Marzamemi is a dream village. Just a few kilometres from Noto, in the province of Syracuse, this small village seems to have come straight out of an old tale: an ancient place characterised by small yellow stone houses arranged around two natural harbours. This is why you should not miss a stop at Marzamemi on your journey of discovery in eastern Sicily.
The history of this small town in eastern Sicily is inextricably linked to that of the Tonnara di Marzamemi and the two small harbours, La Fossa and La Balata, where in the past the trading ships of south-eastern Sicily departed.
Marzamemi
It is undoubtedly one of the most beautiful and fascinating villages in Italy, a small town whose history has been marked by fishing activity. It is a paradise of stone and colour, to be discovered slowly to admire its most beautiful views.
Dominating the small town with its stone houses is its 'tonnara', dating back to Arab times. It was remodelled over the years by the Prince of Villadorata, who had the entire village built around the tuna fishery.
Today, Marzamemi is still guarded by its tonnara, even though it is no longer active. Its fishermen still use colourful boats, but the vocation of the village has become a tourist one. The main square and the village streets are crowded with outdoor tables in spring and summer, yet Marzamemi remains an authentic place:'the place of the soul, the deep South of Italy, Magna Graecia' to quote Salvadores. Indeed, some scenes of the film 'Sud' by Gabriele Salvatores were shot in this village.
Tonnara of Marzamemi
Thanks to the arrangement of the Tonnara di Marzamemi by the Prince of Villadorata in 1752, the village (which already existed in the year 1000) began to come to life. In fact, in 1752, the construction of the palace, the church of the tonnara, dedicated to the Blessed Virgin Mary of Mount Carmel, and the sailors' cottages were completed by the Calascibetta barons.
Today, the tuna fishery is no longer active; the exterior still preserves the ancient structure while inside you can visit the area where the fishing boats were once housed, which has now been transformed into a large hall that preserves ancient tufa arches.
What to see in Marzamemi
What is there to see in Marzamemi? It only takes a few hours to visit this small town whose centrepiece is concentrated around the Tonnara. Here are the things not to be missed if you are thinking of taking a walk around the town
Villadorata Palace
Tonnara
Church of the Tonnara
Church of San Francesco da Paola
Piazza Margherita
La balata
Old Factory
Cappuccio House
Small Island
Beaches of Marzamemi
Around Marzamemi there are some of the most beautiful beaches in Sicily, some of them within the Vendicari Nature Reserve. Here are the beaches you should not miss around Marzamemi
San Lorenzo
Spinazza Beach
Cavettone Beach
La Zotta
Calamosche Beach
Punta delle Formiche
Gavettone
Scalo Mandrie
Reitani
Weather
It is always warm in Marzamemi, thanks to its extraordinary location even the winters are less cold, in fact temperatures average between 10 and 20 degrees.
The best season to visit is in spring or autumn, the perfect time to do so being the Easter holidays, when temperatures range between 20 and 30 degrees. Summers are hot and muggy, temperatures can exceed 30 degrees and it is also the period with the greatest influx of tourists. If you are planning a visit to Marzamemi, do it out of season.
Surroundings
Cavagrande del Cassibile
Noto
Avola
Puntasecca
Portopalo di Capopassero
Sampieri
Pozzallo
Marina di Ragusa
How to get there
Marzamemi, almost south of Sicily, can be reached by car from Syracuse via the Syracuse-Gela motorway. Exit at the junction for Noto and follow the provincial road to Pachino, from here Via Fortuna will take you to Marzamemi.
Where to go to the sea in Marzamemi?
Around Marzamemi are some of the most beautiful beaches in eastern Sicily
In what province is Marzamemi located?
Marzamemi is in the province of Siracusa
How many inhabitants does Marzamemi have?
There are approximately 367 inhabitants in Marzamemi.
What to see in South Eastern Sicily
In South-Eastern Sicily don't miss Syracuse, Noto, Modica, Scicli, Avola, Pachino and Ragusa
Italy
Sicily
