Pachino

Pachino is a town in southern Sicily renowned not only for its beautiful beaches but also for its historical, architectural and gastronomic heritage.
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A small town in the south-western region of Sicily, Pachino is a destination that conceals a truly unique historical, architectural and gastronomic heritage. A trip to Pachino is a genuine experience that will allow you not only to enjoy beautiful beaches but also to admire historic monuments and sample delicious specialities of the Sicilian countryside. This locality is indeed renowned worldwide for its “Pachino tomato“, a PGI cherry tomato highly valued and sought after not only in Italy but also abroad.

Located between the provinces of Ragusa and Syracuse, Pachino sits precisely at the meeting point between the Mediterranean Sea and the Ionian Sea and is considered, thanks to its position, the “heel” of Sicily. The convergence of currents from the two seas makes Pachino’s waters not only rich in fish but also incredibly clear and crystalline. The town is also particularly noted for hosting the charming fishing village of Marzamemi, an evocative fishermen’s settlement that has been chosen several times as a location for films and television series.

Pachino’s beaches

Pachino has a coastline stretching for approximately eight kilometres and conceals truly wonderful beaches. Among the most well-known sandy shores are Cavettone Beach1 and Morghella Beach2, two beaches overlooking the Ionian Sea characterised by soft, fine sand and intensely azure waters. The coastlines that face the Mediterranean Sea, by contrast, are washed by emerald-green waters. Among the most famous beaches on this side are Costa Dell'ambra Beach3 and Porto Ulisse4, where, according to legend, Ulysses docked with his ship during his return journey from Troy. This is an area also frequented by various species of migratory birds as they travel between Africa and Europe.

Other beaches worth visiting include Cuffara (also known as Carratois), Scarpitta, and Raneddi (or Granelli), a beach situated along the coastline between Pachino and Pozzallo and characterised by fine, golden sand and gently shelving seabed. From some beaches in the area, it’s also possible to admire the beautiful Capo Passero Island and Isola delle Correnti further offshore.

Things to do in Pachino

Pachino is particularly famous for its beautiful beaches; however, its historical and architectural heritage is also well worth a visit. The historic centre can be explored on foot, walking through streets lined with bars, craft shops and numerous establishments where you can purchase local speciality products.

In the town centre you can visit the Church of the Holy Crucifix5, dating from the late 18th century and commissioned by the Marquis Vincenzo Starrabba. Internally, the building features a single nave with a chapel to the right of the apse, whilst externally it has a façade divided into two tiers with a bronze entrance portal at its centre.

Also worthy of a visit are Xibini Tower6 (or Scibini) and Fano Tower, built as watchtowers to spot potential pirate raids by the Turks. These stand outside the historic centre and whilst only the foundations of Fano Tower remain, Xibini Tower has recently been restored. Pachino is also home to numerous archaeological sites dating back to prehistoric times, including the Calafarina Grotto, inhabited since the Mesolithic period, the Corruggi Grotto and the Fig Grotto.

Once in Pachino, a visit to the small village of Marzamemi7 is essential, a truly unique destination located approximately 3 km from the town. The village was founded by the Arabs, so much so that even its name is believed to derive from “Marsà al hamen”, meaning “Turtle Cove”, a name given due to the large presence of these birds in the area. In this charming hamlet, a visit to the old tuna fishery is a must, dating from the Arab period, where the scieri, the boats used for tuna fishing, can still be seen.

Finally, it’s impossible to leave Pachino without tasting the famous “Pachino tomato”, a product now renowned internationally. However, it should be remembered that this vegetable is not native to the area but was introduced in the 1980s by an Israeli company. The location, climate and soil of this region proved ideal for this variety of tomato to flourish. In this way, this type of tomato has become an established product of excellence from Sicily.

Pachino is also frequently used as a base for visiting other nearby destinations such as Portopalo di Capo Passero with its paradisiacal beaches, Syracuse, a city with a rich historical heritage, Noto, a jewel of Sicilian baroque, Avola, famous for its excellent wine, or Modica, the chocolate city.

Map

In the following map you can see the location of the main places of interest mentioned in this article.

What to do in the evening in Pachino

Pachino town centre features many restaurants and delicatessens offering local cuisine specialities in a peaceful and relaxed atmosphere. Numerous cafés are typical of the town, where you can enjoy a quiet evening out sampling local desserts or enjoying a good glass of wine.

Those who enjoy a vibrant nightlife and lively evenings can visit Marzamemi, where there are bars and clubs with live music and DJ sets, or the nearby towns of Pozzallo or Noto.

Where to stay in Pachino

Pachino town centre is located inland, approximately 5 km from the coast, and has various facilities to accommodate tourists and visitors. However, if you’re visiting Pachino for a beach holiday, the recommendation is to stay in the charming village of Marzamemi or in one of the other hamlets along the coast such as Granelli, Carratois, Concerie and Costa dell’Ambra.

The town’s location makes Pachino an ideal base for visiting numerous sites of interest in the surrounding area, and for this reason it’s essential to remember that it’s best to book your accommodation in advance to avoid finding everything fully booked.

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Recommended B&Bs in Pachino

Pachino town centre offers a wide choice of B&Bs to stay in. The town is characterised by the presence of small, welcoming yet well-maintained establishments, often family-run. These details make Pachino an ideal destination for those who enjoy a stay that also offers contact with locals and the people of the place.

B&B
Home Sicily
Pachino - 41 Via Ciro Menotti
7.7Good 208 reviews
Featuring a terrace, Home Sicily is located in Pachino in the Sicily region, 22 km from Cattedrale di Noto.
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B&B
Bed and Breakfast Morghella
Pachino - Contrada Morghella snc, Strada Provinciale 84
8.9Fabulous 176 reviews
Boasting a garden, Bed and Breakfast Morghella is situated in Pachino in the Sicily region, 19 km from Vendicari Natural Reserve and 26 km from Cattedrale di Noto.
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Guesthouses
BeB L'ALLORO
Pachino - via catania 44
9.8Exceptional 112 reviews
Boasting garden views, BeB L'ALLORO offers accommodation with patio, around 2.
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Apartments and holiday homes in Pachino

Pachino and its outlying areas also offer many apartments, holiday homes and villas that are the ideal solution for those seeking a holiday based on freedom. These types of facilities not only offer greater privacy but also more spacious accommodation than a hotel room. Apartments or houses, moreover, come equipped with a kitchen, allowing for greater autonomy in meal preparation and management, a washing machine and sometimes even a swimming pool.

Apartment
-DIMARTINO HOME- Posizione centrale 9 min da Marzamemi San Lorenzo Portopalo di Capo Passero
Pachino - Via Gorizia, 24
8.5Fabulous 299 reviews
Offering city views, -DIMARTINO HOME- Posizione centrale 9 min da Marzamemi San Lorenzo Portopalo di Capo Passero is an accommodation situated in Pachino, 15 km from Vendicari Natural Reserve and 22 km from Cattedrale di Noto.
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Apartment
Villa Chimera
Pachino - Contrada torrefano 34
9.7Exceptional 145 reviews
Featuring city views, Villa Chimera features accommodation with balcony, around 2.
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Apartment
Marzamemi Da Giusy
Pachino - 18 Via Sebastiano Mallia
8.1Very good 96 reviews
Situated within 2.
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How to get to Pachino

Pachino can be reached by car and public transport from the main cities in Sicily. Those wishing to reach the town by car from Catania must first take the A19 motorway (Syracuse-Ragusa-Catania) and then the E45 until the Noto exit. From here you need to continue for approximately 20 km on the SP19 towards Pachino. From Palermo, take the A19 motorway towards Catania and then continue on the E45 until the Noto exit. Then simply take the SP19 towards Pachino.

The nearest airport to Pachino is “Pio La Torre” airport in Comiso, approximately 80 km from the town. Catania’s Fontanarossa airport, on the other hand, is 100 km from Pachino and not only has a greater number of flights compared to Comiso but also better connections for those travelling by car or public transport. From Catania airport, you can reach Pachino via Interbus shuttle service in just over an hour, whilst there are no connections between the town and Comiso airport.

Those travelling by public transport can find direct buses from the Interbus company connecting Pachino to all the major destinations in eastern Sicily, such as Syracuse, Taormina, Giardini Naxos and Noto. The nearest railway station is in Noto, approximately 20 km from the town, whilst Syracuse station is about 50 km away.

Pachino Weather

What's the weather at Pachino? Below are the temperatures and the weather forecast at Pachino for the next few days.

Tuesday 28
14°
20°
Wednesday 29
16°
20°
Thursday 30
16°
20°
Friday 1
16°
17°
Saturday 2
14°
17°
Sunday 3
16°
20°

Where is located Pachino

Located in the southernmost part of Sicily, between the provinces of Ragusa and Syracuse, Pachino is a town situated 53 km from Syracuse, 107 km from Catania and 300 km from Palermo.

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