Scala dei Turchi

One of the most unusual stairs in the world is located on the southwestern coast of Sicily, in the province of Agrigento. Its snow-white stepped massif was created by nature and is immersed in the sea, like a giant airy cake. This miracle is called Scala dei Turchi - the Turkish stair, or the Ladder/Stairs of the Turks. According to legend, this place was a secret refuge of Turkish pirates, which is why it bears that name. The stairs are made of limestone and marl - sedimentary rocks, which have been worked on by wind and rain, forming undulating steps and terraces.

How to get there

Scala dei Turchi is located far from Sicilian resorts. If you have rented a car to travel around Sicily, you can drive along the SP68 from Palermo to the Turkish Stairs in an hour. If you want to get there by public transport, you must first take a bus or train to Agrigento, and then take the bus going through Realmonte.

Then you need to get out and walk. There are 2 routes, from the east or from the west:

On the Porto Empedocle side, there is a car park and a bus stop next to the highway. The stepped descent to the eastern sandy beach also begins from here. The coastline here is quite indented, in some place’s rocky outcrops come to the surface and form shallow troughs filled with water. After going around a small promontory, you will soon come to the Stairs. The ascent to it from the east is gentle. You can climb up the chalk steps, bypass all the ledges and go down, on the other side, to the western beach.

From the Realmonte side there is a descent to the western beach Lido Rosello.You will need to walk about 2 km along the rocky sandy coast to the east to Scala dei Turchi. It won't be easy to climb from the west, because the stone steps are steep and narrow.

What to do there

Swim in the Mediterranean Sea

The sandy beaches on both sides of Scala dei Turchi cannot be called well-maintained in the usual sense, so you won't find umbrellas, sun loungers and piers here. But at the same time, all this redeems the natural comfort of the coast: a wide sandy strip, clean and calm bays and a smooth entry into the sea. And it's not worth talking about the bright sun, fresh wind and warm water.

Take sun and air baths

There are always a lot of people on the stairs, especially in summer. The stone steps are sanded by wind and water, which explains that on a sunny day it doesn't burn, but warm with pleasant warmth. You can also visit this place in winter: on a fine January day, the stairs look no worse than in July, the difference will be only in the amount of clothes and the absence of water procedures.

Take pictures

There is an observation deck, on the side of the highway, - Belvedere Scala dei Turchi, from which you can see the Stairs from the most advantageous angle. Beautiful photos are obtained from the top of the cliff, from the foot and from the side of the beaches - in general, from wherever the photographer's hand reaches.

Visit Agrigento

If you come to see the Turkish Stairs, why not visit Agrigento at the same time?

This city, which is 2.5 millennia old, is known for the perfectly preserved ancient buildings in the Valley of the Temples (The Valle dei Templi). It will not be a problem for you to find accommodation in Agrigento: there are many good hotels. If you want to stay closer to the Stairs of the Turks, there are some hotels nearby and also modern snow-white Villa Saraceni overlooking the Scala dei Turchi.

Attention!

Don't forget the sunglasses: the white stone and the reflected sunlight are dazzling, especially in the afternoon.

You should not jump into the water from the steps of the Turkish Stairs: the rocks are steep, and the bottom is quite close in some places.

Take care of beauty! Marl and limestone can be easily destroyed. Do not follow the example of those who leave here rock paintings in the form of hearts, names and dates.