Palermo’s 10 most beautiful beaches

Palermo along its beaches? What an ecstasy! Discover Palermo’s 10 most beautiful beaches.

Palermo has well and truly dusted off all the residues of its past. Today, the Sicilian capital boasts a new face, rich and welcoming. Restored monuments rise splendidly from the ground, the narrow streets are a pleasure to explore and the pleasant smells filter through the faded shutters.

Then there are the youngsters on their Vespa, the tremolos of a cannoli seller, the festive squares and markets like colorful bazaars. Last but not least, there are the beaches. Lovers of seaside pleasures, welcome to the promised land! Here are Palermo’s 10 most beautiful beaches.

1. Mondello, a must-see

? Location: 11 kilometers from Palermo

? Benefits: « the place to be », with excellent public transport links to the historic center.

ℹ️ Good to know: a multitude of small cafés, trendy clubs and inexpensive restaurants

Mondello is one of Palermo’s most popular bathing spots. A haven for Palermo’s bathing enthusiasts, this beautiful stretch of sand is easily accessible from the city center. It boasts – and rightly so – a rich and intense nightlife.

Shy night owls be reassured, as soon as dawn breaks, the sea and its shades once again become the center of attention.

2. Capo Gallo, soothing

? Location: north-east of Palermo, near the Grotta dell’Olio (only accessible by boat)

? Assets: a rocky beach in a wild, protected marine area

ℹ️ Good to know: the beach is accessible via a few scree slopes, which can be dangerous for children. No restaurants or refreshment stands on site.

Capo Gallo is a godsend for lovers of diving, rock climbing and secluded corners of paradise. This natural jewel dazzles with its range of colors: from emerald green to azure, from the ochre of dusk to the pink of morning.

Against a backdrop of unusual mountains, this nature reserve also boasts a perfect crystal-clear sea. Close your eyes and enjoy the silence.

3. Addaura, chicos

? Location: southeast of Mondello

? Assets: less touristy and more refined than neighboring Mondello

ℹ️ Good to know: one of Palermo’s most exclusive beaches, but also one of the most accessible thanks to its stairways (natural or otherwise).

This is one of Palermo’s most popular bathing spots after Mondello. Its clear waters are a fabulous playground for maritime exploration. Take a stroll along the long sandy headland, discovering hidden coves and the small fishing village. The latter contrasts with the string of luxury villas and trendy bars suspended above the sea.

The more adventurous won’t want to miss a visit to the Grotta dell’Addaura or an intrepid plunge from the natural springboards.

4. Sferracavallo, charming

? Location: between Capo Gallo and Isola delle Femmine, 13 kilometers from Palermo

? Benefits: a must for lovers of fresh fish restaurants

ℹ️ Good to know: in high season, the beach is served by a shuttle bus from the center of Palermo.

On the podium of Palermo’s most popular beaches with locals, Sferracavallo probably holds third place. Nestling at the foot of an ancient fishing village, it alternates between sandbanks and rocky cliffs.

Here, superb perched restaurants offer fish straight from the net… Divine!

5. Isola delle Femmine, legendary

? Location: 500 metres from Palermo and 300 metres off Capaci

? Assets: crystal-clear waters offering a fabulous snorkeling experience

ℹ️ Good to know: this nature reserve is only accessible by boat.

The bewitching name of this islet is enough to stir the imagination. When you arrive on this kind of beach in Palermo, immaculate, mysterious and teeming with rare birds, the magic happens instantly.Isola delle Femmine has a special feature: a seabed full of fabulous fish and… archaeological remains.

Was the island a women’s prison? A sort of Sicilian Bermuda Triangle? Nobody really knows.

6. Cinisi, cosmopolitan

? Location: 30 kilometers from Palermo

? Assets: restaurants, bars and well-equipped beaches for lazing around

ℹ️ Good to know: preferable if you have a car

Cinisi is one of Palermo’s great bathing villages. The thirty kilometers that separate it from the historic center are well worth the effort. Its main beach, Magaggiari, is undoubtedly one of the most charming on the coast. Generations and atmospheres intermingle.

You can spend a soothing moment here at dawn, swim and play sports in daylight, and enjoy a delicious dinner at dusk.

7. Terrasini, glowing

? Location: village near Cinisi

? Assets: among the most beautiful and secret beaches in Palermo

ℹ️ Good to know: expect to negotiate a few scree slopes before reaching the sea. No restaurants or bars on site

Terrasini’s main beach is Cala Rossa. Its crystal-clear waters are set against a breathtaking landscape. The white-veined sanguine rocks and jagged cliffs, pierced by caves and natural bays, are hard to resist.

Don’t forget your snorkel either: this stretch of coastline is littered with exceptional snorkeling spots.

8. Cefalù, picturesque

? Location: 70 kilometers from Palermo

? Assets: fishing village embraced by medieval remains, sublime beaches and lively nightlife

ℹ️ Good to know: despite its distance, Cefalù is easily accessible by freeway or train from Palermo.

The picturesque village of Cefalù is already a world away. With its famous cathedral reaching for the sky, fascinating narrow streets and traditional houses, it’s a magical place. Then there are the beaches, as varied as they are romantic.

Downtown, of course, but also in Caldura, nestled behind the La Rocca promontory. Here, Palermo’s beaches seem to rival those of the Caribbean, changing costume in the blink of an eye.

9. Santa Flavia, authentic

? Location: 20 kilometers from Palermo

? Assets: one of the most authentic bathing spots in Palermo

ℹ️ Good to know: you can visit the Secca delle Formiche, an irresistible natural oasis for diving enthusiasts.

Pebbles or sand dunes, a stone’s throw from the town center or further afield, Santa Flavia’s beaches have something for everyone. One thing’s for sure: the crystal-clear waters are always superb. If these thin natural strips are definitely worth the detour, don’t miss the village itself either.

Set in a baroque and traditional maritime atmosphere, Santa Flavia is both enchanting and disorienting.

10. Green Altavilla Milicia

? Location: 25 kilometers from Palermo

? Assets: chic ambience and facilities in harmony with the landscape

ℹ️ Good to know: nearby, don’t miss the « Ombelico di Venere » area and Torre Normanna beach with its rock rising out of the water.

Altavilla Milicia, near the village of the same name, is framed by lush vegetation. On its golden sands, the bathing facilities have a certain chic feel. As with all Palermo’s beaches, the water is clear and the seabed invites you to bend your back in the face of such splendor.

Listen out for the sound of waves and seagulls as you take a relaxing stroll.