry fee and no kiosks, and the sun is fierce, so come prepared.
Just outside the reserve, Scopello has an old tuna fishery and sea stacks rising from the water.
The south coast: Scala dei Turchi and Agrigento
The white marl cliff of Scala dei Turchi near Realmonte is the classic image of southern Sicily. Walking on the cliff itself is no longer allowed, but the beach beside it and the view from the coast are just as good. The Valley of the Temples in Agrigento is a short drive away, so combine the two.
The south-east: Vendicari and the beaches near Siracusa
Between Siracusa and Noto, the Vendicari reserve has lagoons where flamingos stop on migration, an old tuna works and several quiet beaches. Calamosche is a small cove between two headlands, reached on foot through the reserve.
South of Siracusa, Fontane Bianche is a long sandy beach with beach clubs, the easy choice with children.
San Domenico Palace
The pool with Etna views at San Domenico Palace.
Taormina: Isola Bella and Mazzarò
Below Taormina are two bays reached by cable car from the town. Isola Bella is a small island joined to the shore by a thin strip of pebbles, and it is a protected reserve. Mazzarò next door has beach clubs and boats that take you to the sea caves along the coast.
Both beaches are pebbly and busy in August. Go early, or use them for a quick swim between walks around Taormina.
San Domenico Palace: a convent above the sea
San Domenico Palace is a former Dominican convent from the 15th century, now run by Four Seasons. The pool looks towards Etna and the sea, and the corridors follow the old cloisters. It is up in Taormina, so you take the cable car or a taxi down to the coves. Rates are among the highest in Sicily.
Book your stay: Check availability and prices at San Domenico Palace
When to go
June and September are best: warm sea and fewer people than in high summer.
Avoid mid-August: around Ferragosto on 15 August the beaches are packed with Italian holidaymakers.
Hire a car: the best beaches and reserves are far apart, and public transport is limited.
Pack water shoes: many Sicilian beaches are pebbly or have rocky entries.
Frequently asked questions about Sicily's beaches
Where is the best sandy beach in Sicily?
San Vito Lo Capo in the north-west is the best-known sandy beach, with pale sand and shallow, clear water.
What is the closest beach to Palermo?
Mondello is Palermo's city beach, about half an hour by bus from the centre.
Can you walk on Scala dei Turchi?
No. The cliff itself is closed to visitors, but you can see it from the beach and the surrounding coast.
Does Taormina have a beach?
Taormina sits on a ledge above the sea, but the bays of Isola Bella and Mazzarò are just below and reached by cable car.
Do you need a car to visit Sicily's beaches?
For the reserves and most beaches outside the towns, a car is easiest. Mondello and Cefalù are reachable by bus or train.