The Best Beaches in Catania and Surroundings: A Guide Between Golden Sand and Lava Cliffs
Catania is not only the city of Mount Etna and Baroque architecture — it is also one of the most diverse seaside destinations in Sicily.
Whether you’re looking for an endless stretch of sand perfect for families or a wild cove carved into volcanic rock, the Etna coastline has exactly what you need. In this guide, we’ll explore the best beaches in Catania and its surroundings, with tips on equipped beach clubs, free public areas, and hidden gems.
1. La Playa di Catania: The Kingdom of Sand and Beach Clubs
La Playa (or “Plaia” in Sicilian dialect) is the historic beach of the people of Catania — their second home during summer. It stretches for about 18 km from the city harbor to the seaside village of Agnone Bagni, with golden sand that at times takes on darker shades due to ash from Mount Etna — a truly unique spectacle in the world.
Who It’s For
La Playa is ideal for families with children thanks to its shallow seabed that remains low for many meters. It’s also popular with young people looking for nightlife, water sports, and music. Older visitors appreciate the full services offered by the historic beach clubs.
Equipped Beach Clubs
Along Viale Kennedy, you’ll find dozens of historic beach establishments, including Lido Azzurro and Lido America, offering swimming pools, playgrounds, restaurants, beach volleyball courts, and rentals for windsurfing and kitesurfing equipment.
Prices for one umbrella and two sunbeds generally start from €15–25 per day in low season, with higher rates in August (as is normal in any Italian seaside destination).
Free Beaches
There are three public free beaches (No. 1, 2, and 3) managed by the Municipality of Catania, equipped with toilets and showers. They are spacious and perfect for visitors on a budget. La Playa even has a pet-friendly beach area.
How to Get to La Playa
La Playa is easily reachable from the city center by the D Bus during summer (stop near the seafront). By car, you can park along Viale Kennedy, with both free and paid parking available nearby. There is also a cycling path running along the entire coastline.
Local tip: Visit early in the morning to enjoy the view of Mount Etna rising dramatically behind the sea horizon.
2. San Giovanni Li Cuti: The Black Beach in the City
Just a short distance from the center, in the picturesque fishing village of Ognina, lies San Giovanni Li Cuti, known by locals as the “black pearl” for its dark volcanic sand and large lava rocks. Only 3 km from the center, it’s the most authentic and iconic beach in Catania for those seeking a true local experience.
Type: Lava rocks and black sand (not fully equipped, but wooden walkways are installed in summer)
Distance from center: 3 km, reachable on foot or by bus
Best for: Adults, young people, photographers, and lovers of authentic seaside scenery
The sunset from this beach — with orange reflections on lava stone and Mount Etna in the background — is one of the most photographed natural scenes in Catania. After swimming, the small restaurants around Ognina’s harbor offer very fresh seafood at reasonable prices.
3. The Riviera dei Ciclopi: Aci Castello and Aci Trezza
Just a few kilometers north of Catania, the landscape changes completely: lava rock dominates, the seabed becomes deep and crystal-clear, and myth blends with reality. Welcome to the Cyclops Riviera, one of the most spectacular seaside areas in eastern Sicily.
Aci Castello
Dominated by the majestic 12th-century Norman Castle overlooking the sea, Aci Castello features beaches made of black rocks and volcanic pebbles.
During summer, beach clubs install wooden platforms (solariums) to make access to the water easier. The sea is transparent and ideal for snorkeling, with seabeds rich in marine life.
Inside the Castello Normanno there is also a small maritime museum. Distance from Catania: about 10 km, reachable by bus 434.
Aci Trezza and the Faraglioni dei Ciclopi
Aci Trezza is the heart of the Riserva Naturale Marina dei Ciclopi and one of the most iconic and photographed places in Sicily.
Its eight black basalt sea stacks — according to legend, the rocks hurled by the Cyclops Polyphemus at Ulysses in Homer’s Odyssey — rise dramatically from the blue waters, creating a postcard-perfect landscape. The village is also the setting of I Malavoglia by Giovanni Verga.
The beach is rocky with wooden platforms, but the sea is deep and crystal-clear — perfect for snorkeling and diving. You can rent pedal boats or small boats to reach Isola Lachea, just a few minutes from the shore.
4. Oasi del Simeto: Sea and Untouched Nature
If you dislike crowded beach clubs and are looking for an authentic, unspoiled seaside experience, the area at the mouth of the Simeto River is a true natural paradise just south of Catania.
The white beach stretching across the Oasi del Simeto Nature Reserve is one of the most surprising places in the province.
Features: Wild free beach surrounded by dunes and protected vegetation
Free parking nearby and signage available
Note: No services available — bring water and food
It’s ideal for birdwatching and for those seeking solitude. The reserve is one of Sicily’s most important birdwatching sites, home to flamingos, herons, and many migratory species during seasonal transitions.
5. Spiaggia del Mulino di Acireale: The Secret Cove
Along the rocky ridge of the Timpa — a cliff rising over 100 meters above sea level — lies one of the most scenic and lesser-known beaches in the province.
Spiaggia del Mulino can only be reached on foot via the natural Scala d’Aci trail starting from the fishing village of Santa Maria la Scala.
The beach is made of rocks and pebbles, with fresh, crystal-clear waters. Mediterranean scrub covering the cliff above fills the air with the scent of strawberry trees and heather.
Not suitable for families with small children due to the challenging access and deep waters, but perfect for those seeking a wild and untouched sea experience.
6. Fondachello and San Marco Beach: Beyond the Province
If you have a car and want to venture beyond Catania’s municipal boundaries, the Ionian coast offers two more gems not to be missed.
Fondachello (Mascali)
About 30 km north of Catania, Fondachello is a long beach of sand and small pebbles with extremely clear water and seabeds that quickly become deep — ideal for snorkeling.
It’s appreciated for its water quality and relative tranquility compared to Catania’s more crowded beaches. Both equipped beach clubs and large free areas are available.
San Marco Beach (Calatabiano)
Located between the mouths of the Alcantara and Fiumefreddo rivers, Spiaggia di San Marco is one of the most beautiful beaches in eastern Sicily: sand mixed with dark pebbles, crystal-clear water, and an unspoiled natural setting framed by eucalyptus groves and citrus orchards.
Most of the beach is free, though some equipped sections are available. It’s perfect for combining seaside relaxation with a visit to the nearby Gole dell'Alcantara.
Practical Tips for Your Trip
When to Go
The best time for Catania’s beaches is from June to September. July and August are the hottest and sunniest months, but also the most crowded — especially at La Playa.
For a more relaxed experience, choose June or September: the sea is still warm, beaches are less crowded, and beach club prices are lower.
For natural rocky areas like Capo Mulini or Santa Tecla, the season sometimes extends into October.
Getting Around
The D Bus connects the city center with La Playa during summer. Regular buses reach Aci Castello and Aci Trezza in about 30–40 minutes. For Oasi del Simeto, Fondachello, San Marco, and Spiaggia del Mulino, having a car is practically essential.
Catania has an international airport, Aeroporto di Catania-Fontanarossa, with excellent connections to major Italian and European cities.
Accessibility
La Playa and Oasi del Simeto offer accessible entrances for people with disabilities. Rocky beaches such as San Giovanni Li Cuti, Aci Trezza, and Spiaggia del Mulino are not wheelchair accessible.
Final Thoughts
Catania and its province offer a coastal variety that’s hard to find elsewhere in Sicily: within just a few kilometers, you move from the golden sands of La Playa to the black lava cliffs of Ognina, from the legendary sea stacks of Aci Trezza to the wild dunes of the Simeto.
Which beach will you try first?
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