Scala dei Turchi is a dazzling white cliff on the southern coast of Sicily. It lies near the town of Realmonte, about 15 km from Agrigento. Its undulating surface resembles a wide staircase descending into the sea.

In my opinion, Scala dei Turchi is one of those places well worth a visit, particularly when combined with a trip to Agrigento and the Valley of the Temples.

The stop itself only takes a short while. However, you’ll have a much better experience if you combine it with a swim, watching the sunset or a boat trip along the coast.

There’s no need to pay to enter the cliff itself. The classic view of the entire white ‘staircase’ is actually better from the beach or from the sea.

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Scala dei Turchi in a nutshell

• Access to the white cliff: 6 eur
• Beach and views of the cliffs: free
• Cliff bookings: by email only
• Cliff opening hours: daily 8.00–19.40, weather permitting
• Duration of paid visit: 20 minutes
• Total visit duration: 1–1.5 hours without swimming, 2–3 hours including time on the beach
• Best views: from the beach at Majata Beach or from a boat
• Best time to visit: in the morning when it’s less crowded, or in the late afternoon for the light and sunset

Why is Scala dei Turchi white?

The cliff is not made of marble or classic limestone. It consists of white marl, a soft sedimentary rock containing limestone and clay.

Wind, rain and the sea have carved smooth terraces resembling steps into the soft rock. It is precisely because of this soft surface that the cliff is prone to erosion, and access is restricted.

The name means ‘Stairs of the Turks’. According to local legend, pirates from North Africa – whom the locals collectively referred to as ‘Turks’ – used the sheltered cove. However, this is not a historically confirmed event.

Are the Scala dei Turchi open to the public?

Yes, the white cliffs can be accessed, but only as part of a supervised visit. It is no longer possible to move freely across the entire rock formation as was once the case.

Access may be temporarily closed due to rain, strong winds, high waves or temperatures exceeding 34–35 °C.

Therefore, always check the official website of the municipality of Realmonte before you go.

The beach and nearby viewpoints may remain accessible even if access to the protected cliff itself is restricted. However, always respect local barriers and instructions.

Admission, bookings and opening hours

Entry to the controlled section of Scala dei Turchi costs 6 eur s per person.

Book your visit by email at:

• settore5.realmonte@gmail.com

Please include the following in your message:

• the number of visitors
• date of visit
• preferred time (which may be approximate)

The municipality does not specify any other booking channels. Due to limited capacity, I would not rely on being able to enter without a prior booking.

Admission is paid on arrival. A payment card is required, as the ticket office accepts payments via a terminal.

• Opening hours: 8.00–19.40
• Last admission: 19:40
• Duration of visit: 20 minutes

Please wear shoes with soft, non-slip soles on the cliff. Sharp soles or any other objects that could damage the soft surface are prohibited. Tripods and other photographic equipment must not be placed directly on the rock.

What can you see for free and what do you have to pay for?

There is no charge for access to the surrounding sandy beaches. You can view and photograph the cliff from the coast free of charge.

The fee 6 eur applies only to controlled access directly onto the white surface of Scala dei Turchi.

If your main aim is to take a classic photograph of the entire stepped cliff, you do not need to pay the entry fee.

From the cliff itself, you’ll mainly see the sea and the surrounding coastline. Its distinctive shape stands out better from a distance.

Best views and photo spots

The most famous view is from the sandy beach at Majata Beach. From here, you’ll see the entire white cliff against the sea.

Another option is the viewing points along the SP68 road. These are suitable for a quick stop, but the cliff is further away from here and partly blends into the coastline.

The best overall view is from a boat.

From the sea, the sheer size of the cliff, the individual white terraces and the contrast with the surrounding golden rocks really stand out. What’s more, the light is softer in the late afternoon than at midday.

Beach and swimming

Sandy beaches stretch out on both sides of Scala dei Turchi. Access to the public sections is free.

You’ll find the widest range of facilities at Majata Beach. There are paid beach clubs here offering sun loungers, parasols, changing rooms, showers, toilets and restaurants. Outside the paid areas, you can lay out your own towel for free.

There is practically no shade directly beneath the cliffs. Make sure you bring plenty of water, a hat and sun cream.

Swimming is possible when the sea is calm. Do not stay beneath unstable sections of the cliffs and do not go beyond the fencing. When the waves are higher, some sections of the beach may be more difficult to access.

If you’re travelling with young children, I’d recommend the beach club at Majata Beach. Access is via steps and sand, so it may be difficult with a pushchair or for people with reduced mobility.

Is a boat trip or an organised excursion worth it?

Boat trip

In my opinion, a boat trip is well worth it, even if you’ve hired a car. It offers a different and significantly better view of the entire cliff.

Cruises usually set sail from San Leone near Agrigento. Shorter trips last around 1.5 hours. Longer cruises last 3–4 hours and usually include several stops for swimming.

• Short cruises: from 40 eur per person
• Longer trips with stops for swimming: 55–70 eur per person
• Private boats: from 350 eur per boat

Boat trips to Scala dei Turchi

Entry to the protected cliff is not usually included in the boat trip. If you also wish to visit the white cliffs, please book a separate time slot.

Organised land tour

If you have a car and are staying in the Agrigento area, you don’t need an organised land tour. The visit itself is straightforward and a guide doesn’t offer any significant added value here.

An organised tour makes sense as part of a day trip from Palermo or Catania. Choose a tour that combines the Valley of the Temples with Scala dei Turchi. I wouldn’t recommend travelling such a distance just for the cliffs.

When to visit Scala dei Turchi?

For a quieter visit, arrive in the morning. You’ll find it easier to park and there’ll be fewer people on the beach.

However, the light is usually at its most beautiful in the late afternoon. Scala dei Turchi is also a popular spot for watching the sunset. If you want to walk right up onto the cliff, time your visit to coincide with the last permitted entry time.

Midday is the least pleasant time. There is no shade on the coast and the white rock reflects a great deal of light. In extreme heat, controlled access may be closed for safety reasons.

Allow 1–1.5 hours for a quick visit without swimming. If you plan to swim and relax on the beach, allow 2–3 hours.

The best day-trip itinerary is to visit the Valley of the Temples in the morning and Scala dei Turchi later in the afternoon.

How to get to Scala dei Turchi

Scala dei Turchi is situated on the SP68 road between Porto Empedocle and the seaside resort of Lido Rossello.

From Agrigento, it’s about a 20–25-minute drive. From Porto Empedocle, the journey takes 10–15 minutes.

By car and parking

There are three paid car parks along the SP68 road. Two further car parks are located at the end of Discesa Majata.

From the car park, continue on foot down the steps to the beach and then along the sand to the cliffs. Depending on which car park you choose, the walk takes 5–15 minutes.

Marked access points include:

• Majata Beach
• White Bar and Lounge Beach
• Acanthus
• the access point by the Pizzeria Scala dei Turchi restaurant

At the Parkingland car park, expect to pay 6 eur for 4 hours or 10 eur for the whole day. Other private car parks have their own pricing structures.

Do not park along the narrow SP68 road outside the designated spaces. During the high season, car parks fill up quickly, so it is best to arrive in the morning or later in the afternoon.

A car is the most practical way to travel around southern Sicily. You can find details in the section on Car hire in Sicily.

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By bus from Agrigento

The most convenient option without a car is the seasonal Temple Tour Bus. The bus connects Agrigento, the Valley of the Temples, Porto Empedocle and Scala dei Turchi.

A full-day ticket for routes A+B costs:

• adults: 10 eur
• children aged 4 to 12: 5 eur
• a family with 2 adults and children: 25 eur

You can also use the same ticket on TUA city buses in Agrigento. Tickets are sold online or directly on the bus.

The service is seasonal. It does not run on Mondays, during the winter months or in adverse weather conditions. Exact times are subject to change, so always check the current timetable.

An alternative is the regular Autolinee Lumia bus service from Agrigento or Porto Empedocle to the town of Realmonte.

Tickets start at 3 eur. However, Scala dei Turchi is still 3.5–4 km from the centre of Realmonte, and the walk along the road is not pleasant. Consider this option more as a fallback.

If arriving by train, try entering the destination “Scala dei Turchi – Realmonte” into the Trenitalia search engine . At certain times of year, combined tickets for the train and a connecting bus are available.

We describe more options for searching for connections in the chapter on Transport in Sicily.

Accommodation near Scala dei Turchi

Staying overnight at Scala dei Turchi makes sense if you want to stay on the beach until sunset or if you’re continuing your journey by car along the south coast.

Right by the cliffs

In the area around Punta Grande and Realmonte, accommodation mainly consists of flats, guesthouses and holiday villas. The choice is limited, so the best options sell out quickly in summer.

Well-located accommodation options include:

• Belvedere Scala dei Turchi
• Villa Azzurra
• B&B Villa Eleonora

Accommodation near Scala dei Turchi

Agrigento

Agrigento is the best base if you don’t have a car. It offers the widest choice of hotels and restaurants, bus connections and easy access to the Valley of the Temples.

Porto Empedocle

Porto Empedocle lies between Agrigento and the cliffs. It’s ideal for travellers who want to stay by the sea or are planning a boat trip.

You can find other suitable base locations and a comparison of different parts of the island in the chapter ‘Where to stay in Sicily’.

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