Beaches near Syracuse at a glance
For a beach day you leave Ortigia and head south. The two sandy options are Fontane Bianche, with a lido (Italian for a beach club with rented umbrellas and sunbeds), and Arenella, which has a bus line from the city. Further along the coast the Plemmirio marine protected area offers rocky entries into the sea instead of sand.
This page is an independent guide, not the website of any lido or of the protected area. Prices below are the 2026 list of the Fontane Bianche lido. Beaches further north are covered by the Catania beaches guide and the Taormina beaches guide. For sights in town, see the guide to things to do in Syracuse.
Which beach suits you
Four ways into the water south of the city.
| Place | Setting | Costs | Getting there |
|---|---|---|---|
| Fontane Bianche | Sandy beach with a lido | Pitch with umbrella and 2 sunbeds, €25 to €45 in the first row (2026) | Check the current timetable before you go |
| Arenella | Sandy beach | – | SAIS bus line 123, from Corso Umberto |
| Plemmirio | Rocky coast, marine protected area, zoned use | – | Bus line 123 stops on the Plemmirio roads; some entries are for experienced swimmers only |
| Vendicari | Reserve with beaches, entry fee | €3.50, card only | Own page, see below |
Boat trips and day trips from Syracuse
Sea caves, swim stops and coast trips with live prices and availability.
Fontane Bianche
Sand, clear water and a managed lido.
Fontane Bianche is the main beach destination south of Syracuse. The lido rents one umbrella and two sunbeds as a package. The price is per pitch, not per person, and depends on the month and on the row. The 2026 list:
| Month 2026 | First row | Further back |
|---|---|---|
| May | €25 | €20, from the second row |
| June | €30 | €25, from the second row |
| July | €35 | €30, second row |
| August | €45 | €40, from the second row |
| September | €30 | €25, from the second row |
| October | €25 | €20, from the second row |
Each person beyond the two included pays €5 entry if older than 5. The list runs into October, but it does not say when the lido closes for the season. Check that it is open on the day you plan to go, especially from mid-October.
If you only want a swim, you can still plan around the price table: July and August cost the most, May and October the least. Some boat trips include a swim stop, which the skipper decides on the day. See the boat tours page.
Arenella and the city bus
The easiest beach to reach without a car.
SAIS runs the city lines in Syracuse. A single ride costs €1.20, a ticket valid for 90 minutes €1.50, a day ticket €3 and a three-day ticket €7. Tickets bought on board cost extra, so buy before boarding where you can.
Line 123 (Strada del Mare) has a timetable valid from 15 September 2026 and runs daily, including holidays. Departures from Corso Umberto are at 06:00, 11:30, 14:10, 17:00 and 20:00. Its stops include Spiaggia Arenella and several roads along the Plemmirio coast. These are departure times in the city, not arrival times at the beach, and the timetable does not tell you the last ride back. Look at the return times at the stop before you settle in for the afternoon.
Plemmirio: rocks and rules
Plemmirio is a marine protected area with different zones. Bathing, boat traffic and anchoring are restricted in parts of it, so do not assume you can swim anywhere along the coast. The official list of sea entries separates easy walking entries from difficult rocky ones. Entry 28, Geronimo, is described as suitable for experienced swimmers only. Entry 30, at the lighthouse, is a viewpoint in zone A, not a recommendation to swim.
The rules are simple: do not touch, take or damage anything living or the seabed material, and do not feed the fish. Boat trips along this coast are covered on the boat tours page.
Where not to swim, and what to skip
Two current warnings for late 2026.
Scoglio Due Fratelli
A local press report says the harbour authority gave notice on 20 August 2026 of a bathing ban at this rock because of danger to the public. The exact area and the end date are not known, so do not swim there. A boat route that passes the rock does not lift the ban.
Vendicari, entrance Calamosche
The reserve published a notice on 13 September 2026 that the Calamosche entrance is temporarily closed because of a fallen tree on the access road. It was still posted in mid-October. The other entrances are a separate matter. See the guide to Vendicari and Marzamemi.
Vendicari and Marzamemi →More Syracuse guides
Plan the rest of the trip.
Syracuse beaches: frequently asked questions
Where is the nearest sandy beach?
The sandy beaches are south of the city, at Fontane Bianche and Arenella.
How much is a sunbed at Fontane Bianche?
The 2026 lido list charges per pitch of one umbrella and two sunbeds: €25 in the first row in May and October, €30 in June and September, €35 in July and €45 in August. The second row is €5 cheaper. Every extra person over 5 pays €5.
Can I reach Arenella by bus?
Yes. SAIS line 123 leaves Corso Umberto at 06:00, 11:30, 14:10, 17:00 and 20:00 and stops at Spiaggia Arenella. The timetable is valid from 15 September 2026. Check the return times at the stop.
Can I swim anywhere in Plemmirio?
No. The protected area has zones where bathing, boats and anchoring are limited. Use the signed sea entries and read the rules there.
Is the Scoglio Due Fratelli safe for swimming?
Do not swim there. A local press report mentions a bathing ban after a notice from the harbour authority on 20 August 2026.