Beaches in Catania at a glance
La Playa (also written La Plaja or Plaia) is the city's beach, along Viale Kennedy, and our photo shows Mount Etna behind it. It has two kinds of access: free municipal sections, and lidos. A lido is a private beach establishment that charges for entry, sunbeds and umbrellas.
If you prefer a rocky coast, Aci Castello has lidos on the rocks. The beaches are seasonal, and most of the prices and services below belong to the 2026 summer season. This guide is independent and is not the official site of the city or of any lido.
Free beaches on La Playa
Municipal sections number 1 and 3, summer 2026.
What opened
Press reports that the free beach sections (spiagge libere) 1 and 3 opened on 20 June 2026. Opening hours are 09:00 to 19:00.
Facilities
The sections have toilets, showers, lifeguards and aids for access. These services belong to the summer season, so do not count on them outside it.
Parking
Parking costs €3 per day for a car and €2 per day for a motorbike or scooter.
Season
The report covers the summer season only. Do not count on these opening hours or services in October.
Tours and day trips from Catania
City walks, food tours and day trips from Catania, with live prices and availability.
Lido prices in 2026
Two examples, with the operators' own listed prices.
| Lido Azzurro (standard area) | Azzurro Beach Club | Lido Esagono, Aci Castello | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Entry only | €5 | – | – |
| Sunbed | €7 | – | – |
| Umbrella | €8 | – | – |
| Package for one | €18 | €25 | – |
| Package for two | €27 | €35 | – |
| Premium for two | €35 | €40 | – |
| Adult with sunbed and umbrella, Monday to Friday | – | – | €10 |
| Adult with sunbed and umbrella, weekends, holidays and August | – | – | €15 |
| Children | Free entry up to and including age 9 | – | Free under 1 m |
| Parking | – | – | €5 car, €4 motorbike, all day |
Lido Azzurro packages include entry, umbrella and sunbed or beds. Bought separately, entry, one sunbed and an umbrella come to €20, so the €18 package is cheaper. For two people the items add up to €32 against €27 for the package. The Azzurro Beach Club is a separate area with its own prices. On weekdays after 15:00 it gives a 50 per cent discount, except at weekends and on holidays. In the Beach Club you may not bring your own umbrellas, sunbeds or chairs. Lido Azzurro lists cabins for the season from 5 June to 6 September 2026. That is the cabin contract period, not a promise of when the beach closes.
Lido Esagono is in Aci Castello, on a rocky stretch of coast, and its prices apply only there. They are not a tariff for the whole of Catania. Check the lido's current listing before you go.
Weather for swimming
Mean daily temperatures and rainfall for Catania from the World Meteorological Organization.
| Month | Mean high | Mean low | Rain |
|---|---|---|---|
| May | 25.2 °C | 12.0 °C | 21.7 mm |
| June | 30.0 °C | 16.4 °C | 8.7 mm |
| July | 33.1 °C | 19.0 °C | 5.7 mm |
| August | 33.3 °C | 19.9 °C | 13.1 mm |
| September | 29.8 °C | 17.6 °C | 31.4 mm |
| October | 24.9 °C | 13.9 °C | 62.7 mm |
July and August are the hottest months, with highs above 33 °C. September is still warm, and October brings more rain. These are averages, not a forecast. Sea temperatures are not part of this table.
Swimming safely
Water quality is measured by municipality and bathing bans can be issued for individual stretches of coast, for example near stream mouths. The Italian health ministry publishes the results and current bans. Look for signs on the beach and follow lifeguard instructions. In September 2026 the region issued a coastal safety order for a stretch of Viale Kennedy; obey any barriers and signs you find there.
Lido operators and lifeguards work in the summer season. Outside it, do not assume that a lifeguard is on duty.
For a day away from the city, the beaches of Taormina and the beaches near Syracuse have their own guides.
Catania beaches: frequently asked questions
Which is the main beach in Catania?
La Playa, along Viale Kennedy. It has free municipal sections and paid lidos.
Are the beaches free?
The municipal sections 1 and 3 are free, but parking costs €3 per day for a car in summer 2026. Lidos charge for entry, sunbeds and umbrellas.
How much does a lido cost?
At Lido Azzurro, entry costs €5, a sunbed €7 and an umbrella €8, or €18 for a package for one person. The separate Beach Club area charges €25 for one person. Prices are the operators' 2026 lists.
Is there a beach with rocks?
La Playa is the city beach. For a rocky coast, there are lidos at Aci Castello, where an adult pays €10 on weekdays and €15 at weekends, on holidays and in August (2026).
Is it safe to swim?
Check local signs, which show bathing bans for individual stretches, and follow lifeguard instructions. The health ministry publishes water quality and bans by municipality.
When is the best time for the beach?
July and August have the highest mean highs, above 33 °C. June and September are slightly cooler. Lido services belong to the summer season.