On our recent trip to Sicily Italy, we road tripped around the island and explored some of the most beautiful beaches and swimming spots. If you’re in search of crystal clear waters, dramatic coastlines, or a perfect place to unwind with a spritz, here are our favourite beaches to add to your Sicily itinerary.
Taormina – Isola Bella & Mazzarò Beach
Taormina is one of the most iconic towns in Sicily, perched on a cliff with stunning beaches just below.
- Isola Bella is a tiny island you can walk to at low tide, surrounded by calm blue waters and public beach areas. You’ll find a few beach clubs and restaurants scattered along the shore.
- Mazzarò Beach is lined with hotels and beach clubs, perfect if you want to rent a chair and umbrella for the day while enjoying a meal or drink by the water.
How to get to Isola Bella Taormina: If you’re staying up in Taormina, take the cable car down to Mazzarò Beach its a quick 2–3 minute ride, about €6–10 round trip. From the bottom of the cable car head to the main road and walk right and up about 5 minutes and around the corner youll see the island from the road, the entrance down to the beach is next to Il Gabbiano Ristorante. There’s also a public bus from Taormina’s Via Pirandello terminal, just a 5 minute ride for about €2 one way, that drops you close to the island access point.
Where to stay by the beach in Taormina:
Travel tip: Taormina gets busy in summer. Visit early in the morning to beat the cruise ship tours or later in the afternoon for a quieter experience.
Aeolian Islands – Salina & Filicudi
We spent a few nights exploring the volcanic Aeolian Islands off the coast of Sicily and were blown away by how clear and inviting the water was.
- Filicudi: a small rustic island with some summer pop up bars and restaurants. We stayed near the port and swam straight off the rocks. Don’t miss Località Le Punte – a stony beach with incredible water – and La Sirena restaurant for a swim and lunch stop.
- Salina: The Santa Marina Salina seawall is a great swimming spot with a beautiful backdrop. There are ladders to get in and out, and the flat concrete makes it perfect for sunbathing. On the other side of the island Rinella has a popular swimming beach with black volcanic sand. A couple of good restaurants also in Rinella our favourite Pa.Pe.Ro’ “al Glicine” (try out the caper and ricotta granita)
How to get to the Aeolian Island: To get to the Aeolian Islands, fly into Sicily (Catania is the closest airport), then take a transfer to the port of Milazzo, which offers the most frequent ferry and hydrofoil connections to the islands. From Milazzo, you can easily reach popular islands like Lipari, Vulcano, and Stromboli in around 1 to 2 hours with Liberty Lines ferry from Milazzo – book here.
Travel tip: In summer, book accommodation and ferry tickets in advance. Renting a scooter is the best way to explore the islands. In Salina, we rented an electric scooter from Noleggio Experiencesalina.
Filicudi
Salina
Cefalù Beaches – Spiaggia del Porto Vecchio & Spiaggia di Cefalù
Cefalù is a charming seaside town, and its beaches are perfect for a mix of exploring and relaxing.
- Spiaggia del Porto Vecchio is a small beach right in the old town – grab a sunbed or jump off the sea wall into the bluest water.
- Spiaggia di Cefalù is the main stretch of beach lined with beach clubs and restaurants, just a short walk from the old town.
Where to stay in Cefalu: Stay in or near the old town for easy beach access and that magical Sicilian charm.
Travel tip: Head to the old port area at sunset – it’s one of the most photogenic spots in town when the golden light hits the buildings.
Grotta delle Colombe (Cala Muletti)
Tucked between Palermo and Castellammare del Golfo on Sicily’s northern coast, Grotta delle Colombe (also known as Cala Muletti) is a dramatic sea cave and old fort surrounded by bright turquoise waters. The area is rugged and wild, with rock formations and cliff faces that make it an adventurous swimming and snorkeling spot.
- There’s a rocky old fort where you can sunbathe or carefully climb into the sea. The setting feels remote and rustic, with dramatic scenery and a raw, untouched feel.
How to get to Grotta delle Colombe: Access is by foot or boat. In the summer months, a gated driveway opens to a small car park. You collect a ticket from the attendant, then walk down the hill and pay the parking fee at the kiosk bar. From there, walk along the beach and over the rocks to reach the grotta and fort. The trail is rocky and quite treacherous in sections, so caution is essential. The fort itself is crumbling in places and can be dangerous – not recommended for children.
Travel tip: Best for confident swimmers and adventurers. Wear sturdy shoes, bring a dry bag, and use water shoes for entering the sea. The kiosk at the beach serves drinks and snacks and is also where you pay for parking.
Tonnara di Scopello
This is one of Sicily’s most iconic swimming spots and has gone viral for good reason. It’s part of a private hotel and beach club, so you’ll need a reservation for a day pass or you have to book a room at the hotel.
- The beach opens to the public at 10am, but if you stay overnight, you get early access to the smaller private beach before the crowds arrive.
- Theres a small kiosk inside selling sandwiches, drinks and spitz, its ok but a bit over priced for the quality.
Travel tip: During summer, book hotel stays or beach access passes well in advance. Bring water shoes as the entrance to the sea is rocky and uneven.
Zingaro Nature Reserve – Cala Capreria
Just a short drive from Scopello, the Zingaro Reserve is a protected national park with stunning walking trails and hidden beaches.
- We visited Cala Capreria, which had the most beautiful water and a small stretch of sandy beach. We accessed from the southern entrance of the park closest to Scopello and it was about a 20 min walk to get to it.
- You’ll need to walk in, and the further you go, the quieter the beaches get.
Good to know:
- No beach chairs or umbrellas allowed (it’s a national park)
- Entry fee applies, there are 2 entry points one at the southern and one at the northern end of the park.
- Closed footwear is required (the trail can be rocky)
- There are no kiosks or shops inside so bring your own snacks and water
Travel tip: Bring plenty of water and pack light. You’ll be walking in and out under the sun.
Egadi Islands – Levanzo & Favignana
We did a day trip to the Egadi Islands via ferry from Trapani and it was such a highlight. The Liberty Lines ferry Takes around 30 mins. The islands themselves are pretty rustic but the water is incredible. out of the 2 main islands Favignana is the largest with restaurants bars and accomodation if you wanted to stay longer than a day trip.
- Levanzo our first stop in the morning, a tiny charming port with a Greek island feel. Theres a small beach in the centre of town and another rocky beach further around the point. The town is small and lovely for a wander. There are a couple of local restaurants, cafes and airbnbs right by the water.
- Favignana the larger island was our next stop. We rented a scooter and headed to the turquoise waters of Cala Rossa – absolutely stunning and easily the bluest water we saw in Sicily. Keep in mind its pretty rocky and hard to access so water shoes might help. You can also hire a boat for the day to explore the islands other coves. After a day at the beach we headed into town for dinner and drinks before getting the last ferry back to Trapani in the evening.
How to get to the Egadi Islands: Liberty Lines Fast Ferries run daily from Trapani it takes around 30 minutes – book in advance here.
Travel tip: Ferries can sell out fast during peak summer times. Book your return tickets early so you don’t get stuck there and bring reef safe sunscreen and water shoes if you plan on swimming as its quite rocky.
Palermo – Mondello Beach
We didn’t have time to visit, but local friends told us Mondello Beach is the best spot near Palermo. It has a laid-back, retro vibe with loungers, umbrellas, and calm shallow waters.
Travel tip: If you’re staying in central Palermo, Mondello is around 30 minutes away by bus or car.
Caletta Sant’Elia
A hidden gem near Palermo, Caletta Sant’Elia is a small cove tucked between colourful fishing houses and rocky cliffs. The water here is crystal clear, calm, and perfect for swimming or floating in the sun.
- The cove beach is small, so space fills up quickly – bring a towel and grab a spot on the rocks if you arrive later in the day.
- Neaby there are some other small ocean beaches that rent umbrellas in the summer
Getting there: Sant’Elia is located between Palermo and Cefalù. It’s easiest to reach by car, with parking just a short walk from the cove.
Travel tip: Visit in the early morning or late afternoon for a peaceful experience. There are a few small kiosks and cafes nearby but bring snacks and drinks incase they are closed.
Ortigia & Syracuse – Fontane Bianche
Ortigia doesn’t have many big sandy beaches, but there are small swimming spots and rocky sunbathing areas and a pontoon to jump off.
- The most popular spots in town are Spiaggia di Cala Rossa, with its small strip of sand and Spiaggia Diana nel Forte, with its swimming pontoon both free to the public.
- For a proper beach day, head to Fontane Bianche, just a short drive from Syracuse. The water here is clear and perfect for a swim.
Travel tip: There are a few beach clubs at Fontane Bianche where you can rent loungers for the day. It’s a great spot for a full beach day.
Bonus Sicily Beach – San Vito Lo Capo
We didn’t make it here, but it’s one of west Sicily’s most popular beaches. With long sandy stretches and shallow turquoise waters backed by dramatic cliffs, it’s worth adding if you’re nearby.
Travel tip: Visit early in the day to beat the crowds, and avoid weekends if possible.
