The best beaches near Palermo  

Sicilian shores. Azure water. Bronzed locals. The beach is life in Sicily. These are the best beaches near Palermo.  



Join the locals and hit the sand in Sicily. There are beaches dotted all over the island, from popular spots with the locals, to town beaches and quaint coves nestled in National Parks.  



Come in, the water’s lovely. 
















Stretch out on Sicilian Sands  







You’ve landed in Palermo and Sicily awaits. Soon you’ll be dipping your toe in the ocean, gazing over to North Africa and sipping a beer on the sand. The island is home to some of the best beaches in Europe. There’s the ever changing sandbar at Marinello, scalloped coves in the National Park near San Vito Lo Capo, the town beach at Cefalu, and the imposing Scala die Turchi (meaning Turkish steps).  



Sicily is just 9,927 square miles so it’s easy to explore. When you land in Palermo, hiring a car at the airport is your best option. You can base yourself in Palermo and head out for the day to the beaches nearby or take a tour of the island and get to know the sands and sea a little further away. You’ll sample the unique mix of Italian and African cuisine, eat your weight in gelato and join the locals for aperitivo.  



The beaches in Sicily are heaven on earth.  




















The best beaches in Sicily   







Whether you want secluded sands, Italian action or stunning sunsets, these are eight of our favourite beaches in Sicily.  
















Mondello Beach  



Join the locals  













23.7km east of Palermo Airport








Just 10km outside the centre of Palermo, Spiaggia di Mondello (Mondello Beach) is Sicily’s most popular spot. Expect white sand, crystal clear waters and tanned locals with huge sunglasses. The journey should take you around 20 – 30 minutes in the car from the airport.  




Hotels near Mondello Beach





Insider tip:



There’s a small public beach which gets super busy very quickly. Head to the paid areas for a more relaxing day on the sand. Just remember they get booked up fast, so you’ll need to arrive before 9am to get a sun bed. Or you can book in advance with Mondello Italia Belga. 













Cefalù Beach  



Right in town  













98km east of Palermo Airport








Cefalù itself is a picturesque seaside town with narrow streets, shops, cafes and gelaterias. The old town is a real foodie destination. The beach is family-friendly with golden sand and clear waters, matching with the dusty browns and whites of the buildings behind. It’s 98km east of Palermo and around a 75-minute drive from the airport.  




Hotels near Spiaggia di Cefalù













San Vito Lo Capo Beach  



All the seaside feels  













88km west of Palermo Airport








This quaint Sicilian seaside town is 88km west of Palermo and around one hour 15 minutes from the airport. The trip is well worth it. The town itself has little restaurants and a beautiful square ideal for aperitivo. You can cycle along the short promenade or relax on the golden sand. The town hosts plenty of festivals too, from kites to cous cous. The diving is epic as well.  




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Insider tip:



Don’t miss the Zingaro Nature Reserve just five minutes drive outside town. Throw on your hiking shoes, hit the trail and explore hidden coves and tiny stretches of sand. 













Isola Bella Beach  



The Pearl of the Ionian  













288.5km east of Palermo Airport








It’s easy to see why this stretch is known as the Pearl of the Ionian Sea. Yes, it’s a pebble beach but you can rent a sunbed, and the crystal clear waters just call out for snorkelling. The semicircular stretch of beach is only accessible at low tide which just adds to its charm. Sicilians love to aperitivo here, so why not join them? Negroni? Yes, please. The closest town is Taormina (via cable car), which is 291.2km east of Palermo and around three and a quarter hours from the airport. Make it part of your Italian adventure.  




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Spiaggia dei Conigli  



Jump onto Rabbit Beach  













398.4km south of Palermo Airport (by ferry)








Hop on a ferry in Palermo and head to Lampedusa, the largest of the Pelagie Islands and you’ll soon arrive on Rabbit Beach. It’s pristine, still feels untouched and won’t be packed with tourists and beach sellers. The waters feel almost Caribbean and the beach is surrounded by a 12-hectare nature reserve. Loggerhead turtles lay their eggs here too.




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Marinello Beach  



An ever-changing sandbar  













206.3km east of Palermo Airport








One picture of Spiaggia di Marinello doesn’t look much like the next – this coastal gem is known for its mercurial aesthetic. The pristine white sand beach has ever-changing sandbar formations, crystal clear waters and views of the Aeolian islands. It’s around two and half hours from the airport and 206.3km – the journey is well worth it.  




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Insider tip:



Bring your hiking boots. Marinello is surrounded by trails that lead up to epic viewpoints. You don’t want to miss out. 













Spiaggia di Calamosche 



The most beautiful beach in Italy  













318km southeast of Palermo Airport








Once named the most beautiful beach in Italy, Spiaggia di Calamosche is part of the Vendicari Nature Reserve. It’s a little sandy bay of around 200m with clear waters that are just waiting to be explored with your snorkel. The rocky headlands block the currents so the water’s always calm – it’s ideal for kids. Hop in your hire car and make the three and a half hour, 318km drive from Palermo. 




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Scala dei Turchi 



Turkish steps  













167.5km south of Palermo Airport








Cameras at the ready. Scala dei Turchi – 167.5km southeast of Palermo – translates to Turkish steps and is a white cliff that rises up close to the water. The cliff itself looks like steps and used to be a popular place for locals to sunbathe. Unfortunately, the steps themselves are now closed to help preserve them. You can still swim in the waters and enjoy this natural wonder. It’s well worth the two hour drive from the airport.  




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Top tips for travelling to Sicily  











Hiring a car is essential. You can get out of Palermo and tick off as many Sicilian seascapes as possible. 










The sun in Sicily is strong. You’re quite far south and close to the equator. Even in spring, you’ll be surprised how strong it is. Plenty of sunscreen is a must.  










Don’t miss the food. Sicilian cuisine takes its inspiration from Italy and North Africa. Expect cous cous and tiny battered fried fish in local restaurants. The cannoli here is life.

















Now you know what to expect, you can plan your Sicilian adventure. Soon the waters will lap at your toes as the language of love fills the air, and you fill your stomach with Italian treats. Sicily. What. A. Place.  



Thinking of travelling to Palermo? Skyscanner can help you find the best flights, hotels and car hire deals for your next trip.  

The best beaches near Palermo