Italy's 'Rabbit Beach' Is A Breathtaking Coastal Paradise With Crystal Clear Water

The Pelagie Islands are a series of three tiny islands sitting in the Mediterranean between Malta and Tunisia. Part of Sicily, the Pelagie Islands include hidden gems like Linosa, a soothing escape that boasts a colorful downtown. The largest of the Pelagie is Lampedusa. Despite being only 8 square miles, Lampedusa is a natural wonderland, mixing the beautiful qualities of neighboring Tunisia and Sicily. A big reason that travelers flock to Lampedusa is its beaches, one of which is a breathtaking coastal paradise that is considered one of the best in all of Italy.

Ranked No. 5 on Trip Advisor Travelers' Choice Awards for Best of the Best Beaches, Spiaggia dei Conigli (Rabbit Beach) is a protected area featuring beautiful white sands, crystal-clear water in zillions of shades of blue, and a scenic view of the Rabbit Island across the bay, which is named for its resident colony of rabbits. Rabbit Beach is sheltered from the elements by its namesake island, which accounts for the beautifully calm water in the cove along with its tranquil atmosphere, much like those of Sardinia's Spiaggia San Giovanni di Sinis, a secret beach that promises breathtaking views. 

Regarding Rabbit Beach, there is virtually nothing but praise for its beauty. "The best water I have ever seen in Europe! The beach is amazing, the sand is clear and fine, sometimes even pink ... and the water is so clear and so transparent, looks like ... [drinking] water!" said one TripAdvisor reviewer. But like many other hidden beaches in Italy offering secluded, coastal escapes, getting to Spiaggia dei Conigli is an adventure in and of itself.

For many visitors, the journey to Spiaggia dei Conigli begins by flying to an airport in Sicily; the main international airports on the island are in the cities of Palermo and Catania. From those airports, you can catch a short regional flight to Lampedusa or take a four- to five-hour-long ferry ride to the island from Porto Empedolce in southern Sicily. Another option would be to take a direct flight to Lampedusa from another city in Italy (e.g., Rome or Naples), but most of these flights are only available during summer and early fall. 

Once you reach the island, be sure to spend a little time wandering around the town of Lampedusa, which has the same name as the island. You'll find a lively fishing culture and plenty of restaurants that serve authentic local dishes like fish soup, fresh squid and cuttlefish, and exquisite pastas. When you're ready to head to the beach, you can catch a local bus to the parking lot, walk, or rent a bicycle or scooter. 

From the beach parking lot, it's a 15- to 20-minute trek down to the beach. Be sure you have shoes with good soles or grippy sandals for the walk, as there are some steep, rocky bits that can be a little tricky to navigate. However, the reward is well worth the effort as you make your way down to this absolutely stunning beach. Unfortunately, the nature of this trail means that it's not friendly for those with mobility issues. 

Access to the beach is limited to two shifts per day from June to October to ensure it remains pristine. The shifts run from 8:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. and 2:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m., with a maximum beach capacity of 550 people. As such, you will need to reserve a spot in advance. The cost is €1.30 (around $1.50) for two people; reservations can be made online. 

Temperatures are relatively mild on Lampedusa all year round — ranging from a low of around 53 degrees Fahrenheit to a high of around 85 — with summer obviously being the hottest season and the most crowded. If you plan your trip for late summer or early fall, you will still have warm weather and far fewer other tourists to contend with. Another unique aspect of Rabbit Beach is that it's one of the rare Italian beaches where sea turtles come to lay their eggs. When this occurs, sections of the beach will be off-limits in order to allow the eggs time to gestate and hatch.