The beaches of Mascali are among the most famous on the eastern coast of Sicily, obviously immediately after famous names and locations, such as Taormina or Giardini Naxos. A long stretch of coast easily reachable from both Catania and Messina, which reflects in every way what is in the common imagination when it comes to Sicilian beaches.
Clear sea, small colored pebbles and services of all kinds, from beach clubs to food shops on the seafront.
So let's go and discover the seaside resorts in Mascali, a favorite destination for summer tourism but also a regenerating stop for winter excursions.
Seaside resorts in Mascali: Fondachello beach and Sant'Anna beach
The stretch of coast that is part of the coastal hamlet of Mascali mainly includes two beaches: the Fondachello e Sant'Anna. The sea is 1,5 km from the town center allowing tourists and locals to reach the beaches even with a short walk.
The most famous and largest seaside resort in the municipality is the Fondachello beach which together with the beaches of San Marco and Marina di Cottone, create one of the widest and most beautiful coastlines in the whole of Catania. The name given to this beach comes from a warehouse that was located in this area centuries ago and which offered travelers and merchants shelter for the night.
The composition of the shore is truly particular, and is made up of small colored pebbles that alternate with coarse-grained sand. Fondachello beach extends for about 3 km and the depth of the water constantly decreases as you move further from the shore. The sea in this stretch of coast is splendid blue color and is almost always clear, offering scenarios of rare beauty also considering the profile of theEtna which stands out behind the beach.
During the summer the coast comes alive and alternating stretches of free beach with bathing establishments offering any type of equipment and services for relaxing days at the seaside. These establishments usually also offer dining options with small chalets and bars selling cold drinks and sandwiches or sandwiches. On the seafront that runs behind the beach it is possible to easily park within the blue lines for a fee and buy something to take to the beach at the well-stocked supermarkets.
Sant'Anna beach is smaller in size but is equally beautiful, the only difference is in the composition of the beach which is more rocky and therefore requires the use of shoes to access the sea. It is wilder and less equipped than Fondachello beach and is therefore less suitable for families with children but perfect for those who want to find a more secluded place especially during the summer crowds.
Seaside resorts in Mascali: the nearby beaches
In the immediate vicinity of Mascali there are some equally beautiful beaches which can represent an alternative during the busiest days.
Continuing beyond Fondachello you reach the beach of Marina di Cottone, a seaside resort under the jurisdiction of Fiumefreddo di Sicilia but on the border with Mascali.
Compared to Fondachello, the beach at this point is less stony and the sand is finer. It is possible to reach the sea only after crossing a small grove made up of maritime pines and eucalyptus which during the hottest days also offer a shady area in which to cool off.
Compared to the seaside resorts of Mascali, this area is much less equipped, there are just a few beaches but there is no possibility of using restaurant services, much less there are shops to shop at, so who intends to spend the day here you will have to equip yourself in advance with everything you need. Obviously the absence of additional services makes it less popular and therefore quieter and less crowded.
A short distance from Mascali there is another beautiful seaside resort, the beach of Stored in Torre Archirafi. It is a small beach that develops right behind the port. The beach is made up of stones and the seabed is very rocky, so even at this point the use of shoes is recommended for access to the sea. On the other hand, the shape of the bay and some rocks a short distance from the shore offer protection during days of rough seas.
It is possible to access the beach thanks to some entry points along the seafront, however during the summer they are very crowded and therefore the advice is to get off early to find a place.
Another small problem is represented by the lava stone rocks that are found along the bay and which make it difficult to enter the water, even if during the high season the bathing establishments create practical wooden platforms that allow access to the sea in a simpler way.
Seaside resorts in Mascali: how to reach your destination
The seaside resorts of Mascali are located halfway between Messina and Catania and are easily accessible from both cities.
Those who wish to arrive by plane can land at Catania Fontanarossa airport which is about 50 km from Mascali and continue the journey by renting a car or calling a taxi. The closest port is Messina which also offers daily connections to the mainland with Villa San Giovanni.
Those who want to arrive by car from Catania can take the A18 motorway and then take the E45 and reach their destination in about 45 minutes. For those leaving from Messina it will take about an hour, always traveling along the A18 motorway.
Those who are staying in Messina or Giardini Naxos and intend to take a day trip to admire the splendid seaside resorts of Mascali will simply have to travel along the Strada Statale 114 Orientale Sicula and reach their destination in just 30 minutes.
Obviously in summer and especially at peak times, journey times are longer due to the traffic caused by those going to the beaches.
