Capital of Sicily and amongst the most beautiful of the Mediterrenean Sea, Palermo is a city that has become a popular destination amongst tourists. Those who visit this city will discover its most authentic soul (well expressed in the typical city markets and neighbourhoods) but also be able to see a multitude of museums and historic monuments including the classic ones of the Norman and Arabic periods.
But Palermo is also a city you visit to have a relaxing holiday and visit the many beaches. Visitors often get the best out of their time here by organising daily excursions, so they can enjoy the whole day at the Sicilian seaside. Get organised and chose in advance your favourite beach in Palermo!
And now let’s discover together the 10 most beautiful ones with the list we have created for you below!
1. Mondello
Amongst the beaches of Palermo, Mondello definitely has a special place in our hearts. It is a close neighbour of the city (about 11km away from the city) that is often recognised for its beautiful sandy beach and the massive offering of places to eat and drink. It can easily be reached on public transport, with more frequent journeys over the summer season, from several areas of the city. From the city centre we suggest you catch a ride on the 806 bus. Mondello is a fantastic place to visit even for a couple of hours at the end of the day after visiting the city centre…or maybe after eating some cannoli. Wait a few hours before diving into the sea!
2. Sferracavallo
Nearby Mondello and amongst the most loved beaches in Palermo, Sferracavallo is situated between Capo Gallo and Isola delle Femmine. A neighbourhood of the city, back in time it was a fishing village and still today it retains a certain “Mediterranean charm”. It can be reached using the shuttle service offered from the city centre during the summer season.
3. Altavilla
Altavilla Milicia is a town in the province of Palermo known for being the holiday location of many Palermitans. With its chic character, it hosts several beaches that definitely deserve a visit. One of the best spots to dive and swim is in the area of “Venus’ Navel”, a beach that takes this name from a rock that sticks out the waters few metres away from the coast, offering a great background for your selfies!
4. Lungomare di Cefalù
Amongst the beaches in the province of Palermo, Cefalù’s is definitely not the closest. It is about sixty kilometres away from the capital and it takes about an hour to get there. However, Cefalù is one of the most beautiful towns in the whole island and we think the drive or the train trip is absolutely worth it! The city centre, dominated by the famous Duomo (cathedral) with its twin towers, is stunning. The beach, surrounded by houses, is no less charming. It boasts a 1km sandy beach that is also visited in winter for romantic walks.
5. Spiaggia di Caldura (Cefalù)
Talking about Cefalù, we cannot forget to mention the small beach of Caldura, placed behind the promontory that overlooks the town, La Rocca. Here the shore is made of small gravel, however the beach is quite isolated and the sea is very clean. Basically this is the perfect location if you want to scuba dive or even dive into the sea from the rocks. It is about 20 minutes walk away from the town centre, in the opposite direction to Palermo. To get here follow the directions to the Hotel Kalura, and you will find a stairway that takes you down to this little corner of paradise.
6. Isola delle Femmine
The fascinating name of this little island, with lovely sandy beaches, few kilometres away from the centre of Palermo, still has a very mysterious origin. In fact, there are many legends about it. A prison for women? An Arabic toponym? An ancient legend of a shipwreck? But does it really matter? Even without reaching the uninhabited small island, you can still enjoy some of the most beautiful beaches that Isola delle Femmine, lovely town, has to offer. This includes some of the best spots for birdwatching and scuba diving, in fact the island is part of the Riserva Naturale Orientata of Isola delle Femmine. Other than beautiful sea life, the seabeds offer a rich archeologic heritage to discover.
7. Capo Gallo
Near Isola delle Femmine, in the area just North-West from Palermo, the area of Capo Gallo – also included in a protected sea area – offers amazing rock beaches overlooking the inviting clear sea. If you are looking for the sand, you better stop in Mondello, but if your plan is to explore and have some fun diving in the sea, then we suggest to visit this location. Other than the Capo Gallo Beach, you could also visit the Grotta dell’Olio. You can only get there by boat and it is very similar to the Grotta Azzurra in Capri.
8. Spiaggia della Crucicchia (Ficarazzi)
The town of Ficarazzi, about ten kilometres South East of Palermo, offers some beautiful free beaches which are normally less busy than the ones of Mondello and Sferracavallo. It is a perfect place to visit if you are travelling with your kids thanks to the sandy seabed and sandy and pebbled beach. It is also a perfect place to be after the sunset if you are looking to participate to cultural events, go to clubs or simply party.
9. Spiaggia dell’Addaura
Near Mondello (South-East), in a locality called Addaura, you can find other beaches which are less tourist based but are very loved by Palermitans, especially the youngster, looking to rest for a few hours on the beach. The beach is made of rocks and the sea is normally quite clear.
10. Santa Flavia
The small town centre of Santa Flavia about 20 kilometres away from Palermo, counts several charming free small beaches. Amongst them, the nicest are the Kafare, Sant’Elia (very thin sand here), Porticello (pebbles) and the Aciddara Beach, the further one from the town centre.