Vendicari and Marzamemi in one day
The Vendicari nature reserve and the village of Marzamemi lie on the south-east coast of Sicily, close to each other and to Noto and Pachino. They are two different kinds of day out. Vendicari is a protected area where you walk to the beach and pay at the gate. Marzamemi is a village built around tuna fishing and processing, with a main square and old fishermen's buildings.
This is an independent guide, not the website of the reserve or the village. Both places are a day trip from Syracuse. They are not sights on Ortigia, and they need their own time. For the old town itself, see the guide to Ortigia.
Vendicari at a glance
Tickets, hours and entrances.
| Topic | What to know |
|---|---|
| Tickets | €3.50 regular; €1.50 reduced for police, environmental associations, students and scouts; family card €7 |
| Free entry | Children up to 7, people with disabilities and their companion, researchers with permission |
| Payment | Electronic only at the entrances, no cash. The ticket is valid all day at every entrance |
| Hours | Daily, 07:00 to 20:00, except during temporary full or partial closures |
| Access road | Entrances are reached along the SP19 |
Our pick: Vendicari
A guided walk in the nature reserve with transfer from Syracuse.
Hand-picked tours, booked through GetYourGuide. Prices are indicative starting prices in euros (as of October 2026). Tap a tour for live availability and the current price in your currency.
Tours and day trips from Syracuse
Guided days out in the south-east of Sicily and around Syracuse, with live prices and availability.
Entrances, walking distances and the current closure
Choose the entrance before you drive.
The reserve has five entrances: Eloro, Marianelli, Calamosche, Vendicari and Cittadella. From the main Vendicari entrance it is about 500 m on foot to the beach. The path to Calamosche is about 1,200 m. Parts of the beach are closed during the nesting season of the loggerhead turtle (Caretta caretta), so follow the signs and stay out of roped-off areas.
Calamosche closed
The reserve's website has carried a notice since 13 September 2026 that the Calamosche entrance is temporarily closed because a tree fell across the access road. It was still posted on 19 October 2026. This closes one entrance, not the whole reserve. Before you drive, check which entrances are open.
Swimming only in some zones
You can bathe only in designated zones. Ask at the entrance if you are not sure where.
Rules of the reserve
Not allowed: pets, unauthorised vehicles, picking or damaging plants, animals or material, leaving the paths, fires and camping, hunting and fishing, beach games, deck chairs and sunbeds, and drones. Plan for a towel on the sand, not a rented lounger. For lido-style beaches with sunbeds, see the beaches near Syracuse.
Checklist for Vendicari
Four things to sort out before you leave.
A payment card
The gates take electronic payment only. One ticket covers every entrance for the day, so you can move between entrances without paying again.
The right entrance
Calamosche is the long walk, about 1,200 m, and it is currently closed. The main Vendicari entrance is about 500 m from the beach.
Your own comfort
No sunbeds or deck chairs, no beach games and no pets. Bring water, a towel and sun protection.
Respect for the turtles
Some sections of beach are closed for loggerhead turtle nests. Stay out of them.
Marzamemi
Marzamemi is a fishing village on the south-east coast, near Vendicari, Noto and Pachino. Its history is tied to catching and processing tuna, which is why the village still has an old tonnara (a tuna fishery with its processing buildings). The centre is Piazza Regina Margherita, with historic fishermen's buildings and churches around it.
The tonnara is private. A visit to the village means walking the square and the streets around it, and you should not count on going inside the tonnara.
How to get there and how to combine them
From Syracuse by car or bus.
Syracuse to Noto is roughly 35 km, depending on the route. The Interbus stop at Corso Umberto 196 in Syracuse has buses to Noto. On 18 October 2026 the departure board listed Noto at 55 minutes. That was a snapshot of one day and one direction, not a daily frequency, and the return is not guaranteed by it. For buses to Marzamemi, check the current timetable before you go. A car makes the three places easy to combine, because the reserve entrances sit along a road.
A simple order for a day: start at Vendicari when it opens at 07:00, pick an open entrance, walk to the beach. Then drive to Marzamemi for the village. If you want to add the town of Noto, see the Noto guide. Modica and Ragusa are covered by their own guide. Noto is a stop of its own, and combining all three makes a long day.
More Syracuse guides
Other day trips and the practical side.
Vendicari and Marzamemi: frequently asked questions
How much does Vendicari cost?
Adults pay €3.50, reduced tickets are €1.50 and a family card is €7. Children up to 7 and people with disabilities and a companion enter free. Payment at the gates is electronic only, and the ticket is valid all day at all entrances.
Can I pay in cash at Vendicari?
No. Bring a card.
Is Calamosche open?
The reserve posted a notice on 13 September 2026 that the entrance is temporarily closed because of a fallen tree on the access road. It was still shown on 19 October 2026. Choose another entrance and check before you drive.
Can I bring sunbeds or a dog?
No. Pets, deck chairs and sunbeds are not allowed in the reserve. Drones, fires and beach games are also banned.
Can I visit the tonnara in Marzamemi?
The tonnara is private, and you should not plan on going inside. The village square and streets are the part to visit.
Can I do Vendicari and Marzamemi without a car?
It is harder. A bus to Noto exists, but a direct service to Marzamemi and the last way back are not confirmed. Check the current timetable before you go.