Everyone in Agrigento just calls it San Leone: the city's own stretch of coast, four kilometres from the old town and close enough to treat as an evening out rather than a full day trip. It has been Agrigento's beach for generations, and the wide lungomare running along it is as much the point as the sand.
By day it's straightforward: sand, sea, and a run of lidos renting sunbeds and umbrellas. After dark it turns into something else, the boardwalk fills with people out for dinner, a walk, or a drink, restaurants and gelaterie stay open late, and in summer a small funfair sets up along the front with rides for kids, open-air theatre some evenings, and courts for a casual game of tennis or five-a-side.
Inside Bella Vista Beach Club
Bella Vista's beachfront terrace
Oceanomare, on Viale delle DuneA few places to get you started
The pick of San Leone's beach clubs, set right in the centre of the lungomare with two stretches of beach to itself. It's also a genuinely good restaurant in its own right, open for lunch and for a candlelit dinner on the sand, not just an afterthought to the sunbeds.
One of the most popular spots on the whole seafront, especially at aperitivo hour, when the crowd gathers for the sunset over the water. Beach club by day, cocktail bar and lounge by evening, with the Locanda di Almayer restaurant attached.
A sleeker, more modern beach club that's become a summer fixture for Agrigento's younger crowd, equally set up for a full day by the water or just a sunset aperitivo.
The most family-oriented option on the beach, built around a water slide, restaurant, pizzeria, and an evening dance floor, aimed squarely at a full day out with kids rather than a quiet aperitivo.