MarettimoAegadian Islands · Italy

All About Marettimo

Marettimo’s slightly isolated location in the Mediterranean Sea has so far kept it from becoming a tourism hotspot. Consequently, the island offers curious travelers a chance to discover an unconventional destination with a bucolic exoticness. The second-largest island in the Aegadian archipelago, Marettimo is serene, unspoiled, and a discreet holiday escape amidst a rugged topography.

Known as Hiera, meaning ‘sacred island’ in ancient times, it is now home to a small population of 300 that increases to 700 from June to August. With limited places to stay and eat, the island’s real magic is in its beaches, caves, and diverse flora and fauna that includes over 500 species of plants, as well as donkeys, rabbits, wild goats, and eagles.
 

Routes and Ferries to Marettimo

When planning to visit Marettimo, one needs to first make their way to Trapani in Sicily. Tourists can then hop on hydrofoils and ferries sailing to the Aegadian island chain’s westernmost landmass. Ferryscanner offers ferry tickets to Marettimo on vessels operated by Siremar and Liberty Lines. Travel time to the island ranges from an hour to nearly two hours based on sea conditions and boat type.

Tourists can make the most of being in this beautiful part of the world by holidaying on all three main islands off Sicily’s western coast. Ferry tickets to Marettimo from Favignana and Levanzo are easy to book. Tourists should plan to stay a few days in Marettimo rather than choosing it for a day-trip due to the distance between the islands.
 

Ports of Marettimo

Two harbors take up space next to each other on the eastern coast of Marettimo. Porto Vecchio, or the Old Port, is primarily a marina reserved for visiting yachts and local fishing boats. Passengers with ferry tickets to Marettimo arrive at Porto Scalo Nouvo. Located close to eateries and accommodations, the New Port also has a marina. A reasonably simple yet welcoming port, it lacks arrangements for signaling, due to which there is no movement in the harbor post sundown.
 

Best Beaches

The local ethos lies in shining glory for all to see at the many beaches of the island. Travelers with ferry tickets to Marettimo get a quick view of the tempting bays and seaside nooks that border the island as they approach the port. However, take a boat trip or hike to these picturesque coastal spots with unmatched dramatic beauty for an intimate experience.

The Praia of Nacchi

A lovely beach in the southeast corner of the island, Praia of Nacchi is blessed with a soothing natural shade during the afternoon hours. A sand and pebble shoreline make it the best beach in Marettimo. The walk from the port to the beach takes 20 odd minutes along a route that passes by the cemetery. A family-friendly beach, the water here is apt for snorkeling.

Cala del Cretazzo

If planning to spend a day at Cala del Cretazzo, remember to carry a hat, sunscreen, water, and snacks, especially when taking the one-hour plus hike to the beach. The shore is a pebble and sand mix with rocks around the boundary. A relatively small stretch, it gets busy during summers. Unfortunately, sometimes the boats come close to the beach, leaving little space for swimmers to move around freely in the clear water.

Scalo Maestro

The hike from the village to Scalo Maestro takes a solid hour and a half and consists of a few challenging sections. On the bright side, for your efforts, you get access to two beaches, Scalo Maestro and Cala Manione, at the end. Near Castello di Punta Troia, this pebble cove is far simpler to reach via sea taxi. There aren’t any amenities here, but the water is crystal clear, and a few caves nearby invite ardent explorers to seek them out. When swimming off the coast, do keep a lookout for jellyfish.

Cala Bianca

Stunning bright, almost fluorescent blue waters summon swimmers to jump into the magnificence of Cala Bianca. This deep bay in the north-west of the island is one of the hardest to reach by land, requiring a demanding hike. However, access using boats is comfortable and swift. A protected area, there is no fishing allowed here. Therefore, one gets to see a variety of fish while snorkeling at Cala Bianca. The water is calm, while the towering cliffs around the edges give the place an atmospheric effect.

Cave of the Camel

With close to 400 big and small sea-facing caves, it becomes hard to decide which to visit during a short stay in Marettimo. Boat tours leave Scalo Nuovo regularly, taking enthusiastic tourists to explore some of these marvels. Cave of the Camel, so-called because a rock formation at its entrance looks like a camel’s head, is a popular choice. A large cavern with transparent blue waters, smaller boats can easily navigate through its interiors. Several boats also stop for a while, allowing passengers to jump in for a refreshing swim.
 

Things To Do

Marettimo is a charming island having whitewashed houses with strikingly blue shutters, colorful fishing boats in its marina, and a few Roman ruins scattered around. Among the things to do in Marettimo are walks to historical sights, gastronomic indulgences, and sailing trips along its glorious coastline.

Visit Castello di Punta Troia

A 12th-century fortification located on the north-eastern tip of the island, Castello di Punta Troia was formally a Saracen watchtower. A remote place, it became notorious as a prison for political prisoners and stayed operational until 1844. Castello di Punta Troia now houses a Prison Museum and Monk Seal Observatory. Guided tours of the castle are available upon request. To reach Punta Troia, tourists can either follow a two-hour trail from the port or take a 10-minute boat ride. Carry your bathing suits as there are two wonderful coves nearby, perfect for a late-afternoon swim.

Walk to Faro di Punta Libeccio

Located on a 24-meter-high hill, the 50-meter-tall lighthouse on the south-western coast of Marettimo is an old white tower first built-in 1860. While visitors cannot go inside the building or the caretaker’s house at its base, the hike to this attractive spot is well worth the time. Some locals believe the lighthouse is haunted by the souls of soldiers who perished during sea battles nearby. In the coming years, there are plans to redevelop the tower into accommodation for tourists. Faro di Punta Libeccio is 5km from the port. It is also visible from the boat that takes tourists for a swim at Cala Nera.

Learn Scopa or Briscola

Due to Marettimo’s small size, locals know about any and all tourists staying on the island for longer than a couple of days. This gives the visitors a perfect opportunity to mingle with the residents and learn more about life in a faraway part of the world. A casual and fun way to break the ice is to ask any of the locals about Scopa and Briscola. The two popular Italian card games are a hoot to play, involve animated discussions, and are best enjoyed while munching on snacks at a café.

Eat at Restorante Pizzeria Hiera

Started in 1958, Hiera is the oldest restaurant in Marettimo. Having both indoor seating and outdoor courtyard space, it is ideal for a romantic date or a casual lunch. Not just another pizzeria, Hiera is a 34-seat family-run establishment that also offers vegan and gluten-free food upon prior notice. Furthermore, their pizza dough is made to rest for 72 hours, adding delicious intensity to the pie. Serving various dishes, from pasta to fresh seafood, some of the must-haves at the restaurant are fish couscous, homemade paccheri, black pizza, and swordfish cones. On top of it all, Hiera also offers bed and breakfast arrangements for guests.

Hike to the Chiesetta Bizantin

Built around Roman remains from the 2nd-century, the Byzantine Church of Marettimo is a half-hour walk from the port. The 12th-century rectangular church with a single nave was the handiwork of monks and is even today a place of pilgrimage for many. Located in the area known as Case Romane, there have been many archaeological discoveries in the neighborhood over decades. Chiesetta Bizantina was renovated by the authorities in 2010, giving it a new lease of life.
 

Transportation Around Marettimo

Staying true to its rustic character, Marettimo is a car-free island with only one small paved road. A few electric carts crisscross around Scalo Nuovo; the central neighborhood with hotels, bars, and restaurants. As a result, walking is the primary mode of transport in Marettimo. And with only 12.3 square kilometers of area, it is worth hiking around admiring the island’s natural wonders.

Unsurprisingly, just as ferry tickets to Marettimo bring tourists to the island, it is boats, albeit smaller ones captained by fishermen, that transfer sunbathers to remote coves for swimming and snorkeling. Around the island tours with multiple stops are quite popular. Furthermore, boat owners are equally happy to drop tourists at a particular beach and pick them up later for a nominal fee.