Off The Beaten Path – Sicily’s Nature Reserves

Being on an Island, you can’t really escape the beach, but you can still take a peek at some fantastic Nature reserves. Sicily is home to 26 various protected areas, with the very first, Zingaro, being opened in 1981. Zingaro Nature Reserve is well known and therefor extremely busy, but there are other reserves less explored but equally as beautiful.

The Vendicari Nature Reserve

For anyone holidaying in the south-east of Sicily, you would be amiss if you missed the Vendicari Nature Reserve. There are many reasons for a visit, none more convincing than the fact that its beautiful selection of beaches are amongst the least frequented in Sicily……at least by humans.  Vendicari is a mixture of lagoons, sand dunes, rocky coastlines, and sandy beaches. It was instituted in 1984 and is home to a wide variety of flora and fauna. The high salinity of the ground provides an ideal habitat for Mediterranean maquis, herbs such as thyme and rosemary and other prickly customers such as juniper bushes.

Thousands of migrating birds pass a few days here on their way to or from Africa. Flamingos, herons, storks and cormorants are regulars during autumn, while in the winter, ducks, mallards, pintails and terns take over. An ornithologists' paradise, there are several hides for those who bring their binoculars.

For those whose interests are of a more active kind, Vendicari offers a wonderful environment for a good seaside walk with only the sound of the waves, birds and the wind for company.

Swimmers (and sunbathers!) will find it hard to choose between the numerous beaches and rocky coves that abound. 

There are three entrances to the park, all off the main Noto-Pachino road. The middle entrance, signposted Torre di Vendicari, gives you the opportunity of heading north or south. Wherever you decide to enter, you will have to park you car and walk some way, though this is a greatly pleasurable experience.

Also within the reserve are a series of buildings, including a 15th Century tower built by Peter of Aragon (known as the Torre Sveva), a tonnara (tuna fishery) and several old fishermen’s houses.

Let Rawhide Travel and Tours help you get there and if you want to stay in comfort rather than camping out we can help. Call us at (602) 843-5100 or visit our website: rawhidetravel.com

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