Anyone who has visited, or still has to visit, the beautiful Sicilian city of Agrigento knows that it is impossible not to spend a whole day in the splendid Scala dei Turchi.
In the distance it looks like an iceberg, but in reality it is a marl crag, a rock of ice white color that creates a contrast with the blue sea.
Unlike other rocks, the cliff is cool, so that the contact during the sultry days in Sicily is simply pleasant and regenerating. Due to the erosion of the wind, the crag is characterized by cavities that turn out to be real natural chairs, where you can sit down to sunbathe and enjoy the beautiful view.
Viewed from above, and from the small sandy beach at the foot of the cliff, the Scala dei Turchi is a breathtaking beauty. Moreover, it is in a privileged position, constantly beaten by the winds; in fact, in the past, it was a safe landing place for the ships of the Arab pirates (called at that time “Turks”) who, once landed, went to plunder the native villages.
Today it is not easy to arrive, but the game is absolutely worth the candle!
How to reach the Scala dei Turchi
Once you arrive near the crag, you can park on the side of the road, or continue to parking areas and convenient parking for a fee. After that, you can access the Turkish Ladder through 3 steps:
Lido Scala dei Turchi, about 500 meters from the crag: it is the closest and has a staircase leading to the beach. Very comfortable, but also very impervious for those who have some difficulty in climbing/descending stairs;
Lounge Bar Scala dei Turchi, about 800 meters from the cliff: offers fewer steps to walk, as well as lower, but once you arrive at the beach you have to walk a little before arriving at your destination;
Majata Beach, about 1 km from the cliff: there are no steps, but you walk directly on the beach to the Scala dei Turchi.
The beaches of Scala dei Turchi
The beach of Scala dei Turchi consists of a sand tongue between the sea and the cliff, offers no shelter from the sun and is not equipped. The seabed is low and, as well as rocks, very slippery; that’s why many visitors prefer to stop to sunbathe higher, giving up getting to the beach.
If you decide to stay on the rock, you can always opt for nearby beaches, first of all that of Lido Rossello, a seaside resort 3 kilometers from the center of Realmonte. It is a small sandy beach in the bay of Capo Rossello, surrounded by a promontory on which stands a lighthouse. It is easy to reach and, above all, is equipped with deck chairs and umbrellas.
Another fine golden sand beach is Majata Beach, where you can rent deck chairs and umbrellas and have lunch in a well-known restaurant. Alternatively, just hop in the car to explore the entire southern coast of Sicily and stop at the beaches of Marina di Palma, Siculiana Marina, Eraclea Minoa and Giallonardo.
Foto : unsplash
Scala dei Turchi: what to see in the surroundings
The beauty and attractions of Scala dei Turchi are not limited to this, because in the surroundings you can visit a large number of places and very interesting locations. Surely, it is worth dedicating some hours of your holiday to discover the Valley of the Temples of Agrigento, with its Doric temples of the Hellenic period, just 20 minutes away from the crag.
The centre of Agrigento deserves great attention: not only was it the birthplace of the writer Luigi Pirandello, but also – among other things – it houses the Cathedral of Sale di Realmonte, a little-known building but of great historical importance, It is located in the heart of a 6 million year old rock salt mine. From Agrigento, then, you can move throughout the province to discover hidden and unspoilt places and, of course, looking for the best restaurants where to taste the most famous typical dishes.
In short, the Scala dei Turchi is a place of extraordinary beauty, which reveals itself to be much more than a simple tourist attraction. Thanks to its white sandy beach, crystal clear waters and the places of great interest in the vicinity, it offers an experience that you should live at least once in your life.
Copertina: Unsplash