Southern Italy doesn’t always get the attention it deserves. While destinations in the north, like the must-visit spots of Tuscany, the Amalfi Coast, or Rome, are some of the most popular vacation spots on the planet, the south is often overlooked. But travelers who are happy to head south, to the ‘boot’ of Italy and beyond, will be rewarded with truly wonderful places to discover.
The buzzing, colorful island of Sicily is one of Italy’s greatest treasures. With its remarkably rich and diverse history and heritage, stunning coastline, delicious cuisine, and unbelievable natural wonders, the fact that it lacks the popularity of the north is hard to understand. From Ancient Greek ruins and Norman castles to volcanoes, vineyards, and sea caves, it’s a stunning place to explore. It also has some of the least crowded and best hidden beaches in Italy, and Fontane Bianche is one of its most exquisite.
Fontane Bianche is a tiny town located around seven miles from the magnificent city of Syracuse, in the southeast corner of Sicily. It takes around 25 minutes to arrive by car from Syracuse, and it can also be reached by bus in about 45 minutes. There’s also a train that whisks you from the city to the beach in 15 minutes. The nearest airport is the Catania International Airport, around 45 miles away and just under an hour by car.
Pristine waters fed by undersea springs
There are plenty of excellent beaches in Sicily, but Fontane Bianche stands out. Around two miles of white sand stretches along the coast in front of the charming, tiny hamlet, in a small bay flanked by eye-catching sheer white cliffs. What makes Fontane Bianche so special is the quality of the water, a shimmering, crystal-clear turquoise that has to be seen to be believed. The clarity of the water comes about because the bay is fed by a series of underground springs which rise up from the seabed and constantly replenish it. This, coupled with the arresting coastal landscape, makes it a wonderful place to spend the day soaking up views.
The town itself is delightful, a pretty little seaside village filled with relaxed, seafront bars and restaurants. It’s worth exploring the traditional delicacies of Sicily, like arancini, panelle, sfincione, and cannoli at joints like Malafemmina, Osteria Del Mare, or Marama.
If lying on the beach all day feels indulgent, you can take a (gentle) hike up to the top of the cliffs at Punta del Cane for a stunning panoramic view of the town, beach, and bay and, if you can face the early morning, a wonderful sunrise.
Palazzi, vineyards, and ancient ruins
