The best beach hotels in Sicily for white sands, private shores and clubs
Sicily's coastline is a medley of postcard beauty, long surrendered to the power of its volcanic interior that has shaped the geology of its shoreline to an assortment of beautiful craggy bays, concealed rocky caves, white mudstone cliffs and beaches made of pebbles and sand. Along with its ancient culture and heritage, fantastic fusion of cuisine influenced by the Greeks, Arabs and Africa, and nature high up to its mountains and deep down into the seas, it is no wonder that Sicily has become one of Europe 's favourite destinations where visitors can combine cultural curiosity with a relaxing beach stay.
Warmed by the Ionian, Tyrrhenian and Mediterranean seas, beaches in Sicily are simply irresistible, and there are plenty of hotels and resorts catering for every holiday style – whether it be a romantic break, a family getaway or something for the budget traveller wishing to enjoy the beauty of Sicily without the price tag. Here are some handpicked best beach hotels in Sicily for your next getaway.
1. ADLER Spa Resort SICILIA
Siculiana
Not only is ADLER Spa Resort Sicilia one of the best resorts in Sicily, being adjacent to the Torre Salsa Nature Reserve, it harbours a secret gateway onto one of Sicily's best stretch of beaches. A narrow pathway lined with eucalyptus and maquis shrubs leads from the resort's infinity pool to the base of the cliff, where you'll find this wild and spectacular stretch of white sand that leads towards the WWF protected Torre Salsa beach and its white chalky fringe, known for sea turtles and peregrine falcons. With no tourist facilities attached to the beach, visitors are few. To avoid the steep climb back up, a buggy service is on hand to take you back to the resort.
2. Villa Sant'Andrea, a Belmond Hotel
Taormina Mare
Cornish engineer Robert Trewhella definitely had an eye for location, for Villa Sant'Andrea occupies one of the best seaside spots in Taormina. Built as a private villa in 1919 by one end of the beach on the Bay of Mazzaro, surrounded by the beauty of Isola Bella Nature Reserve, Belmond's Villa Sant'Andrea has been a playground of beach loving celebrities of the 1950s. The recently opened Lido Villeggiatura, the hotel's private beach club with sun loungers under beach umbrellas offering sunrise yoga, water sports, a relaxed bar, and boat trips on offer, this is the perfect place for families and friends to play under the endless Sicilian sun.
3. Hotel Le Calette
Cefalu
Being a popular beachside town near the capital Palermo, Cefalu can get busy. Although there is no reason to not visit the main stretch of soft sandy beach as you explore the rest of Cefalu, Hotel Le Calette lets you enjoy a quieter part of town as you wish to return and wind down from the day. With a range of rooms, suites and villas are hidden within a cove on the other side of the castle hill, the hotel has four private beaches with fine soft sands, each with own character and views. Calette Reef Club on one of the larger beach offers spectacular views of the sea to accompany the excellent restaurant menu.
Address: Via Cavallaro, 12, 90015 Cefalù PA
4. I Mulini Resort
Erice
In a restored 18th-century salt house occupying a wedge of land on the northern end of Trapani's long stretch of beach, surrounded by a tranquil garden and decorated by an old windmill that is iconic to the west coast of Sicily, I Mulini Resort definitely has its own atmosphere of being part of this heritage landscape. The resort's own spacious private beach, equipped with sun loungers is perfect for lovers of the sea, while still being in close proximity to the town of Trapani for sightseeing, or a climb up Mount Erice for a great panorama of the coastline.
5. Sikania Eco Resort
Marina di Butera
Dominating the land along a stretch of wild beach on the sparsely populated southern end of Sicily, where traffic is few but nature aplenty, is the Sikania Eco Resort. A raised footpath from the centre of the resort leads directly to the sandy beach of Marina di Butera; its gentle depth is particularly suitable for families with young children. The nearest town is a few kilometres away but you'll never need to venture out from the expanse of the resort facilities. A large swimming pool, tennis court, mini golf, an entertainment amphitheatre with regular shows and a spa with sea view – this is a resort designed for the perfect family holiday.
6. Modica Beach Resort
Marina di Modica
Located in close proximity to many of Sicily's ancient towns and monuments, Modica Beach Resort is ideal for travellers wanting to stay somewhere with access to the beach, and still have plenty of day trip options. The resort has a private area on the beach at Marina di Modica, which is one of the favourite beaches for locals in the know. Its golden sand, washed by crystal clear waters, is fanned by frequent wind draughts that make it the beach to come for surfing and windsurfing, with plenty of lounge chairs scattered around the private beach for the sunbathers.
7. Minareto
Syracuse
Perched on a cliff above Baia delle Latomie bay, which is part of the protected marine reserve of Plemmirio, with views across to Syracuse and Ortigia Island, as well as the blue horizon of the Ionian Sea, Minareto is an oasis for ocean lovers. The private sandy beach at the base of the resort and a small corner of the rocky cliffs are perfect for a leisurely swim and sunbathing. For the more adventurous, the Plemmirio nature reserve and its diverse scene of marine fauna and flora can be explored with an arranged scuba diving excursion.
8. Falconara Greenblu Resort
Marina di Butera
With its honey coloured shell and terracotta roof, the Falconara Greenblu Resort seem to fuse with the nearby Falconara Castle. The resort's rooms and suites are scattered between the historical residence and a modern Club House extension, and are spacious and decorated in warm Sicilian mustard tones. The private beach at the foot of the hill from the resort is narrow but picturesque, with a view of the castle above the rocky cliffs. Curved and protected from the open sea, the gentle waves and shallow seabed makes this an ideal swimming beach.
9. Le Dune Resort
Porto Palo di Menfi
An favourite of visiting Italians from the mainland, Le Dune Resort boast it location on the quieter end of Porto Palo di Menfi beach, which is awarded both the environmental Blue Flag and the Green Flag, assigned to the best beaches for children. The resort has equipped the beach with lounge chairs, a beach volleyball court, and a fitness area. Back at the resort, guests can stroll in the lush garden to enjoy more swimming at the pool, including one for little ones. Families wishing to switch off will particularly like staying at Le Dune for its remoteness and quality beach time.
10. Calanica Resort
Cefalu
Much like bird nests clinging to the rockface, camouflaged into the landscape of pine and palm trees, macchia shrubs and cacti looking out towards the Tyrrhenian sea, Calanica's bungalows are a treat for those seeking a bit of privacy and isolation while still have the luxury of the standard resort services. The small cove with a stretch of pebble beach, furnished with lounge areas and sunbeds, is entirely for the guests to use, whether it be simply to relax by the sea or go for a spot of snorkelling around the rocky shores.
11. Mangia's Brucoli, an Autograph Collection hotel
Brucoli
Sharing a rocky coastline with no other properties, Mangia's Brucoli resort definitely has 'sea view' covered. Spread out on a patch of green landscaped garden across a small channel from Brucoli centre, this little oasis is luxury and convenience combined. Tastefully decorated rooms and suites aside, it has seven restaurants of international cuisine, three swimming pools and a gym. Its seaside location gives great access to swimming in the sea too. The resort features a sandy beach with a beach club attached, alternatively, there is a more wild and a rocky beach that is characteristic to much of Sicily's volcanic landscape.
12. UNAHOTELS Naxos Beach Sicilia
Giardini Naxos
This is one beachfront resort you may never need to leave. Located in the town of Naxos, south of Taormina, everything is at your fingertips at UNAHOTELS Naxos Beach Sicilia. There are a total of 630 modern and comfortable hotel rooms or villas to choose from, not that you'll notice as the buildings are surrounded by a lush garden laced with walkways great for daily strolls. The resort's extensive grounds on the wide sandy beach has two kids clubs, a spa, four swimming pools and five restaurants. So any time you are not sunning by the beach, there's always something to entertain the whole family.
13. NH Catania Parco Degli Aragonesi
Catania
This might not be the most luxurious hotel around town, NH's Catania Parco Degli Aragonesi resort is right by Catania Airport, which makes it one of the most convenient beachfront stays for those who, after having explored all of Sicily's wonders, simply want a few days by the beach before their onward flight. A great family resort with facilities for both adults and children, spacious modern rooms, direct access to the beach and exceptionally friendly staff. The beach across the road is part of a stretch that is popular with Catania locals, it is clean and dotted with drinks bars and deck chairs reserved for the hotel's guests.
14. LELE' Guesthouse
Scoglitti
This small five bedroom guesthouse in a quiet fishing village, is the definition of size isn't everything. Once a private house belonging to the grandfather of owner Oliviero, with the architecture a contemporary mimicry of ancient Roman houses that are centred around a patio, Lele Guesthouse is conveniently across the road from the beach, and has an infinity pool where you can watch the sunset over the sea. It may not be your everyday beach resort, but what the property lacks in the facilities, it makes up with a friendly hospitality and great breakfast to start your day.
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Sardinia has the best of Italy. These are its loveliest hotels
Beaches better than the sands of Campania, archaeological heritage to match Sicily, mountain hikes on a par with the Dolomites and food as inventive as any of its fellow Italian regions . . . Sardinia is truly the best of the bel paese. Most visitors, of course, come to the Med's second largest island for its beaches. Who could blame them? The coastline here is dreamy and each stretch is a world of its own. The north is the most famous, from the Costa Smeralda — the jet-set resort established by the Aga Khan, where pristine coves have views of the idyllic Maddalena archipelago — on the east side to Stintino on the west, where fabled sandy beaches melt into the sea. Then there's the south, known for family-friendly resorts along the horseshoe-shaped stretch from Pula to the capital, Cagliari, and down again to Villasimius at the southeastern tip. But that's not all. Stretching down Sardinia's wild eastern flank is a dramatic seaboard of precipitous cliffs and coves best accessed by boat (day trips leave from surrounding towns such as Cala Gonone), while down the western side, along heart-in-mouth rollercoaster roads, lie spectacular shores with thick desertlike sands and vast dunes. Tourism is relatively new here — until the Nineties the coast below Oristano was best known for its mines. Today it's called the Costa Verde, with fascinating industrial heritage to remind you of its roots. And that's the joy of Sardinia: discreet reminders of its past are everywhere. In seaside Alghero the streets are bilingual in Italian and Catalan, remembering centuries of Aragonese rule. Across the island stand 7,000 nuraghi: looming prehistoric edifices that were probably used as watchtowers. There are megalithic tombs, temples and sculptures. There are Punic citadels, Roman towns and Christian catacombs. And since most people stick to the beach, they're often all yours. One piece of advice: don't ignore the mountainous inland. This is where you'll find the real Sardinia — where the cannonau vines and clean air keep centenarians healthy, where you can hike from mountain to megalith, and where old traditions endure (the pagan-rooted carnival celebrations are the trip of a lifetime). Drag yourself off the beach and you'll find the best of Italy here. This article contains affiliate links, which can earn us revenue It's a match made in heaven: Italy's ritziest coastline and one of the world's most luxurious hotel brands. Tucked into a fold of the Porto Cervo coastline (perhaps the very poshest bit of the Costa Smeralda), the 1965-built Romazzino has a celebrated past — Princess Margaret, Grace Kelly and half the Beatles have passed through its doors — but was brought up to date with an overhaul in 2024. Not that it's had a complete facelift; there's still a retro feel to the rooms, with colourful tiles and unadorned wood furniture. Four yawning hectares of gardens distract from the sea views, interiors match the outside with granite and wood materials, and sinuous curves provide privacy away from your fellow guests. Don't miss the simple grill-on-the-sand restaurant, Éntu e B&B doubles from £1,068. Fly to Olbia The Costa Smeralda doesn't have to cost an arm and a leg. Just like its glitzier cousins, this four-star sits right on the waterfront with the kind of vistas for which other Costa Smeralda hotels charge thousands. The difference? Fewer creature comforts. There's no pool, for starters, but then you don't exactly need one — the beach is right outside and the clear water is perfect for swimming and snorkelling. All 100 rooms are beach-perfect: bright, summery spaces with sea-blue tiled floors, white furniture and floor-to-ceiling windows — even in the entry-level options (though it's well worth splurging for a sea view). The sandy Cala Battistoni beach is a five-minute walk Seven nights' B&B from £789pp, including flights and car hire ( This discreet four-star keeps things tranquil on the chichi Costa Smeralda. Instead of a prime beachfront location, it's set a little back with the forested Monti Corru mountain rearing up behind. That said, you still get views of the sea and the Maddalena archipelago from just about everywhere. There's an Instagrammable feel to the rooms — all cork-panelled walls, earthy drapes and pops of sea and sun in the colourful fabrics — and even the entry-level contenders have their own independent entrance, ramping up the intimacy. You'll also find a strong emphasis on wellness, from yoga in the garden to sound Three nights' B&B from £978pp, including flights and car hire or transfers ( The clue's in the nature-centric name. This 75-room hotel sprawls in 40 acres of landscaped grounds, including those pines, and opens out on to no fewer than four secluded coves in front of the Maddalena archipelago. If you prefer nurture, there are two pools, an 800 sq m spa, tennis, padel and basketball courts, plus water sports galore. Rooms are categorised according to their location: 'Gardens' are immersed in greenery, 'Lagunas' cluster around a laid-back pool of the same name, and 'Sea Views' do exactly what they say on the tin. As night falls, the focus moves inwards — there's even a nightclub, with DJs and live music taking Room-only doubles from £294. Fly to Olbia You're not far from the glittering waters of the Costa Smeralda, yet you also get a taste of the real, mountainous Sardinia at this hotel sculpted from an old stazzu (farmstead) and wedged among boulders. Between rocks and greenery, its entry-level rooms accentuate that wilderness is somehow more atmospheric than pricier categories with far-off sea views. In all cases you'll get rustic-chic style (hand-carved bed frames, rough-painted walls), a terrace and — for Pool Junior Suites and above — your own tiny pool. The Michelin-starred restaurant, Il Fuoco Sacro, creates dishes from the hotel farm's vegetables, cheese and even some meats, while the smallish communal pool overlooks the Gulf of B&B doubles from £391. Fly to Olbia 'Nest' is no exaggeration: this three-bedroom villa is perched in the undergrowth above the coast, slotted into a landscape of olives and pines. Your bird's-eye view means the Costa Smeralda twinkles in the distance as the house is enfolded in greenery. Those bright colours are all visible from the oversized windows in your living room and from the terrace and pool, which point towards the bay. With two king rooms and a twin, this is a particularly good bet for families with older kids. It's just over a mile's drive to the sandy, forest-backed Sciumara Seven nights' self-catering for six from £3,046. Fly to Olbia Shimmy west from the Costa Smeralda and you'll hit the far northwestern tip of Sardinia, a curled finger beckoning to Corsica as it stretches north. Jaw-droppingly beautiful, this area offers soft dunes, long beaches and quick hops to Asinara, the 'donkey island' just offshore, which isn't home to just any old donkeys, but indigenous white-coated ones. Don't worry about the 'club' in the name — this is a great little four-star containing just 48 rooms, all with balconies, in 10,000 sq m of grounds. The pool is filled with saltwater while the beach, facing Asinara, is private. Kids' play areas, tennis and beach-volleyball courts make it a good bet for families too. La Pelosa, possibly Sardinia's lushest beach, is just over a mile Five nights' B&B from £462pp, including flights ( • 19 of the best family hotels in Sardinia A wild headland towards the northwest tip of the island isn't the glam Sardinia of holiday brochures. Instead it's a more remote and back-to-nature kind of place, and all the better for it. Inside a namesake protected area, the clifftop Villa Nurra is an old farmhouse converted into a four-bedroom family-friendly villa whose walled garden, fenced-off pool and bunk beds render it a good fit for families with younger kids. The decor is pleasantly rustic, typified by exposed stone walls, while the sea is visible beyond the garden and fields of cows and Seven nights' self-catering for nine from £2,855. Fly to Alghero Sardinia produces some of Italy's best wines, and you'll be a short stagger upstairs from nightly samples at this vino-themed stay in the countryside near Alghero. A former farmhouse swaddled by 44 acres of vineyards and olive groves, it's now a six-room retreat for anyone aged 12 and over. Pair mornings by the pool with afternoons of tastings (try the home-grown vermentino), tours of those groves or a bike ride into town — Alghero is half an hour away. Rooms are simple but tasteful — think wooden floorboards, cheerfully tiled bathrooms and the odd wooden beam — while even the cheapest have sofa-filled balconies overlooking the Seven nights' B&B from £1,199pp, including flights and car hire ( Sea vistas needn't be expensive. Etched into a cliffside, the four-star Petraladda has views for days: of the multicoloured houses of neighbouring town Castelsardo, clinging to the cliff; of the small Pedraladda beach, immediately below; and of the sea ambling towards the Strait of Bonifacio and Corsica. Drink them all in from its rooftop pool, or from the floor beneath, where a restaurant juts out over the blue, or from your window. In each bedroom sunny yellows and sea blues complement the colours outside; splash out on a still affordable superior for some of those sea Seven nights' B&B from £594pp, including flights and transfers Get the best of both worlds courtesy of this castlelike grande dame. You'll be right in the middle of Alghero, the delectable seafront town that's more Catalan than Italian thanks to its past rulers, yet also far from the crowds on your very own private peninsula. Italian royals used to love this escape, separated from the masses by two hectares of grounds. Today its 24 rooms still have that classical style with lashings of drapery, antiques galore and views over gardens or the sea. Flop by the saltwater pools or set up a lounger on one of the tongues of rock extending into the B&B doubles from £223. Fly to Alghero As the summer holidays drag on, well-heeled parents sigh and think of Forte Village. It's not just that the southern coast east of Cagliari is more family-friendly than the Costa Smeralda. This resort is also legendary for providing the kids with so much to do: bowling, ceramics classes, a waterpark, even a Barbie-themed area. Feeling competitive? Train them up at one of Forte's academies, where the great and good of the sporting world often shower a bit of stardust on the little blighters. Tennis, fencing, dance and boxing — they're all on offer. There's plenty for parents too, including the Acquaforte Thalasso and Spa, which specialises in seawater treatments and has circuits taking in six Half-board doubles from £454. Fly to Cagliari Here's your leafy retreat in Sardinia's capital: an elegant art nouveau mansion inside one of the poshest parts of the city, turned into a graceful 19-room hotel (having also once been a convent). Depending on the category, your room, designed by the owner, Lucina Cellino, might have an exposed-stone wall, an in-room hot tub or a soothing view over the back lawn. Whichever you pick, you'll enjoy this home-from-home. The staff are invariably delightful, the public areas are drenched in art and the garden sunloungers instil a holiday vibe whether you're on your first or last night. It's an easy drive to one of Italy's best archaeology museums in the Castello B&B doubles from £102. Fly to Cagliari An hour's drive southwest of Cagliari, past the ancient Phoenician city of Nora, gets you to Chia, one of the southernmost points of Sardinia (next stop: Tunisia). This is a coastline of immense beauty and family-friendly calm-watered beaches, and the resort of Chia Laguna, overlooking a flamingo-filled lagoon, makes the most of it. One of three hotels here, its family-centric Conrad has a kids' club hosting youngsters up to 17 years old, a children's pool and activities for teens including riding, tennis, snorkelling and, new for 2025, a football academy. Modern rooms keep the focus on the outside through the huge windows or patio doors. Choose either the hotel's Laguna (closer to the sea; better for couples) or Oasis (family-friendly; immersed in gardens) B&B doubles from £210. Fly to Cagliari On Sardinia's southeastern tip, astride the deliciously named Capo Carbonara, is peaceful Villasimius, where white-sand beaches are two-a-penny. The Stella Maris sits on one of its own so, while there's an on-site pool, you'd be mad not to swap it for the loungers and parasols set up on the sand. A four-star, it's secluded from other hotels and set in a pine forest that backs on to the shore. They aren't afraid of colour here, with pastel greens, soft yellows and emerald pine tones on the walls. All 49 rooms also have balconies, affording inland views that are just as soothing as those of the Five nights' half-board from £1,302pp, including flights and transfers ( • 24 of the best things to do in Sardinia 'Retreat' is no exaggeration for this eight-bedroom villa, tucked away in the forested hills behind Sardinia's less-visited southwest coast. Perched on an eyrie-like hillock from which you can survey the landscape as it unfurls to the sea, it has everything you need: proper lawns, enough loungers for everyone around the 15m pool and even a spit roast with the barbecue so you can have a go at cooking Sardinia's famous porceddu (suckling pig). Oh, and there's a vast shaded table area for everyone to enjoy it in. Inside, it's a modern affair with contemporary art and film posters on the walls, and windows that perfectly frame the wild outdoors. Grab a bike from downstairs — the sprawling, sandy Portixeddu beach, popular with surfers and one of the area's largest, is an easy ride Seven nights' self-catering for 16 from £3,448. Fly to Cagliari Here's a case of Robinson Crusoe meets five-star luxury. It took three years to refurbish what used to be an old mining warehouse (and, later, a simple hotel) on the beach into today's top-notch resort, and plenty of wildness remains. For starters, they didn't redo the unpaved road that leads here, crossing some of Europe's highest dunes on its way, and the hotel really does sit right on the sand. Despite such a spectacular location, it's not all about what lies outside the deceptively simple rooms, where sand-coloured walls give way to sandy patios. There's an art collection too, including pieces designed for the B&B doubles from £265. Fly to Cagliari If it was good enough for the ancients, it's good enough for us. Sardinia's Nuragic people were the first to settle the Sinis peninsula, on the west coast near what is now the city of Oristano. Later, the Phoenicians turned it into a trading port, and they were followed by the Carthaginians, Romans and Spanish. You can see the remains of these civilisations at Tharros, an archaeological site racked along the cliff, and stay nearby in the small town of Cabras, where this four-star 'scattered hotel' (an Italian speciality) is spread across several buildings around town. The 1950s Laguna building has six classic-looking rooms overlooking the pretty Cabras lagoon, with a birdwatching terrace on the roof. Note that as this is an albergo diffuso, the buildings aren't always manned, giving the vibe of a more independent B&B doubles from £121. Fly to Cagliari It takes patience to reach the east coast of Sardinia — this is the wildest side of the island, where roads peter out into tracks and sheer cliffs dive into the sea — but if you make the trek, you're rewarded with pebbly coves that have nary another person on them. This sweet 40-room four-star manages the best of both worlds: it's plum in Cala Gonone town itself, yet steeped in clifftop greenery and just 300m from the pebbly Palmasera beach. Pared-back rooms emphasise the greens and blues outside. There's a pool, a tennis court, a five-a-side football pitch and a kids' playground in the grounds, while the restaurant enables full-board stays if you just want to Seven nights' half-board from £1,004pp, including flights and car hire ( • The magical crowd-free Italian city that stays warm in winter Round up the family because this nine-room villa is the stuff of dreams — and it becomes attainable if you can fill it up. On the beach at Capo Coda Cavallo, or Cape Horsetail, which flicks upwards into the Tyrrhenian Sea about 12 miles southwest of Olbia, it has direct access to two beaches, as well as its own infinity pool beside the Mediterranean scrub. Wallowing in an acre of coastal gardens, it has room for loungers on the lawn, a pine-shaded dining area and even a patio cantilevered over the beach. Inside lie slick, brightly painted rooms, as well as a cottage suite in the garden, with floor-to-ceiling windows always pointing you outside. Rates include a housekeeper, butler and cook, but not Seven nights' self-catering for 17 from £38,299 ( Fly to Olbia If you prefer the wild east of Sardinia but don't want to scrimp on comforts or ease, pick this: a two-bedroom apartment overlooking a sandy beach outside Arbatax, one of the east coast's larger (though still small) resorts. This is Capo Bellavista, or Cape of Good View, and that's no exaggeration. Facing towards mainland Italy, it's a place of dazzling dawns and a jumping-off point for the beaches and coves along this stretch. Though the flat is compact — a double room, a twin and a sofa bed, all sharing one bathroom — it offers sweeping views of the bay from a large Seven nights' self-catering for six from £1,967. Fly to Olbia This dubs itself an 'experience hotel' and that's spot-on. In the island's wild entroterra, or interior, Su Gologone offers activities such as trekking through canyons and caves, taking a 4×4 up the mountainside or dropping in on Europe's largest karst sinkhole. Back at base you can learn embroidery, make ceramics, stargaze or listen to traditional tenores singers every Friday night. The hotel is a repository of Sardinian art — its owner, Giovanna Palimodde, has collected about 900 works — while the bedrooms, always stylish, range from rustic doubles full of traditional Sardinian artisanship to the outrageously romantic Wild Suite, which is wholly B&B doubles from £244. Fly to Olbia Of all 7,000 nuraghi in Sardinia, only one enjoys Unesco world heritage status: the formidable Su Nuraxi di Barumini, a vast defensive complex spread along a plain in central southern Sardinia. Fifteen minutes' drive east is the village of Gergei and this luxury four-room B&B, lovingly converted from a 19th-century farmhouse (one room's in a stable-like building) into an upmarket take on how its owner Samuel Lai's ancestors would have lived. That means low lighting, exposed-stone walls, headboards made from traditional orbace wool, artisanal carpets and pick-your-own eggs for breakfast. For the full slow tourism experience, take a ricotta-making class with Lai — he's a cheesemaker by B&B doubles from £103 ( Fly to Cagliari • The charming Italian island where our war correspondent goes to relax In the highlands behind the Costa Smeralda, Cascioni manages to combine five-star luxury with eco-friendly policies encompassing renewable energy, electric house cars, re-used water and organic farming, for starters. Within an 18-hectare estate overlooking the Padula Saloni nature reserve and lagoon, this is a boho kind of luxury: the bedrooms, all of which feature understated whitewashed walls and wooden bed frames, get their own shaded patios, ringed by olive and mastic trees. Guests can collect their own veg and eggs, then have them cooked to order; spa treatments use products based on Sardinian herbs and local honey. The pool suites have their own pint-sized pools surrounded by Seven nights' B&B from £1,799pp, including flights and car hire ( You're only half an hour away from the Costa Smeralda beaches, but up here in the mountainous highlands behind the coast you're in another world. Not just the world of rolling hills and boulder-strewn peaks but also a liminal world between the living and the dead. Around Luogosanto ('sacred place') is a land of prehistoric stone circles, nuraghe and tombe dei giganti (megalithic burial sites), as well as gargantuan olive trees that are more than 1,000 years old. Gallicantu takes those eternal peace vibes and adds olive groves, beehives, pick-your-own vegetable patches and a cherry orchard. The simple whitewashed rooms overlook granite boulders, the pool is surrounded by olive and myrtle trees, and a cave-turned-wine cave is the ideal aperitivo B&B doubles from £182. Fly to Olbia
Daily Mail
8 hours ago
- Daily Mail
EXCLUSIVE Christine Lampard shows off her washboard abs in black bandeau bikini as she soaks up the sun with husband Frank during South of France holiday
Christine Lampard wowed in black bandeau bikini as she soaked up the sun with her husband Frank during their South of France holiday on Monday. The couple, both 46, are currently enjoying some time away from work as they unwind together with friends. And the Loose Women presenter flaunted her incredible physique as she showcased her washboard abs in the tiny two piece. Meanwhile Frank went shirtless as he opted for a pair of blue striped swimming shorts and shades. The former footballer enjoyed a refreshing dip in the pool with a group of male friends, laughing and chatting as they cooled off next to the Mediterranean waters. From A-list scandals and red carpet mishaps to exclusive pictures and viral moments, subscribe to the Daily Mail's new showbiz newsletter to stay in the loop. The couple, both 46, are currently enjoying some time away from work as they unwind together with friends He then later returned to the couple's balcony where he joined Christine for a spot of sunbathing as they were seen chatting together. Earlier this week Christine was seen looking summer chic as she fit right in at the swanky resort and showed off her sophisticated sense of style in a pair of white linen trousers and strappy top. She later changed into a navy jumpsuit and stylish shades as she looked out at her muscular spouse who was enjoying a cooling swim in the sea. The manager of Coventry City showed off his tanned and toned physique in a pair of bright orange swim shorts as he enjoyed his time off after the football season. Their fun-filled holiday comes after last month Christine revealed the reason her husband Frank often used to cancel their dates at the start of their romance. The loved-up pair have been together since October 2009 and got married in 2015. They are approaching their 10th wedding anniversary this year and Christine has now opened up about their early dating days where things weren't all plain sailing. When they met he was busy playing for Chelsea but used to cancel dates with her when the team didn't win. Frank covered up in a black T-shirt as Christine was seen beaming in pics He told the Mirror : 'What keeps me and Christine going is we're there to support each other and we make each other laugh. We have a similar sense of humour' She told The Sun: 'When he was playing, he used to cancel nights out when Chelsea didn't win. Thankfully, it didn't happen that often, as luckily, Chelsea won a lot!' 'It was actually alright. He would be annoyed just because he takes it all so seriously!' She added that football was a whole new world for her and didn't understand why it was such a big deal. Christine explained: 'I went to an all-girls' school, I didn't have brothers. Football just wasn't a thing. I couldn't have cared less. And then, suddenly, I started to care. 'The more I went to the games, the more I got it. I thought, 'Oh my god, I see why people are into this. There is something magical about it'.' It came after Frank revealed the secret to his happy marriage with his beloved wife Christine. He told the Mirror: 'What keeps me and Christine going is we're there to support each other and we make each other laugh. We have a similar sense of humour. 'Christine's quite sharp and we're normally thinking the same thing, so the same situations make us laugh - I think laughing together is important for a happy marriage.' Frank was introduced to his wife at The Pride Of Britain Awards by fellow TV presenter Piers Morgan in 2009. Christine previously admitted she and the footballer were not even meant to be at the awards ceremony the night they met. Speaking on Lorraine, she said: 'It's a strange one it is because 10 years ago that we met at them, it was one of those nights that neither of us were meant to go to. 'It was a last minute thing for him and I arrived at the awards late because of work. We were sat on tables next to each other.' The couple welcomed their first child together, a daughter called Patricia - named after his late mother who tragically passed away in 2008 - in September 2018. Frank also has daughters Luna, 19, and Isla, 17, with his former partner Elen Rivas, but they went their separate ways in 2008. Christine previously told how she thinks the secret to her marriage with Frank is that they are still each other's best friend. She said: 'We're still absolute best mates. He'll be the first person I'll pick the phone up to sort anything out with. And the biggest thing for me going back to my love of comedy, is he makes me laugh. 'And that is such a powerful thing to me - I have to be able to have a giggle… We just have proper laughs. We have the same points of view on things. 'We don't argue over parenting or how things run in the house. We sort of sing off the same page and that sort of makes everything flow… 'The basis is, there's love, we've got each other's backs and we're supportive. And if he suggests that some job is happening and he wants to do it, we'll make it work.'
Telegraph
14 hours ago
- Telegraph
The 10 best beaches in Cyprus
The Mediterranean island of Cyprus is a great choice if you want to laze on the beach and top up the tan. With its sub-tropical climate that translates into endless days of summer sunshine, and beaches and bays – some quiet and unspoilt; others bustling with activities – the island is an unbeatable holiday destination. Here, are some of the top beaches to head for. For further Cyprus inspiration, see our guides devoted to the island's best hotels, restaurants and things to do. Coral Bay Kolpos ton Koralion, known locally as Coral Bay, is a large sweep of golden sand fringed with hotels and dotted with sunbeds in summer. It is a Blue Flag beach around five miles along the coast due north of Paphos, in the village of Pegeia. Beach bars and restaurants offer al fresco dining while swimmers can enjoy its clean, protected waters and lifeguards keep it safe, especially for families. Coral Bay offers some dramatic headlands and sea caves to explore, plus the nearby archaeological site of Maa-Palaeokastro. This ancient Mycenaean settlement can trace its origins back to the Late Bronze Age. Getting there: Bus 615 from Tombs of the Kings station or by car. Parking is available by the beach. Porto Pomos Islanders in the know head for the beach at Porto Pomos. This stunning yet relatively unknown stretch of pebbly sand lies next to the charming little fishing harbour at Pomos in the Paphos district. Even city folk from Nicosia come here on holiday. To reach it you drive along the coast road from Polis Chrysochou, with rugged countryside on one side and crashing waves on the others. Swimmers delight in the clear, shallow waters, while the cragged shoreline here makes it a popular snorkelling spot. A small beach café does excellent frappe and there's a restaurant famed for its fresh fish dishes. Getting there: Bus 643 from Polis Chrysochou or by car. Parking is available by the beach. Lara Beach Two unspoilt, crescent-shaped beaches hug either side of the rocky Cape Lara on Cyprus's west coast. They are quiet and way off the beaten track so you'll need a 4x4 type vehicle to reach the beaches comfortably as access roads are bumpy. Lara Beach is best known for being where endangered loggerhead turtles come ashore to lay their eggs in the warmer months. A conservation group monitors the turtles and places the eggs in protective sand-covered nests until they are ready to hatch, at which point baby turtles emerge from the sand and head for the sea. Seeing the baby turtles is a humbling experience. Getting there: Access by car only, preferably 4x4. Parking on headland above beach. Pissouri Bay Pissouri Bay is a bit of a contradiction. While being set in one of the most beautiful and quiet spots along the southern coast, the bay is also where families gather, and waterskiing and surfing folk come to enjoy their sport. Fortunately, the bay's beach is wide and long enough for everyone to enjoy it at their own pace. Pathways from the parking areas provide access, including a couple designed for people using wheelchairs, and amenities include showers. A handful of places to enjoy a bite are close by, while some seriously good restaurants can be found in a nearby luxury hotel and in Pissouri village. Getting there: Bus 630 from Paphos Karavella station, 70 from Limassol station or by car. Parking is available by the beach. Lady's Mile Beach Lady's Mile Beach is a long, gently-shelving expanse of sand which can be found not far from the Curium archeological site between Paphos and Limassol. It is popular with city folk keen to unwind, and horse riding enthusiasts (you will often see horses and riders from the nearby equestrian centre enjoying a hack along the shore). This beach is believed to have been a favourite of the governor when Cyprus was under British rule – it is said he also rode his horse here. There are a couple of eateries, a bar and a watersports centre. Boat trips leave from here for short trips to see some impressive sea caves. Getting there: By car. Parking is available by the beach. Aphrodite's Rock and Beach Despite almost exclusively comprising rocks worn smooth by the sea, this beach is one of the island's most popular. Walkers as well as sun-worshippers flock here, especially as the sun goes down – the sunsets here are magical. The focal point of the beach is, without doubt, Aphrodite's Rock, which is a magnificent creation of nature that is one of the iconic images of Cyprus. The rock is said to be where Aphrodite, the ancient goddess of love, rose from the sea and was born. Dramatic, rugged scenery provides a backdrop to the beach. A taverna is nearby. Getting there: Bus 631 from Paphos Harbour station, 70 from Limassol station or by car. Parking is available via a tunnel under the road. Governor's Beach A seemingly endless string of bays with backdrops of chalk white cliffs characterise the southernmost shores of Cyprus from around Pissouri through to Zygi. This landscape is particularly evident at Governor's Beach, which with Lady's Mile was a favourite of the governor when Cyprus was under British rule. Here, you can sunbathe on platforms created by the rocks. Watersports abound and the rocks are popular for fishing and snorkelling. The beach has golden sands and shallow waters, making it a popular spot with locals, especially those from nearby Limassol. The fish tavernas here are bustling in summer. Getting there: By car. Parking available by beach. Mackenzie Beach This Blue Flag beach lies to the south of Larnaca's medieval fort, its busy Finikoudes esplanade and the city centre. As such, the beach is popular with locals relaxing at the weekend and holidaymakers from the nearby hotels. The beach is known for its safe, shallow waters and its long stretch of fine, clean grey sand, together with palm trees that provide a tropical backdrop. You can try out activities like windsurfing and sailing here, plus join a diving team for the chance to see one of the world's most famous dive sites, the Zenobia shipwreck, which lies just off its shores. Getting there: On foot from the Finikoudes or by car. Parking available by beach. Nissi Beach The young and trendy tend to head for this Ayia Napa beach, often after a night of clubbing. Here, you'll find a bustling beach of people, sunbeds, parasols and paragliders. Add to the mix water-skiers and windsurfers, and you have a lively holiday spot, with buzzing bars and beachside tavernas adding to the atmosphere. From here you can take the walkway or cycle path to Makronissos Beach, which is a glorious, half a mile-long stretch of sandy beach often frequented by quad bikers. Just inland are the Makronissos tombs dating from early Roman times. Getting there: Intercity Nicosia to Larnaca bus route or by car. Parking available by beach. Fig Tree Bay This long, crescent-shaped sandy beach sits neatly in its own cove on Cyprus's easternmost coast at Protaras. It takes its name from the many fig trees that dot its lush countryside backdrop. The beach was awarded a Blue Flag due to its cleanliness, safe waters and an eco-management programme that has made it one of the finest beaches on the island. In fact, it is often referred to as being one of the best beaches in Europe. Watersports, sunbeds and refreshments are available. A small uninhabited islet lies just off the seashore and can be reached by swimming in the shallow waters. Getting there: On foot from central Protaras or by car. Parking available by beach. How we choose Every beach in this curated list has been expertly chosen by our destination expert, to provide you with their insider perspective. We cover a range of areas and styles, from popular city beaches to lesser known corners – to best suit every type of traveller. We update this list regularly to keep up with the latest openings and provide up to date recommendations. About our expert Carole French is Telegraph Travel's Cyprus expert. She was captivated by the island two decades ago and lives in a village surrounded by her own olive groves near Paphos. When not exploring archaeological sites or art galleries she's probably sipping a brandy sour.
