Sicily is an island of romance, legends, and stories about cyclops, gangsters, and mysterious mafiosi. Tourists come here to see the majestic and formidable Mount Etna, ancient temples and catacombs, enjoy the famous Italian cuisine, and, of course, relax on the beautiful beaches of Sicily.
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“Black” beaches
Sicily is unique for its volcanic beaches. The black sand on these beaches is volcanic lava that has been ground into dust by time, water, and wind. There are many “black” beaches on the Lir Islands, also known as the Aeolian Islands. Most of these beaches have been awarded the Blue Flag certification. These beaches are popular among locals.
The best of them are on the island of Vulcano. For example, the Spiaggia Sabbie Nere beach. Its peculiarity is not only black sand, but also a thermal spring that flows directly into the sea, turning it into a giant jacuzzi. The island itself is the top of an extinct volcano. The last time it erupted was in the late 19th century.
There are also many spacious, quiet beaches with volcanic sand in the vicinity of Catania. The symbol of this province is the Aci Trezza beach, which is a stunningly beautiful landscape with eight separate rocks standing in the crystal-clear azure waters. This is an excellent spot for diving and snorkeling, and equipment can be rented right on the beach.
There are many hotels, cafes, and restaurants in the area. In the summer, there are celebrations and festivals. One of them, the Sagra del Padellone, is a fish festival that has even been listed in the Guinness Book of World Records for having the largest frying pan in the world.
Aci Castello (Aci Costello)
One of the most popular Sicilian landscapes is an ancient castle that is washed by the sea. The nearby town is also named after this castle. According to legend, this area was once home to the Cyclops. It has a beautiful volcanic beach with well-developed infrastructure and picturesque shores shaded by citrus trees and palm trees. It is suitable for families with children and for snorkeling. There is also a picturesque promenade with numerous cafes and restaurants.
Lido Azzurro
It is perhaps one of the largest volcanic beaches in the Catania area. It stretches for almost 9 km, from the city almost to the very Acireali. It is a very comfortable, well-maintained, and free beach, well-suited for families with children.
Sandy beaches
Sandy beaches are located throughout the island, but most of them are in the south and southeast. These beaches usually have a gentle slope into the water, are well-equipped, and are perfect for families.
Pozzalo (Pozzalo)
It is the only seaside town in the province of Ragusa and its main resort. In this small, cozy town there is everything for recreation and fun youth companies — and families with children-many hotels, apartments, restaurants, cafes, shops, the embankment, where the main entertainment is concentrated, sports grounds. The city has two sandy beaches — Lungomare Pietre Nere and Raganzino. Both are free, but equipped with everything you need.
For a small fee, you can rent sun loungers or umbrellas. The descent into the sea is gentle. The beaches have been awarded Blue Flags for their clean water.
San Vito Lo Copo (San Vito Lo Copo)
In this small town, resort life is in full swing from April to October. The beaches in the vicinity of the town resemble the famous beach from the “Bounty” commercial – azure sea and the purest white sands. A big advantage of these places is a gentle entry into the sea with a gradual increase in depth and the absence of underwater currents, due to which the water here is clean and warm during the season. All beaches are equipped, have everything necessary for a comfortable stay, including for people with disabilities.
There are plenty of beach activities available right on the coast, and there are cafes and restaurants along the entire coastline, as well as bike rentals, etc. The only downside of this location is the large number of tourists from all over the world during the high season, which peaks in August.
Mondello
One of the most famous beaches in Sicily is located 13 km from the center of the Sicilian capital, Palermo. The two capes of Monte Piligrimo and Monte Gallo form a peaceful bay with a wide sandy spit. The beach is known for its calm, warm sea, pristine white sand, and luxurious villas that line the entire spit. This fashionable area of Sicily is popular among tourists from all over the world. During the summer, concerts, festivals, and celebrations are held right on the beach.
All beaches are well-maintained, and you can rent a sun lounger and umbrella, as well as equipment for water activities and sports. There is also a children’s amusement park with water slides and trampolines near the beach.
Cefalu (Chefalu)
Cefalu is a resort town that is famous not only for its attractions, but also for being a well-known European balneological center. However, it is undoubtedly known for its miles of white sandy beaches. These beaches are located in the surrounding areas of the town, providing a peaceful and secluded environment even during the peak season. However, the remoteness and associated inconveniences of these beaches have led to an increasing popularity of the town’s central beach.
Here, you can rent a sun lounger and an umbrella, and there is a well-developed beach entertainment infrastructure, as well as many restaurants, hotels, and rental apartments and villas.
Marina di Ragusa (Marina di Ragusa)
Italians themselves love to relax in this place, and many of them have houses by the sea. The city’s beaches are known for their cleanliness, golden sand, and well-developed infrastructure. They have been awarded the Blue Flag several times, and in 2009, they also received the Golden Palm. The beaches are free, but they are well-maintained, and visitors can rent sun loungers and umbrellas.
It’s a great place to visit with young children: the sea entry is gradual, the beach has clean, warm sand, and there’s an amusement park in the summer. There’s also a private yacht marina near the beach. Visitors can also rent a yacht. In the summer, the city hosts various festivals and celebrations, and in early August, there’s a traditional film festival.
Cala Mosche (Cala Mosque)
One of the most beautiful beaches in Italy is located between the Vendicari Nature Reserve and the Eloro Archaeological Site. The sea is always calm here, as the small bay is protected by rocks on both sides. The stunning views of the nature reserve, the clear waters, and the sandy beach make this beach a popular destination for tourists. It is also a great spot for diving enthusiasts. The caves in the small rocks are home to a variety of fascinating marine life.
Giardini Naxos (Giardini Naxos)
It is one of the most popular sandy resorts in Sicily. This place is in great demand among our compatriots. The beaches here are well-maintained, with both paid and public beaches. There are many good hotels, original restaurants, and plenty of leisure activities for tourists of all ages. It also has many fans due to its location: the resort is located right at the foot of the famous Etna volcano.
Fontane Bianche
This is a free, well-equipped beach with fine golden sand. The sea is shallow and warm. The beach is named “White Springs” because of the fresh water springs that rise from the ground.
Pebble beaches
Despite the great popularity of sandy beaches, especially among those who travel with small children, there are also many fans of beaches with small and large pebbles. The main feature of Sicilian pebble beaches is the convenient entry into the water: the pebbles are only near the shore, and further on there is a pleasant sandy seabed. These beaches also have other advantages, such as clear water and clean towels. There are several mixed beaches in the Palermo area, such as in Scopello.
Skopello (Skopello)
There are several beaches in this small tourist town. One of them is a public beach that is poorly equipped, and it is preferred by local residents. The second beach, located near the Baia de Guidaloca campsite, is wider and longer. The beach is lined with small pebbles, and the entrance to the sea is sandy. Visitors can rent sun loungers on the beach, and there are also cafes and restaurants nearby. The town is surrounded by picturesque and peaceful bays. The beaches in these bays are rocky, and the air is filled with the scent of eucalyptus trees.
Taormina is an ancient Sicilian city that has managed to preserve its unique atmosphere despite the large number of tourists. The beaches in Taormina are mostly rocky or pebbly.
Spiagia di Mazzaro (Mazzaro)
This is the most popular beach in the vicinity of Taormina. It is a mixed sand and pebble beach. It is free, but not well-maintained, but in the summer there are always a lot of vacationers. The owners of the neighboring restaurants rent out sunbeds and sunshades, offer equipment for water activities. There is a convenient entry into the water with a gradual increase in depth, which is convenient for families with children and those who want to swim in depth or dive.
Isola Bella
On a small peninsula connected to Sicily by a thin isthmus, there is a pebble beach that is divided into two areas: an equipped paid area and a free area. The center of Taormina can be reached by funicular from here. There is a very clean sea and great opportunities for diving enthusiasts. It will not be very comfortable with small children on this beach, but older children will be happy to dive with a mask and observe marine life.
There are many picturesque rocky and pebbly beaches in the area of Syracuse, Aciriale, and Palermo. Most of them boast a wide variety of marine life, so the lack of some amenities is more than compensated for by the stunning scenery and opportunities for snorkeling. Don’t forget to bring beach shoes to protect your feet from the uncomfortable rocks or hot sand.
Which one to choose for a holiday with children
Sicily is an excellent destination for families. It is suitable for both young children and older kids. There are many clean, sandy beaches with fine, warm sand, which is a favorite among children. Most of the beaches have a gentle slope into the water, with a gradual increase in depth. Due to the lack of underwater currents, the water is well-warmed, and the variety of aquatic life will delight young explorers.
The most popular Sicilian beaches are perfect for families with children, including Cefalu, San Lorenzo, Mondello, San Vito Lo Capo, and others. If you’re looking for a beach with pebbles, the Lipari Islands offer Aquacolda and Canneto, which are known for their clean and safe beaches with shallow waters and stunning landscapes.
Best time to travel
Sicily is beautiful at any time of the year, and tourists come here all year round. However, for those who prefer to combine sightseeing with beach vacations, the warm season is the best time. The beach season starts almost in April and lasts until October. The warmest months are July and August, when the beaches are particularly crowded. September and October are also very warm, but the beaches are less crowded. This is the best time for those who prefer a peaceful and secluded vacation.
How to choose a hotel
Sicily is a place where summer lasts almost all year round, with its hot sun, warm sea, and beautiful beaches. To fully enjoy the beauty of this island, it is best to plan your accommodation in advance. Hotels with their own private beach are the most convenient option. They are usually located on the first line, so you won’t have to spend time traveling.
Another advantage is that the beach is included in the room rate, so you don’t have to search for a swimming spot or pay for entry or sun loungers.
Unlike public beaches, the hotel staff is responsible for maintaining cleanliness and safety on the beach. These hotels are located throughout the Sicilian coast, both in major tourist destinations and smaller towns.
You can choose a hotel with a beach for every taste and income level. Choose a hotel based on your preferences for comfort and services. If you’re traveling by car, it’s important to check if the hotel has its own parking lot or if you’ll need to park in a public lot.
It is also worth deciding on the type of food in advance: most hotels operate on a B&B basis, but there are also options that offer all-inclusive services. It is best to choose a hotel several months in advance of your planned trip. This allows you to find the most suitable option and save money, as the closer the check-in date, the higher the price.
The cost of accommodation will also depend on the time of year: the highest prices are during the peak season, in July and August, and it is best to book rooms in the high season 4-6 months in advance.
