Page 519 - The Rough Guide of Sicily

Marettimo town

As you pull into port and explore its few streets, MARETTIMO TOWN appears
almost North African in character, with its flat-roofed cube houses with blue shutters
and painted tiles, and alleys full of tumbling bougainvillea. There’s one main street, a
little square and church, and a second harbour, the fishing port, just along from the

main harbour. Two of the island’s most popular bathing spots are conveniently close,
one near the main harbour, one near the fishing harbour.

ARRIVAL AND INFORMATION: MARETTIMO

By ferry and hydrofoil Both Siremar (ferries and hydrofoils) and Ustica Lines
(hydrofoils) run year-round from Trapani and Favignana to Marettimo, but there are
far fewer services than to Favignana and Lévanzo. There is a skeleton low-season
service, and boats are often cancelled due to bad weather.

Tourist information There’s no information office on Marettimo, but plenty of useful
stuff online at marettimoweb.com.

Boat trips Various options are available via Rosa dei Venti: around the island to Cala

Bianca for swimming costs €15 per person; the same with a picnic (including home-
cured fish and local cheeses and wines) is around €30 per person. On either, you can
be left at a cove to swim and be collected an hour or so later. Alternatively, you could
take a three-hour boat tour of the island (a “giro dell’isola”), available from operators
at the main harbour, which allows you to see Marettimo’s entire rocky coastline and
dive into otherwise inaccessible waters that are clean and clear and a joy for

snorkellers.

Services Marettimo’s main street, Corso Umberto, is about a minute’s walk from the
harbour where the ferries and hydrofoils dock. It holds a bank with an ATM, a
Siremar ticket agency and an Ustica Lines agency in a little shop just up from Piazza
Umberto.

ACCOMMODATION

Marettimo offers a better choice of accommodation than Lévanzo, with a couple of
B&Bs and a few apartments and holiday residences for weekly rents. If these are full,
ask around in the bars and restaurants for rented rooms, but it’s always best to book
before you come.

I Delfini Corso Umberto 34 0923 923 137 or 339 239 9867,
idelfinimarettimo.it. Central B&B with great sea views on one side. Rooms are
simple but clean and comfortable, with private bathrooms, and there’s a roof terrace
on which delicious breakfasts are served. No credit cards. Closed Nov–March. €90