Milazzo's beaches without the crowds: where to swim if you don't want to be like everyone else
Milazzo can be so diverse: on the same day, you can find yourself on a bustling city beach with music and sun loungers, and twenty minutes later in a bay where the only sound is the water lapping against the pebbles. If you want to swim without the feeling of "we've all come here for the same reason," it's important to look not at the beach names but at the rhythm of the place: morning or evening, wind or calm, where it's easier to get down to the water and where people are more likely to "be too lazy" to walk further than the parking lot. On such trips, I personally like to have a simple cheat sheet with landmarks and points on a map handy — like https://milazzo.life/ — so I can quickly check them on the spot and avoid wasting half a day circling the embankment.
Spiaggia di Ponente in the morning, when the city has not yet woken up
The western side of Milazzo is that "city beach" that many automatically cross off their plans because "everyone will be there." But the secret is that the crowds don't appear right away. If you arrive early, while locals rather than tourists are still sipping coffee at the bar, you'll find a surprisingly calm sea and a long shoreline that makes it easy to find your own spot. In the morning, the water often looks like glass: soft ripples, transparency, and a sense of the sea "breathing" evenly. At these hours, even the city in the background doesn't bother you—it seems to bring the shot to life.
On a practical level, regular flip-flops are fine on sandy and pebbly areas, but if you plan to venture closer to the edges of the beach, where there are more rocks, it's best to have water shoes. And one more thing: by midday, it gets hotter than it looks, because the open, shadeless space quickly raises the temperature—sunscreen and a sunhat really make a difference.
Vaccarella and the Old Embankment: After-dinner swimming without the chaos
The area around the port and the Vaccarella district is often perceived as a picture postcard—boats, small cafes, lights on the water. Swimming is also possible here, and sometimes it's a very pleasant experience: it's as if you're diving straight from the city into the sea. But to avoid getting caught in the crowd, choose a time when most people have either already left for the cape or haven't yet returned from the day's heat: towards sunset, a soft light appears, people disperse, and the water becomes calmer.
There's a caveat: the bottom can be rocky, sometimes with seaweed, so rock shoes are recommended. Parking in this area can sometimes be a bit of a lottery—it's easier to find a short parking spot for a walk and a swim than to count on finding the "perfect spot right next door."
Capo Milazzo from the first trails: coves for those who like to go "a little further"
Cape Milazzo is the main answer to the question of "where to swim like no other," but only if you're willing to walk an extra ten to fifteen minutes. Many stop at the first convenient descents or viewing platforms and simply don't go any further. And it's there, further along the trails, that small coves with rocks, clear water, and a sense of privacy are often hidden.
On a windless morning, the sea near the cape can be almost still, revealing the nuances of the depths: from light turquoise near the rocks to a deep blue further away. At such moments, a mask is especially necessary: there's plenty of texture underwater—boulders, "corridors" between the rocks, and fish that take their time hiding.
Baia del Tono: an open-sea feeling and the best calm before midday
Baia del Tono is a place with a different character: more space, more air, less of a "cozy bay," but often with a more beautiful horizon. On a clear day, it's easy to catch a glimpse of the Aeolian Islands, and this adds a sense of travel to swimming: it feels like you're already one step closer to the islands, even while still on the shore.
To avoid crowds, arrive early and leave when the sun is high. People tend to gather after lunch, especially if the weather is perfect. Mornings, however, offer that "like glass" feeling when there's no wind: the water is cooler, crisper, and clearer. As for safety precautions, rocks are common, so water shoes are a good idea, and it's best to bring a thicker towel: thin beach towels quickly become useless on the pebbles.
Piscina di Venere: a sea-aquarium, but with time discipline
The "Venus Pool" is one of those places loved for its spectacular effect: the water seems illuminated from within, and the rocks create natural boundaries, as if someone deliberately created a small lagoon for swimming. Yes, many people flock here. But the crowds and the "wow" factor here run on a schedule. If you arrive too late, you'll be looking not for beauty, but for a place to put your backpack.
The best strategy is either early morning or late afternoon, when some people have already left. Be sure to keep in mind that slopes and rocks require careful attention: it's easy to slip in wet shoes, and barefoot walking on sharp rocks is not for everyone. Also, it's best to go to these spots with minimal gear to avoid turning your swim into an "expedition."
Cala overlooking the islands: swimming for the horizon and peace
There are sections of the cape where the main "character" isn't the shore, but the vista. You stand on the rocks, the sea opens up before you, and islands appear in the distance—and suddenly, swimming becomes a meditation. These spots typically lack convenient beach infrastructure, so the mass tourist population doesn't go there. Some turn away when they ask, "Where's the sand?"; others don't want to bother with rocks and slopes.
If tranquility is what you're after, choose spots with soft light: morning or late afternoon. At midday, the exposed rocks are hot, and romance quickly turns to "shade." But in the morning, there's perfect clarity, and in the evening, you'll feel as if the sea has taken away all the noise of the day.
Small rocky pockets near trails: the best place is the one you find yourself
Sometimes the best beach isn't a "named spot" at all, but a small pocket between the rocks you spot along the way. This happens regularly in Milazzo: you're walking along a path, you see a drop-off, you hear the water rushing over the rocks, and you know—this is it. It might only be a few meters away, but you're alone or with two other people, and there's no sense of a resort.
Two things are important here. First, safety: if the sea is noticeably rough, it's best not to risk the rocky entrances, as entering and exiting becomes more difficult. Second, parking: the closer to the "known spot," the more likely you are to spend time searching for a spot. Sometimes it's more economical to park a little further away and walk—it's the walking part that usually cuts off the crowds.
What really helps you swim without people
The simplest rule is to play with timing. Morning in Milazzo almost always wins: fewer people, clearer water, and a calmer mood. Second, water shoes. They simply expand your horizons: where others see "rocks and discomfort," you see "transparency and silence." And third, don't try to "do it all." It's better to choose two spots per day: one for a beautiful horizon and peace, the other for a comfortable entry and a relaxing swim. Then the trip feels like a personal itinerary, not a repeat of someone else's.