Furci Siculo - all beaches

We thoroughly enjoyed our time at Movida beach, and the distance from the bus station (a 10-15 minute walk) was definitely worth it. The beach was pleasantly uncrowded, and the sun beds were well-spaced out. It was a refreshing change from the crowded beaches in Taormina. The staff were friendly and courteous, and we were even treated to a complimentary glass of fizzy wine and a delicious dessert after lunch - a brownie with chocolate, cherry, and pistachio sauces/creams.

The lifeguard at the Cute Lido, Francesco, is known as Ciccio and is very polite. However, the owner of the place is incredibly rude, arrogant, and lacks dignity. I managed to control my anger because I was with my wife and kids, but someone as despicable as him deserves to be dealt with seriously, maybe even thrown into the sea to be dealt with by the fish.

We inquired about the availability of sunbeds and were informed that there were none at the moment. However, we were kindly asked to leave our contact information in case any became available. To our delight, we received a call half an hour later indicating that seats had opened up. Excitedly, we prepared ourselves and made our way towards the beach. Unfortunately, we received another call just 10 minutes later informing us that the seats were no longer available. The abruptness of the call left us feeling frustrated and disappointed, especially considering the 2km trek we had made under the scorching sun. Overall, the lack of professionalism was disheartening.

The beach offers excellent amenities, such as toilets every 200 meters, wheelchair access platforms, free bins, and showers every 100 meters, as well as a lifeguard on duty. The beach is well-maintained and clean, providing a wonderful view. The way the municipal administration manages it sets a high standard not only for Sicily but for the entire country. It demonstrates how a public resource should be managed, making swimming accessible, free, and of top-notch quality. Kudos to them. In the morning, the sea is clear and enjoyable, with gentle waves despite the strong north wind. The beach itself is pleasant, with small pebbles instead of sand. The only downside, for which the beach administrators cannot be held responsible, is that in the afternoon, under certain weather conditions, waste from the Strait of Messina may drift towards the coast, detracting from the beauty of the sea and making the experience less enjoyable. Despite being easily accessible by train from Messina, Catania, and Syracuse (with the station just 100 meters from the sea), the beach is not overly crowded. It is truly deserving of the Blue Flag distinction.

During the first week of October, we visited a beach that lacked umbrellas, restaurants, restrooms, or lifeguards due to being off-season. Despite this, the beach was clean and had been awarded a blue flag. Additionally, the beach extended for a considerable distance.