Best Beaches in Sicily
Best Beaches in Sicily.As the biggest island inside the Mediterranean Sea, Sicily is blessed with extra than 900 miles of coastline. From pebble-covered bays to white-sand coves, the excellent beaches in Sicily are a sun-worshiper’s dream.
Any exploration of this most terrific island starts offevolved with the seaside. Wander the bustling streets of port cities like Catania and Messina, then make your way to some of the fine beaches in Sicily. Here are 11 of the excellent to seek out.
Isola Bella, Taormina
Rising from the shallow, pebble-covered ocean bed of a tranquil bay, Isola Bella—actually “lovely island”—has a whimsical, nearly fairytale-like air to it. It’s one of the excellent locations to go to in Sicily.
Isola Bella’s different, similarly evocative nickname is The Pearl of the Ionian Sea, and a first-rate many Sicilians have coveted this valuable jewel over the centuries. In 1806, King Ferdinand I, who dominated the Two Sicilies from his seat of strength in Naples, supplied this prize as a gift to the city or Taormina.
From there on, the island’s story took a flip, changing palms repeatedly among non-public proprietors. In 1990, the property of the late British gardener Florence Trevelyan, Isola Bella’s last proprietor, bought it back to the Region of Sicily.
Today, the Isola Bella is a covered nature maintain and all are welcome to visit its rocky shores. It’s located a touch much less than an hour from Messina and the power alongside the coast avenue is an in particular scenic one.
One of the first-rate herbal wonders in Italy, kids will mainly love the feel of adventure that the fast journey to the island imbues. When the tide is low, the waters of the Ionian Sea retreat and screen a slim, rocky landbridge to the island. Walk across, then spend the afternoon spying interior sea grottos or lounging in the coloration of its scrubby flora.
Giardini Naxos, near Taormina
A spell at the beach at Giardini Naxos, a favorite seashore spot amongst Sicilians, can easily be blended with 1/2 a day exploring the terrifi hilltop metropolis of Taormina, excellent acknowledged for its fantastic Greco-Roman theater. The beach at Giardini Naxos is a curve of coarse sand and pebbles stretching for greater than two miles.
Like a lot of Italy’s coastline, Giardini Naxos beach consists of a string of orderly lidos, with brilliant solar umbrellas, showers, changing facilities, and food and beverage provider. There are sections of public beach, too, but a gap inside the colour at such a beach golf equipment is more comfortable.
Sampieri Beach, close to Catania
Sporting greater than a mile of luxuriously smooth sand kissed by way of shallow waters, Sampieri Beach, positioned about an hour-and-a-half’s pressure from Catania, ranks a few of the maximum lovely beaches in Sicily. The beach itself is nicely-maintained, with restrooms, a foot-washing station, and different fundamental services.
You could without difficulty spend the whole day here, but if the urge to wander ought to strike, the city of Scicli, positioned seven miles away, is an underrated gem packed with superbly preserved baroque structure. Like Noto, Ragusa, and different cities in the Val di Noto, it has UNESCO World Heritage repute.
Amble alongside the winding streets past the Palazzo Beneventano del Bosco, that is included in 18th-century stone carvings and statuary, and the Cathedral of San Giovanni Evangelista.
Before leaving town, forestall for a chunk to devour at Pura Follia. This low-key pizzeria is thought for its imaginative toppings, inclusive of dessert pies topped with Sicilian pistachio cream or Nutella with chopped hazelnuts.
Spiaggia di Marinello, near Messina
Nestled alongside the Tyrrhenian coast, the Spiaggia di Marinello, or Marinello Beach, is a in particular lovable stretch of sugar-white sand. Steep rock walls draped with greenery body the herbal beach, adding a stage of visible drama. The waters are a outstanding shade of cerulean and warm enough for swimming.
While the seaside itself is quite striking, if you may endure to pry yourself faraway from it for a few hours, the encompassing location has a good deal to offer.
The “laghetti”, or “small lakes” that surround the beach are all a part of a nature preserve domestic to plentiful birdlife. During summer in Italy, locals frequently head right here to move camping and commune with nature. The complete region is less than an hour’s force along the shoreline from Messina.
Best Beaches in Sicily
Spiaggia di San Gregorio, near Messina
Head to the japanese point of the Capo d’Orlando, an hour along the coast from Messina, and you’ll locate this exceedingly pretty seaside framed with the aid of the Tyrrhenian Sea.
The water right here is so clear that you can see immediately to the seabed, which makes this beach a popular desire with snorkelers. The sands right here won’t be the whitest or the softest, but with its deep, azure waters and perspectives of the volcanic Aeolian Islands within the heat haze, Spiaggia di San Gregorio has plenty of other charms.
Scala Dei Turchi, close to Catania
Literally translated because the “Turkish Ladder” or the “Stairs of the Turks”, these breathtaking alabaster-hued cliffs are really worth the two-and-a-half of-hour pressure from Catania. According to neighborhood legend, the unusual call is a connection with Turkish and Arabic pirates, who as soon as anchored their ships in this sheltered bay.
There is a slender half of-moon of yellow sand at the bottom from which you may swim, although the cliffs themselves are very a good deal the main attraction. Rising dramatically in tiered layers from the turquoise waters below, the white marl cliffs make for sincerely awe-inspiring snap shots.
The geological formation has been up for attention as a UNESCO World Heritage Site for several years now.
Note that the Italian government has been cracking down in recent years on travelers on foot off with portions of the white marl. Following a vandalism incident, wherein an unknown perpetrator defaced the cliffs with purple powder, there’s been greater security surrounding the vicinity.
If you go to the Scala dei Turchi, make certain to achieve this respectfully each which will avoid fines and to allow different vacationers to enjoy this natural marvel for themselves.
Piscina di Venere, close to Messina
Situated on the northern stop of the Cape of Milazzo, the Piscina di Venere, or Pool of Venus, is a sight to behold. This could be very a great deal one of those times in which the journey is an vital a part of the experience. A roughly forty five-minute force from Messina will whisk you to the base of the Cape.
From there, it’s a narrow, winding street with chic ocean perspectives on both side to attain this natural rock pool. The water within the Piscina di Venere is shallow and warm enough for wading. On sunny days, it catches the mild like a cut aquamarine jewel.
Although centers are quite limited out by means of the small lagoon, there are a couple of modest trattorias out at the threshold of the cape. After a dip within the Piscina di Venere itself, plan to depart a bit time to hike along the character trail, then take a seat lower back with an afternoon aperitivo.
Spiaggia di Santa Teresa di Riva, near Messina
In between Taormina and Messina lies Santa Teresa di Riva, a picturesque Sicilian city alongside the Ionian Riviera with a two-mile sandy seaside open to all.
Thanks to the volcanic rock and particles from close by Mount Etna, the sand here has a black tinge to it. Despite its proximity to a number of Sicily’s most popular beaches, this public promenade seldom feels overcrowded.
The village itself nonetheless has much of its unique 18th-century architecture, such as a number of historic church buildings. If you head into town, swing by Ferrara for seafood pastas and some of the nice gelato in the place.
La Playa, close to Catania
When locals in Catania speak about going to the seashore, they almost unavoidably turn to this eleven-mile strip of first-rate, honey-coloured sand a quick drive from the metropolis center.
While no one might call this seaside beneath-the-radar, it’s hard to overcome for sheer length and comfort. On clear days, La Playa additionally boasts an excellent view of Mount Etna, one of the most lovely mountains inside the world.
Do because the Sicilians do and spend your morning sipping strong, thimble-sized espressos and nibbling on flaky cornetti at Pasticceria Mantegna Lungomare, then take in the points of interest and sounds of the farmers’ marketplace at the Piazza Carlo Alberto.
Much like Rome’s Campo dei Fiori, the Italian markets right here offer a glimpse into the rhythms of each day life in Catania. After you’ve spent a while exploring the metropolis itself, retire to a sunlounger on La Playa.
Vendicari Nature Reserve, close to Catania
With its gently rolling hills crowned with juniper bushes, aromatic thyme, and wildflowers, Vendicari Nature Reserve greater than deserves the hour-and-15-minute force alongside Sicily’s southeastern shoreline from Catania.
Note that this is a far cry from the ever present seashore umbrella-studded lidos determined on many Italian beaches. The allure here is of a miles more rugged panorama.
There’s plenty to peer along the manner if you have time for a quick stop, consisting of the quite charming town of Noto, that’s famous for its almond timber. If you’re lucky enough to prevent by using in springtime, you’ll witness the sight of almond orchards festooned with white blossoms.
The rest of the yr, tourists can nevertheless enjoy a sweet, aromatic glass of homemade almond milk—one sip is enough to make you overlook every business rendition of the stuff—together with an anise-scented biscotti.
Once you attain the character reserve itself, count on to peer saltwater lagoons framed through sand dunes and dense clusters of flora. Since the reserve has been strictly included from improvement when you consider that 1984, nearby flora and fauna has flourished right here.
Flocks of red flamingos and white storks migrate through right here, along with an excellent abundance of different avian lifestyles.
Spiaggia Calamosche, close to Catania
It takes some greater attempt to attain this serene cove now not some distance from Vendicari Nature Reserve, however individuals who make the ride might be satisfied that they did. Locals often confer with this spot as Funni Musca and it stays decidedly off the beaten course.
The predominant reason this beach, with its shallow, sandy bed, has remained unspoiled is the reality that it calls for a touch legwork. After on foot for less than a mile along a winding route via scraggly brush, pop out your snorkeling equipment and spend a few hours swimming via the gin-clear waters.