Scalovecchio
Marettimo - Via San Giuseppe 9
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Among the Egadi Islands, Marettimo holds several records: the westernmost, the furthest from Trapani and therefore the most difficult to reach, the wildest and most unspoilt, and the most mountainous.
This island, considered sacred by the ancient Greeks, has managed to protect its natural habitat, with characteristically lush vegetation. The sea surrounding it is stunning, with crystal-clear waters that beg you to dive in.
There are few hotels on the island; you’ll find mostly bed and breakfasts and holiday apartments, and cars aren’t permitted: you get around on foot, along narrow lanes and paths that offer breathtakingly beautiful panoramic views.
Far removed from the hustle and bustle of many famous seaside resorts, this Mediterranean pearl has been identified as the mythical Ithaca of Ulysses: we can’t guarantee it’s truly the hero’s homeland, but we assure you it’s an authentic paradise.
The island’s only inhabited settlement is Marettimo1, on the eastern coast: Scalo Vecchio and Scalo Nuovo are the two “town” beaches, so to speak: located at the old harbour to the north and the new harbour to the south, they’re easily reached on foot from the village.
They’re certainly not the most enchanting beaches on the island, but they’re a good option if you’re short on time or feeling too lazy to venture elsewhere.
Cala Bianca is undoubtedly Marettimo’s most captivating beach: the remarkably transparent sea guarantees exceptional underwater visibility, whilst on the surface the waters shimmer in infinite shades of blue; the white sand beach is surrounded by towering cliffs that drop sheer to the sea.
If you’re after a blend of scenic beauty and comfort, spend your beach day at Praia dei Nacchi, a pebble beach reachable via a pleasant twenty to thirty-minute walk along a dirt track that leads from the village towards the cemetery.
Here you can alternate between lazy hours sunbathing and swimming in crystal-clear waters, with the chance to snorkel. It’s best to visit Praia dei Nacchi in the morning, as the beach is almost entirely in shade by afternoon.
An hour and a half’s walk in the shade of the pine forest will bring you to Zotta Muletti, a mass of rocks on the island’s western side where you can stretch out and sunbathe, and from which you can easily enter the water. From late morning onwards, they’re completely exposed to the sun… don’t forget to pack sunscreen!
One of the most beautiful coves reachable on foot is Spiaggia del Cretazzo, a small stony beach washed by crystal-clear waters. This beach is also on the western side and takes almost two hours to reach, but it’s absolutely worth the effort.
If you’re willing to make an effort to have an enchanting beach (almost) all to yourself, we suggest Cala Nera: situated beneath the lighthouse at Punta Libeccio, it’s only accessible by swimming down from the rocks.
A distinctive feature of Marettimo’s captivating and varied coastline is the presence of numerous caves, both above and below sea level: it’s said there are more than 400 caves carved out by waves and karst formations that fragment the island’s coast.
Here’s a list of Marettimo’s most beautiful caves:
In the following map you can see the location of the main places of interest mentioned in this article.
You can’t leave Marettimo without taking a boat excursion: it’s the best way to get to know the island, as it allows you to discover its hidden secrets – namely the numerous beaches, caves and inlets that dot the coastline and aren’t accessible on foot.
A full-day excursion lets you circumnavigate the entire island with visits to caves and several swimming stops, up to four; if you request it, you can finish the day being dropped off at a beach from which you can then walk back to the village.
If a full day on the water seems too much, you can opt for a half-day excursion, whilst for something truly special, choose the sunset boat trip: as the sun goes down, you’ll be served an aperitif with local specialities, which you can enjoy whilst admiring the extraordinary colours of the sky and sea.
Prefer to spend the whole day on the beach rather than on a boat? Some tourist boats operate a shuttle service to beaches and coves not reachable by land: you can arrange your return time when you depart.
Another element of great appeal on Marettimo is the numerous walking trails that criss-cross it, restored thanks to commendable restoration work by the forestry service.
Walking routes, many of which run along the coast, allow you to fully enjoy the beauty of nature that remains wild and unspoilt today: the island’s remoteness from other human settlements combined with the rugged nature of the mountain have meant that a precious heritage of flora and fauna has been preserved here, with rare species that are virtually unique to the Mediterranean.
Walk unhurried, breathing in the characteristic scents of Mediterranean scrub: first and foremost thyme, a plant very abundant on this island, but also heather, rosemary, rue, mastic, pink rockrose…
It’s certainly the island’s most famous walking route, which in roughly an hour and a half’s walk along the coast takes you to the top of a promontory where a 17th-century Norman castle stands, recently restored.
The trail winds along the foot of the mountain, affording spectacular cliff-edge views before descending towards the isthmus that joins Punta Troia promontory to the rest of the island. At the foot of the castle is a small cove where you can enjoy a refreshing swim before heading back.
Another striking trek you can do on Marettimo takes you to the summit of Monte Falcone, the island’s highest peak.
Along the route, which starts from Scalo Vecchio, you can visit the archaeological site of Case Romane, which includes a building constructed for defensive purposes and a Byzantine church, probably built in the 11th century on the site of an earlier Christian place of worship. From here you can enjoy a breathtaking view of Marettimo and the other islands in the Egadi archipelago.
The trails on Marettimo don’t present particular difficulties, but it’s best to tackle them with care:
There are few hotels on the island – essentially only apartments and guest rooms: book well in advance if you want to spend a few days on Marettimo.
Marettimo is connected to Trapani harbour by numerous hydrofoil, catamaran and passenger ship services. Depending on which vessel you choose, the sea crossing can take anywhere from one to over two hours.
Marettimo is also reachable by sea from the other Egadi islands of Favignana and Levanzo.
Marettimo is the westernmost of the Aegadian Islands, and therefore the most remote from Sicily.
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