Plaja Grande: Beach, Dunes and Coastal Nature

Plaja Grande combines a coastal beach with a natural setting. Dunes, Mediterranean maquis and protected areas are part of the landscape, alongside the town’s more recent settlement history: the village dates back to the late 1960s and has a typically American-style layout. For your trip to Sicily, you can plan beach time and walks through the coastal landscape as separate activities.

Sandy beach and gently sloping seabed

Spiaggia di Plaja Grande is a sandy beach with golden sand. The seabed at Spiaggia di Plaja Grande slopes gently towards the open sea. Important for planning your beach visit: swimming is not permitted in one area of Spiaggia di Plaja Grande.

Dune landscape and protected areas

The Macchia Foresta del Fiume Irminio Nature Reserve was established in June 1985 to protect the coastal biocoenosis, rare maquis-forest vegetation and the ecosystem of the Irminio River. It includes the mouth of the Irminio River, sandy Mediterranean shores, cliffs descending into the sea and wind-shaped shifting dunes. Beach junipers and mastic shrubs grow on the dune ridges of this protected coastal landscape. The coastal dune system is designated as habitat type 2250* “Coastal dunes with Juniperus spp.” within the Natura 2000 protected area ZSC ITA 080001 “Foce del fiume Irminio”. The technical term coastal biocoenosis refers to a community of organisms living on the coast; maquis refers to Mediterranean shrubland. The chronology links the development of the village with nature conservation: Plaja Grande dates back to the late 1960s, and the nature reserve was established in June 1985.

A depiction from August 2026 places Plaja Grande within the landscape of the Macchia Foresta della Foce del Fiume Irminio protected area and the Natura 2000 area ZSC ITA080001 “Foce del Fiume Irminio”. It assigns Plaja Grande landscape protection level 3, the highest level. The area is also listed as Biotope No. 38 “Plaia Grande-Marina di Ragusa”; the reasons include the dune system and its associated vegetation.

Walks and practical information

The Foce del Fiume Irminio Nature Reserve is near Plaja Grande. West of Plaja Grande, a nearby path passes through typical local flora to the beach in the Foce del Fiume Irminio Nature Reserve. You can also walk along the coast and enjoy views of the Mediterranean; the area around Spiaggia di Playa Grande is characterized by lush Mediterranean maquis. The path has a named destination at the reserve’s beach, while the coastal walks focus on the views of the Mediterranean.

Plaja Grande can be reached from Scicli by local buses, taxi or private transport services. Check the availability of these options before your trip.

Discover more destinations: Pozzallo, Giarratana, Punta Braccetto, Donnafugata, Balata di Modica, Chiaramonte Gulfi, Vittoria, Punta Secca

For the main travel overview: Ragusa.