Page 230 - The Rough Guide of Sicily

A devilishly twisting road runs down from here to the port, across which cuts a more
direct series of paths and steps. A little further along, by the Punta Scario hotel, steps
lead down to Malfa’s boulder beach, Punta Scario, picturesquely backed by
vertiginous cliffs. In summer there is an appealing little beach bar here selling cold
drinks, sandwiches and pane cunzato, as well as renting out mattresses, lilos and

umbrellas.

ARRIVAL AND INFORMATION: MALFA

By bus The bus stops on the main road by the bank, then down in the village by the
main piazza, and again a few hundred metres below, directly above the path that leads
down to Punta Scario beach.

Tourist information In summer an enterprising somebody usually opens a little
information office somewhere along Malfa’s main street.

Boat tours There are booths in the main piazza with information on boat tours around
the island and to other islands. If you’re confident enough to putter about yourself, you
can rent a small gommone (rubber dinghy) in the port for a day or half-day (from €40

per half-day, excluding petrol).

ACCOMMODATION

Capo Faro 090 984 4330, capofaro.it. Some 3km east of Malfa at the Tasca
d’Almerita malvasia wine estate, the stunning, contemporary rooms here occupy seven

Aeolian-style houses that look down across the vineyards. Facilities are top-notch,
from magnificent pool to classy bar and restaurant, and you can tour the vineyards on
request. No children under 12. €370

Signum Via Scalo 15 090 984 4222, hotelsignum.it. Style and luxury deftly
balanced with friendly and relaxed service – island hotels don’t come much better
than this. Thirty comfortable rooms (some classed as superior and deluxe) display a
seamless blend of antique furniture and contemporary style and have either terraces or

balconies, sea or garden views. Night swimming in the splendid infinity pool and
catching sight of Stromboli’s eruptions across the water takes some beating, and the
exquisite spa, tapping into a hot volcanic spring, is also not to be missed. €300

EATING AND DRINKING

A Lumeredda Via San Lorenzo 090 984 4130. Hidden down one of Malfa’s myriad
flower-lined alleyways, this is exactly what an island restaurant should be – relaxed
and unpretentious with wooden tables on a simple, shady terrace. Come for a deftly
cooked crispy-edged pizza (from €4.50), and a carafe of house wine or a beer, and for
once you won’t break the bank. Daily lunch & dinner; closed Dec–Easter.