The 2 km long beach is the main attraction for tourists. It is sandy at its northern end but increasingly pebbly moving southwards. During the summer months, the beach is divided into about 50 lidos, although intermittently there are unprotected slivers of beach open to the public at no cost.
At the southern end of the town, about 100 m from shore sits a rock outcrop called Dino Island which features a number of large sea caves, accessible by small craft and paddle boats. At the most southerly extremity of the beach, a medieval tower, built byByzantine forces to guard the coast, sits on an outcropping of volcanic rock with a commanding view of the sea approaches to Praia a Mare.
About 50 meters up the slopes of a mountain that rises precipitously above the town is another large cave complex, also carved by wave action several million years ago, inside of which is a completely built church ofMadonna della Grotta, and an open airsanctuary. Both the church and sanctuary are both in use today. Other sights include theRocca (14th century), built by theNormans, and the 16th centuryFortino ("Small Fort").
Near the sanctuary is the site of an archaeological excavations: findings include bones of a prehistoric shark.
