While Taormina and Cefalù are the best-known beach resorts on the island, Sicily’s coastline is dotted with some fantastic sandy stretches interspersed with pretty fishing towns.

The south east of the island, best known for the baroque towns of the Val di Noto, has some wonderful beaches around Pozzallo, Portopalo and along the Vendicari Nature Reserve.

In west Sicily, there are excellent beaches around Sciacca, at San Vito lo Capo and, a top spot for Palermitans, at Mondello on the outskirts of the city.

On the Aeolian archipelago, the islands’ volcanic origins have left a legacy of black sand beaches which offer good swimming in sparkling clear water.