But who has that kind of time? Let’s take a look at where to go to Sicily by the sea, depending on where you’re heading.
🎒 Backpack of information for those who don’t have time
- In our opinion, the most beautiful sandy beach is in San Vito Lo Capo.
- The most unique beach is the Scala dei Turchi – white limestone cliffs, unique in the Mediterranean
- For families with children the beaches of San Vito Lo Capo, Mondello, Cefalù, Letojanni are again suitable
- The calmest and wildest are the bays in Zingaro NR, or Calamosche near Noto
- Spiaggia libera means “free beach”
- Lido points out again the private part with sunbeds (almost always paid)
- The best season for swimming is June to September
What is the name of the beach in Sicily – a little glossary
Before you go looking for a place to swim, it’s worth knowing a few Italian terms you’ll come across on every sign, map and booking website. We struggled with this on our first visit, but we’ve learned and now you will too!
Spiaggia is just a beach. It’s a general term for any place by the sea.
Spiaggia libera literally means “free beach” with free access, no sunbeds, no staff. You come with your own blanket and umbrella and swim for free. The quality varies from place to place.
The Lido is a private part of the beach operated by private entities. You have to pay to enter or rent sunbeds and umbrellas. Typically from €10 per sunbed and umbrella per day. The advantage is cleanliness, service, changing rooms, bars, showers. In high season on crowded beaches, lido is a more convenient option. For example, lido beaches are in the south of Catania towards the airport.
📌 Chystáš se na Sicílii? Neztrácej čas hledáním míst v mapě. Stáhni si naší enabitou mapu s více než 120 místy, které jinde nezískáš. Místa jsou včetně komentářů. Online i offline verze. Snadné uložení do telefonu. To musím mít!
Cala refers to a cove or bay. Usually smaller, protected and with clearer water. Most of the most beautiful swimming spots in Sicily are the Cala. The cala Rosa at Favignana is a total banger.
Spiaggia attrezzata is a well-equipped beach – it has showers, toilets and basic infrastructure, but it doesn’t necessarily have to be paid for.
What beaches in Sicily are
It’s probably good to know that most Sicilian beaches are not sandy. Much of the coastline is pebbly or rocky. On the other hand, the water is clearer at these beaches. One would think that it is the same as in Croatia – it is not. The water and the atmosphere is completely different.
Sandy beaches are concentrated mainly in the northwest (San Vito Lo Capo, Mondello) and in the south (around Noto, Agrigento). These are also ideal destinations for families with children.
Pebble beaches make up a large part of the east coast, Zingaro Bay and the surrounding area of Taormina. Clearer water, but you can’t do without water shoes.
Volcanic beaches can be found on the Aeolian Islands (especially Vulcano) and around Etna. Dark or black sand from lava combined with the unique colour of the sea in dark blue to turquoise.
The 10 best beaches in Sicily
San Vito Lo Capo – the most beautiful sandy beach in Sicily
Type: Spiaggia libera + lido
San Vito Lo Capo is nicknamed the “Sicilian Caribbean” – and after your first visit you’ll understand why. A three-kilometre arc of fine white sand, azure waters and the dramatic cliffs of Monte Monaco in the background. The entrance to the sea is gentle, the sea calm. Next to the white Calea is the free spiaggia libera. I enjoyed it twice. The first right after arrival in the afternoon and then again in the morning at sunrise. The latter didn’t work out too well because it was raining, but the view never gets old!
The absolute winner of this “small poll”, where to go to the sea in Sicily.
For whom: families with children, sandy beach lovers, photographers
Best time: June or September – July and August are very crowded
Getting there: by car from Trapani about 45 minutes, from Palermo about 1.5 hours
Accommodation tip: right in San Vito Lo Capo. We slept in Stella del Capo 3 stelle Affittacamere
Scala dei Turchi – the most unique beach in Sicily
Type: Spiaggia libera
The Scala dei Turchi (Turkish Steps) are a natural geological unique. I regretted not having a drone and was immediately driven to take the test and get my drone “driver’s license”.
The white limestone cliffs slope like natural staircases directly into the sea. It’s a really nice view, unparalleled in the Mediterranean. At the base of the cliffs is a pebble beach with clear water.
For whom: photographers, nature lovers, couples
Best time: early morning or afternoon – the sunset here is one of the most beautiful in Sicily How to get there: by car from Agrigento about 20 minutes, we parked above the restaurant along the road
Please note: There is probably private land between the beach and the entrance to the rock, and there may be an entrance fee in season. In the off-season, the entrance fee was “voluntary.”
Isola Bella near Taormina – the most photographed Cala
Type: Spiaggia libera + lido
A small island connected to the mainland by a narrow pebble strip. It is one of the most photographed spots on the entire Sicilian coast. Crowded in high season. I might have headed here just for a photo and moved on.
For whom: couples, photographers, tourists in Taormina
How to get there: on foot from Taormina (steep stairs) or by car (but parking is more difficult)
Mondello – spiaggia libera near Palermo
Type: Spiaggia libera
Spending time in Palermo? Then you’ve won the question of where to go to the sea in Sicily. The most accessible beach in Sicily for those who spend time in Palermo. Fine white sand, shallow sea, lively atmosphere. In summer, the whole of Palermo comes here by public transport. And even in the off-season, it was pretty crowded with people just chilling.
For whom: tourists staying in Palermo, families
How to get in: By bus from Palermo in 20 minutes or by car
Tip: Mondello as a stop on a trip to Palermo, e.g. on the way from Trapani. And lest I forget, you must have a granita with whipped cream and chocolate brioche at the roundabout. Total gastro porn.
Coves in Zingaro Reserve – Wild Cala without tourism
Type: spiaggia libera (entrance to the reservation 5 € – just don’t go cheating)
Seven coves in Sicily’s oldest nature reserve. Access is only on foot along the coastal path (which is 7 km one way) – no roads, no cars, no kiosks. The water is crystal clear. The most beautiful are Cala Berretta and Cala dell’Uzzo. Take water shoes as the beaches are pebbly.
Who for: hikers, nature lovers
Best time: april-june, september-october – hot in summer and more crowded
How to get there: by car from Scopello (south entrance) or San Vita Lo Capo (north entrance)
Cala Azzurra, Cala Rossa- Favignana (Egadi Islands)
Type: Spiaggia libera
The most beautiful bays of the largest Egadi island. On Cala Rossa perhaps the most. Clear water in beautiful shades of turquoise. But the access to the sea is a bit tricky, so be careful. It’s perfectly fine on Azzura.
For whom: island lovers
How to get there: by ferry from Trapani to Favignana (25 minutes), then definitely by bike 15 minutes Tip: Favignana is a great place overall – read our full guide to the Egadi Islands
Calamosche u Nota – the most beautiful spiaggia of the south
Type: Spiaggia libera
As far as I could find out, Calamosche was named the most beautiful beach in Italy in 2015. Golden sand in a cove near the Vendicari Nature Reserve, with almost no tourist infrastructure. Access on foot through the reserve. Calm, nature, clear water. This is the reason to go to the sea in Sicily.
For whom: those looking for a beach without crowds and privacy
How to get there: by car from Noto about 20 minutes, then on foot through the reserve about 15 minutes
Tip: combine with a tour of Baroque Noto – one of the most beautiful Sicilian towns where we experienced the real Italy. We sat at a table in this little hilltop place, and the owner himself came in and started playing and singing old school mafia songs on his guitar.
Cefalù – spiaggia just outside the historic centre
Type: Spiaggia libera + lido
Cefalù combines the best of both worlds: a beautiful sandy beach right by the old town with a Norman cathedral and a labyrinth of alleys. Gentle entry into the sea, clear water. Ideal for those who don’t want to choose between beaching and culture. In bad weather big waves, so be careful.
How to get there: by train from Palermo, about 1 hour, or by car
Tip: the beach is quietest early in the morning or after 17:00
📌 Chystáš se na Sicílii? Neztrácej čas hledáním míst v mapě. Stáhni si naší enabitou mapu s více než 120 místy, které jinde nezískáš. Místa jsou včetně komentářů. Online i offline verze. Snadné uložení do telefonu. To musím mít!
The beaches of the Aeolian Islands – a volcanic experience
Type: Spiaggia libera
The beaches on the Aeolian Islands are quite different from those on mainland Sicily. Dark or black volcanic sand made of pumice and lava. The water is a kind of dramatically darker blue. Every island is different.
On Lipari you will find white sandy beaches. The island of Vulcano, on the other hand, has black sand beaches and thermal heated water by the harbour. On Stromboli there are beaches under an active volcano.
How to get there: by ferry or hydrofoil from Milazzo
Letojanni – a quiet alternative to Taormina
Type: Spiaggia libera
Letojanni is right next to Taormina, but at a fraction of the price and quiet. A long pebble beach with views of Etna. Most of the beach is freely accessible.
Tip: accommodation in Letojanni is 20-40% cheaper than in Taormina for the same distance from the beach
Where to go to Sicily by sea according to the type of traveller
| Type of traveller | Recommendations |
| Families with children | San Vito Lo Capo, Mondello, Cefalù, Letojanni |
| Couples | Isola Bella, Cala Azzurra (Favignana), Scala dei Turchi |
| Adventurers | Coves of Zingaro, Aeolian Islands, Calamosche |
| Those who seek peace | Calamosche, Egadi Islands, southern Sicily |
| Cultural tourists + beach | Cefalù, Mondello (near Palermo), Letojanni (near Taormina) |
Practical tips for swimming in Sicily
- Water shoes are almost a necessity.
- Spiaggia libera vs. lido: The free part of the beach is free, but crowded and unattended in high season. The Lido guarantees cleanliness, sun loungers and shade.
- The best season for swimming is June to September. In September, the sea is even the warmest of the year.
- The Sicilian sun is intense even in September. SPF 50 is not an excessive luxury.
