Just 15 minutes from the Valley of the Temples in Agrigento, the brilliant white and weather-formed Scala dei Turchi juts into the sea off Sicily's southern coast. The rock is a perfect diving board for beach-goers and irresistible for photographers. Accessible after a short walk along the beach (video), it's also an easy climb (video): flip flops and a bathing suit will do just fine.
The name translates as Turkish Steps, and indeed there is a striking resemblance to Pamukkale, Turkey. However the explanation on this website (in Italian) on the history of the name is that the Scala dei Turchi was the place Arab pirates, locally referred to as "turks", anchored their boats out of the wind while they pillaged the surrounding area.
Getting There
The Scala dei Turchi beach is in Realmonte, just an hour from Palermo,an hour from Piazza Armerina and 15 minutes from the Valley of the Temples in Agrigento. More specifically, it's at 37°17'31"N 13°28'13"E
Top photo by Myriapod; middle photo by Giuseppe Finocchiaro; bottom photo by Albyf1948;
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Everybody loves to travel. For many people it may be a hobby, for others, it may be for leisure purpose and get a break from their daily routine lives. One way to make your travel memorable and enjoyable is by being accompanied by some of your family members, especially children.
Posted by: traveller | January 29, 2011 at 11:02 AM
Beautiful, and so refreshing to see something so different in direction from the typical fashion shoot!
It is good if children accompany our travel so that we can enjoy much more..
Posted by: Sicily's sea off | February 07, 2011 at 09:52 PM
I just returned from a trip to the Scala dei Turchi, WOW !!! As a photographer, I never wanted to leave.
Posted by: Tom Berlin | April 08, 2011 at 05:38 AM
Wow, I've been to the Valley of the Temples many times, and to Palermo many times, but I've never heard of the Scala dei Turchi. I'll have to go next time I go to Sicily. It looks beautiful. It almost looks like the salt production fields in Marsala.
Posted by: Addicted2Italy | February 15, 2012 at 06:36 PM