Sicily is a unique triangular island in southern Italy, called Trinacria by the ancient Greeks because of its geometric shape. Each of the sides of the triangle outlined by nature is washed by its own sea: Ionian, Mediterranean and Tyrrhenian. Sicily is separated from the “Italian boot” by only 3 kilometers, leading to the idea that the number “3” hides the magical force of attraction of this sunny island. All year round the resorts of Sicily attract tourists to their shores, leaving indelible impressions of nature, the sea and the surrounding attractions.

Palermo

Let's start our acquaintance with Sicily from the capital of the island – Palermo. The city fascinates with legends surrounding its historical and architectural monuments. All conditions for exciting leisure are created here, alternating beach holidays with visiting medieval castles and palaces, spending time in nightclubs and restaurants. In the suburbs lies the best Palermo beach – Mondello.

Sandy surface, flat bottom, good beach infrastructure, a series of apartments, mini-hotels and guest houses surrounding the beach – the best place for families with children and young people to spend their holidays. It should be said that only lovers of ancient sights will like the historical center of Palermo. More attractive with their inimitable color are the picturesque surroundings of Palermo – Bagheria, Montreal, Corleone with the famous Mafia Museum and the town of Erice, charming with the atmosphere of the Middle Ages.

San Vito Lo Capo

An hour's drive west of Palermo is the village of San Vito Lo Capo. The resort itself will not impress with an abundance of attractions. The real highlight of San Vito Le Capo was its amazing beach, stretching on one side under the mountain of Monaco, on the other – along the promenade, outlined by a strip of budget hotels with status 3 and 4, cafes and restaurants. Stretching as a wide sandy white ribbon along the coast, the beach is visually associated with the Bounty advertisement.

The entire coastal zone in these places is distinguished by a gentle entry into the sea with a gradual increase in depth and a comfortable sandy bottom. Clear azure and warm water is preserved throughout the season due to the absence of undercurrents. All sections of the beach are distinguished by comfortable equipment for a peaceful holiday and active water activities. At the peak of the season, which falls on August, an army of tourists occupies this town of Sicily with an oriental flavor, filling its luxurious beaches to overflowing.

Trapani

Trapani, caressed by the waves of the Tyrrhenian Sea, is located in the northwest, a hundred kilometers from the capital. It is deservedly called a medieval pearl set in majestic cathedrals and sculptural ensembles of squares. Near Trapani is the ancient Roman city of Erice, conquering crowds of travelers with a harmonious fusion of ancient Roman architecture with Gothic.

The high beach season in Trapani, starting from the end of spring, lasts until mid-November. The beaches in the city are spacious, suitable for swimming, but unattractive in appearance. Many tourists who have visited the nearby island of Favignana at least once prefer to relax on its stunningly picturesque and free beaches, going there by boat.

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Chefalu

Cefalu, one of the most picturesque resorts on the shores of the Tyrrhenian Sea, is located 70 km east of Paleromo, which is very popular with young people, families with children and couples in love. The medieval town, which has settled in bizarre rocks, is a romantic place with hotels of various classes, comfortable villas, spas and entertainment venues. Outside the walls of the Old Town stretches a sandy beach with several free areas, distinguished by a comfortable beach service. During the high season months, it becomes crowded, filled with rows of umbrellas and sun loungers.

Not far from Cefalu is the beach of Mazzaforno, noteworthy for tourists, notable for the fact that one half of it is covered with a mixture of sand and pebbles, the other with soft white sand. Luxurious beaches contributed to the transformation of the former “fishing village” into a famous spa resort. In spring and autumn, the town captivates with historical sights and magnificent landscapes of the surroundings.

Milacco

Milazzo is a city on the Tyrrhenian Sea, located 44 kilometers west of Messina. The cape of the same name, on which the city was located in the 8th century BC, stretches out into the sea for 5 kilometers, and is no more than 500 meters wide. The coast of the eastern shore is equipped with the Garibaldi embankment, decorated with a string of tall palm trees and a port. A wide city beach stretched along the entire western coast, covered with small pebbles. The sea near the coast is amazing with its transparency, small waves and a picturesque view of the Aeolian Islands.

Between the two banks in the city lies the central street on both sides lined with colorful mansions, villas, hotels, cafes and authentic restaurants. In the central part of the town, the building of the Duomo Cathedral of San Stefano flaunts. The main historical attraction of Milazzo is the fortress built by the Normans in the 11th century. Tourists like to walk along the outer fortress wall, admiring the picturesque views of the city. Outside the fortress walls rises a 17th-century cathedral built on the foundations of an ancient church. The popularity of holidays in Milazzo is also facilitated by a large selection of comfortable hotels.

Messina

The third largest city in Sicily – Messina is called an oasis of eternal summer due to the subtropical climate and fragrant greenery all year round. It captivates with the atmosphere of the historical past, emanating from the remains of an ancient fortress built in the 11th century by the English king Richard the Lionheart. To this day, only the castle, partially destroyed by the earthquake, has survived from it. The highest point of Messina is adorned with the Sacrario Cristo Cathedral, famous for the third largest bell in Italy.

Of the city's attractions, several temples, a monastery, the magnificent Palace of Justice with a fountain of Neptune on the square, a beautiful seaside park of Russian sailors with a monument to heroes are of interest. Numerous cafes, shops and comfortable hotels of various classes are located along the coast. The city beach, covered with small pebbles, stretches along the coast of the clean and warm Gulf of Messina, the narrowest in this place, revealing the coast of mainland Italy.

Taormina

The fashionable resort of Taormina, surrounded by prestigious beaches, is called the best place for beach lovers. In the high season, Taormina is overflowing with tourists, despite skyrocketing prices. Thrifty travelers are better off coming here during the blooming gardens in spring or the velvet season in autumn, when prices in luxury hotels drop sharply, and relaxation with the comfort of the weather and the warmth of sea water is a pleasure.

Taormina is a city that enchants with its ancient Greek theatre, medieval chapel, Torre dell'Orogio tower, original Baroque fountain and landscape opening onto the picturesque Mount Etna. Among the historical monuments in the center of the ancient city are many restaurants, bars and clubs, so Taormina is a popular holiday destination for young people. The beaches within the city are small, pebbly or rocky, well equipped for relaxation. A variety of beach activities with sunset is replaced by a vibrant nightlife.

Castelmola

At an altitude of more than 500 meters in the mountains above Taormina is the beautiful old village of Castelmola. Having covered 2 km from Taormina by bus or on foot along the high stone steps to Piazza San Antonio, tourists can enjoy stunning panoramas of Naxos Bay and the surrounding area. At the top of Castelmala, the remains of an ancient fortress, built to protect the city in the 8th century BC, have been preserved. Clean cozy streets, the 18th century cafe San Georgio, hanging on the edge of the abyss, souvenir shops, the church of St. Nicholas with a medieval altar and the church of St. George of the 16th century make up the portrait of the village.

Bar Turrisi has become an original tourist attraction, with a remarkable interior consisting of figures of male dignity of various configurations and sizes. According to Sicilian legends, a charm in the form of a male member protects from the evil eye, contributing to success. Ancient sights, clean mountain air, olive and citrus orchards, vineyards and wonderful wine will be remembered from visiting Castelmola.

Letoyanni

The list of resorts in the province of Messina on the coast of the Ionian Sea is continued by the former fishing village of Letojanni, which in our century has become a tourist part of the resort of Taormina. The city embankment, decorated with a row of slender palm trees, stretches for 1.5 kilometers along the coastal strip. From a clean pebble beach, there is a smooth entry into the sea with turquoise clear water. All the necessary amenities for a beach holiday allow you to relax in full force.

Along the waterfront are small hotels, restaurants, shops and residential buildings. Letojanni is a small town that you can get around in half an hour by visiting the museum and the church of St. Joseph, the patron saint of the city, which is interesting with mosaics and frescoes. During the high season, the city hosts many cultural events – festivals, exhibitions, theatrical performances and concerts.

Aci-Castello

Aci Castello is a small village located on a rocky coast 9 kilometers from Catania. At the entrance to the resort, on top of a cliff, a fantastic castle in the Norman style appears before your eyes, as if protruding from its firmament. Today, the castle of the XI century houses the city museum with a collection of minerals and minerals thrown out of the belly of the volcano Etna.

Renting a pedalo or a boat, you can make an exciting journey along the coast, where the ancient Greeks first landed and take many amazingly beautiful photographs. A small stone beach with clear water attracts lovers of the underwater world and local residents who are not afraid of the rocky bottom.

Achitrecca

Acitrezza is a small fishing village located 11 kilometers north of Catania. It is covered with ancient myths about the blind Cyclops, who lived nearby for more than 3 thousand years on a small volcanic island. The quiet bay filled with boats, small boats and yachts speaks of the fishing destination of the village, famous for the best fish restaurants. Most of the boulder-strewn coastline can hardly be called beaches.

The coast attracts with views of black rocks standing separately in the water and the huge stone throne of the Cyclops, formed by the powerful eruption of Etna. Here is an amazingly beautiful underwater kingdom that attracts divers from all over Europe. On the very shore of Acitrezza rises the church. Close to the beaches there are about a dozen class hotels from 3 to 5, villas and mini-hotels.

Giardini-Naxos

Giardini Naxos is a small town stretching along the coast of the Ionian Sea south of Taormina. Numerous cafes, restaurants, boutiques and original hotels with a high level of service are located along its embankment. The city beach is free, it has wonderful sand and a smooth entry into the sea. Giardini Naxos attracts tourists with unique sights that create an atmosphere of immersion in the distant past. It begins at the picturesque Cape Skizo in the Archaeological Museum with a journey to the 8th century BC, when the ancient Greeks settled here, and goes through all the epochs preceding modern times.

The town harmoniously combines temples of different eras with a thousand-year difference. The church of St. Pancrazio impresses with paintings, mosaics and frescoes depicting the saint, made 3 centuries ago. The main attraction of the coast is Skizo Castle, which is a powerful fortress with medieval watchtowers. Historical and natural attractions will remain in numerous photographs in memory of a wonderfully spent vacation.

Catania

Southeastern Sicily is represented by the ancient port city of Catania, which is a large metropolis and resort. The main attraction of the city is the nearby volcano Etna. Many branded stores and boutiques at affordable prices attract shoppers to Catania, and the nearby village of Outlet Vilage has gained fame as a village with big discounts on goods. Active people of young and middle age go to rest in the city.

They are attracted by the noisy and comfortable sandy beach, surrounded by hotels of different classes, restaurants, bars and discos. On the other side of the city is a wild beach dotted with black volcanic sand. It is distinguished by an inconvenient entrance to the sea, but it suits the purest water for diving enthusiasts who find themselves in a wonderful underwater world. The coastline of Catania stands out with colorful rocks and remnants of volcanic rocks, striking with the Alcantara Gorge.

Syracuse

Syracuse is exactly the resort where the tourist will feel the full enjoyment of relaxation. The oldest city with an abundance of historical and cultural monuments of different eras is located on steep cliffs, so here the coast and the seabed are rocky, inconvenient for swimming. Wonderful beaches outside the city limits help out. The beach in Fontana Bianche, covered with wonderful light sand, is the closest from Syracuse. It attracts with a flat bottom and warm sea from May to November.

The resort is surrounded by small bays that attract divers with the mystery of underwater caves. Fans of ancient architecture will be fascinated by the Old Town – Ortigia, captured by travel to the volcano Etna, to the places of Scicli, Modiki and Ragusa, interesting non-traditional baroque. Due to the fact that you have to travel to the beaches by train, the city is not suitable for families with children.

San Lorenzo

After Syracuse, there is a series of magnificent Sicilian resorts, among which San Lorenzo shines like a snow-white pearl with the chic beach of the same name. It became a continuation of the picturesque Vendicari Reserve, famous for its habitat of flamingos, rare egrets and cormorants. The coastal strip, dotted with soft white sand, gently sloping seabed, crystal clear turquoise sea, excellent beach infrastructure and mild subtropical climate have made San Lorenzo an ideal place to relax in Sicily.

On the amazingly beautiful beach areas, separated by small cozy coves, there is all the necessary equipment for a relaxing and active beach holiday. Near the beaches, villas and hotels with playgrounds, mini-clubs, restaurants and spas lined up, discos are arranged that gather a large flow of young people. Not far from the beach, there is an ensemble of a medieval castle built by the Spanish king Philip III, and cities, interesting with Sicilian baroque architecture.

Marchamemi

The ancient fishing village of Marzamemi, founded in the 10th century AD by the Arabs in southern Sicily, has become one of the most picturesque towns in Italy. Contemplation of the magnificent local landscapes with endless plantations of citrus, olive trees and vineyards is a real pleasure. The air of Marzamemi is filled with a fresh sea breeze hovering over the beaches, where it is pleasant to relax on soft clean sand. City beaches are free with a smooth descent into the sea, great for families with children.

The beach areas are literally dotted with cozy restaurants, famous for seafood dishes and cafes that gather in the evenings with incendiary live music. The whole city with the onset of twilight is buried in the lights of illuminations, creating a romantic mood. In July, Marzamemi becomes the venue for the international film festival “Cinema di Frontiera”, showing films in the open air on the main square. In August, Marzamemi celebrates St. Francis Day with yacht races and regattas.

Marina di Ragusa

Marina di Ragusa is a town and seaport on the Mediterranean Sea, which adorned the southern coast of Sicily. A beautiful promenade running above the beach, a popular place for a promenade. On the eastern side, it is bordered by numerous cafes and restaurants, from the open terraces of which it is pleasant to admire the sea stretching beyond the horizon. The promenade ends with a marina for yachts and boats. The central part of the embankment was decorated with a series of colorful villas of wealthy Italians and a small square with sights.

Awarded with the Blue Flag, the city beach, stretching for 1.5 kilometers, is one of the best in Sicily. It is notable for the purity of the finest light sand and coastal water, a gentle entrance to the sea and a sandy bottom, and excellent infrastructure. There are no problems with booking a room in a comfortable hotel, apartment, or budget hotel establishment, even during the peak season, when the beaches of Marina di Ragusa are crowded.

Which one to choose for families with children

The coasts of Sicily are favorable for families with children. Well-maintained beaches with white and golden soft sand, a smooth entrance to the sea, clear azure water in the lagoons and comfortable family-oriented hotels are ideal options for improving children's health.

On the northern coast, the picturesque sandy beaches of Mondello near Palermo, San Vito Lo Capo and Lungomare Cefalu are distinguished by calm seas, shallow depths near the coast, the absence of holes at the bottom and currents, great for kids. The beach infrastructure, in addition to the necessary amenities, has playgrounds for children, cafes and restaurants with baby food. Near the Mondello Beach, children are happy to have fun in the water park.

On the coast of the Ionian Sea there are many beaches awarded the Blue Flag for ecology, both sandy and pebbly. The luxurious and safe beaches of the exquisite Lido Mazzaro and Giardani Nakos are popular with families with children, where they prefer to settle in quiet boarding houses. From Catania to Syracuse, there are several excellent sandy beaches, resounding with the laughter of children, especially since there is a water park nearby Syracuse, delighting children with exciting water rides.

In the very south, one of the best family resorts Santa Maria del Focallo stretches for 7 kilometers, washed by the waters of the Mediterranean Sea. The coast dotted with fine sand, surrounded by sand dunes, stands out for its perfect cleanliness. Entry into the sea is smooth and safe; for a comfortable stay, they offer a variety of beach equipment. The location of the hotels close to the coast is convenient for families with children.

Which one to choose for youth recreation

During the beach season, which lasts from May to October, many resorts in Sicily organize holidays taking into account the interests of young people who want to combine daytime water activities with a fun nightlife.

The capital of Sicily – Palermo attracts youth companies with a variety of nightlife and water activities. On the north coast, young people in all respects will enjoy Cefalu, where the waterfront is dotted with restaurants, bars and pubs with party-oriented entertainment. The big city of Castellammare del Golfo does not lag behind in the organization of year-round youth leisure. The party center here is bars and clubs on the waterfront near the historic castle, creating a cheerful atmosphere with discos and live music.

In the town of San Vito Lo Capo, located an hour's drive west of Palermo, during the high season, the fun at noisy parties does not stop until the morning. The autumn velvet season opens with a couscous festival that brings together numerous celebrities at concerts and street shows.

East coast resorts located near Taormina are known for sports activities on the beaches, luxury hotels and incendiary club parties. Jardani Nakos is the leader in exciting leisure activities, where large youth groups like to come. The city does not fall asleep at night, when bright shows, exciting performances and live music concerts are held in the open air.

In the ranking of the youth southern resorts of Sicily, Marina di Ragusa is among the first, offering active vacationers not only breathtaking water activities. Golden beaches under the dome of the starry sky become dizzying discos, subsiding only with the dawn. The city embankment does not lag behind the beaches, gathering a thousandth army of young people in nightclubs and pubs.

The best beaches

In the huge number of magnificent Sicilian beaches, it is difficult to single out the best. Many of them are flying Blue Flags, testifying to the perfect cleanliness, comprehensive infrastructure and high-quality beach service. The beauty of the surrounding landscapes, comfortable coastal coverage and a wonderful atmosphere on vacation, created by numerous amenities for guests, made it possible, based on tourist popularity, to highlight the top five free beaches.

Mondello beach

10 kilometers from the capital of the island of Palermo, in a picturesque bay, located between the mountains of Monte Gallo and Monte Pelegrino, there is the most beautiful Mondello beach in northern Sicily, often compared with the Caribbean. Admire the luxurious snow-white sandy cover of the coast, set off by the emerald sea. Gentle sand, reaching a gentle descent into the sea, continues gradually going deeper into the sandy bottom, which is convenient for bathing children.

Beach cafes and bars, changing rooms, showers, toilets, rentals, a first-aid post and lifeguards are evidence of an upscale leisure industry. Numerous luxury hotels, beautiful liberty style villas, family guest houses, yacht clubs and a water park located next to the beach attract families with children, young people and wealthy tourists.

Chefalu

The picturesque beach of Cefalu, washed by the turquoise waters of the Tyrrhenian Sea, is located in the northeast of the island in the town of the same name. Snow-white, soft, like flour, sand, scattered along the coast, smoothly descending to the water's edge, shallow coastal waters and a smooth sandy bottom made this beach popular for tourists of all ages who prefer safe swimming and a spectacular tan.

In the peak season of July and August, the beach is crowded. The most comfortable time for a relaxing holiday is in June and September. Dozens of comfortable hotels with status 3 and 4, located on the 1st coastline, provide quality service, have swimming pools, sports and playgrounds. Beach relaxation is perfectly combined with walks along the beautiful promenade dotted with cafes, bars and restaurants with dishes and prices for every taste and budget.

Giardini Naxos

The beaches of Giardini Naxos on the east coast of the island are famous throughout Sicily. The long coastline with a convenient entry into the sea is divided into free and paid beaches, which differ little in the quality of snow-white sandy coverage and service. Paid beaches are equipped with rows of umbrellas and sun loungers and are notable for a wide range of water activities.

Free beaches have the necessary amenities: showers, changing cabins, bars and cafes that arrange nightly entertainment right on the beach. The city has many cozy restaurants offering a Mediterranean menu and fish delicacies. Comfortable accommodation will be provided by 5 hotels 4 and 6 hotels 3, apart-hotels and villas.

Bianca Fountain

After driving 10 kilometers south of Syracuse, you will find yourself in a picturesque corner – the village of Fontane Bianche. It amazes with a unique golden sandy beach with fountains of fresh water gushing out of the ground. Equipped with the necessary amenities for relaxation, the beach with a smooth entry into the shallow, well-warmed azure sea is a real paradise for families with children.

Some parts of the beach are decorated with sprawling palm trees. The coast along the village is built up with beautiful pitchforks immersed in gardens. About a hundred places to stay are offered in the Bianchi Fontana district: class 3 to 5 hotels, apartments and villas, including those near the beaches. Numerous cafes and restaurants with terraces overlooking the sea landscapes become islands of youth gatherings and parties in the evenings.

Marina di Ragusa

The luxurious beaches of Marina di Ragusa, stretching in the very south of the Mediterranean, remain in memory for a long time. The coastline of fine golden sand, bordered by dunes, a gentle slope into the clear sea is an ideal place for lovers of peaceful sunbathing, alternating with sea bathing. For the excellent ecology, the beach was awarded the Blue Flag.

The presence on the beach of a medical center, rescue towers, toilets, showers, trash cans, rental of sun loungers, umbrellas and towels speaks of a high-class beach service that satisfies the most demanding tourists. 15 luxury 4-5 class hotels lined up along the first beach line of the city and its suburbs, with their own swimming pools, restaurants, sports grounds, providing spa services and quality service.

Beaches on the Ionian Sea: Mortelle in the suburbs of Messina, La Playa in Catania, Spinazza in Marzamemi, San Lorenzo and Cala Mosca near the Vendicari Nature Reserve and Mediterranean beaches: Cortopalo di Capassero – the southernmost beach in Europe, Carratois and Portopalo di Capo – Passero, chosen by celebrities deserve attention.

Best time to travel

Sicily is gifted by nature with a mild subtropical climate and picturesque landscapes, and a rich history has left many attractions as a legacy. Depending on what type of leisure will be the priority of your trip – a beach holiday or acquaintance with historical sights, you can decide for yourself what time of the year to honor this island.

High season

The high tourist season, when the weather is favorable for a beach holiday, opens from the beginning of May and lasts until mid-November. It starts in May and continues until November. Let's see what weather conditions are typical for this period.

low season

In November, the low season begins, lasting until the end of April. At this time, they go to Sicily to improve their health in thermal springs and enjoy the mountain air, visit historical and cultural attractions. The weather often pleases with warmth: during the day the thermometer rises to + 18⁰С, at night it drops by 5⁰С, from time to time winds begin to blow and it rains. Winter in Sicily attracts with widespread sales, cheap citrus fruits.

In December, the slopes of Mount Etana are covered with snow, opening the season for mountain skiers, lasting until the snow melts in March. The average winter temperature is kept within +13⁰С – +14⁰С during the day and +8⁰С -+10⁰С at night. April colors the island with flowering trees and shrubs, warming the air up to +18⁰С during the day and +11⁰С at night, which marks the approach of the next high season in the last decade of the month.

Therefore, the best month for a versatile recreational and meaningful holiday is June. You will spend the most budget vacation with affordable prices for accommodation in June and September.