Sicily and Sardinia are Italian islands famous for their picturesque and beautiful beaches. Several years ago, when I visited Sardinia for the first time, I was enchanted by the island's coastline. The wild, picturesque beaches and turquoise water made an incredible impression on me. This year we went on a trip to Sicily for more than a week. I was convinced that it would be hard to beat the beaches in Sardinia. I was wrong. Sicily and its beaches also have a lot to offer!
During our recent tour of Sicily, we visited more than a dozen beaches: both the popular and well-known ones and the smaller ones - hidden, less accessible and less traveled by tourists. Initially, I wanted this article to be a ranking of beaches in Sicily. However, it would be hard to put together such a ranking, as the evaluation criteria for everyone will be different. While some prefer easy access to the beach and food and beverage facilities, for others seclusion, isolation and a small number of tourists will be an advantage.
Below you will find my personal list of the best beaches in Sicily. The beaches are varied: sandy and rocky, easy and hard to reach, popular and intimate, those in the west and east. Are they the most beautiful? Judge them for yourself!
Bue Marino and di Màcari beaches
If this article were a ranking of beaches in Sicily, these two beaches would rank first, right next to the beaches in the reserve Zingaro. We encountered these beaches by chance, after visiting the aforementioned reserve. While returning from San Vito lo Capo to Castellammare del Golfo, an amazing sight of blue water appeared to our eyes. It was the bay of Bue Marino.
The unique color of the water, the uncommon shoreline and the view of Monte Cofano - this is a must see! Above the beach there is a vantage point where it is worth stopping by car, even if you do not plan to beach. There is a small parking lot nearby.
3 kilometers away is the sandy beach di Màcari, which is not inferior to its predecessor. There is free official parking near the beach. Sun loungers and umbrellas can be rented at di Màcari beach. The beach itself seems larger, more accessible and friendlier than Bue Marino. We, with our two-year-old daughter, spent a whole afternoon there.
Beaches in the Zingaro Reserve
If you have read the article about the Zingaro Reserve, you know that it is my favorite when it comes to places to visit in Sicily. This enclave of wildlife features amazing flora and fauna and a breathtaking coastline. There are 6 small but charming coves in Zingaro that are also beaches. The easiest to reach are those located at the entrances to the reserve: Cala della Capreria and Cala Tonnarella dell'Uzzo. Just entering the reserve costs €5. You can also take a boat to each of the coves with one of the excursions, such as those from San Vito lo Capo.
The beaches are varied - some less, others more accessible. A full list of beaches, as well as photos and descriptions, can be found in the aforementioned article on the Zingaro Reserve. If you are looking for the best beaches in Sicily, be sure to check it out.
Guidaloca beach
During our trip to Sicily, we stayed in Castellammare del Golfo for a few days. It's a great base for exploring northwestern Sicily, but the beaches in this village didn't knock our socks off. Fortunately, quite near Castellammare del Golfo there are some real gems that are a must-see.
The friendliest beach in the area that is worth a visit is Guidaloca. The beach is located about 10 km. from Castellammare towards Scopello, about 15 minutes by car.
The beach is quite wide, easily accessible. An ideal choice if you are traveling with children. In the immediate vicinity, literally a few meters from the beach there is a public parking lot, which fills up quite quickly. In the nearby bar you can buy snacks and something to drink. We enjoyed the most the delicious Margherita pizza - yummy!
Cala Bianca and Cala Rossa beaches
Between Castellammare del Golfo and the previously described Guidaloca beach are two charming coves: Cala Bianca and Cala Rossa. Access to these places is slightly difficult: without a car it will be hard to get there, and the journey itself in both cases leads to the very end on gravel roads. There are no parking lots, the car is best left by the roadside. Remember to park so as not to impede traffic (the road is quite narrow). Note on the navigation: we, wanting to drive from Cala Bianca to Cala Rossa, got stuck in a dead end 😃 At the very end, a rather steep descent leads to both coves.
These are the hardest-to-reach beaches described in Sicily. But something for something - the landscape is not inferior to the previously described beaches of Bue Marino, di Màcari and those in Zingaro. And on top of that, there is peace and quiet from the tourist hustle and bustle.
Tonnara di Scopello beach
This is probably one of the most popular and famous beaches in Sicily - a must-see according to probably all Sicilian guidebooks ☺️ We unfortunately did not manage to enter the beach directly. During our stay the place was closed due to a wedding party taking place there. However, we managed to take some photos of the beach. Even from a distance it makes an amazing impression!
Tonnara di Scopello beach is a former tuna processing plant. It is concrete and paved and there is no gentle descent to it, and the water gets deep right at the shore. However, it is a unique place on the map of Sicily, definitely worth seeing.
The price of admission to the beach is as much as €15 per person, for the whole day. The price includes a deck chair and an umbrella. There is a maximum limit of 250 people on the beach at one time. In addition, a nearby parking lot is charged: 2.5€ per hour. The parking lot is quite large, located near the beach across the street.
Across from the parking lot, facing the beach, there is a small unmarked path to a vantage point overlooking the beach and the tuna plant. It is not marked in any way. If you are just passing through, it is worth stopping and going to this place.
Mondello beach next to Palermo
The last described beach located in northwestern Sicily is Mondello. The most popular beach in Palermo, and now an independent resort next to the capital of Sicily - this is how Mondello can best be described. It is located about 12 km from the center of Palermo, about 20 minutes by car. You can easily get here from Palermo by public transportation.
Mondello beach is the first of the beaches described, which is sandy. It is quite wide, but a large part of it is occupied by paid areas, where we can rent a deck chair and umbrella, have a drink or lunch. It is located in a rather interesting place, between two mountains: Monte Gallo and Monte Pellegrino. If you are in the area for a longer period of time and enjoy mountain hiking, be sure to visit these places.
Beach Scala dei Turchi
We moved to the southern shore of Sicily, near Agrigento. Visiting Sicily, we went there for two reasons - to visit the Valley of the Temples and see one of the most popular beaches on the island: the Scala dei Turchi.
The Turkish Steps, as the beach is freely translated, is a unique rock formation that resembles a monumental white staircase. The cliffs are bordered by a long and wide sandy beach. We will get there by a rather long staircase, which leads from the main street, all the way to the shore.
Entry to the cliffs is officially forbidden. There is a fence on the border of the beach and the cliffs, and from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. there are people who make sure that no one walks on the cliffs. After 8 pm, however, the procession of people to the Turkish Steps begins. As far as I know, this is simply how it has worked here for years ☺️
There are several parking lots in the area around Scala dei Turchi beach, which even in the low season fill up pretty quickly. If you are early enough you can park for free, off the main road.
Isola Bella beach
Taormina is one of the most popular tourist destinations in Sicily. It is also home to one of the most beautiful and popular beaches on the island and undoubtedly another symbol of Sicily: Isola Bella.
Driving to Taormina, we had a clear plan: we would spend the morning on Isola Bella beach, and then I would go exploring the city, while my wife and daughter would continue lazing on the beach. The logistics were quite simple: we parked the car in a nearby parking lot. Nearby is the exit to the beach, and 200 meters away is the lower station of the cable car. The descent itself, along with the baby stroller and stuff to the beach, may not have been the easiest, but it wasn't impossible either.
The beach and the minimalist islet can already be seen from the main road. It is worth stopping here to take souvenir photos from above. Then descend the stairs and we are on the beach. There are a lot of deck chairs along with umbrellas that can be rented, there are bars and restaurants.
The view itself is impressive both from above and from the beach itself. The water here is clear, warm, and it is shallow. The beach is pebbled and the bottom is rocky. It's worth getting some water shoes and a snorkeling kit. The views underwater are also amazing 😃.
Beach Sampieri
If I was planning a quiet, lazy holiday by the sea and blissful beachcombing with a bunch of kids, I would choose Sampieri beach. We stopped here for a few hours while traveling from Modica to Agrigento.
Extensive beach, sandy and gentle shore, negligible waves, shallow water and space - this is the simplest way to describe Sampieri beach. The only downside, unfortunately, is its location - it is far away from the most popular tourist destinations. The easiest way to get here will be from Syracuse (about a 50-minute drive) or Catania (about 1.5h drive by car).
The beach is in truth extensive and much less besieged than, for example, Mondello. There is a park nearby, which is perfect for relaxing when the sun starts to be unbearable. On the right side of the beach is a rather interesting building: the Fornace Penna. It is a monumental industrial structure from the early 20th century, which was a brick factory until 1924. Still well preserved today, it is a characteristic feature of the Sampieri landscape.
Along the main road there are many free parking spaces where you can leave your car, even in the shade. If you are going to Sampieri beach, you should have no problem parking.
3 Comments
The most magnificent beach in Sicily - San Vito lo Capo - has been forgotten
I confirm, San Vito lo Capo in the top 10 must be.
Good morning. Tom since you were in Sampieria did not visit Donnalukata? it is also beautiful. Anyway along the Mediterranean coast is lovely.Greetings.