public areas on beach?

[Mrs Teapot]

I realise that Scalea beach has many lido's in the summer - I assume they are affiliated with holiday residences and hotels, unless you know otherwise. Are there many areas for the public to sit on towel and bring their own umbrella?

Thanx

[patmc]

Dear Mrs. Teapot,

There are three parts to this answer:

1) Some, but actually very few, of the Lidos are associated with hotels and you can tell them because they have the name of the hotel over the entrance.

2) The rest of the ‘Private’ Lidos are not private in the sense that we would understand. It just means that they are not free, you have to pay. But they are open to everybody who is willing to pay. And you pay for the beach chair, umbrella or whatever it is you want to hire. The price is not by the hour, as it would be here in the UK, but for the whole day since Italian families usually decamp to the beach for the whole day. The most expensive are right up the top towards Capo Scalea where, for example, Lido L’Ancora charges Euro 3.50 per day for a chair, plus Euro 5.50 for an umbrella and Euro 7 for a sun-bed. As you go further down you usually can get the lot for about Euro 8 per day. With this you get access to dressing rooms, a hot shower and sometimes there is entertainment provided and there is always a lifeguard present.

3) Free beaches: There are two or three that I know of. The best is right up the top beside the rocks towards Capo Scalea - right beside the most expensive private lidos! Then there is one right on the other end before you come to the Hotel Felix. There are also one or two others in between which I have often walked pass but not investigated. They are usually marked Spiaggia Libera so you can’t miss them. But they are there, so have no fear Mrs.T., you can spread your towel and soak up the sun for free.

PatMc

[cool]

Hi ,The way I saw it last time ,was that there is a small area in between these private lidos all along the beach and you can use this area for free for as long as you like.I do and have not had a problem,,,so far ,so good ...cool

[Mrs Teapot]

Thanks Pat and Cool - really helpful replies! Cool - have you tried this in the August mayhem month though?

[fifi]

Mrs Teapot we always holiday in August,and park our bottoms on the free section .To pay for seats is not worth it with young kids, you cant watch them from the seating area because the best seats are always taken.Yes it can be a bit tight for space but we dont head to the beach till lunch time and by then the Italian families leave for the bed and a wee nap.So no fear mrs Teapot there will be room on the beach for you.xx Fifi