Sicily is an island full of romance, legends and stories about cyclops, gangsters and mysterious mafiosi. Tourists come here to look at the majestic, formidable Etna, ancient temples and catacombs, enjoy the famous Italian cuisine and, of course, relax on the magnificent beaches of Sicily.

“Black” beaches

Sicily is unique for its beaches of volcanic origin. The black sand on them is volcanic lava ground into dust under the influence of time, water and wind. There are many “black” beaches on the Linar, or Aeolian, islands. Most of them are marked by the Blue Lag. This is where the locals like to relax. The best of them are on the island of Vulcano. For example, 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. It last erupted at the end of the 19th century.

There are also many spacious, quiet beaches with volcanic sand in the vicinity of Catania. The symbol of this province is the beach of Aci Trezza – a landscape of extraordinary beauty, the main decoration of which was eight rocks standing separately right in the azure crystal clear water. This place is great for diving and snorkelling, equipment for which you can rent right on the beach. There are many hotels, cafes and restaurants in the area. In the summer holidays and festivals are held here. One of them – Sagra del Padellone – the fish festival is even included in the Guinness Book of Records for the world‘s largest frying pan.

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Aci Castello (Aci Costello)

One of the most popular Sicilian landscapes is an ancient castle washed by the sea. Its name was given to the city located nearby. According to legend, Cyclopes once lived in this place. Here is an excellent beach of volcanic origin with a developed infrastructure and picturesque shores, immersed in the shade of citrus trees and palm trees. It is suitable for families with children, and for scuba diving. Next to it is a picturesque embankment with numerous cafes and restaurants.

Lido Azzurro

Perhaps one of the largest volcanic beaches in the Catania region. Its length is almost 9 km – from the city almost to Achireali itself. 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. Such beaches usually have a gentle entry into the water, are well equipped and are great for families.

Pozzalo (Поццало)

This is the only sea side town in the province of Ragusa and its main resort. This small, cozy town has everything for recreation and cheerful youth companies, and families with children – many hotels, apartments, restaurants, cafes, shops, an 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. Sun loungers or umbrellas can be rented for a small fee. The descent into the sea is gentle. For the purity of the water on the coast, the beaches were awarded Blue Flags.

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 city resemble the famous beach from the Bounty advertisement – the azure sea and the purest white sands. A big plus of these places is the gentle entrance to the sea with a gradual increase in depth and the absence of undercurrents, thanks to which the water here is clean and warm during the season. All beaches are equipped, have everything you need for a comfortable stay, including for people with disabilities.

A lot of beach activities are offered right on the coast, and along the entire coastline there are cafes and restaurants, bicycle rentals, etc. The only disadvantage of this place is a large number of tourists from all over the world during the high season, which peaks in August.

Mondello (Mondello)

One of the most famous beaches in Sicily is located 13 km from the center of the Sicilian capital – the city of Palermo. Two capes Monte Pilgrimo and Monte Gallo form a quiet bay with a wide sandy spit. There is a calm warm sea, pure white sand and luxurious villas located along the entire spit. This fashionable area of Sicily is popular with tourists from all over the world. Concerts, festivals and holidays are held right on the coast in summer. All beaches are well-maintained, you can rent a sun lounger and an umbrella, as well as equipment for water activities and sports activities. Near the beach there is a children‘s amusement park with water slides and trampolines.

Cefalu (Cefalu)

Cefalu is a resort city, famous not only for its sights, but also as a well-known European balneological center. However, many kilometers of white sandy beaches, of course, brought him fame. All of them are located in the vicinity of the city and you can find solitude and peace even in the peak season. However, their remoteness and the inconvenience associated with this make the central city beach more and more popular every year. Here you can rent a sun lounger and an umbrella, the infrastructure of beach entertainment is very developed, and there are many restaurants, hotels and rental apartments and villas around.

Marina di Ragusa (Marina di Ragusa)

Italians themselves love to relax in this place, many of them have houses by the sea. The beaches of the city are famous for their cleanliness, golden sand, and developed infrastructure. They have been awarded the Blue Flag more than once, and in 2009 they also received the Palme d'Or. The beaches here are free, but well-maintained and it is possible to rent a sunbed and an umbrella. It is good to relax here with small children: the entrance to the sea is gradual, there is clean warm sand on the shore, and an amusement park is open in summer. Near the beach there is parking for private yachts. Vacationers also have the opportunity to rent a yacht. In summer, the city hosts many festivals, holidays, and in early August, a traditional film festival.

Cala Mosche

One of the most beautiful beaches in Italy is located between the Vendicari Nature Reserve and the archaeological area of Eloro. The sea here is always calm, because a small bay is covered with rocks on both sides. The magnificent view of the reserve, the cleanest sea and the sandy shore make this beach popular with many tourists. This is a great place for diving enthusiasts. Caves in small rocks serve as a home for the most interesting representatives of the local underwater fauna.

Giardini Naxos

One of the most popular sandy resorts in Sicily. This place is in great demand among our compatriots. The beaches here are well-maintained, there are paid and public ones. There are many good hotels around, original restaurants, many leisure activities for tourists of all ages. He has a lot of fans because of the location: the resort is located right at the foot of the famous volcano Etna.

Fontane Bianche

This is a free equipped beach with fine golden sand. The sea here is shallow and warm. It got its name “White Springs” because of the fresh water springs that gush here right out of the ground.

Pebble beaches

Despite the great popularity of sandy beaches, especially among those who go on vacation with small children, there are many fans at beaches with small and large pebbles. The main feature of the Sicilian pebble beaches is a convenient entrance to the water: the pebbles lie only near the shore, and then there is a pleasant sandy seabed. These beaches have other advantages – always clear water, clean towels. Several mixed beaches are located in the Palermo area, for example in Scopello.

Skopello (Skopello)

The small tourist town has several beaches. One of them is public, poorly equipped, local residents prefer to relax on it. The second, not far from the Baia de Guidaloca campsite, is wider and longer. There are small pebbles on the shore, and the entrance to the sea is sandy. You can rent sun loungers on the beach, there are cafes and restaurants nearby. There are many picturesque quiet bays in the vicinity of the city. The beaches are rocky, and the air is saturated with the scent of eucalyptus.

Taormina is an ancient Sicilian city that has managed to maintain its extraordinary atmosphere, despite the huge number of tourists. The beaches in Taormina are mostly rocky or pebbly.

Mazzaro Beach (Mazzaro)

The most popular beach in the vicinity of Taormina. This is a mixed sand and pebble beach. It is free, but not comfortable, but in summer there are always a lot of tourists here. The owners of neighboring restaurants rent sunbeds and deck chairs, 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 the depths or go diving.

Beautiful island

On a small peninsula, connected to Sicily by a thin isthmus, there is a pebble beach, which is divided into two zones – equipped paid and free. The center of Taormina can be reached from here by funicular. There is a very clean sea and great opportunities for diving enthusiasts. With small children, this beach will not be very convenient, but older children will be happy to dive with a mask and watch the marine life.

There are many picturesque rocky and pebble beaches in the area of Syracuse, Achiriale and Palermo. Most of them boast a wide variety of marine fauna, so the lack of some amenities here is more than compensated by the landscapes of extraordinary beauty and great opportunities for diving enthusiasts. For relaxation, do not forget about beach slippers that will protect your feet from uncomfortable stones or hot sand.

Which one to choose for families with children

Sicily is great for families. You can come here with very little ones and older children. There are many clean sandy beaches with fine warm sand, which children love so much. Most have a gentle entry into the water, a gradual increase in depth. Due to the absence of undercurrents, the water here warms up well, and the variety of aquatic inhabitants will appeal to little explorers. The most popular Sicilian beaches are suitable for relaxing with kids: Cefalu, San Lorenzo, Mondello, San Vito Lo Copo and others.

You can safely go on vacation with kids to the pebble beaches of the Aeolian Islands – Aquacolda and Canneto. These are the cleanest, safe beaches marked with Blue Flags, with a convenient entrance to the water, shallow sea and amazingly beautiful landscapes.

Best time to travel

Sicily is good at any time of the year, and tourists come here for holidays all year round. However, for those who prefer to combine sightseeing with a beach holiday, warm weather is best. The beach season here begins almost in April and lasts until October. The warmest months are July and August, when there are especially many people here. It is still very warm in September and October, but the beaches are not so crowded anymore. This time is best suited for those who prefer a quiet, secluded vacation.

How to choose a hotel

Sicily is summer almost all year round, with hot sun, warm sea and magnificent beaches. To enjoy the beauty of this island, it is best to think about the location in advance. It is most convenient to choose hotels with a private beach. Usually they are located on the first line, and you do not have to waste time on the road. Their other advantage is that the use of the beach is already included in the price of your stay, you do not need to look for a place to swim, pay an entrance fee or rent sun loungers. Unlike public beaches, hotel staff are responsible for cleanliness and safety on the beach.

There are similar hotels on the entire Sicilian coast, both in large tourist centers and in small towns. You can choose a hotel with a beach for every taste and income level. Choose a hotel depending on your preferences in terms of comfort and services provided. For those traveling by car, it will be useful to find out if the hotel has its own parking or if the car will need to be parked in a public parking lot.