Hiera

Marettimo, the Egadi Islands, Sicily

30 Photos

The fisherman's cottage

4 Guests

2 Bedrooms

2 Bathrooms

Authentic in spirit, but reassuringly contemporary in terms of comfort, Hiera offers guests the perfect base from which to explore one of Italy’s most fascinating but least visited islands: a pebble’s throw from the beach, a gentle meander to a series of excellent trattorie, and a short stroll from the start of the walking paths that circumnavigate and scale Marettimo’s mountainous interior. If you’re in need of a rest after all that exploring, you can relax in Hiera’s al fresco roof-top tub, looking out to sea and counting your blessings.

Speak to our experts

For expert advice on this villa, things to do in the area, or to discuss how we can make your stay truly bespoke, call our Villa Specialists today. We are open every day of the week, weekends included.

Keyholder highlights

  • IncludedSuperb sea views
  • IncludedRooftop terrace and al fresco tub
  • IncludedEasy stroll to shops, restaurants and a beach

Gallery

The village of Marettimo spreads out around and between its two harbours.

Hiring a boat for a day or two will allow you to swim in water like this!

The little pebbly beach right below Hiera.

Sunset seen from the little balcony of the double bedroom.

The footpath above the old harbour and beach is right outside Hiera.

Take a proper look

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The Area

A former fisherman's cottage, Hiera is located on the old harbour of unspoilt Marettimo, the westernmost of the three Egadi Islands.

A 70-minute hydrofoil crossing from Trapani, Marettimo is a real island hideaway, a quiet, sleepy place most of the year round. In the summer months, expat islanders return to see their families, a few tourists arrive and the island's only village thrums with a very gentle buzz.

Sitting in a prime village location above the old harbour, Hiera is perfectly placed for exploring Marettimo’s many attractions. A pebble beach and the sea is on your doorstep, the village's shops, cafés and excellent trattorie are a lazy stroll away. A stay at Hiera offers a fantastic opportunity to become part of a welcoming and fascinating community - find out more about the islanders' curious relationship with Alaska, salmon-fishing and Monterey, California.

Marettimo packs a surprising amount of history and archaeological interest for such a small, relatively remote place. The remains of a Roman military outpost, built after the First Punic War, sit next to a Norman-era church looking out over the sea, while a dramatic castle of Arab origins dominates the northeastern tip of the island (a promontory called Punta Troia).

Well-marked walking paths lead out from the village, crisscrossing the island, offering unending views of heart-quickening beauty. Perhaps the best of these is to be seen from the top of Pizzo Falcone, the island's highest peak at about 500m above sea level.

Marettimo's coastline is one of dramatic charm. Numerous grottoes puncture the precipitous dolomitic cliffs as they plunge into the sea, and a day or two exploring these on a boat is a fabulous experience. Sea lovers will also delight in the swimming, snorkelling and scuba diving opportunities Marettimo has to offer. Its waters are transparent and extremely clean, thanks to its being part of the Egadi Islands Marine Reserve (one of the largest in Europe).

Should you wish to explore further afield, a day trip to the other Egadi Islands is great fun. Favignana is a buzzing island with wonderful beaches and bays. It was once home to thriving tuna fisheries and the main town has some impressive architecture. Levanzo, meanwhile, is quieter and less frequented, though its 20,000-year-old cave paintings in the Grotta del Genovese do attract some visitors.

From Palermo airport to the port in Trapani:

90km-55miles-1hr

Trapani airport to Trapani port:

25mins

Palermo airport to Trapani port:

90km-55miles-1hr

Catania airport to Trapani port:

315km-195miles-3hr35

Comiso airport to Trapani port:

340km-211miles-4hr

Hydrofoil from Trapani:

1hr20-1hr30

Hydrofoils to Favignana and Levanzo:

30-45mins

Nearest shops and restaurant:

1-5 mins walk

Nearest swimming bays:

right below the house

Marettimo Port:

5-10mins walk

Local Experiences

Private boat charters in West Sicily

Private boat charters in West Sicily

Transparent waters lap dramatic, time-scarred sea stacks and weather-beaten cliffs, home to tumbling prickly pear trees and 16th and 17th-century watch towers. The old tonnara (a tuna fishing hub) is set evocatively between the cliffs, and a little time spent snorkelling here will be time well spent indeed. Then it’s off again, sweeping through the limpid waters of Lo Zingaro Nature Reserve, whose towering mountains rise majestically from the sea. Idyllic pebbly coves break up the sheer rocky masses, and before you know it you’ll be rounding the headland and sailing west to Sicily’s most northwesterly town, the fishing village and seaside resort of San Vito Lo Capo, renowned for its golden sands, electric blue waters, and delicious fish couscous.

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Private guided tours in West Sicily

Private guided tours in West Sicily

From first glance, it would seem that the Saracen and Norman rulers of Sicily could have had very little in common. The former had arrived from North Africa and were part of the Golden Age of Arab civilisation that had made such huge strides in the fields of mathematics, economics, agriculture, science, poetry, and architecture. The latter were an offshoot of the Vikings from the frozen north of Europe, adventurers and hardened warriors.When the Normans ousted the Saracen forces in 1090, however, there was no obliteration of all things Arabic. Indeed, the men from the north were hugely impressed by what they found, and rather than destroying Arabic culture, they embraced it. Many institutions were retained, Islam was tolerated, and Saracen landowners were allowed to keep their estates. North African habits were adopted by many Normans as they acclimatised to life in the middle of the Mediterranean. Souks prospered, cool Arabic courtyards were de rigueur, and many Normans, including some of the sovereigns themselves, lived more like Emirs than knights. Where the fusion of cultures really stood out, however, was in the architecture.

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Culinary experiences in West Sicily

Culinary experiences in West Sicily

The west of Sicily is a great destination for food lovers. Inland, the scenery is dominated by vast expanses of vineyards and olive groves, and some of Sicily's best wines – for example those of the Alcamo, Trapani, Erice and Marsala areas - and olive oils are produced in this corner of the island. Restaurant menus offer a fabulous array of fresh fish and seafood dishes. Fish cous cous is one of the signature dishes, a tradition that is celebrated every September at San Vito’s international Cous Cous Fest. Other stand-out specialities include busiate al pesto trapanese - a homemade pasta served with a pesto of tomatoes, garlic, almonds and basil - and spaghetti alla bottarga - salt-cured tuna fish roe grated on steaming pasta.

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From the Guest Book

Read the thoughtful reviews that travellers have left after their time with us.

An illustration of a guest book

The island is amazing, it offers everything but without the confusion of other locations. Hiera is simply over the top in terms of the quality of the house. Everything is provided, everything, so you could travel there just with your clothes.

Andrea Clerici August 2023

Hiera is a lovely holiday home, well kept and comfortable. The view from the roof terrace is lovey.

HE, United Kingdom September 2022

Hiera is lovely, in particular the roof terrace. The views from the kitchen are amazingly distracting! Marettimo is wonderful! We loved the fact that everything was within walking distance -- not having to get into a car for a whole week was amazingly liberating and relaxing.

TS, United Kingdom July 2022

Loved Hiera…. It is what I expected, a little apartment on a small Sicilian island. Very clean, updated, comfortable.

Mrs Shelly Steinhaus, United States of America October 2021

We really loved Hiera with its rooftop and the harbour view.

MD, United Kingdom October 2021

Hiera was beautiful and the housekeeper was lovely. The roof terrace was a real bonus and many happy hours were spent in the plunge pool with a book. The location was perfect: right next to Tramontana, possibly the most popular cafe on the island, and perched just above the harbour.

Mrs Susannah Cannell, United Kingdom August 2020

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