Craving sun, sea and relaxation? Then Eastern Sicily is the right destination for your holidays! In addition to being a land rich in charm, history and culture, Eastern Sicily is a continuous succession of nature reserves, crystal clear waters and wonderful beaches of fine golden sand where you can enjoy moments of healthy relaxation and enjoy the sun of the summer holidays to the fullest. These are heavenly places that you will hardly forget. It is no coincidence that the eastern coast of Sicily is one of the most popular destinations for Italians who want to spend a beautiful holiday by the sea.
As evidence of the fact that the beaches of Eastern Sicily are among the cleanest and most beautiful in Italy, several of them are awarded the Blue Flag every year, a recognition given by the Foundation for Environmental Education (FEE) for the excellence of their bathing waters. Among the locations that have obtained the Blue Flag for the summer of 2019 are: Ispica (Santa Maria del Focallo and Ciriga), Pozzallo (Pietre Nere and Raganzino) and Ragusa (Marina di Ragusa). In addition, many of these beaches are characterized by gently sloping seabeds, ideal as a destination for families with small children. Among the beaches that for the summer of 2019 have obtained the Green Flag, the recognition that indicates child-friendly beaches and seaside resorts, there are five in the province of Ragusa (Casuzze – Punta Secca – Caucana, Ispica – Santa Maria del Focallo, Pozzallo – Pietre Nere – Raganzino, Marina di Ragusa and Scoglitti) and one in the province of Syracuse (Vendicari).
What to see near Donnalucata? The village is also an excellent starting point for discovering the beauties of south-eastern Sicily. Absolutely not to be missed is Scicli, a splendid baroque city immersed in the magnificent enchantment of the Iblei mountains. A tangle of narrow streets hides buildings of inestimable beauty among which Palazzo Beneventano stands out, defined by many as the most beautiful baroque palace in the entire region. Also of notable beauty is the city of Modica, another of the baroque pearls of the Val di Noto. The city, famous throughout the world for its chocolate production, is also known as "the city of a hundred churches" for the large number of religious buildings present in its territory, among which the Duomo di San Giorgio stands out, one of the best examples of Sicilian baroque.
A few kilometers from Punta Secca, still in the territory of Santa Croce Camerina, is the Torre di Mezzo Beach, which takes its name from the old watchtower, of which only a few ruins remain today, which overlooks the sea. Small and welcoming, the beach, thanks to its hidden position, is very quiet even during the summer months, especially during weekdays. Also of notable beauty is the nearby Punta Braccetto Beach, nestled in a very suggestive stretch of coast, close to the remains of an ancient watchtower. It has a shore of fine, clear sand that alternates with stretches of rocks and is lapped by a clean, crystalline sea that slopes gently towards the open sea, allowing even children to bathe in complete safety. In the municipality of Vittoria is the Scoglitti Beach, located in the westernmost part of the Ragusa coast. Bathed by a clear, crystalline sea, the beach is characterized by very fine golden sand that sometimes forms small dunes.
Marina di Ragusa is also not to be missed, considered one of the most beautiful seaside resorts in Italy. In addition to its splendid beaches, characterised by fine golden sand and bathed by a beautiful crystalline sea with a seabed that slopes gently towards the open sea, Marina di Ragusa is also famous for being one of the liveliest resorts in Sicily. During the day it is a destination for those who love the beaches and the sea, at night it is the perfect place for those who want to have fun. Near Marina di Ragusa is the Foce del fiume Irminio nature reserve, the last testimony of how the Sicilian coasts appeared historically. Among the best equipped and renowned seaside resorts in Eastern Sicily we also find: Donnalucata, with its coast characterised by two large golden sandy beaches; Cava d'Aliga, a true corner of paradise that in summer attracts a large number of tourists attracted by its natural beauty; and Sampieri, a charming seaside village that overlooks an enchanting turquoise sea.
Between the Foce del fiume Irminio Nature Reserve and Donnalucata is Playa Grande Beach, characterized by a wide stretch of fine golden sand bordered by dune formations and surrounded by thick, fragrant Mediterranean scrub. In Donnalucata, in addition to Micenci Beach, characterized by the presence of freshwater springs, and Ponente Beach, there are also wilder and more uncontaminated beaches such as Spinasanta, Palo Rosso and Palo Bianco, which are characterized by the presence of small natural bays. Inside the Costa di Carro Park, a strip of land of great landscape value, there is a wonderful little beach, still uncontaminated and immersed in nature. Reserved and secluded, Costa di Carro Beach is ideal for those who love to stay away from the hustle and bustle and want to enjoy peaceful days at the beach in close contact with nature. Also not to be missed is Punta Pisciotto Beach, the last stretch of Sampieri beach, where the majestic Fornace Penna stands, a ruin of industrial archaeology that became famous for being the location of numerous scenes from the Inspector Montalbano fiction.
Continuing further south-east we find the Marina di Modica beach, a beautiful bay overlooked by the village which, thanks to its special exposure and favorable wind conditions, is a true paradise for surfing and windsurfing enthusiasts. Bordered by soft dune formations, it boasts a sea that is always clean and crystalline. After passing the gulf of Marina di Modica you arrive at the splendid Maganuco beach, characterized by beautiful dunes continually moved by the wind. It is a very private beach where the sand is very fine and golden. In Pozzallo, one of the most famous seaside resorts in the province of Ragusa, there are two splendid beaches that have been awarded the Blue Flag and the Green Flag several times over the years: the Raganzino beach, adjacent to the port and close to the city center, which thanks to its inlet and the shallow waters that characterize it is the ideal beach for children; and the Pietre Nere beach, known for its extensive shoreline and the presence of numerous beach resorts that make it a destination for young people and families.
Finally, in Ispica, a monumental baroque city located in the south-eastern part of the province of Ragusa, the Mediterranean Sea presents itself with delicate and suggestive beaches, among which the wonderful Santa Maria del Focallo Beach stands out, which owes its name to an ancient church of which few remains remain. Famous for the beauty of its fine golden beach, it is protected by a strip of acacias that make it the ideal place for a picnic by the sea. In front of Santa Maria del Focallo you can see the island of Porri, a small island with almost no flora, except for the presence of leek plants, protected as an integral reserve area. Beyond the territory of Santa Maria del Focallo a series of small coves follow one another surrounded by golden cliffs, among which opens the small Punta Ciriga Beach, one of the most beautiful in all of Sicily. Also on the coast of Ispica is the mythological Porto Ulisse Beach, famous for its spectacular panorama and beautiful stacks.