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A large sandy beach stretches to the east of the port and just below the temples (see Selinunte). Bathing establishments offer beach chairs, water-sports equipment, restaurants and bars. It tends to be crowded with students showing off their skimpy suits and tans, but through the small pine wood to the west you’ll find an open beach for families.

The beaches west of Castellammare are prettier and less populated than those to the east. There are plenty of gorgeous coves with clear water – most spectacular are those with pebble beaches in Lo Zingaro (see Lo Zingaro) and at Scopello Tonnara, with its rock towers and old boat ramp for sunbathing.

Below the ruins of the Greek city (see Eraclea Minoa) a little seaside village comes to life in summer. The sandy beach is long, wide and open, and buffered by pine woods. At either end are two bars providing beach chairs and snacks.

The water at the two resorts below Taormina is a calm, brilliant blue. The cable car from Taormina descends to Mazzarò, a developed resort area with two pebble beaches lined with well-equipped bathing establishments, coves for exploring and the popular island of Isola Bella (see Mazzarò Walk, Giardino Pubblico). Giardini Naxos is a fully fledged town with a port and long stretches of beach lined with hotels (see Giardini-Naxos).

This is Palermo’s backyard. It is crowded with seaside villas of Palermo’s aristocracy and locals of all walks of life taking advantage of the beach, bars, gelaterie , restaurants and clubs. For swimming, nature and tranquillity this may not be the best beach in Sicily, but it’s high on the list for those who want to participate in the scene.

The black beach here is a luxurious stretch of open, isolated, sparkling sands with a dramatic lava cliff backdrop. The view out to the sea is just as dramatic, with a craggy faraglione (rock tower) poking up out of the dark sea. As there is little development here, bring food and drink from town or get supplies from the vendor and his friends at the booth set up in the church piazza (see Pollara Beach, Salina).

The sandy beaches along this southeast stretch of coast are long and wide and splashed with green-blue surf. There is no tourist development to speak of, beyond small fishing villages such as Scoglitti and Donnalucata with their nice markets and good restaurants, and little seaside villages that come to life in summer, such as Marina di Ragusa.

The tiny islet Isola dei Conigli, off Lampedusa, and the bay in between have been set apart as a nature reserve for sea turtles who lay their eggs on the beach. The water is clean and shallow in the bay and the sands are white but there are no facilities so bring your own supplies.

Here clear, blue water laps onto the black lava rocks just below the castle (see Aci Castello). Descend to the left where a water polo court is set up in summer, or to the right to a wooden deck for sunbathing and diving.

A spectacular nature reserve with sandy beaches set around a 15th-century Aragonese tower. The pristine coast here offers a peaceful, natural experience. The park is covered with Mediterranean maquis, and its wetland habitat provides a resting stop for birds migrating to and from Africa.