Travel with us and get to know the magic of the Mediterranean, like a local. In this article, we share our travel guide and local travel tips from Marzamemi, Sicily.
Marzamemi, is a quintessential Mediterranean old fishing town, nestled just 20kms from Noto and 50kms south of Siracusa. From the moment you walk in to Marzamemi, you’ll be blown away by the lively colours, and idyllic world you’ve stepped in to. If you’re looking for a lesser travelled Italian Village, then Marzamemi will steal your heart.
The heart of this stunning seaside town, and the main attraction is the Piazza Regina Margherita. A large square piazza surrounded by quaint old buildings and bursting colourful vases, flowers and tablescapes. The entire village is car-less so people flow freely throughout the village. Although, for those who are driving, parking is just outside the village in a convenient parking lot.
We visited Marzamemi of an afternoon and stayed for aperititivo and dinner. The village is full of cafes, restaurants and bars, furthermore, it’s a great place to try traditional Sicilian food, especially seafood.
Although the food and drinks were delightful, the highlight of this beautiful town lies within the unexplainable, magical atmosphere that comes alive in the evenings.Marzamemi is a local Italian holiday spot in August, and as a result the town feels authentically Italian as opposed to touristy.Furthermore, in our time there we noticed that adults were conversing and enjoying their evening, whilst the local children were running and playing in the piazza together. Due to this, we felt as though we had taken a step back in time, in the best of ways.
OUR FAVOURITE BEACHES NEAR MARZAMEMI
If you’re travelling in the warmer months, the below beaches or ‘spiaggia’ in Italian, surround Marzamemi and are great additions to your itinerary. The beaches in Sicily are rather warm, and are a dream to dip into.
SAN LORENZO
A beautiful stretch of sandy beach, with crystal clear warm water.
FONTANE BIANCHE
Stunning turquoise waters, with options to sit on the public beach or hire beach chairs and umbrellas from the beach bars. Tip: the sunset here is phenomenal!
CALAMOSCHE
This bright blue sea, located within the Vendicari Nature Reserve is protected by rocks on either side, and therefore always calm and still.Furthermore, we highly recommend this beach for families with young children.
MARIANELLI
An isolated and unspoiled beach, surrounded by picturesque and aromatic almond and lemon trees. Furthermore, the water here is warm and turquoise in colour, making the treck a worthwhile one.
TAO BEACH BAR
If you’re heading to Marzamemi from the much loved Taormina, we highly recommend Tao Beach Bar, as a beautiful slice of paradise.
WHERE TO STAY IN MARZAMEMI
I Gufi Bed & Breakfast Marzamemi, Marzamemi $$
A quaint B&B with a pool, breakfast served and close distance to the beach and Marzamemi.
Scilla Maris Charming Suites, Noto $$
A sophisticated stay, in a lovely secluded location immersed in the countryside, however a perfect distance to reach Noto, San Lorenzo, and Marzamemi.
casa memi, Marzamemi $$
A tastefully rennovated B&B in the heart of Marzamemi.
Regina Margherita B&B, Marzamemi $$
Stay in the heart of the Piazza Regina Margherita, and soak up all this beautiful little town has to offer.
WHERE TO EAT AND DRINK IN MARZAMEMI
The heart of Marzamemi is stunning town square, and as a result there are lots of restaurants nestled here.Furthermore, Marzamemi is a seaside town, best known for its seafood dishes, namely Tuna and Swordfish.If seafood is not what you’re after, we also recommend the pizza options.
LA CONCHIGIETTA RISTORANTE, Marzamemi
A lovely family owned restaurant, just a 5 minute stroll from the Piazza. We were recommended to eat here by a local and it was lovely. Tip: The Spaghetti Vongole was divine!
CAFFE’ AL CICLOPE 2, Marzamemi
The perfect place to enjoy Sicilian desserts and homemade Granita. We particularly loved the Sicilian Cannoli and Gelato in Brioche. Tip: If you’re staying locally, this is a great spot for coffee and a Sicilian style breakfast (read: Pastries!)
LA CIALOMA, Marzamemi
A restaurant facing both the Piazza and the sea, with great seafood dishes on offer. This is a great spot for dining in the heart of the action.
THINGS TO DO IN MARZAMEMI
PIAZZA REGINA MARGHERITA
Take some time to wonder through the Piazza Regina Margherita, and stare in awe at the beautiful historic buildings, churches and homes that are now used to entertain visitors. We spent hours here just taking it all in, photographing the beauty this Piazza has to offer and visiting the local cafes, restaurants and bars.
TONNARA
The Tonnara in Marzamemi, is in the centre of the town and is regarded as one of the oldest and most important old Tuna fisheries in Sicily.
VENDICARI NATURE RESERVE
Between Noto and Marzamemi, lies the Vendicari Nature Reserve. The Reserve is on the coastline, and therefore is home to beautiful beaches, secluded coves, hundreds of types of birds, and ruins of ancient civilisations.Tip: Flamingo spotting is a highlight of this reserve in Spring and Autumn when migratory birds and pink flamingos fill the sky.
TRAVEL TIPS FOR MARZAMEMI
BEST TIME TO VISIT MARZAMEMI
May through to October is a great time to visit Marzamemi. The weather here is generally warmer than the more Northern parts of Italy.
GETTING TO MARZAMEMI
Marzamemi is best accessible via car, and is about 50kms from Siracusa, or 20kms from Noto. Furthermore, there’s ample parking, and you’ll be able to explore nearby towns by hiring a car.There is also an easy bus route from Catania to Marzamemi.
HOW LONG SHOULD YOU SPEND IN MARZAMEMI
Marzamemi is a small village, you can spend a few days here, or additionally even just a day visiting will give you a taste of all it has to offer. Additionally, Marzamemi can become a part of your overall Sicily itinerary, combining nearby towns like Noto, Siracusa, Ragusa and Catania to name a few.
We hope you enjoyed our Marzamemi travel guide and local tips! Visit our site for more articles like this or click here to see our Rome travel guide.
