Seductive, sunny and sumptuous, Sicily is the ideal destination for a beach vacation in Italy. The island is a must if you want to literally escape to another world while remaining in Europe. It’s a magical land with a rich artistic and cultural heritage.
A crossroads of peoples, languages and cultures in the middle of the Mediterranean, where temples and theaters evoke the splendour of Magna Graecia and where Swabian castles, Arab casbahs and Baroque palaces mingle.
Sicily also boasts a fabulous sea, exquisite cuisine and a contagious joie de vivre.
Here’s a guide to Sicily for an unforgettable summer vacation.
You can’t make a trip to Sicily without visiting Cefalù
An ideal itinerary for discovering Sicily’s north-western coast could start in Cefalù, if you arrive by ferry in Messina.
Cefalù is one of the most beautiful Italian towns in northern Sicily. It is located in what is known as the “land of myth”, as it was here that Hercules erected a temple to Jupiter.
Cefalù is a charming seaside town where small houses are reflected in the water. Don’t miss the magnificent Duomo di Cefalù, built by Roger II and a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
The long beach in front of the town comes alive with tourists and Palermo vacationers in summer. It’s a family spot that will delight parents and children alike.
We’ve already mentioned the Zingaro Nature Reserve and Palermo in another article, but do you know Syracuse?
In ancient times, Syracuse rivalled Athens in terms of importance and beauty. The city’s ancient splendor is still clearly visible. There’s a mix of medieval atmosphere and Baroque splendor. The real heart of the city is the island of Ortigia, Syracuse’s oldest district.
Connected to the mainland by the Umbertino and Santa Lucia bridges, this area is considered an open-air museum for its incredible archaeological and architectural heritage, ranging from Greek temples to Fascist buildings and the remains left by the Aragonese and Arabs.
- Also not to be missed is Syracuse’s marvellous Greek theater, built in its first phase in the 5th century BC and located in the Neapolis archaeological park.
- Also worth seeing in Syracuse: the cathedral, the first Christian church in the West.
- Maniace Castle, built by Frederick II.
- The magnificent open-air basilica of San Giovanni, dating back to the 6th century.
- Euryale Castle, built around 400 BC by the tyrant Dionysus, dominates the entire town and coastline.
- Finally, you can relax on the beaches of Syracuse.
The town’s main beach is the tiny Cala Rossa. Arenella beach and Fontane Bianche beach are two other Syracuse beaches, but they are larger and both sandy.
Discover Sicily’s south-eastern villages
Marzamemi is a wonderful fishing village. It was once an important Arab center for tuna fishing. Today, the village has evolved, retaining all its old-world charm and becoming a popular tourist destination. In Marzamemi, you can admire the seafront from the terrace of one of its many colorful cafés.
At the southeastern tip of Sicily and the southernmost tip of Europe lies Portopalo di Capopassero, further south than Tunis. The village is surrounded by two seas, the Ionian and the Mediterranean. There are no special monuments here, but the beauty comes from nature, the two seas and the panoramic view of the island of Capo Passero.
In the footsteps of Commissioner Montalban
The successful TV series Il commissario Montalbano, based on the novels by Andrea Camilleri, has helped to raise awareness of the beauty of baroque southeastern Sicily. Portrayed by actor Luca Zingaretti, Commissario Montalbano lives under the Sicilian sun in the districts of Modica, Noto, Scicli and Ragusa.
He is often seen sipping a glass of wine on the terrace of his home in Punta Secca, a seaside hamlet in Santa Croce di Camerina, in the province of Ragusa. Punta Secca, called Marinella in the fiction, has become a place of pilgrimage for fans of the fiction.
In fact, Montalbano’s house has become a popular B&B where you can immerse yourself in the life of Italy’s most famous commissioner. But Scicli is the place to go to see the headquarters of the police station, housed in the town hall.
Have fun recognizing and finding the locations of Montalbano’s investigations among Baroque palaces, country farmhouses and sunny seaside villages.
Sicily’s islands: do you know Lampedusa?
Lampedusa is the gateway to Europe. An island closer to Africa than to Italy, located in the middle of the Mediterranean Sea. Lampedusa is part of the Pelagie archipelago, which also includes Linosa, Lampione, Conigli Island and Sacramento Rock. Rough and unspoilt, Lampedusa has a wild charm. The sea is its jewel. A magnificent film was shot here: “Respiro”.
The most beautiful beach in the world: Conigli, near Agrigento
Conigli beach is not only Sicily’s most beautiful, it’s also considered one of the most beautiful in the world. White sand, shallow turquoise waters and an enchanting cove. Conigli beach will dazzle you with its light and splendor from the top of the path that leads to it.
It’s a protected nature reserve, so not easily accessible to everyone, and for this reason it’s still unspoilt. It can be reached on foot in 15 to 20 minutes via a path through Mediterranean scrub or by sea. You’ll find yourself in a wide bay of very light sand, in front of which you’ll see the Islet of Rabbits, kingdom of the herring gull.
As you walk along the sand, you may spot the footprints of the Caretta Caretta turtle, which often chooses this wonderful beach to lay its eggs.
Stepping into the crystal-clear turquoise water with its extremely shallow depths, you’ll find yourself almost walking on water in this corner of paradise where cell phones don’t work and the world seems far away.
If you tire of Conigli beach, you can also opt for Cala Madonna and Cala Croce. But we doubt you’ll ever tire of such a beautiful place!
The Aeolian Islands and Etna towering over Catania: a must-see in Sicily!
At an altitude of around 3,300 metres, Mount Etna dominates Catania. It is the highest active volcano in Europe and a diverse habitat for an incredible number of animal and plant species.
Created in 1987, Etna Park encompasses twenty municipalities in the Catania region and represents an environmental complex that is unique in the Mediterranean.
Explosive activity is limited to strombolian volcanic phases and, more rarely, Hawaiian-type lava fountains, so Etna is considered a non-threatening volcano.
It’s well worth taking an excursion to the top of the volcano, where you can admire a breathtaking panorama embracing Sicily, the sea and even the Aeolian Islands.
Etna is also an exceptional winter ski resort with 17 km of pistes. Skiing with the sea at your feet is a unique sensation to be experienced at least once in your life.
