As the largest island in the Mediterranean Sea, one thing Sicily has no shortage of is beaches. Everything from long stretches of fine white sands to small pebbly coves can be found along its dramatic coastline, so how does anyone decide where the best beaches in Sicily are?
Well, the Adventures with Sarah team has spent a lot of time here over the years and we can safely say that we have done plenty of research, so keep reading to see our top spots.

Popular beaches in Sicily
Let’s start with the most popular beaches in Sicily.
Now, we are not saying that these will be the quietest or cheapest beaches to visit, especially in the peak summer months of July and August when Italian families take every opportunity to get out to the coast and the beach clubs are full most days.
But these beautiful beaches are extremely popular with locals and tourists for a reason and are well worth visiting:
Cefalù
Around an hour by train from Palermo, the town of Cefalù is itself a fun place to visit, with its stunning Norman cathedral and winding ancient streets, but its beaches are one of the main attractions.
The main beach is right next to the town so head for the sea and you’ll find it. Unusual for Sicily, this is a sandy beach with a gentle slope down to shallow water, so it is very family friendly.
There are plenty of beach clubs where you can hire sunbeds and parasols, with seafood restaurants and lots of gelato spots nearby for when you want a break from the sun. There is a small free beach area as well, although this fills up fast in the summer.

San Vito lo Capo
As I’m sure you can imagine, there’s always fierce competition and discussion about where the best Sicily beach is, and while there is no single winner, the beach at San Vito lo Capo is always near the top of people’s lists.
Almost 3km long, this sandy beach is one of the longest in Sicily, is spotlessly clean (winning the Blue Flag award year after year) and given its position at the north west tip of the island, has some of the best weather conditions.
If hiking is more your thing, don’t miss climbing Monte Monaco which stretches high above the golden sands.
Mondello, Palermo
If you’re planning to visit the Sicilian capital of Palermo, make sure to set aside some time for Mondello beach during your trip.
Originally a small fishing village, Mondello was turned into a resort for the rich and famous in Palermo at the end of the 1800’s and nowadays it still retains a lot of the glamour and excitement from that time.
White sand beaches meet the clear blue sea, with the large Monte Pellegrino in the background, and there is a long promenade along the water to walk along and admire the stunning views.
Be sure to get there early in high season (there are multiple buses running between Mondello and Palermo daily) to secure your spot on the sand.

Isola Bella, Taormina
Taormina needs no introduction. Perched on top of rocky cliffs, this ancient city has an incredible ancient Greek amphitheater built high into the mountain and unbeatable views of Mount Etna.
It’s not just history and culture on offer in Taormina however, one of Sicily’s best beaches is nestled at the base of the hill, which is very popular with the locals.
Isola Bella is technically an island, but is connected to the mainland by a thin strip of sand which is covered up at high tide. Part sandy beach, part pebble beach, the extra effort needed to get here is absolutely worth it. Swim in the crystal clear waters which lead to a marine park or take a boat trip to explore the beautiful island.
Scala dei Turchi, Agrigento
Seeing really is believing when it comes to the Scala dei Turchi. Pictures simply cannot prepare you for the sight of these magnificent white cliffs, shaped naturally by wind and sea spray over centuries into wave patterns that seem to step down to the sea.
The beach itself is white sand but narrow so it fills up fast with sunbathers. There are many beach clubs to base yourself in as well for a bit more comfort, but these also can be very busy.
Many tourists come here just for the cliffs and then leave, so try to arrive early in the morning or later in the day when the sun is starting to set to avoid the worst of the crowds.
Be aware that if you want to walk down the cliffs themselves, access is currently heavily restricted to protect them so this may not be possible when you visit.

Off the beaten track spots
If you prefer something a little more peaceful for your beach days, there are many beaches in Sicily that are right for you. The miles of coastline around the island means there are countless smaller beaches to choose from. These will often be harder to reach and have far fewer facilities, but if you’re happy with a more natural experience than Italy’s beaches tend to offer, you won’t be disappointed.
Here are some of our favorite quieter beaches in Sicily:
Scopello
First up is Scopello, a small village that is everything you imagine when you think of Italy, with tiny narrow streets filled with flowers leading down to turquoise waters.
Scopello is the home of a tuna fishery that was originally built in the 13th century, but now the fishing complex is a small but perfect lido, situated between Palermo and San Vito lo Capo. You do have to pay a small fee to access the pretty cove, but as well as including a deckchair and access to the lido facilities, it includes entrance to the fascinating museum telling the story of the tuna fisherman.
Scopello is on the edge of one of Sicily’s nature reserves, the Zingaro Nature Reserve, so if you want to explore this area further, there are many untouched beaches and hiking trails on offer.

Eraclea Minoa
The west coast of Sicily is definitely on the quiet side, with most people visiting the Valley of the Temples at Agrigento and then carrying on with their exploration of Sicily. This means that the beautiful beach of Eraclea Minoa is rarely busy, ideal for people who want a truly relaxing experience.
The area is popular with campers and there is a great camp site in the pine tree forest that lines the beach. There are a few beach clubs but most of the beach is free and open.
Vendicari Nature Reserve
The Vendicari nature reserve is on the south coast of Sicily and was designated as a protected area in the 1980’s to preserve the lands, birds and animals who live there and also the many remnants of Sicily’s long history.
There are many beaches along the length of the nature reserve, and all of them are completely unspoiled by man-made structures. Park in one of the designated parking lots and carry your beach gear along the paths (remember to wear proper footwear as the paths are pretty uneven) before reaching some of the most beautiful beaches you will see anywhere.
Calamosche is the most popular beach within the reserve, but the Eloro and Marianelli beaches are also stunning. None of these have any facilities so make sure to bring plenty of water and food with you.
San Lorenzo beach is not technically in the nature reserve but adjoins it so you can expect the same clear water.

Tindari
This town on the north of Sicily is close to Messina, but despite its proximity to the city, one of the most beautiful beaches on the island is relatively unknown.
An oddly shaped stretch of sand creates a natural oasis, with shallow warm waters on one side and deep on the other. The white beach is part of another nature reserve so be prepared to walk a little way to reach it from the parking area, but you’ll be rewarded with a truly special day out.
Sicilian islands
We couldn’t talk about the best beaches in Sicily without talking about the Sicilian islands. Sicily has a number of islands dotted around, some of which you can take a day trip to and others that you need to dedicate more time to, but all of them have beautiful beaches.
There are many islands and beaches to choose from, but here are our preferred options:
Spiaggia dei Conigli, Lampedusa
Known as ‘Rabbit beach’ in English, this is regularly on lists of the most beautiful beaches anywhere in the world.
Lampedusa is closer to Tunisia than to Sicily so doesn’t look like a typical Mediterranean island. It benefits from unbelievably clear water, so clear in fact that loggerhead turtles come here to lay their eggs.
While you won’t find any actual rabbits on Rabbit beach, you will find astonishingly white sandy beaches which are entirely unspoiled. There’s no beach clubs here so pack a picnic and lots of water for your beach day.

Spiaggia Bianca and Canneto beach, Lipari
The seven Aeolian islands that are located north of Sicily are all interesting in their own right, but for us, the largest island of Lipari is our favorite. Yes, being the largest and being the hub for the hydrofoils that dock here from the mainland means that more people visit, but there’s something spectacular about the winding road that takes you all the way around the island.
The pebble beach at Canneto is part managed and part free so you can rent a sunbed if you wish, but it is far quieter than the beach clubs in other parts of Sicily. Spiaggia Bianca (literally ‘white beach’) is named for the unique white pumice on the sea bed, is more popular but the combination of bright blue water, white sand and rocky cliffs behind make it worthwhile visiting.
While you can do a day trip to Lipari, basing yourself there for a few days and visiting the other Aeolian islands is a lot of fun too.
Cala Rossa, Favignana
The three Egadi islands are off the north west coast of Sicily, reached by ferry from the city of Trapani and are within the Egadi Islands Marine Reserve. The vibrant blue waters surround the islands, which have hidden coves, small whitewashed houses and plenty of beautiful beaches.
Because of the geography of the islands, the best way to reach many of these beaches is by boat. Cala Rossa on Favignana, the largest island, is definitely worth the extra effort to reach. Large rocks slope gently into the water, which is generally accepted to be the best swimming spot in the area. If you prefer a sandy beach then instead head to nearby Cala Azzurra.

Sicily is one of those destinations that has something for everyone, no matter what you want from your vacation. We highly recommend taking some time out from a packed sightseeing schedule to relax on one of the island’s beautiful beaches – given Sicily’s long coastline, you’re sure to find one nearby.
Looking for help planning a trip to Sicily, or want to join us on our next Sicilian adventure? Get in touch today to jump start your travels.