Thinking of the Italian island of Sicily may conjure up images of mafia movies, infinite pasta dishes and citrus trees, but one of the key reasons for travelling to the largest island in the Mediterranean is undoubtedly its stunning beaches. The best beaches in Sicily offer historical villages, stunning rock formations, golden sand dunes and calm, blue Mediterranean waters. These five best beaches in Sicily prove that your holiday can be more than lying on a sunbed, spritz in hand, soaking up the sun (although it can definitely be that too). Your Sicily Holiday can include beach hopping, visiting some of the best-preserved ancient Greek ruins outside of Greece, exploring caves and hidden passageways, parasailing, wine tasting in a vineyard, or even an exciting 4x4 trip to Mount Etna – all of which can be arranged without fuss by one of our clued-up Concierges.
1
Cefalù
Near Palermo
Cefalù is a quaint coastal town in northern Sicily, where you’ll find cobbled streets lined with flowers and ancient low-rise buildings, including a UNESCO world heritage site. In front lies the emerald sea and the sandy Lido di Cefalù beach dotted with traditional fishing boats. Behind protrudes a large rock atop which sits a castle, the Castello della Rocca, or ‘Castle of the Rock’ (for obvious reasons). A trip here promises sandy beaches where you can swim, kayak and sunbathe only a stone’s throw away from vibrant restaurants and bars. But it also offers rock and pebble beaches flanked by forest at Kalura beach, where you can snorkel or dive off the cliffs. A little further afield you’ll also find the windsurfing, surfing and sailing hot spots of Salinelle Beach and Capo Playa. When visiting Cefalù and its many beaches, don’t forget to enjoy an aperitivo at one of the establishments on Piazza Garibaldi and Piazza del Duomo, and if you want to choose your shape of fresh pasta, head to the popular Pasta e Pasti restaurant.
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Bue Marino
Favignana
Bue Marino beach is on the Sicilian island of Favignana – a one-hour-and-twenty-minute ferry ride from Trapani on the west coast of Sicily. But don’t let the distance put you off as this magnificent landscape of towering yellow rock columns flanking each side of the beach gives the impression of sunbathing in the entrance hall to a great pharaonic palace. The area was once a quarry, which has left a matrix of caves and incredible scenery that truly inspires wanderlust (and some Indiana-Jones-style exploring). You’ll need to walk to the beach and once there, the entrance to the water can be a little sharp underfoot before it gets very deep, so bring some trainers and some water shoes if you have them and maybe give this beach a miss if you’re travelling with young children. The sea here is rich in marine life, and offers some of the best snorkelling opportunities in Favignana (there have even been monk seal sightings here!), so be sure to bring a mask and snorkel or arrange a scuba diving trip through our Concierge.
3
Scala dei Turchi
Agrigento
The Scala dei Turchi, or ‘Turkish stairs’, is one of the best beaches in Sicily for those looking to turn their beach day into an excursion. The beach’s pure white clay and limestone – or marl – steps may be reminiscent of the white Pamukkale rockpools in Turkey, but the real reason for its name is the Saracen and Barbary pirates – called ‘Turks’ by the villagers – who ran up this land formation to plunder nearby villages in the 1500s. In contrast to its brutal history, the graceful rise of these white cliffs from the turquoise waters creates the sense of a smooth, almost heavenly, staircase from the sea to the clifftops. Visitors can amble along the tops of the cliffs on a walkway or head straight for the sandy beach below. You can also walk around the cliffs to reach hidden, less-crowded coves, which is where the pirates themselves would have disembarked. Come sunset, head to the stairs to experience the scenery change once more as the pure white stone becomes doused in the golden light of the fading sun’s rays. This southern Sicilian beach is also the perfect stop for some ancient history, as the famous Valley of the Temples is only a 20-minute drive away.
4
Calamosche
Syracuse
Calamosche beach, known by locals as ‘Funni Musca’, is the perfect answer to an economical trip to the Caribbean. This stunning and cosy cove, located in the protected Vendicari nature reserve in the east of Sicily, is sheltered from the currents by two rocky headlands to create an ever-tranquil marine paradise of still, turquoise waters and golden sand. When snorkelling here, follow the reef to the sides of the cove, where you’ll find little underwater caves and ravines filled with marine life. Once you’ve had your fill of paradise, head off to see the rest of the reserve. There’s birdwatching opportunities – including flamingos – Byzantine villages going back to the sixth century AD, and even a winding path that connects all the beaches for the hiking lovers. Be sure to bring plenty of water, sun cream, a hat and a picnic to enjoy in this beautiful setting, though, as you won’t find any bars or restaurants here.
5
San Vito lo Capo
Trapani
Voted one of the most beautiful and best beaches in Sicily, San Vito lo Capo brings Brazil’s Ipanema Beach to mind, with its long crescent of golden sand and towering mountain looking out to sea. The area is surrounded by nature reserves, which help preserve its stunning water quality and hiking trails to magical vistas and private rocky coves. While the beach is protected as a natural sanctuary, it nonetheless offers a huge array of water sports, from speedboating, parasailing and paragliding to fishing and stand-up paddleboarding. The area also has a vibrant nightlife, meaning that whether you choose to get your sweat on before taking a long swim in the bay or take a riveting book and a cocktail to a sun lounger, the beachside fun can continue after the sun goes down.