Think of Sicily and it’s likely that your first thoughts might conjure up images of the coast. After all, this iconic region of Italy is an island and therefore surrounded by the ocean on every side, creating plenty of beaches and seafront scenery for visitors to explore.
Sicily is a wonderful place for an Italian beach holiday, with many options to choose from when it comes to deciding where to stay to be close to the sea. In this guide, we share our recommendations for the ten best beach towns in Sicily, along with suggestions for the best beaches near each of them.
Cefalù used to be a fishing village and is best known for the huge, imposing rock that overlooks the town and is known as La Rocca, creating a dramatic backdrop. There are several beaches to choose from around the town depending on how far you’re happy to walk, many of which have Cefalù’s signature golden sand.
Once you’ve had your fill of the coast, the town itself is great for historical sightseeing and has been designated a UNESCO World Heritage site because of the preserved architecture here. Highlights include the Old Town 12th-century cathedral and the ruins of the Temple of Diana which are perched on a hill above the town.
Stazzone is the closest beach to Sciacca which is great for swimming, whilst Tonnara and Foggia require a little more time to get to but are soft sandy beaches with lovely clear water. You’ll find as many locals here as you will holidaymakers, so it’s a lovely part of the region to enjoy an authentic atmosphere.
There’s a long history of ceramic making in Sciacca and you can still find shops selling local crafts around the town, along with several lovely 16th-century churches and some great restaurants. The Terme di Sciacca is one of the main draws for tourists alongside the beach, offering the chance to enjoy natural hot springs and other spa treatments.
If you’re after a beach with plenty of space on the sand, Spiaggia Plaja is one of the best Sicily beaches just to the east of the town and encompasses 3 miles of coastline with numerous bars and restaurants available for visitors to refuel and relax. If you don’t mind a beach with more rugged scenery then Cala Campana is a small cove with lovely views, whilst Cala Petròlo is much more well-maintained but tends to get busy quite quickly, so is worth arriving early for!
A nearby attraction to Castellammare del Golfo is the Zingaro Nature Reserve which offers brilliant hiking trails as well as several smaller beaches further along the coast. If you like to sightsee when you’re travelling then the town is home to a 9th-century Arab castle that gives Castellammare del Golfo its name ‘Sea Fortress on the Gulf’, perched on the headland and home to a small museum.
Cala Azzurra and Cala Rossa in Favignana are not only considered to be some of the most beautiful beaches in Sicily, but also in the whole Mediterranean. Famed for its incredibly clear water, Favignana offers plenty of wonderful swimming spots, with the natural lido Bue Marino being another highlight.
You can reach Favignana on a day trip from Trapani or stay on the island, depending on the rest of your Sicilian holiday plans. It’s not a particularly large town, but the scenery is lovely, you can easily cycle around the whole island, and the town is full of charming places to eat and drink.
You’ll have to walk to all of the beaches and coves in Levanzo, but you’ll be rewarded for your journey with a range of picturesque swimming spots. On the north of the island is Spiaggia del Faraglione, which has been named one of the best beaches in the whole region, whilst on the southeast coast Cala Fredda and Cala Minnola are lovely places to spread out your towel and relax by the water for a day.
Levanzo’s small size means that there’s not much else to do other than enjoy the scenery. The island’s biggest attraction is the Cave of Genoese which has ancient paintings all over the walls thought to trace back all the way to Neolithic and Palaeolithic times.
If you’re willing to make the journey to it then Spiaggia Aciddara, situated between Porticello and Solanto, is one of the best Sicily beaches to enjoy totally unspoiled scenery and a quiet atmosphere. Another popular spot is Spiaggia di Sant'Elia, found a little further down the coast, which has soft golden sand and is small but very scenic, so it’s a good one to arrive at early!
Elsewhere in Santa Flavia, a historic attraction is the Archaeological Site of Solunto which has a range of ruins for visitors to explore. The Basilica Soluntina di Sant’Anna is another good site to admire ancient architecture, as is Villa Filangeri.
Many people recommend San Vito Lo Capo when you ask where to go in Sicily for beaches because the coastline around here has a feel of the Caribbean with its white sand and turquoise water. San Vito beach is the nearest and largest option, with several private beach clubs dotted along the coast where you can pay for a sun lounger and facilities, along with space to lounge on the sand for free.
One of the best times to visit San Vito Lo Capo is September, as not only will you enjoy warm weather without the summer crowds, but you can also enjoy the town’s annual cous cous festival which celebrates the ingredient grown around the area. San Vito Lo Capo is also a famous destination for climbing, but even if you don’t fancy trying to scale the rocks and cliffs around the town, it can still be very entertaining to watch.
Undoubtedly one of the best beaches in Scopello is found by La Tonnara di Scopello, which is also the town’s biggest tourist attraction. Once the site of an old tuna fishery, it’s now been transformed into a hotel and a private beach, which is definitely worth paying entry to enjoy the facilities and brilliant swimming spot.
The beach at Modello stretches for over 1.5 km in a pale, sandy arc that provides plenty of space for visitors to relax beside the sea. Several lidos offer a more private experience of the beach, and the whole area is popular with families thanks to the shallow water.
Modello became a well-loved seaside resort when it was transformed in the 1900s by Palermo’s aristocratic families, who left their Art Nouveau mark on the architecture of the beachfront. A highlight is the Stabilimento Balneare; an impressive building sitting on top of stilts overlooking the water.
One of the best Sicily beaches which you’ll find close to Mazara del Vallo is Tonnarella, home to soft sand, gradually deepening water and a couple of luxury lidos, if you’re looking for a more exclusive experience. For more rugged scenery, and great opportunities for kitesurfing, Spiaggia di Capo Feto is part of a protected area further down the coast and offers a natural, less touristy setting for time at the beach.
When it comes to other things to do in Mazara del Vallo, visiting the ancient Arab Quarter, or the Kasbah, is a wonderful opportunity to admire North African architecture and design. The Cattedrale del Santissimo Salvatore is another architectural marvel, but as the nickname ‘City of 100 Churches’ might suggest, you’ve got plenty of religious buildings to choose from if you’re looking for sightseeing opportunities in the town.
If you’re planning a trip to Sicily and are looking for somewhere to stay by the beach, The Villa Collection has a hand-picked portfolio of villas around the island that are ideal for family and group holidays. Take a look at our luxury villas in Sicily or get in touch to speak to the team about what you’re looking for.