Beaches in Donnalucata: Sandy Shores in Southeast Sicily
- Apr 22
- 7 min read
Why Donnalucata is South Sicily's Sandy Secret
Donnalucata is the largest of the small fishing villages along the south-east coast of Sicily, near Scicli, Modica and Marina di Ragusa. An authentic og charming place – and the best part? You can reach some of the most beautiful, long sandy beaches of southern Sicily. All within walking distance. All this came to us as a BIG suprise. Is this the real SECRET Sicily?
The first time we visited, in May 2025, there was not many tourists. But the local restaurants were open, the beach clubs was starting preparing for the summer season, the same with many of the seasonal restaurants. But - to be honest, the best restaurants, pizzerias and bars are open almost all year round. Not many - but really good!
The 2km Beach Stretch: Donnalucata to Cava d'Aliga
The long stretch of beaches starts at your doorstep in Donnalucata, and reaches more than 2 kilometers east, all the way to the neighboring town, Cava d’Aliga. Endless sandy beaches with crystal clear water. Just to get out here and do your barefoot morning walk is a pleasure. There are no obstacles, just sand, sand, sand. And the crystal clear water. Just bring your towels, beach umbrella, lunch and create your own little oasis for the day!
The beaches are golden sand, not rocks as many Sicilian beaches is. Most of the places the water are shallow, perfect for kids. Along the beach the small and charming summer houses, earlier properties from the farms growing tomatoes, fruit and vegetables along the coast, makes the place a special experience.
Half way between the two villages Donnalucata and Cava d’Aliga, in summer time you will find the small beach establishment of Aziz. Perfect for a pitstop, an aperitivo, espresso, or to grab lunch.
The smaller beach in the harbour of Donnalucata, right by the fish market, is also sand and very nice. And the best: the beach club and restaurant Jammola where you can rent sun beds for the day, with all you need - restrooms, changing rooms and showers. The restaurant is excellent - actually one of the best in Donnalucata! Fresh seafood from the market right outside their door.
This became one of our go-to-places, for lunch, aperitivo and dinner. Food made with love, and locally sourced. In the evening watching the golden sun saying «Goodbye! See you tomorrow».
Beach Clubs vs. Public Beaches
The public beaches is one of the things that makes Donnalucata unique. Just bring an umbrella, beach towels and lunch, and you will have no trouble creating your own oasis along the beaches for the day.
If you prefer a beach club, we will highly recommend Jammola located right by the fishermans market, central in Donnalucata. Renting a sun bed for the day gives you access to restrooms and showers, as well as the bar and restaurant. Plan your day ahead, book your plave in the sun at Jammola in advance!
Just a few hundred meters from Jammola, there is also Sabir beach club, as an option.
TIP!
An app we have used for beach clubs is spiagge.it - it is a 3. party booking system for beach clubs. You can search for establishments near you or on the map, and book in the app. Not all beach clubs are represented, but it is a nice way to explore options when planning your trip.
Practical Info: Parking
In Donnalucata there is quite easy to find street side parking, many free, but there are also some paid. If you are unsure - ask in nearest Tabaccheria or use the Easypark app.
There is also a larger parking lot just a couple of streets from the beach and fishermans market, the Parking in via Merano. At the time we have visited there was no parking fees here, but check for signs. Things change. Here you will find the parking on Google maps.
If arriving to just visit the beaches east of Donnalucata, there is a paid parking lot just by Aziz. Here you will find the beach parking on Google maps.
Getting Around: With and Without a Car
Without a Car: Scicli and the Coast on Foot
To be honest, the public transportation in this region is not the best. There are several bus departures from Donnalucata to Scicli, where there is a train connection all the way to Siracusa. So you will be able to reach Donnalucata without a car, and if you chose to stay in the village, beaches are easily reached on foot. The bus to Scicli even gives you the option to visit one of the most beautiful baroque cities in Sicily.
Bus schedules for Donnalucata and Scicli you will find on the SAIS Autolinee web site:
The trains are operated by Trenitalia, you will find the schedules and you will be able to buy online tickets on Trenitalia web site:
With a Car: Punta Secca, Marina di Ragusa and Beyond
With a car you have more options for exploring some really nice beaches and villages in the area. Within 1 hour of Donnalucata we would recommend:
Vendicari Riserva
But all along the coast you will find many beaches to explore, and even seaside villages like Punta Secca, known from popular TV-series Montalbano.
Where to Stay: Village or Beachfront?
You can choose to stay in the center of Donnalucata, to get the full friendly village feeling. This has been our preferred options, and this is the best option when traveling without a car.
If you travel with car, there are som really cool summer houses along the beach. Even here you will be able to walk to the village on the beaches.
The Honest Truth: Wind, Seaweed and Sunsets
We want you to love Donnalucata as much as we do, so here is our "honest" local insight:
The Seaweed (Posidonia): Occasionally, you might find dried seaweed on the shore. This is actually a sign of a very healthy marine ecosystem! If one spot has a lot of it, just walk 100–200 meters further down the beach; usually, the water will be perfectly clear there.
The Wind: The south coast can get a bit breezy. This is a blessing in the July heat, but if it’s a very windy day, the beaches in the village center (like Jammola) are often slightly more sheltered.
The Magic Hour: Donnalucata faces southwest. This means you get one of the best sunsets in Sicily directly into the sea. Don't leave early! Grab a drink and stay for the show.
Explore more of Donnalucata…
While the beaches in Donnalucata are wonderful, the village itself has more to offer. Good restaurants, a charming fish market, and some of the finest Baroque towns right on your doorstep. If you're curious, we've written more about our first encounter with Donnalucata.
FAQ: Beaches in Donnalucata and the Surrounding Coast
Donnalucata Beaches
Are the beaches in Donnalucata sandy? Yes — and that's what makes Donnalucata special. Most of Sicily's coastline is rocky, but Donnalucata offers kilometres of soft golden sand. The main stretch runs 2km east from the village all the way to the neighbouring hamlet of Cava d'Aliga, with shallow, child-friendly water the entire way.
Is Donnalucata good for families with children?
Donnalucata is one of the best family beaches in southeast Sicily. The sea is shallow for a long distance, the sand is soft and flat, and the pace of village life is quiet and relaxed. There are no big crowds, even in June. Beach clubs like Jammola offer sunbeds, showers and a full restaurant — everything you need for a comfortable day.
What is the closest sandy beach to Ragusa?
The closest long sandy beaches to Ragusa are Marina di Ragusa (about 25km south) and Donnalucata (about 30km south, via Scicli). Both are easily reachable by car in under 30 minutes from Ragusa Ibla. Donnalucata tends to be quieter and more authentic, while Marina di Ragusa is larger and livelier.
Is there a sandy beach near Modica?
Yes. Donnalucata is the closest long sandy beach to Modica — about 35km south, roughly 35–40 minutes by car. Marina di Modica and Sampieri are also close by. Donnalucata, however, stands out for its 2km uninterrupted stretch of free, golden sandy beach — a rare find on this part of the Sicilian coast.
What is the best beach near Scicli?
Donnalucata is technically part of the municipality of Scicli, making it the closest beach to the town — just 10km away. Sampieri (also part of Scicli) is another excellent option with wild golden beaches and the famous ruin of the Fornace Penna brick works. Both are reachable within 15 minutes by car from Scicli.
Are there free public beaches in Donnalucata?
Yes — the vast majority of Donnalucata's beaches are free (spiaggia libera). The long 2km stretch east towards Cava d'Aliga is almost entirely public, with only a small beach club (Aziz) at the halfway point. Just bring your towel, parasol and snacks from one of the village bakeries.
What is Punta Secca famous for?
Punta Secca is a small coastal village about 15km west of Donnalucata, famous as the filming location for Inspector Montalbano's beach house in the beloved Italian TV series. The village is tiny and charming, with a golden sandy beach and relaxed atmosphere. It's an easy day trip from Donnalucata by car — and worth it for any Montalbano fan.
How far is Vendicari from Donnalucata?
Vendicari Nature Reserve is about 45 minutes east of Donnalucata by car (roughly 50km). The reserve is home to Calamosche — voted the most beautiful beach in Italy — as well as several other wild, unspoiled beaches. There are no bars or services, so bring everything you need. It's a half-day trip and well worth combining with a stop in Marzamemi.
Is Donnalucata worth visiting outside of summer?
Absolutely. May, June and September are arguably the best months — warm sea, golden light, far fewer visitors, and most restaurants already open. We spent a full month in Donnalucata in May and felt like we had the beaches almost to ourselves. The village has a handful of restaurants and bars open year-round, and the evening walks along the seafront are magical at any time of year.
Can you visit Donnalucata without a car?
Yes, with some flexibility. There are 4–8 daily buses between Scicli and Donnalucata, though not late in the evening. From Scicli you can connect onward by train to Modica, Ragusa and beyond. However, to explore the wider coast — Punta Secca, Vendicari, Marzamemi — a car or scooter makes life significantly easier.
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