The best beaches in Sicily

There are some incredible beaches in Italy to be enjoyed wherever you happen to be holidaying (even landlocked regions in Italy can boast lakeside beaches good enough to rival some of those on the coast), but we think that some of Italy’s best beaches (and some of Italy’s most beautiful beaches) are to be found on the island of Sicily. Sicily boasts nearly 1500 kilometres of coastline just waiting to be discovered and with temperatures warm enough to enjoy swimming in the sea as early as April and May, there is plenty of time each year to enjoy them fully.

Of course, what constitutes a good beach will vary from person to person. For us, a good beach is characterised by clean white sand, bordered with crystal clear waters and is relatively free of tourists and other holidaymakers! For others, a good beach may be somewhere to watch the sun set, or may be somewhere with a lively vibe. We realise that we won’t please everyone with this list but we challenge anyone not to fall in love with our pick of the top 5 beaches in Sicily.

Scala dei Turchi

For us, it’s the overall scene that makes this one of Sicily’s best beaches rather than beach per se. The Scala dei Turchi (which translates as the staircase of the Turks) are absolutely stunning white limestone cliffs, named after the Turkish and Moorish pirates who landed there. Over the years, they have been eroded by the wind and sea into a series of steps. These striking white cliffs contrast with the fine sandy beaches and turquoise seas below and there can be few places more magical to watch the sun setting each evening. Wear sensible shoes and take a loved one with you to enjoy a very romantic evening!

Rabbit Beach, Lampedusa

Some of Sicily’s best beaches aren’t just on the Sicilian mainland but instead on Sicily’s islands and islets. This includes the Spiaggia dei Conigli (Rabbit Beach) on the south side of the island of Lampedusa. This is one of Sicily’s most beautiful beaches and, just 70 miles from Tunisia, it’s actually closer to Africa than mainland Sicily. Surrounded by a nature reserve and incredibly blue seas which are more reminiscent of the Caribbean than the Mediterranean, this was voted the world’s best beach by TripAdvisor in 2013. Whilst you probably won’t find a rabbit in sight, it is one of the last remaining sites where you can find loggerhead sea turtles going to lay their eggs.

Scopello

In the north-west side of Sicily is a small bay in Scopello where you’ll find an idyllic rocky beach made all the more picturesque by an old creamy pink-coloured 13th century tonnara (tuna fishery). Centuries ago, the site inspired Homer’s writings in The Odyssey, whilst more recently it has been the backdrop for many films and TV programmes including Inspector Montalbano and Ocean’s Twelve. The old tonnara is now a small museum and B&B so if you fancy spending longer here, book yourself a room for the night!

Cala Faraglione, Levanzo

Home to one of the smallest Sicily beaches on our list, Levanzo is another of Sicily’s islands. It may be small, but the Cala Faraglione beach here is incredibly beautiful. Other beaches on the island can certainly rival it, including the Cala Dogana, Cala Fredda and Cala Minnola. All are extremely picturesque and many of the sleepy seaside villages are lined with clusters of blue and white houses arguably more reminiscent of Greece than Italy.

San Vito lo Capo

A very different beach and one that perhaps has more appeal to families with younger children, the beach at San Vito lo Capo is about a kilometre long. With the Monte Monaco forming a dramatic backdrop behind it, this is a beach that’s popular more with Italians than tourists. In San Vito lo Capo itself, you’ll find an Arabian feel as much as an Italian one. The town plays host to the Couscous Festival every September and you’ll find that this delicacy is as popular as pasta here! Sellers offering Sicilian granita will wander up and down the beach all day long providing welcome refreshments.

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