Page 160 - The Rough Guide of Sicily

DIRECTORY

Bank Monte dei Paschi di Siena, Via Cap. V. di Bartolo, on the left-hand side of the
church, has an ATM.

Pharmacy Piazza Umberto I 30 091 844 9382 (Mon–Sat 8.30am–1pm & 5–

8.30pm). Closed Wed afternoon Nov–April.

Post office Largo Ameria off the main piazza (Mon–Fri 8am–1pm, Sat 8am–
12.30pm).

Around the island

To explore the rest of Ustica you could use the minibus service that departs from

Ustica Town, rent a scooter or bike, or even walk – it doesn’t take much more than
two or three hours to walk round the entire island. There’s a path running right round
the rocky coastline, with just a brief stretch where you have to follow the road, and
there are ample opportunities to stop for a swim or sunbathe along the northern coast.
Keep straight on past the Municipio and then bear off the road to the right, down past
the cemetery. The path starts at the remains of a Bronze Age settlement – the

foundations of the closely packed huts are still clearly visible. From here the path hugs
the cliffs along the island’s north side as far as the Punta di Megna (where path and
road converge). There’s excellent snorkelling at Punta di Megna and at the offshore
rock of Scoglio del Médico, where the clear water is bursting with fish, sponges,
weed and coral. The road then keeps to the west coast as far as the old torre (tower)

at Punta Spalmatore, where you’ll find some of the island’s best bathing spots; try
below the tower, or – below the nearby lighthouse – at Punta Cavazzi, where there’s
a piscina naturale, a perfect, sheltered pool of seawater that can get uncomfortably
crowded in high season. Above here, the Rosa d’Eventi restaurant-bar offers the only
refreshments and shade along the route.

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