Where to stay for beach fun and city culture

Summer in Sicily means beach time, and wherever you stay on the island, you’re never too far from a fabulous sandy beach. But to go to Sicily and spend a week by the pool or on the beach without stopping by some of its amazing towns, even if just for an evening passeggiata, is to miss out on the essence of the island. Temperatures in July and August may mean you want to do little more than flop on a beach during the heat of the day, but if you’re close enough to a culture-packed spot, then an early morning or evening stroll through town is the perfect start or finish to the day.

Come with us on our whistlestop tour of the island and check out our insider’s tips on the best places to stay in Sicily, by the beach and close to culture.

Sicily’s north coast

Palermo and Cefalù on the north coast

There’s enough to see and do in Sicily’s capital city of Palermo to easily fill several days. Explore churches, the cathedral and the Palatine Chapel and learn about the city’s history on a street food tour that takes in its bustling markets. Stay out of town in a seaside villa and enjoy the freedom of switching between sightseeing and the beach. Aqua Turchina, set right on the seafront near Finale di Pollina, is just 15 minutes by car from Cefalù, a charming resort with a medieval town centre and UNESCO Norman cathedral.

North east Sicily

While south east Sicily grabs much of the limelight, the island’s north east corner also offers a great beach experience and a chance to explore some lesser-known attractions. The town of Tindari was one of the island’s most significant Greek centres, before becoming a Roman outpost, and you can still visit Roman buildings and other ancient ruins including the Basilica and well preserved amphitheatre. Meanwhile, the Nebrodi mountains are dotted with historic villages such as Mistretta, Troina and San Marco d’Alunzio, and home to Byzantine monasteries and Norman churches. Choose from a selection of villa accommodation, including the cluster of farmhouses at Le Case di Tindari and the fabulous Villa Dioscuri.

Sicily’s east coast

Taormina, Catania and Acireale

Even before the White Lotus TV series, Taormina was probably Sicily’s best known town. And with heart-stopping views and a regular stream of celebrity visitors, it’s not altogether surprising. But the town does get busy and if you’re looking for a more authentic experience that also delivers on the culture front, there’s much to be said for spending time in Catania and Acireale. Catania’s UNESCO-listed historic centre, with its Duomo, large baroque piazzas and pulsating fish market couldn’t be more different from Taormina. Casa dei Sogni is an excellent base for visits to Acireale, a town often overlooked by tourists but with a ‘centro storico’ that is home to several fine baroque buildings, as well as wonderful views of Mount Etna and the Ionian Sea from the Villa Belvedere public gardens.

Local beaches, along the craggy Riviera dei Ciclopi, are generally stony but there are several sandy beaches at the Timpa Nature Reserve.

Noto and Syracuse

Heading south from Catania, the towns of Noto and Syracuse are big crowd-pleasers, and with good reason. But the beaches at the southern end of the east coast are also glorious, so plan your itinerary carefully. Noto’s location, less than 10km from the coast, means that it’s easily accessible if you prefer to stay by the beach. Head into the town in the evening to stroll down the main Corso Vittorio Emanuele and admire the glorious honey-coloured buildings and architectural treasures.

But, of course, you can’t contemplate staying on this stretch of coastline without stopping by Syracuse, an extraordinary city with a fascinating Greek and Roman history and a lively historic centre packed with restaurants, bars, palaces and churches.

Southeast Sicily

The Late Baroque Towns of the Val di Noto

Of the 8 towns in southeast Sicily that make up the UNESCO World Heritage designated Late Baroque Towns of the Val di Noto, 3 are close enough to each other to allow day trips to each one. Rebuilt in eye-catching late Baroque style after the 1693 earthquake, the towns of Modica, Ragusa and Scicli, are the most visited of the 8, and for good reason. Choose a villa that is close to all 3 towns, such as the fabulous Baglio La Corte or Rocca di Pietra, and intersperse days by the pool with a dash of culture. Both villas are also close to a series of fabulous beaches, including Marina di Ragusa, Sampieri and family-friendly Santa Maria del Focallo. For a true on-the-beach location, Dimora Pietra Nica is hard to beat. The idyllic studio accommodation is a heavenly retreat set right at the water’s edge, yet only 15 minutes’ drive from Scicli.

Ispica

Not far from the magic triangle of Ragusa, Modica and Scicli in the Val di Noto, Ispica attracts fewer visitors than its neighbours. Just 6 miles inland from the southeast coast, it was rebuilt following the 1693 earthquake but is not one of the 8 UNESCO designated towns and consequently, tends to be quieter. At its historic heart, you’ll find a selection of late Baroque and Art Nouveau buildings built in the same honey-hued stone as Noto. Top spots include the Basilica di Santa Maria Maggiore, home to a semi-circular portico, the Loggiato del Sinatra, and Sozzi’s finest frescos.

Nearby lies the Cava d’Ispica, an archaeological park and former Neolithic burial site with catacombs set in a tranquil gorge. Le Gioie is a convenient base, set between Ispica and the golden sand beaches and clear water at Punta Circa.