Beaches and Coast

Departing from the capital of the island we will take you on a tour, for the time being at least virtual, which will cover the entire coastline of Sicily stopping at the most interesting places along the way which include the beaches, inlets, fishing villages, cliffs and nature reserves of this spectacular coastline. Palermo reserves a pleasant surprise for its visitors, the spectacular gulf of Mondello with its white, sandy beach and Monte Pellegrino declared by Goethe to be the most beautiful promontory in the world. In summer the beach is very crowded but in spring, autumn and even in winter its real beauty becomes evident. For the most demanding traveller, we recommend the small beach in the Capogallo Nature Reserve. Towards Cefalù the small fishing villages of Porticello and Sant'Elia are well worth a visit to experience a little of the lifestyle of seafarers in this part. A stop at Cefalù is obligatory as it is undoubtedly the most beautiful and well-preserved seaside town in Sicily, despite the fact that it is now a little too crowded in August. The town has numerous hidden treasures which include the cathedral, one of the most admired examples of architecture in the whole of the island. There are also some nice beaches at Cefalù such as the Kalura or Settefrati beaches. Continuing along the coast towards Messina, you come to the beach of Pollina alongside the provincial road. Valtur is also located here, with access from the road, and the sea in this part of the coast is crystal clear. The splendid beaches of Gioiosa Marea, Capo Calavà and relatively-unknown San Giorgio are located a little further on. There are several beaches worthy of note along the western side of the promontory of Capo Milazzo which are worth a visit only if you happen to be in the area. In the direction of Taormina after passing Messina a visit to the uncrowded beach at Alì Terme is well worthwhile then in the area around Taormina itself there are a number of beaches made of reasonably fine sand. In particular we recommend the beaches at Mazzeo, Spisone, Recanati, Leojanni and Isola Bella, all of which are crowded in summer. If you are looking for the very best beaches in the area, we recommend those near to Fiumefreddo and Marina di Cottone which have been awarded the blue flag award for cleanliness and the standard of their facilities on numerous occasions by the Legambiente. On the strecth of coast from here to Catania commence the beaches made up primarily of large, black lava pebbles which are not particularly attractive in our opinion, however, if you have time visits to the small fishing villages of Torre Archirafi and, further along, of Acicastello and Acitrezza with its view of the famous Ciclopi Rocks are well worthwhile. In this area the rocks are made up of lava formations and are classified "Timpa". The old fising village of Santa Maria la Scala is also worth a visit. You have now arrived at Catania where the coast does not have any particular attractions. Continuing on towards Syracuse (Siracusa), the Costa Saracena just before arriving at the town of Brucoli is worthy of note. An obligatory stop should be made at the island of Ortigia, the old historic centre of Syracuse, to admire is wonderful architectural masterpieces and, if possible, the sunset. From here, after passing the crowded beach of Fontane Bianche, you enter the most fascinating and unspoilt section of the Sicilian coastline with magnificent long, sandy beaches which start straight away with the beaches at Avola, Contrada Gallina, La Marchesa, Ferru i cavaddu, at the mouth of the Asinara river and the spectacular beach of the Cassibile river in the Cavagrande Nature Reserve. Further on you come to the Lido at Noto and, via a small track from the hotel Eloro, you arrive at the spacious and isolated beach of Eloro. Other places of interest along this stretch of coastline include the Gulf of Noto and the cape of Punta del Cane, a large rock with craggy cliffs, beautiful views of the seabed that surrounds it and, nearby, an ancient stone cave. Continuing further south a short distance away you enter the famous Vendicari Nature Reserve where numerous species of birds and flamingoes can be found during the migration season. There are several beautiful beaches inside the reserve, the best of which (perhaps even the best in the whole island) is Cala Mosche which is signposted in red letters on a wall. It takes around 20 minutes on foot to reach the beach but it's worth it! Also worthy of mention is the beach of Torre Vendicari with its long stretch of sand and crystal-clear waters. Other beautiful beaches can be found near to Marzamemi which is worth a visit to see the old tuna fishery which has now been converted into holiday accommodation. In the extreme south-eastern part of the island there is another old tuna fishery at Portopalo di Capopassero in front of which sits an old fortress on top of an island of the same name. In this area we recommend the beach at Copacabana which is very unspoilt and is ideal for surfers. Further on as you start to climb along the southern coast we recommend a visit to Isola delle Correnti with its beautiful beaches and sand dunes reminiscent of the deserts of Africa, also suitable for surfers. Immediately after you come to a large gulf full of long, beautiful beaches from Marina di Ispica to Marina di Focallo, Porto Ulisse which is noted for its superb panoramaic view of the rocks offshore, right the way to Pozzallo which received the blue flag award for cleanliness from the Legambiente in 2009. All of these beaches are made up of golden sand, have crystal-clear waters and are relatively uncrowded. Further on there are the beaches of Marina di Modica, of which we recommend in particular the beach of Maganuco. Next comes the fishing village of Sampieri which has been partially restored and has a beautiful beach located next to a bed of reeds or alternatively if you prefer a rocky coastline we recommend Pisciotto a little further on. Also worthy of note are the ruins of the industrial settlement of "Fornace Penna". Next comes the beach at Playa Grande which becomes rather crowded in summer, the rather more peaceful beach at Foce del Fiume Irminio which is located in the nature reserve of the same name and the Pezza Filippa beach (follow the indication for Aziz on the Donnalucata-Cava d'Aliga coast road). After Marina di Ragusa which is a nice seaside resort comes Caucana, an ancient roman-byzantine settlement with a beautiful beach. Here we are close to Santa Croce di Camerina and here, at Punta Secca, is the house of Commissario Montalbano from the famous Italian television series of the novels by Sicilian author Andrea Camilleri. A little further on you come to Scoglitti with its beautiful golden, sandy beach. After Gela, where we recommend a visit to the archeological museum, you arrive at Macconi and Manfria whose beaches are characterized by their tall and majestic sand dunes and wide open stretches of fine sand. The Castello di Falconara is well worth a visit if they allow you to enter. A luxury resort is located nearby. A few kilometres further on a truly interesting stretch of coastline commences with the fascinating promontory of white rocks and fine sand at Scala dei Turchi, near to Realmonte, the beach at Eraclea Minoa, an ancient settlement founded in the 6th century of the Megaresi, with its Greek theatre which dominates the coastline, Siculiana Marina, Montallegro Marina and the Torre Salsa Nature Reserve which is now run by the WWF. You have now reached Sciacca which, in addition to the beach at San Marco, merits a visit to its port and waterfront. At Sciacca there is also a famous thermal baths which is now owned and operated by the regional government of Sicily. After Sciacca the land is dedicated primarily to the cultivation of grape vines which are grown on the gentle slopes that often run right down to the sea. Here we are in the area of Menfi which has a unique landscape and some beautiful beaches; in particular we recommend the beaches at Cipollazzo (near to the lido dei fiori), Portopalo and Marinella di Selinunte in the Belice River Nature Reserve. In the area around Mazara del Vallo, famous for its fishing fleet, we recommend, immediately after the town, the WWF reserve of Capo Feto with its 450 hectares of sand dunes and mirrors of water. In the region of Marsala there are several beaches that stretch for approximately 10 kilometres and we recommend in particular La Salinella which has been awarded on several occasions the blue flag award for cleanliness by the Legambiente. The real attraction, however, is the Stagnone Nature Reserve with its renovatd windmills, salt-pans and a laguna of rare beauty where the colours of Sicily extend in a never-ending rainbow. A bicycle ride to the museum if salt is well recommended. Opposite this stretch of coastline are the Egadi islands comprised of Favignana, Marettimo and Levanso which cannot be missed! After beautiful Erice you arrive at San Vito Lo Capo, perhaps the most beautiful beach on the island, when not crowded with tourists. We suggest a visit in May or June when the atmosphere and sea are almost Caribbean. A little further on you come to the famous Zingaro Nature Reserve with its Uzzo beach which is accessible only on foot. Then to the masterpiece of the island, the old tuna fishery at Scopello, used as a location in numerous films and a place not to be missed for its stunning and moving beauty. Now you are only a few kilometres away from the starting point of your journey, Palermo, but there is still time left to visit Terrasini and Cala Rossa and admire a beautiful sunset at Isola delle Femmine, close to the small fishing village of Sferracavallo. Apologies if we have left anything out but we are sure that this information alone will be sufficient to fill several visits to this fascinating island.