< 1 day
On foot
€
History
The history of Realmonte has remote origins. Space was inhabited by primitive men, whose findings are the first of their kind in Europe, as well as among the oldest fossil remains ever in the world. Specifically, the discovery in the Capo Rossello promontory of human remains (teeth and skull fragments) belonging to an Australopithecus of the "Africanus" or "Gracilis" type, among the most distant progenitors of the "Homo" genus, are testimony to this. Likewise, are the Pebble Cultures, human settlements dedicated to the production of tools made from chipped pebbles, dating back to the Calabrian period.
Photo of the Scala dei Turchi in Realmonte, by Marcus Ferguson on Unsplash
From a geological point of view, the existence of an isthmus that connected part of the coast of the province of Agrigento to Cape Bon in Tunisia is accredited.
Today, Realmonte is a small town in the Province of Agrigento, famous above all for the presence, in its territory, of the so-called Scala dei Turchi.
Attractions
Here are some of the main attractions in Realmonte.
Scala dei Turchi
The Scala dei Turchi is a white marl cliff that rises sheer to the sea along the coast of Realmonte, a small town in the province of Agrigento.
It looks like a cliff with a singular aspect, which rises between two beaches of fine sand and has a wavy and irregular shape, with lines that are not harsh but gentle and rounded.
Photo of the Scala dei Turchi, by Kentaro Komada on Unsplash
To access it, you have to proceed along the coast and climb a climb that resembles a large natural limestone staircase. Once you reach the top of the cliff, the visible landscape embraces the Agrigento coast up to Capo Rossello. More specific information on access to the Scala dei Turchi is available in the Tips section.
The name derives from past piracy raids by the Saracens, Arabs, and, by convention, Turks. The Turkish pirates, in fact, found shelter in this area less beaten by the winds and representing a safer landing place.
The stepped wall, hence the name “staircase" (scala), made it easy to land from the sea for pirate actions, in a spot sheltered from the winds and probably also not very controlled.
Food
The food section of Realmonte offers, more than traditional local foods and particular restaurants, where you can stop and eat during your visit to the Scala dei Turchi.
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If you want to eat or drink something while you are in Scala dei Turchi, you can go to the aforementioned Lido Scala dei Turchi.
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Alternatively, if you want a drink in a slightly more fancy place, then Lounge Beach Scala dei Turchi is the place for you.
Tips
Parking and access
Once you arrive at your destination, several authorized paid parking lots along the coast are well-signposted. It is strongly not recommended to park outside the parking spaces, especially in high season to avoid high fines or forced removal of the vehicle.
Click the button to show the map with different parking spots
When your car is parked, you can begin the approach on foot to the Scala dei Turchi. To get to your destination you will have to enter the Lido Scala dei Turchi restaurant, follow the path that has been made available by the owners of the restaurant and you will arrive at the beach. After a short 5-minute walk you will find yourself at the foot of the splendid Scala dei Turchi.
