Zingaro Nature Reserve

Sicily'S First Nature Reserve, Declared In 1981 After A Public March Stopped A Planned Coast Road, Protecting Seven Kilometres Of Roadless Limestone Coastline · San Vito Lo Capo, Sicily

Seven kilometres of north-west Sicilian coast that exist because people walked. In 1981 a coast road was planned through here, three thousand people marched the route in protest, the road was cancelled and Sicily's first nature reserve was declared instead, which is why this is the only substantial stretch of Sicilian coastline with no asphalt on it. What that protects is limestone cliff dropping into clear water, seven pebble coves strung along the bottom of it, dwarf palm and wild carob on the slopes above, and about forty pairs of Bonelli's eagles and other raptors using the ridge. You park at one of the two gates and walk in; the coastal path runs the full length in about three hours one way, with each cove a short descent off it. There are no bars, no sunbeds and no shade to speak of, which is the point and also the warning. Take all your water in, start early, and walk past the first cove, which is where almost everybody stops.

Contrada Sughero, San Vito Lo Capo, Sicily, 91010, Italy

NO OPENING TIME HERE WAS CHECKED. The structure: the reserve has TICKETED GATES AT BOTH ENDS with fixed opening and closing times, typically from early morning to late afternoon and shorter in winter, and the gates genuinely close, which matters on a seven-kilometre path. Last entry is well before closing. IT HAS CLOSED ENTIRELY ON EXTREME-HEAT AND HIGH-WILDFIRE-RISK DAYS. Boat trips from San Vito Lo Capo are seasonal. Confirm the gate hours and any heat closure before driving out.

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