In Sicily, tour among dream beaches

Calamosche beach is located in the Vendicari Wildlife Oasis, a must-see natural paradise. A small cove between two rocky promontories dotted with caves and ravines to explore, surrounded by Mediterranean scrub and facing a crystal-clear sea. Close-by is the beach of San Lorenzo. In August it can be very crowded, arriving early is the key to enjoying it. After the beach, a walk through Baroque Noto.

There is a good reason it is the most famous beach on Lampedusa: it is a fragment of Africa in Sicily. Located opposite the Island of Rabbits and easily reached by swimming, when low tide arrives a tongue of sand connects it to the mainland. That it is a paradise is also confirmed by the loggerhead turtles that lay their eggs here. According to Tripadvisor, it is the most beautiful beach in the world. Even Domenico Modugno, who knew a thing or two about shades of blue, loved it.

A postcard-perfect stretch of coastline and two seaside villages at either end: this is no dream, between San Vito Lo Capo and Scopello it is pure reality. Swim in absolute silence among the Faraglioni of Scopello, a paradise of biodiversity, then stroll through the village streets.

If you are looking for action, the right place is San Vito Lo Capo with its lively pink beach. In between are coves with transparent seabeds, cliffs, the scent of the Mediterranean maquis and expanses of olive trees: the seductions of the Zingaro reserve.

Should you fancy a dip after visiting the Valley of the Temples in Agrigento, Scala dei Turchi on the coast between Porto Empedocole and Realmonte is perfect.

It is a cliff of dazzling white rock sloping down to the sea. Climbing on it is forbidden but admiring it from the water or nearby beaches is still an experience not to be missed.

Not only is it one of the longest beaches  in Sicily, it is also a nature reserve. It stretches from Siculiana to Eraclea Minoa and can be accessed from several points. You really have to want to reach it, because despite being so long, it is still a hidden, little known and wild gem.

San Leone is the most famous and fashionable beach in Agrigento, the one closest to the city and full of small clubs where you can enjoy a sunset aperitif or a crazy night under the stars at one of the lidos along the coast. By day, however, it is an expanse of golden sand shimmering in the sun. Thanks to the wind that blows here, it is also popular with surfers.

Arriving in Mondello is an experience in itself, preceding the pleasure of putting one's feet in the water. The light-coloured sand reflects the sun and contrasts with the sea changing colour as the clouds pass quickly over the water.

You will never forget the colours of Mondello. Not even its surroundings, from the palm trees to the Art Nouveau villas that line the beach.

In summer it is equipped with wooden cabins, deckchairs and parasols. At lunchtime, stroll through the village to sample freshly caught fish from the boats in the harbour.

They call it the Pearl of the Mediterranean because it is one of the gems set in the sea that bathes Taormina. It is connected to the mainland by a short isthmus of sand, disappearing into the water at high tide. But never so much that you can't walk across it. A nature reserve and a villa carved into the rock can be visited on the island. Don't miss them. At the end of the day, take the cable car back to Taormina for a walk around the centre.

On the other side of the sanctuary of Tindari is Oliveri beach, made up of unusually shaped tongues of sand dotted with small lakes. It is worth getting there for a long walk, to discover them up close.

Fans of Inspector Montalbano? Then the beach of Vigata overlooked by the windows of his house is not to be missed. Vigata does not really exist, but the house and the golden beach do: they are in Punta Secca, in the Ragusa region.

If you leave Menfi heading for Capo Granitola and then Mazara del Vallo, you will discover a long sequence of sandy beaches. The most beautiful? Porto Palo di Menfi. After swimming, stop at one of the small restaurants that serve freshly caught fish accompanied by local white wine, to be enjoyed chilled.

With its view of the Aeolian Islands, it is a magical place as it is. But Capo d'Orlando also has a beach that is 8 kilometres long and rarely so crowded that it becomes unlivable. Choose the right side depending on the time of day to enjoy a beautiful sunrise or a breathtaking sunset.

It is a small fishing village in southern Sicily, near Scicli, with an unforgettable beach, lined with a fragrant pine forest just behind the dunes. There is also an interesting site of industrial archaeology here: the Fornace Penna, which manufactured clay bricks in the early 20th century.