Sicily Beaches and Water Sports

(Sicily, Italy)

Being a Mediterranean island, Sicily comes with a large collection of sandy beaches. The closest beach to Palermo is the fashionable Mondello Lido with its long, wide stretch of sand.

Other popular beaches in Sicily include arguably the most beautiful, San Vito lo Capo, up on the north-west cape; Giardini Naxos, in the east with a backdrop of Mount Etna; the laid-back Marina di Ragusa, down in the south; and Vendicari, also in the south, set within a nature reserve. Sicily's beaches throng from June to September, when they are at their busiest.

General Tourist Information

Between Palermo and Milazzo, the Tyrrhenian Coast encompasses the northern shoreline of Sicily and boasts an almost endless swathe of resorts, passing a number of natural parks, such as both Nebrodi and Madonie. Some of the most notable beaches and resorts based along the Tyrrhenian Coast include the likes of Capo d'Orlando, Cape Tindari, Mondello and Cefalu.

Those on a Sicily holiday and heading to the resort of Mondello can expect to find lots of sunbathing teenagers and families, who come to play with the beach toys and enjoy the water sports on offer.

Particularly in demand at Mondello are the jet skis and the pedalos, which often include a slide into the water. Mondello is located on the north-western coast of Sicily, close to Palermo, and is friendly and traditional seaside resort fronted by a number of hotels and kiosks.

Relatively close to Palermo and Mondello is the charming fishing village of Cefalu, which lies just a short distance to the east. Cefalu enjoys a particularly sumptuous setting and a series of tempting sandy beaches.

Residing on the north-western side of Sicily's famed Tyrrhenian Coast, the Zingaro Natural Reserve (Riserva Naturale Orientata dello Zingaro) also comes with a number of appealing beaches. Just a short distance to the west of the Zingaro is the long sandy stretch at San Vito Lo Capo, which is regarded by many tourists as one of the island's finest and favoured by the locals from Trapani.

On the north-eastern coast of Sicily, Taormina is one of the island's most popular resorts and is quick to fill up in the summer, when its calendar of events is in full swing.

The beach scene in Taormina is almost legendary, with the Lido Mazzaro being an especially busy beach and reached by a cable car, located on the Via Luigi Pirandello. The beach is lined with an excellent selection of bars and restaurants, with deck chairs and sun loungers being available for hire.

Close by is the small beach of Isola Bella (Isola Bella Spiaggia), set within a picturesque cove. Many holiday makers on Mazzaro Beach choose to paddle here, around the Capo Sant' Andrea. Isola Bella is known for its dive school and snorkelling possibilities. Nearby, Spisone is another beach worth looking out for, with soft sand and good facilities. If you are searching for some serious scuba diving in Sicily, then take a day trip to the nearby island of Ustica, where the underwater landscape and marine creatures will be sure to please.