Beaches · Palermo · Italy
The best beaches in and near Palermo
Where to swim and spend a beach day, and when the water is warm.
Updated By the AMZBooking editorial team
Quick answer
The best-known beach is Mondello (About 11 km north of the centre). The sea is usually warm enough for a comfortable swim (21°C+) in June–October.
Key facts
- Beaches in this guide
- 5
- Swimming season
- June–October
- Warmest sea
- 27°C (81°F)
The beaches
About 11 km north of the centre · Families and classic beach days
1.Mondello
Pale sand and shallow, turquoise water between two headlands, with lidos and free public sections.
About 13 km northwest of the centre · Seafood and rocky swims
2.Sferracavallo
A fishing village with rocky swimming spots and seafood restaurants along the harbour.
About 13 km north of the centre · Snorkelling and quiet swims
3.Capo Gallo reserve
Rocky coves and clear water below the cliffs of Monte Gallo, reached on foot from Mondello or Sferracavallo.
About 20 km west of the centre · Shallow water
4.Isola delle Femmine
A sandy beach facing a small offshore islet, popular with Palermo families.
About 70 km east, 1 hour by train · Beach plus sightseeing
5.Cefalù town beach
A long sandy beach right below Cefalù's old town and cathedral.
Sea temperature by month
| Month | Sea | Air high |
|---|---|---|
| January | 15°C (59°F) | 15°C (59°F) |
| February | 15°C (59°F) | 15°C (59°F) |
| March | 15°C (59°F) | 17°C (63°F) |
| April | 16°C (61°F) | 20°C (68°F) |
| May | 19°C (66°F) | 24°C (75°F) |
| June | 23°C (73°F) | 28°C (82°F) |
| July | 26°C (79°F) | 31°C (88°F) |
| August | 27°C (81°F) | 31°C (88°F) |
| September | 25°C (77°F) | 28°C (82°F) |
| October | 23°C (73°F) | 25°C (77°F) |
| November | 20°C (68°F) | 20°C (68°F) |
| December | 17°C (63°F) | 16°C (61°F) |
Staying near the beach
$$$ · Best for beach, families, quiet stays and couples
Mondello
Mondello, about 11 km north of the centre between Monte Pellegrino and Monte Gallo, is Palermo's beach suburb: a curve of pale sand and turquoise water, a small fishing harbour and an early 20th-century Art Nouveau bathing pavilion built on piles over the sea. In summer it is packed with Palermitans; out of season it is calm and good for long seafood lunches.
- Good
- The beach on your doorstep; Seafood restaurants by the harbour; Calmer than the centre
- Watch out
- 30–45 minutes by bus to the old town; Crowded on summer weekends
- Nearby
- Mondello beach, Capo Gallo nature reserve, Monte Pellegrino
Getting to the beaches
- Bus — AMAT city buses link the centre with Mondello, Monreale, the Capuchin Catacombs and the Zisa; services can be slow and irregular in traffic.
- Train — Palermo Centrale has regional trains along the coast to Bagheria and Cefalù, and a rail link also serves the airport.
Beach-weather months
Days of 24°C (75°F) or more with no more than nine rainy days come in May–October. The busiest of those is July, so book early.
Beach safety
Pickpocketing and bag-snatching happen in the markets, on crowded buses and around the station, so keep bags zipped and phones out of reach. Traffic is chaotic and crossing roads needs care, and summer sirocco heat can be intense. Swim at lifeguarded beaches where possible and follow local flag warnings.
Questions travellers ask
+Does Palermo have beaches?
Yes: Mondello, Sferracavallo, Capo Gallo reserve, Isola delle Femmine and Cefalù town beach.
+When is the sea warm enough to swim in Palermo?
Usually June–October, when the sea averages 21°C or more.
+What is the best beach near Palermo?
Mondello: Pale sand and shallow, turquoise water between two headlands, with lidos and free public sections.