Discover Ustica: Volcanic Landscape, Marine Protected Area and Cultural Heritage

Ustica combines a rugged volcanic landscape with exceptional marine nature, traces of prehistoric settlements and a distinctive island cuisine. Black volcanic rocks shaped by weathering characterize the geomorphological landscape of the Riserva Naturale Isola di Ustica nature reserve. If you would like to combine nature, history, walking trails and local specialties on your trip, you will find a wide range of discoveries here within a compact thematic area.

Marine Protected Area and Exceptional Nature

The Area Marina Protetta Isola di Ustica marine protected area covers 15,951 hectares and extends along approximately 15 kilometers of coastline. It was established in 1986 together with Miramare in Trieste as Italy’s first marine protected area. Among other things, it protects Posidonia oceanica seagrass meadows and their organisms, including the noble pen shell Pinna nobilis. The diverse marine fauna includes protected species such as the loggerhead sea turtle Caretta caretta and various cetaceans, especially bottlenose dolphins and striped dolphins.

Nature on land is also remarkably diverse. Covering a total of 204.37 hectares, the Riserva Naturale Isola di Ustica nature reserve preserves distinctive coastal vegetation, including an endemic species whose range is restricted to the coasts of the Province of Palermo and to Ustica, Favignana and Levanzo. The reserve also includes Mediterranean maquis and around 570 plant taxa, mostly of Mediterranean origin. During the autumn and spring migrations, Ustica serves as an important resting and feeding area for resident and migratory birds.

Archaeology, Towers and Viewpoints

One of the most impressive cultural sites is the Villaggio preistorico dei Faraglioni. The well-preserved and complete Middle Bronze Age settlement dates from 1400 to 1200 BC. Its proto-urban layout with regular paths is considered one of the most important prehistoric complexes in the Mediterranean region. The archaeological area of the Villaggio dei Faraglioni is temporarily closed due to exceptional maintenance work; you should take this status into account when planning your excursion.

The museum in the Largo di Guardia complex displays archaeological finds from other periods as well. Pavilion A is dedicated to Ustica’s prehistory, while Pavilion B covers the period from the Hellenistic era to late antiquity. The Falconiera Fortress also combines several historical layers: the ancient Roman archaeological site was expanded under Bourbon rule into a large defensive fortress on the edge of an old volcanic crater. From the Rocca della Falconiera, views extend over the harbor, the town and large parts of the island. In the center, on Ustica’s central square, stands the Church of Ferdinando Re, which is recommended as a sight to visit.

The Torre dello Spalmatore is a Bourbon watchtower built in 1763 and now serves as the headquarters of the Area Marina Protetta. Informative and educational activities, cultural events, exhibitions and presentations take place there. An information center of the Area Marina Protetta on Piazza Umberto I in the center of Ustica provides a space for visitors during the summer season and hosts meetings, exhibitions and seminars.

Hiking Routes and Trails Across the Island

Several trails explore Ustica, each with different historical and landscape highlights. The Sentiero di Mezzogiorno begins at the Torre S.Maria, built by the Bourbons, leads via Punta Galera and ends at Punta Cavazzi. The Sentiero del Bosco starts in the north of Ustica and follows a path once used by charcoal burners. The walking route around Ustica takes approximately five to six hours, offering a longer way to experience the island as one continuous landscape area.

Another trail from Piazza del Municipio leads via Gorgo Maltese to the Villaggio preistorico dei Faraglioni. Along the way, it passes, among other places, the turnoff to the Falconiera and the viewpoint overlooking Cala Giaconi. To reach the island, the port of Ustica is served daily by hydrofoils and ferries, which can also carry vehicles.

Experience the Sea: Aquarium, Snorkeling and Boat Trips

The aquarium at Cala Santa Maria has six large tanks showing typical marine habitats around Ustica at different depths. It is located in the historic Magazzino a mare in the center of Cala Santa Maria, approximately 10 meters from the shoreline. This makes it possible to discover the protected underwater world through an exhibition as well. A guided snorkeling experience meets at Cala Sidoti within Zone A of the marine protected area. Participants can observe marine fauna and flora there in very shallow water; according to the description of the activity, no swimming skills are required.

For further underwater discoveries, Punta Galera and Scoglio del Medico are designated diving sites. The Grotta dei Gamberi contains a colony of small crustaceans at a depth of approximately 37 meters. Near Scoglio del Medico, marine fauna that is rare in the Mediterranean can be found, including barracudas, groupers, white seabream and amberjacks. A boat trip along the coast of Ustica can lead to the Grotta Azzurra, Grotta Verde, Grotta Pastizza, Grotta delle Barche and Grotta dell’Oro. A Roman shipwreck with amphorae from the 2nd to 1st century BC was also discovered off Ustica at a depth of approximately 70 meters.

Local Cuisine and Festivals

Lenticchia di Ustica is a Slow Food Presidium product and is traditionally grown entirely by hand on the island’s fertile volcanic soils. In local cuisine, it is used for soup with local vegetables and for pasta e lenticchie with broken spaghetti. Ustica’s wine production includes Zibibbo, which is used to make passito wine. Pizza Usticese is prepared with tomato sauce, anchovies, garlic and breadcrumbs.

The events calendar also reflects the island’s maritime character: the Festa della Madonna dei Pescatori takes place on the last Sunday in May, while the Festa del Mare e dell’Area Marina Protetta is held in July.

If you would like to compare other destinations in Sicily in addition to Ustica, you can also discover Bompietro, Castellana Sicula, Ventimiglia Di Sicilia, Pioppo, Lascari, Torre Colonna-Sperone and Giardinello.

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Ustica - Sicily.