Discover Sicily’s stunning nature reserves and areas of natural beauty
From serene beaches to towering mountains, Sicily is a diverse treasure trove of natural beauty. In this guide, we'll explore some of Sicily's most remarkable nature reserves and areas of natural beauty, including its sprawling salt pans, Madonie mountains, and the Vendicari and Lo Zingaro Nature Reserves. Whether you're a nature enthusiast or simply seeking tranquility, Sicily's natural wonders are sure to captivate you.
The Madonie Mountains
The Parco delle Madonie, situated south of Cefalù, was the second nature reserve to be established in Sicily. Its 35,000 hectares are home to towering mountains (at 1,979m the highest peak is Pizzo Carbonara ), large expanses of woodland, and a flourishing variety of flora and fauna.
The park also incorporates 15 historic towns and villages, including Polizzi Generosa, Petralia Soprana, Petralia Sottana, Gangi, Castellana Sicula, Castelbuono, and Isnello. The labyrinthine streets of their medieval centres lead to beautiful churches, picturesque piazzas, impregnable castles and awe-inspiring viewpoints.
In terms of flora, there are over 2,600 different species ocf plants, many of which are endemic to the area. The colours are particularly beautiful in autumn and spring. The land above an altitude of 1,500m is dominated by the Madonie Forest, while lower down the slopes, the locals continue to pursue millennial agricultural activities including sheep and cattle farming and the cultivation of wheat, olives and fruit.
One tradition of particular interest in Castelbuono is the production of manna, a whitish resin that drips from ash trees when the bark is cut. It is left to flow and creates stalactitic forms before being collected. Traditionally it was believed to have excellent curative properties for stomach problems, but now is generally used to sweeten local delicacies.
The Madonie's gastronomic tradition is second to none, relying as it does on local produce for prime ingredients. The meat, sausages, salami, cheese, olives, mushrooms, and fresh seasonal vegetables are all excellent, while some of Sicily's best wine is produced nearby.
The Madonie Park lends itself to walking and hiking with many wonderful routes of varying difficulty and length. Other activities, such as horse riding and mountain biking are also fairly common. For children, there is also a wonderful adventure playground (Il Parco Avventura) near Petralia Sottana. Rope ladder-walking, tree-climbing and all sorts of fun are to be had! There are picnic areas and, if you phone ahead, you can request some local products, such as cheeses, hams, sausages etc. to be waiting for you!
If you are looking for a slightly alternative Sicily, one that does not really exist in the popular imagination, the Madonie Mountains will offer a great deal for contemplation thanks to its landscapes, its people and their way of life that has relatively little in common with that of coastal city-dwelling Sicilians.
Villas in Sicily on the north coast
Insider tip: Castelbuono, with its imposing castle, is a good half-day trip and good fun for children to explore. The town also has a series of highly-rated restaurants, including Nangalarruni in Via delle Confraternite, 7.
The Nebrodi Mountains
Swathes of forest, unbounded views of astounding beauty, gentle-giant mountains, pure unpolluted air, limpid lakes, age-old villages, deep fertile valleys, undisturbed peace and quiet.....
Yes, it’s Sicily! Or at least the most untouched part of the island: the Nebrodi Mountains. Quite why this area doesn’t attract many tourists (or Sicilians!) is a mystery to anyone who has been there. The opening paragraph contains no exaggeration and, should you get a chance to explore this fascinating area during your time in Sicily, you too will sing its praises.
The Nebrodi National Park was instituted in 1993, and is the largest in Sicily, with a surface area of just over 85,000 hectares. The variety of fauna is vast and includes not only more common species such as wild cats, foxes, porcupines and hares, but also indigenous breeds: the San Fratello horse and the Nebrodian black pig. The meat of this latter is a highly prized ingredient in the area’s cuisine and is also used for making hams and salamis. The famous salame di Sant’Angelo di Brodo is one purchase you might like to make.
Flora is equally varied: on the lower slopes myrtle, lentisk, cork trees and holm oaks dominate, while higher up oak woods and beech forests cover the peaks.
The highest mountain, at 1,847 meters, is Monte Soro. The views from here are simply breathtaking: Mount Etna with its plume of smoke to the southeast, the Aeolian Islands emerge from the Tyrrhenian to the north, and the Madonie Mountains continue the Sicilian Apennines to the west. While the peaks in Nebrodi Park are not as high as those of its neighbours, the presence of several wonderful lakes adds variety to the landscape. Of these, Lago Biviere and Lago Ancipa are well worth a visit, the latter also thanks to its stunning views of Mount Etna framed in a natural paradise. Good walking and mountain biking opportunities abound.
Many of the towns originated with the arrival of Byzantine Greeks in the 4th and 5th centuries CE and remains of Byzantine monasteries and churches can be found dotted around the area. Some of the most important centres are Mistretta, Troina and Nicosia, though many smaller villages, such as San Marco d’Annunzio, San Salvatore di Fitalia, Floresta and San Fratello are worth visiting. This last, in particular, is home to the lovely Convento di San Francesco, complete with cloisters, and a Norman church dating back to the 11th century
To get the most out of the Nebrodi one has to explore, follow one’s nose and take chances. An unassuming-looking path might lead to a beautiful wood or lake, a seemingly normal village might hide a fantastic church or a wonderful trattoria, and the humblest of food shops might sell mouth-watering local delicacies.
Insider tip: If you plan to do some walking, try getting hold of the Rother Guide to Sicily. You can also get info about the park from the tourist offices in Capo D'Orlando (Via A. Volta, 11) or the Nebrodi villages of Tortorici, Troina and San Fratello.
Vendicari Nature Reserve
For anyone holidaying in the southeast of Sicily, one place that really shouldn’t be missed is the Vendicari Nature Reserve. There are many reasons for this assertion, none more convincing than the fact that its beaches are amongst the most beautiful in Sicily.
Situated on the southernmost part of Sicily’s east coast, Vendicari is a mixture of salt water lagoons (pantani), sand dunes, rocky coastlines, and beaches. It was instituted in 1984 and is home to a wide variety of flora and fauna. The terrain provides an ideal habitat for Mediterranean maquis, herbs such as thyme and rosemary, and other prickly customers such as juniper bushes.
Thousands of migrating birds pass a few days here on their way to or from Africa. Flamingos, herons, storks and cormorants are regulars during autumn, while in the winter, ducks, mallards, pintails and terns take over. An ornithologists' paradise, there are several hides for those who bring their binoculars.
For those whose interests are of a more active kind, Vendicari offers a wonderful environment for seaside walks with only the sound of the waves, birds and the wind for company. Swimmers (and sunbathers), meanwhile, will find it hard to choose between the numerous beaches and rocky coves line the coast.
There are three entrances to the park, all off the main Noto-Pachino road. The middle entrance, signposted Torre di Vendicari, gives you the opportunity of heading north or south. Wherever you decide to enter, you will have to park your car and walk a little, though this is a greatly pleasurable experience.
Also within the reserve are a series of historic remains, including a 15th-century tower built by Peter of Aragon (known as the Torre Sveva), a tonnara (tuna fishery) and several old fishermen’s houses.
Villas perfect for nature lovers
Insider tip: There are no lidos offering sun loungers etc. or bars, so it is essential to take water and something to eat with you. A picnic in this area of great beauty, however, is an absolute treat! Stop off at a bakery in Noto and they will make up delicious sandwiches for you while you wait.
Lo Zingaro Nature Reserve
West of Palermo, just after Castellammare del Golfo, the coastline becomes rugged, rocky and, in places, spectacular. That most natural of sculptors, the sea, has worked minor miracles, creating myriad coves, sea stacks and grottoes in the hard limestone cliffs.
Part of the coastline in question is home to Lo Zingaro Nature Reserve, created in 1981. Stretching along the coast for 7km between the lovely little village of Scopello in the east to near San Vito Lo Capo in the west, this park and its surrounding areas are one of the most beautiful parts of western Sicily.
Windswept and weather-beaten, Lo Zingaro has been shaped by nature to stunning effect. Cliffs drop precipitously into the azure sea, mountainsides rise steeply up to heights of 1,000m, and delightful pebbly coves are lapped by transparent turquoise waters as lovely as you'll find anywhere in the Mediterranean.
The park attracts both walkers and bathers alike and in the summer, when many beaches are overcrowded, it is a good idea to head for Lo Zingaro, walk for half an hour, and spend the rest of the day in relative isolation on a virtually deserted beach.
For centuries, Lo Zingaro was inhabited by small communities of farmers who grew wheat and kept livestock. It was also home to smugglers who sheltered in the coves and used the numerous grottoes as storage space for their merchandise. The legendary bandit of Montelepre, Giuliano, was also known to have hidden out in the territory on a variety of occasions.
From afar, Lo Zingaro looks relatively stark as trees are a rarity. On closer inspection, however, one comes across a great variety of flora that is especially suited to the terrain. The humid microclimate makes it possible for over 650 different species to thrive here. Dwarf palms and other shrubs line most of the paths, while in the spring, the grass of the slopes is dotted with thousands of colourful wild flowers, some endemic to the area, such as a rare type of sea lavender (Limonium Flagellare), and many other more common species including crocuses, anemones, irises and various kinds of orchid.
The nature reserve is also a magnet for ornithologists who come to study the local bird population, which includes eagles, peregrine falcons, partridges, kestrels and several types of owl. Sea birds also abound. On the animal front you may well cross paths with weasels, hedgehogs, foxes, lizards and even the occasional, harmless, viper.
If you're in the area, whatever the season, we recommend a visit.
Insider tip: Stop off in in the village of Scopello on your way and fill a bag with "pane cunzato", the local speciality sandwich, and some water. At both entrances of the reserve, you can get maps showing you the walking paths and the various bays.
The west coast salt pans
Hot African winds, long, sun-drenched summer days and shallow coastal waters: the perfect recipe for salt-making, thought the Phoenicians some 2,700 years ago. Today, the very same conditions are still being put to good use in the salt pans between Trapani and Marsala.
Salt was a hugely important commodity for the preservation of food and so the west coast of Sicily played a fundamental role in the daily life of thousands of people around the Mediterranean basin and in Europe.
There are two main areas of production, one at Nubia, just south of Trapani, and one at Lo Stagnone, the largest lagoon in Italy, a few miles north of Marsala. Now a designated marine nature reserve comprising some 2,000 hectares, Lo Stagnone is home not only to the ancient tradition of sea-salt production, but also to a flourishing variety of wildlife, and a fascinating archipelago consisting of four mostly uninhabited islands: San Pantaleo, home to ancient Mothya, one of the Phoenicians’ original settlements in Sicily, Isola Longa, Santa Maria, and Schola.
The Saline della Laguna salt pans of Lo Stagnone offer a truly unique landscape. Windmills, first introduced during medieval times, dot the horizon, a testament to how things were once done. One or two continue to function, pumping water through the sluice gates into or out of the various basins. Piles of harvested salt, neatly covered with terracotta tiles, lie between the road and the basins, drying in the sun and waiting to be dispatched.
Salt production along the coast reached its peak just after the Unification of Italy in 1860, when 31 salt pans produced over 100,000 tonnes per year, much of which was exported all over Europe, as far away as Norway and Russia. Today, although demand is much diminished, there is still a niche market amongst gastronomes who swear by the salt’s unique qualities: it is 100% natural and contains a higher concentration of potassium and magnesium than common salt but less sodium chloride. The lack of chemical treatment means that the trace elements are maintained, enhancing its flavour. It is particularly good for fish dishes and can be found in many specialist food shops.
At the Saline della Laguna there is a fascinating salt museum giving visitors a complete explanation of exactly how the salt pans have developed and functioned over the years. It is from here that you can also take a ferry over to the Phoenician archaeological site of Mothya on Isola San Pantaleo.
A few miles further out to sea lie the Egadi Islands, and a walk along the Saline della Laguna at sunset offers spectacular and unforgettable views.
Torre Salsa
Situated midway between Sciacca and Agrigento, just south of the small town of Montallegro, Torre Salsa Nature Reserve comprises over 760 hectares of pristine coastline and around 6km of gorgeous sandy beach. Instituted in 2000, it is managed by the WWF.
The reserve’s territory features a wide variety of landscapes including hills, winter torrents, chalk cliffs, arable fields, and wetlands, all of which provide the perfect natural habitat for numerous species of animals and birds, and excellent walking opportunities for visitors.
The transparent, many-blue-hued waters that lap the coast are rich in marine life, making scuba diving and snorkeling popular pursuits. The golden sandy beaches, the longest of which runs around a curvaceous bay in the eastern part of the reserve, are the real draw for visitors, however, and it is possible to walk for miles along them. At the western boundary of the reserve, the beach continues for some 5km up to Eraclea Minoa.
There are four main entrances to the reserve, all accessible from near Montallegro, the closest town. Dirt tracks from two of these wind through the reserve down to the WWF parking area. From there it is a short stroll to the beach, which, even in high summer, is sparsely populated. There are no facilities in the reserve, so if you’re planning on spending several hours there, it is best to come prepared with food, water and an umbrella.
Belice Nature Reserve
Rising near Piana degli Albanesi in the mountains above Palermo, the Belice River flows for nearly 80km, wending its way southwards across western Sicily, until, eventually, its waters mingle with the salty depths of the Mediterranean. To the west lies the archaeological site of Selinunte, to the east, the seaside resort of Porto Palo. In between is a 3km stretch of sandy beach, dunes, and coastal flora: the Riserva Naturale del Foce del Belice.
Instituted in 1984, the Belice reserve is a wonderful place to visit in all seasons. Beach lovers will always find space on its generous sands during the spring, summer, and autumn, and swimmers will appreciate the cleanliness of its waters. In the cooler months, it’s a great spot for a brisk walk, following the disused Castelvetrano-Sciacca railway line while working up an appetite for a long lunch at La Pineta, a traditional seafood restaurant at the western extremity of the beach.
For nature lovers there’s also plenty to see. The dunes alternate with depressions, which form saltwater pools when the tide comes in. A vibrant, hardy range of flora thrives on the sandy, saline terrain, including sea daffodils, sea rocket, wild asparagus, lentisk, and tamarisk. On the fertile banks of the river delta grow towering reeds and bullrushes, while carob trees, dwarf palms, and the occasional pine rise discreetly above the dunes.
A section of the beach is given over to lidos, providing sunshades and loungers, but most is left to its own natural devices, an aspect appreciated by its most illustrious, if occasional, visitors, loggerhead sea turtles, who find the reserve an ideal spot in which to lay their eggs.
