Visit Marzamemi and discover one of the loveliest seaside villages in Italy.
A small village whose history has been marked by fishing, Marzamemi is a paradise of stone and colour, to be discovered slowly to admire the most beautiful scenery.
Dominating the small village of stone dwellings is its tuna fishery, dating back to the times of the Arabs. It caught the eye of the Prince of Villadorata, who had the entire village built around the tuna fishery. Some scenes from the film Sud by Gabriele Salvatores were filmed here, precisely because Marzamemi sums up the whole spirit of the island.
If you’re nearby and looking for eateries where you can eat great fish-fry, Marzamemi is the place you’ve been looking for.
Don’t miss
The Tuna Fishery
The old tuna fishery of Marzamemi has origins that go back to the Arab domination, around the year one thousand. In 1630 it was sold by the Spanish to the Prince of Villadorata. We recommend visiting it in the late afternoon at sunset to enjoy the magical atmosphere.
Isola Piccola (Small Island)
Sailing along the port of Marzamemi is the Isle of Brancati, also called “small island” because it’s tiny (it is exactly the size of the small villa it hosts). This isle is well-known for hosting the famous writer Vitaliano Brancati, one of the most important Sicilian writers in Italian literature.
Spiaggia dell’Isola delle Correnti (Island of the Currents)
This is where the Ionian Sea and the Mediterranean Sea meet. The little beach in front of the Isola delle Correnti is an oasis of peace and tranquillity. If you walk along the strip of sand that connects the coast to the island, you can easily visit it – a very evocative experience.
Church of San Francesco di Paola
Better known as the “Church of the Tonnara” because of its proximity to the Tuna Fishery in Marzamemi, to which it is connected by an elegant arch. It was built at the behest of the Prince of Villadorata. Today, it is deconsecrated but retains all the charm of a place standing still in time.
The beaches
The entire coastline is littered with small and large sandy beaches. San Lorenzo beach is the most well-known – it is an exceptionally large beach, with a lot of lidos. Ideal if you love relaxing.
