Marettimo

The mysterious

Marettimo is Tintin’s mysterious island, one that attracts as much as it intimidates.
The kind of island lost in the mists in the morning, that welcomes you at midday under a blazing sun and holds you back in the evening because the swell has suddenly risen. It is the furthest and certainly the most magnetic of the 3 islands of the Egadi archipelago, off the coast of Sicily.

Marettimo is the mysterious island of Tintin, the one that attracts as much as it intimidates.
The kind of island lost in the mists in the morning, which welcomes you at noon under a blinding sun and holds you back in the evening because the swell has suddenly risen. It is the furthest and certainly the most magnetic of the 3 islands of the Egadi archipelago, off the coast of Sicily.

Most travellers to the Aegadian archipelago don’t visit, an outlying island that is less obvious for a day trip than its neighbors Favignana and Levanzo. Our boat did not hesitate to make a U-turn in the open sea to drop off a distracted and panicked passenger at the idea of being on his way to Marettimo.

While it may be intimidating at first sight, with its steep terrain and micro-village wedged
into the mountainside, the warm welcome of its inhabitants and its charm soon make you feel completely at home on this calm, wild island.

Most travelers who visit the Aegadian archipelago do not go to this outlying island, which is less obvious for a day trip than its neighbors Favignana and Levanzo . Our boat did not hesitate to make a U-turn in the open sea to drop off a distracted and panicked passenger at the idea of being on his way to Marettimo.

If it can intimidate at first sight with its steep relief and its micro-village stuck on the mountainside, the warm welcome of its inhabitants and its charm quickly make you feel in total intimacy on this calm and wild island.

In Marettimo, the white houses have blue shutters, and on each of them
are magnificent ceramic plaques listing the names of their residents.
Strange… because, anyway, everyone here knows everyone else!☺

There’s a gentle mix of the Cyclades and not-so-distant North Africa on this island.
The village streets are peaceful and pleasant, with a few shops and restaurants where you can sample the typical lobster soup with cinnamon and chopped almonds.

In Marettimo, the white houses have blue shutters, and on each of them are magnificent ceramic plaques listing the names of their residents.
Weird… because everyone knows everyone here anyway!☺

It floats on this island a sweet mix between the Cyclades and North Africa, not so far away. The streets of the village are peaceful and pleasant with a few shops and restaurants where you can taste the typical lobster soup with cinnamon and chopped almonds.

Life on the island still takes place mainly at sea and the fishermen of Marettimo are considered the most skilled in the Mediterranean. In the port, their little boats sway in lapis lazuli water like lotus flowers on a pond, inviting you to sweet reverie…

… Tomorrow, before dawn, if the weather allows it, we will go with a curtain fisherman to pick up his nets deposited the day before, at nightfall…

… We’ll take the boat out to admire the coastline with its majestic cliffs, carved out of numerous caves and coves bathed in crystal-clear natural pools…
… And we will dive. A protected reserve, the Egadi Sea contains an exceptional marine fauna, especially around Marettimo.

In Odysseus’ house

Yes, it exists. She would be there, in the Tyrrhenian Sea. For some historians, the mythical Ithaca, which the hero of The Odyssey sought at all costs to reach for ten years, is called… Marettimo. The ancient Greek name of the island, quoted by Polybius, was Hier à Nésos meaning “Sacred Island”. The ancient populations of this restricted land of the Mediterranean (Phoenicians, Elymes, Sicanes) indeed attributed to this island a sacred character which it still enjoys today.

… When the sea is too rough, we will set off on paths with a unique sensory atmosphere to discover the most beautiful view of the old port and especially its secret garden: the Villa Romane. A delightful abandoned Byzantine chapel, whose perfect proportions and harmony radiate an indescribable serenity.

Pure sensory bliss

Marettimo’s flora is exceptional with no less than 612 species! Among these, 8 are endemic to the island, including the famous Thyme from which Marettimo derives its name. The island looks like an open-air laboratory where it is possible to admire, in all seasons and from different angles, the fantastic richness of shapes, smells and colors of the Mediterranean landscape. All surrounded by one of the most beautiful seas in Sicily…

… At the end of the day, we will all meet in the village for the aperitivo , admiring the sunset to the sound of a live concert of jazz music.

… When the bill comes, I’ll let the boss know that I’m off to get my forgotten wallet in my room. He would then retort me ironically and with a huge smile “Don’t worry, there is no escape from Alcatraz, just enjoy the evening and come back to pay tomorrow morning” …

Alcatraz or a Garden of Eden? It’s all a question of point of view.
But isn’t it said that the smaller the island, the bigger the dream…?

Marettimo is:

7 km long by 3 km wide

Accessibility

Lodging capacity

Animation

Map of Marettimo, Egadi Islands, Sicily, Italy, Europe

Where is Marettimo? Marettimo is the most remote of the 3 islands in the Egades archipelago,
in northwest Sicily. Less easily accessible than its neighbors Favignana and Levanzo
it is mostly visited by “mainland” Sicilians.

Where is Marettimo? Marettimo is the most remote of the 3 islands of the Egadi archipelago, northwest of Sicily. Less accessible than its neighbors Favignana and Levanzo it is mostly frequented by “continental” Sicilians.

How to get to Marettimo? 1 hour drive from Palermo then about 1h15 by hydrofoil from Trapani.

How do you get around the island? Vehicles are forbidden on the island, as there are no roads anyway.
So you can get around on foot, by bike, by boat or by mule :-)

Where to sleep and eat? There’s a small residence and Marettimo offers a wide range of bed & breakfasts
, including the cute Casa della Pace run by Franco. In the village, various possibilities of restoration, food businesses as well as some shops:
La Cambusa , delicatessen and restaurant with its divine boards for the aperitif,
Al Carrubo , a restaurant a little on the heights of the village which offers succulent Sicilian cuisine based on fish and seafood, embellished with spices and citrus fruits from the island.

The book to take in your suitcase? The America , a novel by Michel Moutot.

The song to include in his playlist? Summertime by Billie Holiday.

And especially where to drink your Spritz? At Caffe’ Tramontana at the end of the village for its relaxed atmosphere, its view of Punta Troia where the castle sits and its very friendly welcome.