Best Beaches in Sicily: Where They Are, How to Get There and When to Go

Mondello is Palermo’s beach par excellence, with white sand and Liberty villas, and it’s an easy pick for a first stay; the Zingaro coves between Trapani and Palermo suit anyone who wants a quieter day. The Zingaro coves are reached only on foot or by boat, and the sea near Palermo runs from 58°F (14°C) in February to 81°F (27°C) in August.

What are the best beaches in Sicily?

Sicily’s beaches fall into a few groups. Around Palermo and the northwest are Mondello and San Vito Lo Capo, both with white sand, plus Cefalù, an elegant seaside town known for its long beach. The Zingaro Reserve, between Trapani and Palermo, sits in the same part of the island, so these fit together in one trip.

The southeast is another group. Taormina and the Messina coast form a third group, and Lampedusa is a separate island with its own icon, the Spiaggia dei Conigli.

• Mondello: white sand, town beach of Palermo · Liberty villas on the waterfront · a first stop near the city
• Zingaro coves: Cala Tonnarella, Cala dell’Uzzo, Cala Marinella and others · on foot or by boat only · for a quiet day
• Plemmirio: marine park beaches · numbered gateways to the sea · for swimming along a protected coast
• Spiaggia dei Conigli: Lampedusa · known worldwide · for the chance of seeing sea turtles
• Cefalù: long beach in a seaside town · for a beach with a town right behind it
• Scicli: Blue Flag sea for the third year running · near Sampieri and its Fornace Penna
• Punta Secca: made famous by the Commissario Montalbano TV series · for fans of the show

The Zingaro coves are the clearest case of access deciding the day: walk in or take a boat. Plan the other beaches by where you’re staying, since the groups above sit in different corners of the island.

How warm is the water at the beaches in Sicily?

Late summer is the time to swim. Near Palermo the sea reaches 81°F (27°C) in August and stays warm into September. July sits at 78°F (26°C), and September at 78°F (25°C). If you want to swim in water at its warmest, the sea near Palermo runs from 72°F (22°C) in June to 81°F (27°C) in August, and 78°F (25°C) in September. Book the Sicily beach days for those months.

June is the shoulder at 72°F (22°C), and October is nearly identical at 73°F (23°C). May is cooler at 66°F (19°C), and November is 67°F (20°C). Early June and October suit travelers who like a swim without the peak of summer.

Winter water is cold. April warms only slightly to 60°F (16°C), so winter is a season for walking the shore.

Where are the beaches in Sicily, and how do you get to each one?

Mondello: white sand and Liberty villas

Palermo’s beach par excellence. The white sand is lined with Liberty villas, so it works as a half-day from the city.

San Vito Lo Capo: white sand

The two pair well for a stay in the northwest.

Zingaro Reserve: coves on foot or by boat

The reserve lies between Trapani and Palermo. Its coves include Cala Tonnarella, Cala dell’Uzzo, Cala Marinella, Cala Beretta, Cala Disa, Cala Capreria and Cala del Varo. You get there only on foot or by boat, so carry water and wear shoes for the walk.

Calamosche: cove in the Vendicari Oasis

It’s part of a protected area, so plan it as its own outing.

Plemmirio Marine Park: numbered gateways

The park extends for 7.5 miles (12 km) around the Maddalena Peninsula and has three distinct zones. Access to the sea is by numbered gateways, from the first at Punta Milocca to the last at Punta Castelluccio. Punta Milocca has ten entrances close to each other, Entrance 34 is at Punta Della Mola, and Entrance 23 has a particularly suggestive free beach. Zone B includes the Grotta delle Stalattiti, the Grotta del Formaggio and the Grotta delle Corvine.

Spiaggia dei Conigli: Lampedusa and sea turtles

A worldwide-known icon on Lampedusa that also attracts sea turtles. It’s a separate island from the Sicilian mainland, so allow extra travel time.

Cefalù: long town beach

It suits a day when you want the beach and the town together.

Scicli and Sampieri: Blue Flag sea

The sea of Scicli has held the Blue Flag for the third consecutive year. Nearby Sampieri combines nature and industrial memory, with the Fornace Penna overlooking the sea.

What should you know before going to the beach in Sicily?

• Blue Flag: safety is one of the reasons for awarding the title. – Heat: according to the U.S. State Department, heatwaves are common in the south in summer, so bring water and plan beach time for the morning or late afternoon. – Storms: thunderstorms with heavy rain, lightning and gusty winds occur mainly in spring and summer. – Etna: Mt. Etna in eastern Sicily is an active volcano, and volcanic activity can disrupt travel, including airport closures. Anyone visiting a volcano should stay on authorized trails and follow posted instructions. – Earthquakes: several major fault lines cross Italy, and earthquakes are frequent. – Zingaro: the coves are accessible only on foot or by boat, so bring what you need for the day.