Sicilian beaches are so distinctive that it’s almost a crime to skip visiting some of them on your trip to this beloved Mediterranean island. Often located near rocky hillsides graced with cacti, olive trees, and wildflowers, the beaches in Sicily tend to be small strips of land against the coves. These spiagge (beaches) can be sandy, pebbled, or rocky coastlines, meaning you have your pick in how you explore the warm azure waters here on your own, with your travel partner, or with your kids.
As you lounge in the sun and sand, you can take advantage of the offline feature of the Rosetta Stone app while you keep learning Italian. Your vacation to the best beaches in Sicily and beyond will be made richer by your ability to communicate confidently with locals. And you’ll be able to ask where their favorite private beach is hidden!
Table of Contents
The best beaches in Sicily, Italy: southern coast
The southern side of Sicily has numerous sandy beaches to explore—far more than we could list here. Just take a drive down the coastal roads and you’ll see great places to stop all along the way from Agrigento San Leone to Marina di Ragusa and beyond. We’ve included a few of our favorites from wide beaches and cliffs to more intimate spots so you don’t miss any of the best beaches in Sicily.
Spiaggia di Marina di Ragusa is a wide but beautiful beach
One of the best beaches in southern Sicily is Marina di Ragusa. It’s a massive stretch of beaches that give you plenty of space to lounge in the sun as you sink into the soft sand. Though it can get crowded on weekends during peak travel season, it’s definitely worth a stop to enjoy a huge beach with crystal clear water. If you’re traveling with kids, you’ll appreciate the long, shallow waters here. But anyone will appreciate that there are bathrooms and nearby restaurants to make a longer day at the beach more pleasant.
Location: the southern tip of Sicily
Things to know: full amenities; crowded weekends; clear and shallow waters
The imposing Scala dei Turchi cliffs
The southern side of Sicily has some magnificent beaches and cultural sites to visit near Agrigento. The most famous spot is called Scala dei Turchi (Turkish Steps), and it may be the most unusual beach you ever visit, which is why it made our list of things to do in Sicily. The grandiose natural steps of white stone are brilliantly displayed against the green landscape and cerulean blue below.
You can either stop at the top of the cliffs (called the belvedere) to overlook the entire area, or you can go to one of several beaches nearby (Scala dei Turchi, Le Secche, Praia Escala dos Turcos, or Lido Majata Beach). There is a steep path descending from the overlook to get to the more secluded beach if you want. We also highly recommend walking on these breathtaking steps at sunset for a romantic evening.
Location: near Realmonte
Things to know: some beaches may require a steep descent; no bathrooms
Shallow waters at Spiaggia di Timpi Russi
If you’re staying in a villa near Sciaccia, or just passing through, then you’ll want to head to Spiaggia di Timpi Russi. It’s a beautiful Sicily beach that has both sandy and pebbled shores. The water is often clear enough to see the bottom, but best of all, it’s quite shallow for several feet. It’s a great beach for children who love to splash around without having to swim.
You’ll find yourself enjoying this sunny spot with locals since it’s not located near a large city—and not crowded. That makes it feel a little more secluded even with the other beach goers. On the perfect day, you’ll snap a photo that looks like a postcard of golden sands and hues of blues.
Location: near Sciacca
Things to know: no amenities; sandy and pebbled; rarely crowded
Gorgeous beaches in Sicily: eastern side
Considering that Parco dell’Etna is located on the eastern side of Sicily, it should come as no surprise that these eastern beaches are typically more rocky than sandy. If you’re in Catania, there are several large public beaches with sand that can get overcrowded but are fine if you want a traditional beach. Still, there are many other types of beaches worth exploring if you travel a little further towards Taormina or Noto.
>> Do you know what languages are spoken in Italy?
Isola Bella: a tiny island with charm
Taormina is one of the darlings of Sicily, so it’s no surprise that you’ll find a delightful beach here at Spiaggia di Isola Bella. A tiny island called Isola Bella (beautiful island) sits off the beach connected by a tiny sandbar (or rather a pebble bar), known for its deep turquoise waters and spectacular sunrises. Designated as a small nature reserve, the island has a pebble beach that is fun for adults and kids to explore, though it can get really crowded.
To access the beach, you’ll need to descend over 100 steps (then climb back out!). Paired with the rockier terrain here, you’ll want to bring some reef shoes to enjoy your afternoon here. Keep an eye on the tides as the sandbar will seem to sink under the high water. But if you cross to the island, be sure to buy a ticket to explore the house that dates back to the early 1800s!
Location: Taormina
Things to know: swim or reef shoes are recommended; no bathrooms
The Pool of Venus at Capo Milazzo sits below an olive grove
On the northeast side of Sicily, just west of Messina, sits Capo Milazzo. It’s a narrow peninsula that juts out into the sea like a curved finger. You can drive or take a taxi almost to the end of it then walk along a lovely path, surrounded by flowers and even an olive grove. But the real gem is one that’s often missed: at the bottom of the stairs you’ll find the Pool of Venus, a natural pool that’s protected from the sea by rocks. The waters are nearly transparent, but there is no sandy beach. Despite that, it’s a popular spot in the summer, so arrive early.
Location: Milazzo
Things to know: cliffside walking paths with an olive grove; hidden pool; restaurants nearby
The quieter spot called Spiaggia la Punta
Mixing sand with pebbles and rocks, this unique shoreline is not incredibly popular, which makes it appealing as an off-the-beaten-path beach in Sicily. It’s a small spit of coast that juts out into the water near some beautiful hiking trails. But one of the coolest things about this beach is the perfect view of Mount Etna in the distance. We also recommend heading to the west side to see the grottoes. If you’re a confident kayaker, you might be able to explore this area from the shore and see how deep the crystal clear water goes!
Location: south of Catania
Things to know: no amenities; swim or reef shoes recommended; never crowded
Spiaggia di Lido di Noto offers free amenities and great views
The southeast side of Sicily has plenty of beaches that you’ll want to visit. If you’re looking for a more bustling type of beach with plenty of amenities, then try Spiaggia di Lido di Noto, which is not far from Siracusa. The sand is warm and soft with plenty of space in the off season and even during the peak travel season. Best of all, families can spend a whole day at this beach in Sicily since it has all the amenities you need.
Bathrooms and parking are free, and there are showers and changing rooms when you’ve gotten tan enough for the day. When you’re hungry, head over to a restaurant or bar for some food to fuel you before you head out for another swim. They have chairs for rent and the entrance fee is nominal for all you get.
Location: near Noto
Things to know: entrance fee; full amenities; sandy beach
Iconic beaches in Sicily: northern areas
It’s hard to argue the point that you’ll find incredible beaches in Sicily along its northern coastline. After all, Palermo and Cefalù are some of most popular cities up here, and they each have noteworthy beaches to explore. We’ve also included some harder-to-reach beaches within a natural reserve that are worth hiking to if you’re the adventurous type of traveler.
>> Don’t forget to learn essential Italian phrases to help you on your trip!
Spiaggia di Macari is perfect for snorkeling and sunsets
With acqua (water) so clear you can see deep into the ocean, a trip to this little Sicily beach is worth the effort. A great place to snorkel or watch the sunset, this beach has pristine sandy areas and a few more pebbled spots. It can be crowded on weekends, but during the week you’ll find plenty of space to enjoy a quiet cove. If you don’t have a car, you can reach the town of Màcari by train that has one stop near the beach. It’s a little more remote than other beaches, and though a food truck is usually available, you may want to bring snacks.
Location: near San Vito Lo Capo
Things to know: umbrella / chair rentals available; no bathrooms
Spiaggia di Cefalù sits below a medieval city
The location of this Sicilian beach is iconic. The ancient city of Cefalù backdrops this beautiful stretch of sandy beach so you feel like you’ve stepped back in time when you see the medieval towers behind you. There are plenty of options to enjoy your day in the sun here. You might like to jump into the water from the pier with your friends for that perfect TikTok video. Or you might just want to lay on the sand while occasionally dipping in the azure blue waters to cool off.
You can stay in the free area of the beach or pay for more private access. Either way, you can find chairs, umbrellas, showers, and plenty of places to eat—though there are more of all of these in the private areas. No matter what, if you’re near Palermo or Cefalù, stopping at this beach is a must.
Location: Cefalù
Things to know: full amenities in private and public areas; plenty of parking; crowded on weekends
Adventure awaits in Riserva dello Zingaro
The intense blue waters of the Zingaro Nature Reserve are rivaled only by the skies that contrast with the rugged coastline filled with a biodiversity of birds and vegetation. This coastal gem is a perfect day trip from Palermo and has about 15 miles of hiking trails leading to multiple coves with gorgeous beaches. They cannot be reached by car, so this is a trip for able-bodied walkers with good hiking boots. If you want a shorter walk, use the north entrance.
- Cala Capreria: pebbles, good for swimming, popular
- Cala della Dissa: pebbles and sand, best before noon
- Cala Beretta: small and not very popular
- Cala Marinella: small, only reached by climbing over rocks
- Cala Dell’Uzzo: larger pebble beach, quite popular
- Cala Tonnarella: an easily accessed pebble beach
Location: west of Palermo
Things to know: access to most coves require some trekking; no bathrooms; about €5
The full-service white sand beach: Spiaggia di Mondello
Just north of Palermo in the town of Mondello lies one of the largest, full-service beaches in Sicily, Italy. Spreading nearly 1.5 kilometers long, this white sandy beach has its own magic despite the crowds. If you’re looking for a family-friendly beach in Palermo that has a bathroom, chairs to rent, and lifeguards on duty, then this is your spot. Spiaggia di Mondello is also ideal for renting kayaks, paddleboards, and jet skis.
Like many spiagge, Mondello beach, Palermo, Sicily, tends to get crowded, and you’ll need to pay a small fee to access part of it. We recommend going very early in the morning or during the off season. Once you’ve had your fill of sunbathing, you can take a leisurely drive along the coastline to Belvedere di Monte Pellegrion or Riserva Naturale di Capo Gallo to wander on foot through some gorgeous parks.
Location: near Palermo
Things to know: bathrooms, food, and water activities available; very busy beach
Best beaches in Sicily: western side
From islands to the best beaches in Sicily, the western coast of this beloved island won’t disappoint anyone looking for a great beach to explore. You’ll have your pick of rocky and sandy beaches from the northern tip and all the way around the point beyond Marsala. We even added a bonus island that will take some effort to get to, but you’ll end up with videos that your friends won’t believe are real.
>> Try out these essential Italian greetings!
Sail to Spiaggia di Cala Rossa
If you’re near Marsala or Trapani, you might want to catch a boat ride out to Favignana, the largest of the three Egadi islands. While you have your pick of beaches here, we recommend going to Spiaggia di Cala Rossa, also known as Scogliera di Cala Rossa (Red Cove Cliff). It’s one of the larger beaches here and the water is almost pristine. The coast is more rocky than sandy, but it’s absolutely picturesque. To get here, you can rent a bike and join other sunbathers biking over to this unusual beach. But renting a boat might be the best way to enjoy getting to this beautiful spot while exploring the coastline of Sicily.
Location: Favignana island
Things to know: very little sand; reef shoes recommended; no bathrooms; small food cart onsite
Fine dining and sunbathing at Lido Marakaibbo awaits
For those who love white sand and impeccable amenities, Marakaibbo beach is the place to be. Located on the western side of Sicily, near Masala, this beach is part of an award-winning eco-conscious resort that you might want to stay at. Even for day trippers, they offer loungers and umbrellas for rent, along with access to showers and other amenities. If you get hungry or feel like drinking some Sicilian wine, try some fresh seafood dishes at the nearby restaurant to dine al fresco while looking out at the sea. Just make sure you spend time digging your toes into the soft white sand here as it’s a bit of a luxury on this island.
Location: near Marsala
Things to know: a resort property; full amenities; fees for access and bathroom use
Explore and snorkel in the coves at Spiaggia Torretta Granitola
We think this is one of the best beaches in Sicily for one main reason: you can enjoy sunbathing on the beach or you can explore the sandy coves on foot or with snorkeling gear. It’s an all-in-one adventure in a truly picturesque location. With a lighthouse towering over the beach on one end, Spiaggia Torretta Granitola has beautiful golden cliffs and coves that are fun for kids and adults to explore. You’ll love how close to nature you feel here—more than a regular beach. The nearby town has “old fishing village” vibes, so you can expect to have fewer crowds than most places.
Location: south of Marsala
Things to know: no amenities; swim or reef shoes recommended; bring snorkeling gear
Honorable mention: Spiaggia dei Conigli on Lampedusa Island
This particular beach will take an extra trip to get to since it’s not specifically on Sicily, though it’s part of their territory. We’ve included it because Spiaggia dei Conigli (Rabbit Beach) is often considered to be the best beach in the Mediterranean Sea. Perhaps that’s because its waters are pristine—deep azure and emerald green in color—and its pale sands are soft and clean. Located on the south part of the island of Lampedusa, this beach sits on the eastern side of an inlet that’s nearly a perfect circle. There may not be a lot of amenities, but you might not mind while you soak your feet in the unbelievably blue, shallow waters.
Location: Lampedusa Island
Things to know: you’ll need to book a flight here; it’s a rare opportunity that many miss out on
Navigate easily to the best beaches in Sicily with Rosetta Stone
We’d be surprised if you’re not eager to book a ticket after reading about the best beaches in Sicily. With beaches that range from white sands to giant cliffs or tiny pebbles there’s a beach for everyone to enjoy. To understand Italy in a deeper way, why not study its language so you can communicate with locals easier. Give it a chance and get instant feedback on your pronunciation too.
0 Commentaires