🏝️ Marettimo

Marettimo is the true queen of the Egadi islands and, as such, discreetly and elegantly shows all its extraordinary beauty to those who discover it for the first time.

Every corner seems like a glimpse of paradise, guardian of stories, love affairs and incredible adventures. Not far from Trapani, considered to be the port of embarkation to reach the three islands, Marettimo has preserved coastlines bathed by crystal-clear waters that fade from emerald green to sky blue.

What is surprising about this Sicilian island is the presence of an imposing mountain: the highest peak, Monte Falcone, reaches 686 metres. A perfect destination for trekking and nature walks, within a vast marine protected area, a symbol of sustainable tourism.

There is only one inhabited centre in Marettimo: a small fishermen’s village, with small houses with white facades and blue window frames reminiscent of the villages on the Greek islands. But it is from the sea that the island and its inhabitants, the “marettimari”, derive their strength. Fishing families have proudly and skilfully exported the art of fishing to the world. Today, with the crisis in the sector, many have reinvented themselves as tour operators, ready to set sail for a fishing trip, at dawn or dusk, to watch the nets being lowered or pulled.

In Marettimo, hospitality is at home. Strolling through the narrow streets of the village, one is seduced by the fragrance of the dishes prepared with wisdom by the Marettimare ladies. The traditional local recipes are the true custodians of the island’s gastronomic culture. An example? Pasta with lobster in broth, a typical and delicious dish. Not forgetting the catch of the day or the tasty squid. But to really appreciate them… you have to taste them!

The island also offers delicious honey: heather, thistle or rosemary honey, produced by industrious bees bred by young local beekeepers. An original idea to take home a sweet souvenir of a holiday in what Samuel Butler called the “Ithaca of Ulysses”.

Marettimo’s uniqueness is also due to its caves, each one different, with plays of light reflecting on the rocky walls, sometimes rich in stalactites and stalagmites. There are seven or eight of the most famous, unmissable stops during a tour of the island on board the fishermen’s boats.

A dive where the water is bluest? At “Cala Bianca” you can do it too! It sounds like a rhyme, but it is a certainty. Right here, within zone A of the integral reserve, tourists are left breathless before the spectacular “Dolomites overlooking the sea”. A testimony to the majesty of nature, which has been truly generous with Marettimo.

And there is also an underwater world waiting to be discovered: the island’s diving centres have been offering “sea baptisms” and dives among schools of barracuda, gorgonians and corals for years. Marettimo is an incredible ongoing discovery.

It is also one of the first examples of “albergo diffuso”: hospitality is offered in the homes of the inhabitants, scattered throughout the village and transformed into accommodation for tourists. In this evocative setting, it is the square that acts as the reception of this “village-hotel”. Once settled in, off to sunset aperitifs. In Marettimo, even a simple evening of music can turn into a party in the narrow streets, involving everyone in group dances or convivial moments with loved ones. All in the most “overwhelming” simplicity.

Marettimo is the place where any holiday can encapsulate the perfect mix of relaxation, fun and authenticity, with a hint of village “movida”. All that remains is to set out for this special place, which could become the “place of the heart” of each of its visitors.
All this is Marettimo… and much more!

Useful information for reaching Marettimo

How to get there:

• Falcone-Borsellino Airport (Palermo): about 50/60 minutes by car
• Vincenzo Florio Airport (Trapani/Birgi): about 30 minutes by car

Rates shuttle service with driver:

• € 90/100 for 2/3 people from Palermo (one way)
• € 30 for 2/3 people from Trapani (one way)

Public transport:

• From Palermo: Segesta line bus from Falcone-Borsellino airport
• From Trapani: AST line bus from Birgi airport

Transfer by sea:

From Trapani, the Liberty Lines shipping company connects the port with Marettimo by hydrofoil. You can buy tickets online or directly at the box office in front of the port’s jetty in Via Ammiraglio Staiti.