Spiaggia San Vito lo Capo (San Vito lo Capo Beach) is one of the best beaches in Sicily, Italy. In this guide, we’re going to tell you everything you need to know about visiting this droolworthy beach. Whilst we’re at it, we’ll also talk about other awesome beaches in San Vito lo Capo. Indeed, this is the most comprehensive online guide about beaches in San Vito lo Capo.
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About Spiaggia San Vito lo Capo (San Vito lo Capo Beach)
Spiaggia San Vito lo Capo (translates in English to San Vito lo Capo Beach) is viewed by many as the best beach in Sicily. You’ll find many of Sicily’s beaches are pebble beaches. In comparison, Spiaggia San Vito lo Capo is a sandy beach. And, at around 3km long, it’s one of the longest white sand beaches in Sicily.
There’s no wonder Spiaggia San Vito lo Capo has been awarded the coveted Blue Flag Award status. To qualify for this award, the beach upholds high-quality environmental, educational, safety and accessibility standards.
The beach also enjoys a spectacular surrounding landscape. Looming large next to Spiaggia San Vito lo Capo, you’ll find the immense Monte Monaco. It’s one of the most well-known and easily recognisable mountains in Sicily. Indeed, the natural setting of Spiaggia San Vito lo Capo is truly awe-inspiring.
With all of this in mind, we highly recommend visiting Spiaggia San Vito lo Capo. Personally, we visited on a day trip and really enjoyed the beach and its idyllic surroundings. Otherwise, basing yourself in the town of San Vito lo Capo, a stone’s throw away from the beach, would also be an awesome option.
So, exactly where is Spiaggia San Vito lo Capo located?
Where Is Spiaggia San Vito lo Capo?
Spiaggia San Vito lo Capo is located in the beautiful costal town of San Vito lo Capo. The town is located in the northwest of Sicily around 2 hours from the capital city of Palermo. To help you get your bearings, feel free to click on the image below to access an interactive map on Google Maps.
How to Visit Spiaggia San Vito lo Capo
You wouldn’t think there would be too much to consider or to plan when visiting a beach such as Spiaggia San Vito lo Capo. It’s just a beach, how hard could it be to organise going to a beach? Well, it’s a beach in Italy, so, naturally, it’s more complex than you might think.
Long story short, all Italian beaches are privately owned by the government. Essentially, businesses rent spaces on the beach, turning these spaces into profitable beach clubs (called lidos). To use these spaces, which usually have lounge chairs, umbrellas, toilets and showers, you’ll need to pay an entry fee. But, by law, each beach has to offer a public section, free of charge to visit.
Spiaggia San Vito lo Capo works no differently. There are beach clubs and also free sections of the beach to access. So, what’s best to do during a visit? Should you pay for a beach club or just set up your towel in the free access areas? Let’s look at your options below.
FYI – the beach clubs at Spiaggia San Vito lo Capo only operate in the peak season, usually between May and September. In the off-season, you won’t find these lidos present. So, if you visit outside of peak season, it’s as simple as accessing the beach for free without the hassle of deciding whether to pay for access to a beach club.
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San Vito lo Capo Beach Clubs
Spiaggia San Vito lo Capo is home to numerous beach clubs. Given this is one of the largest and most popular beaches in Sicily, you’ll find many businesses operating lidos there.
Growing up in Australia, the idea of a beach club or charging people to go to the beach remains an absurd idea that I’ll never fully comprehend. But, this doesn’t change the fact that paying for access to a beach club might not be such a bad idea at Spiaggia San Vito lo Capo. Let me explain.
Basically, in the peak season, Spiaggia San Vito lo Capo is absolutely rammed. Filled to the brim. This means the free access areas are chockablock without barely a space to pop a towel down. A beach club offers a comfortable space, protection from the sun and decent facilities. Indeed, when you weigh up the pros and cons, paying for a beach club is probably worth it. Certainly, if you’re visiting in the peak season, paying for access to a beach club is a good idea.
For your convenience, we’ve listed some of the most popular beach clubs at Spiaggia San Vito lo Capo. But, this is not an exhaustive list of every beach club you’ll find on the beach. For more information about each beach club, please click on the respective link.
Check out our guides about Capo Bianco, Mondello Beach and Favignana
Free Access at Spiaggia San Vito lo Capo
At Spiaggia San Vito lo Capo, like all beaches in Italy, you’ll find areas of free access. As mentioned, the main problems are crowds and lack of space, especially during summer.
If you’re hellbent on avoiding paying for a beach club, this means you’ll need to get to the beach nice and early (9am at the latest to play it safe). This will help you to guarantee a spot, where you can set up your towel for the day. But, when the beach starts to fill, it’s likely that you’ll end up with people stepping on your toes. Basically, you’ll need to put up with crowds and large numbers by staying put in the free access area.
Personally, Beck and I visited Sicily in the off-season, in March. So, we enjoyed a quiet and serene beach. Sure, it was still a bit cold for a swim; but, we thoroughly enjoyed walking and accessing all areas of the beach without restriction.
Things to Do at San Vito lo Capo
When it comes to things to do at Spiaggia San Vito lo Capo, well, it’s totally up to you. Surely, swimming will be high on your to-do list. It would be hard to pass up a swim in the glorious Mediterranean Sea. Otherwise, you do you, whether that’s sunbathing, snorkelling, reading, walking or people-watching.
As mentioned, having visited in March, the water was still a tad cold for a dip. So, we strolled along the beach, enjoying the immense views of Monte Monaco – a mountain we had climbed that morning. Otherwise, we chilled on the sand and visited some nearby restaurants and cafes on the water’s edge.
San Vito lo Capo Boat Tours
One of the best ways to explore the coastline near San Vito lo Capo is by boat. GetYourGuide offers many exceptional boat tours. Check out one of these awesome boat tours today!
Other San Vito lo Capo Beaches
Of course, Spiaggia San Vito lo Capo is the main beach in San Vito lo Capo. But, there are many other incredible beaches in and near San Vito lo Capo. Some of these beaches are much smaller and quieter and don’t have associated lidos. So, these San Vito lo Capo beaches are a great option to avoid the whole hoo-ha of beach clubs and for exploring lesser-known and more secluded areas of the Sicilian coast.
Caletta San Bue Marino (Cove of Bue Marino)
Caletta San Bue Marino is a lovely cove located just outside of San Vito lo Capo. At Caletta San Bue Marino, you’ll find a small pebble beach and numerous sea caves dotted along the cliff wall facing the water.
Near Caletta San Bue Marino, you’ll find other superb natural attractions. This includes a small cave called Grotta Racchio. There’s also another smaller beach, just north of Caletta San Bue Marino, called Spiaggia di Isulidda, which has an incredible lunar-like landscape at its northern end.
Read more: Caletta del Bue Marino – The Ultimate Visitor’s Guide
Spiaggia Baia Santa Margherita (Santa Margherita Beach)
Just south of Caletta San Bue Marino, you’ll find Spiaggia Baia Santa Margherita. It’s another pebble beach located between the small hamlets of Castelluzzo and Macari. Other than the beach itself, you’ll enjoy a spectacular surrounding landscape of hills, cliffs and mountains. You’ll also catch a glimpse of Monte Cofano – one of Sicily’s most famous mountains.
Spiaggia di Macari (Macari Beach)
Just south of Spiaggia Baia Santa Margherita, you’ll find Spiaggia di Macari. It’s another pebble beach, sharing a similar stellar location. This beach isn’t quite as popular or large as Spiaggia Baia Santa Margherita.
Beaches at Riserva Naturale Orientata Dello Zingaro (Zingaro Nature Reserve)
Riserva dello Zingaro (Zingaro Nature Reserve), near San Vito lo Capo, has many extraordinary beaches. Because of the nature reserve’s remoteness, the beaches aren’t as quick or easy to reach. Indeed, each beach at Riserva dello Zingaro requires some effort to reach, which means the beaches are even more tranquil to visit.
By doing Sentiero Costiero, which is one of the best coastal walks in Sicily, you can visit every beach in the nature reserve. Below, we’ll talk about the best beaches at the Zingaro Nature Reserve, ordered from north to south.
Read more: Zingaro Nature Reserve – The Ultimate Hiking and Beaches Guide
Cala Tonarella
Cala Tonarella is the largest beach at Zingaro Nature Reserve. Because of its closeness to the northern entrance of the nature reserve, it’s one of the easiest to access, making it one of the most popular to visit.
Cala dell’Uzzo
This is one of the most picturesque beaches in the Zingaro Nature Reserve. Located near the incredible Grotta dell’Uzzo, Cala dell’Uzzo is surrounded by other superb natural attractions.
Read more: Cala dell’Uzzo – The Ultimate Visitor’s Guide
Cala Marinella
At Cala Marinella, you’ll find a gorgeous bay with the most inviting turquoise-coloured water. There are steps carved into the surrounding orange-coloured rock platform, which makes it easier to access the water. You’ll also find the smaller Cala Berretta nearby.
Read more: Cala Marinella In The Zingaro Nature Reserve – The Ultimate Guide
Cala della Disa
Featuring immense sea cliffs and orange-coloured cliff walls, Cala della Disa is an outstanding beach in the Zingaro Nature Reserve.
Read more: Cala della Disa – The Ultimate Visitor’s Guide
Cala Capreria
Last but not least, Cala Capreria is perhaps the best beach at the Zingaro Nature Reserve. Located near the southern entrance, it’s one of the more easily accessible beaches in the nature reserve. It’s a mixed pebble and sand beach with superb sea caves.
Read more: Cala Capreria – The Best Beach In The Zingaro Nature Reserve
Tonnara di Scopello and Faragliono di Scopello
The privately owned Tonnara di Scopello includes a small bay, which is a very popular place for tourists to visit during summer. Featuring the amazing sea stacks – Faragliono di Scopello, swimming in the sea at Tonnara di Scopello is a memorable experience. Although, by all accounts, it gets very busy in the peak season.
Read more: Tonnara di Scopello and Faraglioni di Scopello – Is It A Tourist Trap?
Other Things to Do In San Vito lo Capo
After exploring Spiaggia San Vito lo Capo or other nearby beaches, you may be ready to hit the town. San Vito lo Capo is one of the most gorgeous coastal towns in Sicily. Simply wandering the streets and sampling local delicacies is a great way to spend time in San Vito lo Capo. But, if you’re wanting to know of some specific places to visit in San Vito lo Capo, we’ve got you covered!
Monte Monaco
Monte Monaco is one of the most well-known mountains in Sicily. Certainly, from the town itself, it’s hard to escape sight of the mesmerising mountain as it overlooks the town.
It’s possible to start the Monte Monaco walk from the town itself, eventually walking up the western face (western trail) of the mountain. From town, it’s around a 10km return walk. Personally, we parked our car near the trailhead, which made for a 4.5km out and back walk, using the western trail.
The hike to the summit of Monte Monaco, along the western trail, is a short but steep hike on a well-defined track. It’s a moderately challenging trail that’s fun and exciting. From the summit, you’ll enjoy the best views of Spiaggia San Vito lo Capo and the town.
Read more: Monte Monaco – The Ultimate Hiking Guide
Tonnara del Secco
If you’re looking for something to do that’s a little more on the adventurous side of things then visit Tonnara del Secco. Basically, it’s an abandoned tuna factory. Dating back to the 15th century and having shut in 1965, it’s possible to explore the ruins of the factory.
Also, if you’re looking for a quieter place to swim, the bay at Tonnara del Secco is a solid option. Next to the ruined buildings, you’ll find a quieter part of the sea for a swim.
Santuario de San Vito (San Vito Sanctuary)
Located in the town square, Santuario de San Vito is the most noteworthy monument, in town, to explore. Dedicated to the town’s patron saint – Saint Vito Martyr, the 15th-century-built ancient fortress, turned-church, is an intriguing historical building to visit.
Faro di Capo San Vito (San Vito lo Capo Lighthouse)
Opening in 1859, the 38 metre-high lighthouse stands prominently on the northern edge of the town. Located next to the port, we recommend visiting this charming white lighthouse.
How to Get to Spiaggia San Vito lo Capo
The easiest way to get to Spiaggia San Vito lo Capo is to drive there yourself. If you don’t have your own vehicle, we recommend hiring a car. Personally, Beck and I picked up our car hire from Catania International Airport. For an automatic car, we only paid around €7 ($7USD) per day!
Car Hire
If you don’t have your own car, you should hire one using Discover Cars. Personally, we use Discover Cars and highly recommend them for finding your ideal car hire at an affordable price. Booking online is super easy and the free cancellation policy is great.
To find out more about renting a car with Discover Cars, read our Discover Cars review and Discover Cars Insurance review.
Free Parking
As is the case with most towns in Sicily, you’ll be hard-pressed to find free parking near the beach. Thankfully, you’ll find free parking here at this large unpaved car park on the outskirts of town. From the car park, it’ll take around 10 minutes to walk to Spiaggia San Vito lo Capo.
Getting From Palermo To San Vito Lo Capo Using Public Transport
Many people visiting San Vito lo Capo will do so from the capital city of Palermo. It’s worth noting that most of the options below don’t run as frequently during the off-season. So, if you visit Sicily outside of peak season, public transport from Palermo is a less reliable option.
Public Buses
We don’t recommend using public buses to get from Palermo to San Vito lo Capo. That’s because there are no direct services. Basically, you’d need to get from Palermo International Airport to the Palermo town centre, by taking the bus or train. Both options take around an hour and cost around €6 per person.
Then, you’d need to get get a Segesta bus from Palermo to Trapani, which takes around 75 minutes and costs around €8 per person. Then, to get from Trapani to San Vito lo Capo, you’d catch an AST bus, which takes around an hour and usually costs around €4.50 per person.
Depending on departure frequency, timing and traffic, the overall journey could take anywhere between four and six hours.
Booking Trains
Trainline is one of the best online platforms for booking trains. By using Trainline, you can easily find the best available prices and times for your journey. We always use Trainline to book our train journeys in the UK and in Europe.
Direct Private Shuttles
Taking a direct shuttle service from Palermo International Airport to San Vito lo Capo is the best choice if you don’t have your own vehicle. Autoservizi Russo S.R.L. (The Russo Company) offers a direct service, which takes around 2–2.5 hours and costs around €9.50 per person. In the peak season, there are a few daily departures, whilst, in the off-season, you’re usually limited to one service per day.
Where to Stay in San Vito lo Capo
If you want to visit or spend lots of time at Spiaggia San Vito lo Capo, then it makes sense to stay in San Vito lo Capo. You’ll find plenty of nice accommodation options. To keep things simple, we’ve handpicked the best budget, mid-range and luxurious options in San Vito lo Capo on Booking.com (where you can find great deals).
San Vito lo Capo Hotels
- Budget – Baglio del Mulino a Vento: one of the budget-friendly hotels in San Vito lo Capo. Baglio del Mulino a Vento offers an affordable, but lovely and memorable stay.
- Mid-range – Ninni e Fede: this is one of the best mid-range accommodation options in the area. Ninni e Fede is a modernly decorated guesthouse, featuring a lovely garden, terrace and shared kitchen. If you’re looking for a slightly more luxurious mid-range hotel option, you could stay at Hotel Sikania.
- Luxury – B&B Le Biciclette: this B&B is an excellent option. Guests rave about the breakfast, whilst its location near the beach and stylish decor are all features to enjoy during a stay at B&B Le Biciclette.
San Vito lo Capo Beachfront Accommodation
If you want to stay on a beachfront property at Spiaggia San Vito lo Capo, then you’ll be paying top dollar. The best San Vito lo Capo beach hotels include Mira Spiaggia (Miraspiaggia Hotel), I Tre Golfi Beach Apartments and Hotel Riviera. These hotels would make for the ultimate experience!
Where to Eat Near Spiaggia San Vito lo Capo
There are plenty of charming restaurants and bars, located next to or near Spiaggia San Vito lo Capo. Some of the best restaurants to try the local cuisine include Buena Vida Siciliana Ristorante, KM Restaurant and Ristorante La Zagara.
Sure, there are plenty of other restaurants in the area. But, these restaurants are favourites with the locals. Also, you’ll find street vendors and gelaterias, all serving up something delicious and fresh.
Travel Gear For Sicily
Anker Portable Power Bank
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Sea to Summit DryLite Towel
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EPICKA Universal Travel Adapter
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Noise Cancelling Headphones
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Wise Multi-Currency Card
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To find out more about all of the gear that we use and recommend, read our guides about our favourite travel gear, camera gear and hiking gear. Otherwise, read our comprehensive travel packing checklist.
Bonus Tips
- San Vito lo Capo nightlife: you wouldn’t go to San Vito lo Capo specifically for the nightlife. But, during summer, you can expect a lively atmosphere.
- Time your visit with an event: there are a couple of events that would be fun to experience. There’s the Feast of the Patron Saint of San Vito lo Capo on the 15th of June and also the Cous Cous Fest, often held later in the year.
- Best time to visit: most visitors will head to Sicily in summer for the hottest weather (can get up to 35–40°C). But, this coincides with the peak season and its increased prices and higher visitor numbers. Perhaps, the best time to visit Spiaggia San Vito lo Capo is on either side of the peak season. Certainly, during May and September, you’ll enjoy a quieter beach and warm weather.
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