Bright colours, gastronomic traditions
with beautiful sea and landscapes
Marzamemi is a small seafaring hamlet in the city of Pachino characterised by its slow laid-back way of life. The identity of the hamlet can already be inferred from its name, deriving from the Arabic meaning small bay. Fishing is part of the identity of the town and its tuna fishing nets are among the most unique in all Sicily.
IThe hamlet is a pedestrian zone; you can leave your car in nearby guarded car parks and enjoy a walk among characteristic shops selling local craft products and typical products of the area such as botargo, belly of red tunny in oil, Nero d'Avola wine and Pachino tomatoes, one of the most characteristic IGP [Protected Geographical Designation] products of the area.
There are two islets lying off the hamlet, one with a private house and the other with a recently built small harbour. The hamlet is constantly kissed by the bright Sicilian sun during the day; take a break at the one of the restaurants or ice-cream parlours and enjoy the caress of the sea breeze. After sunset, the hamlet takes on a special charm and becomes the perfect setting for romantic moments, enjoy an aperitif at one of the bars and dine at one of restaurants where you can taste the typical dishes of the local culinary tradition. The hamlet also has nightclubs where you can enjoy live music by local artists.
The identity of Marzamemi is strictly linked to the sea and fishing and, as testimony to the latter, the inhabitants of this hamlet live all year round off fish. If you want to enjoy the sea without straying from the hamlet, there is a small beach with crystal-clear water at the start of the town.
On the other hand, if you prefer to stray, the area has some magnificent beaches, such as the beach of San Lorenzo and the hamlet of Portopalo di Capo Passero. The nature reserve of Vendicari is only 10 km away and has been awarded the four blue sails award by Legambiente [Environmental Protection Agency] many times. Beaches like Calamosche, Eloro and Marianelli are part of the Vendicari Reserve, but the reserve is also the most important Wildlife Reserve on the Sicilian Ionic coast. An area that knows how to amaze with its varied luxuriant nature.
