Itineraries: The Vendicari Nature Reserve in Sicily

The Vendicari Nature Reserve in Sicily: what it is and where it is located

The Vendicari reserve is located 30 minutes from Tenuta Olive Alive.

The Vendicari Wildlife Oasis, a protected natural reserve, was established in 1984 by the Sicilian Regional Authority. It lies between Noto and Pachino, in the province of Siracusa, and covers an area of approximately 1,512 hectares.

Within the reserve, an entire ecosystem thrives undisturbed. You will frequently find yourself before breathtaking landscapes: dense vegetation that suddenly opens onto a crystal-clear sea, and long, golden beaches that, within a few hundred meters, turn into cliffs overlooking deep waters. From the observation huts, you can admire flamingos, herons, and storks resting here before reaching their final migratory destinations. We recommend bringing a very light backpack, a bottle of water, and a hat. The paths are a bit winding but suitable for everyone.

The history of the Vendicari Reserve

Hellenistic Period

South of Eloro, not far from Marianelli beach, there are several latomiae (stone quarries) from the 5th century BC used in the ancient Greek city of Eloro for the construction of temples and monuments. Not far from the Swabian Tower, by the sea, there are tuna-processing basins, next to which a small necropolis was also discovered. Within the reserve, a stretch of the ancient Via Elorina is also visible, the road connecting the colony of Eloro to Syracuse.

Byzantine Period

The Byzantine complex is located in the southern part of Vendicari, known today as the “Cittadella dei Maccari.” At this site, you can admire the Trigona: a Byzantine Cuba, which like all churches of the time, has a square plan with three apses, an upper dome, and an opening to the east, so that, as per tradition, the light of the full moon would enter the building to signal the start of Holy Easter. A short distance from the Byzantine Cuba, there are several catacombs dating back to the same period and some remains of houses, signs of a densely populated area.

Medieval Period

From this period comes the most beautiful and visited building in the Reserve: the Swabian Tower, likely built by Peter of Aragon, Count of Alburquerque and Duke of Noto (1406-1438). This fortification was necessary to signal and repel attacks by Saracen and Barbary pirates, who systematically looted the island’s towns and countryside with their continuous raids. Over the centuries, the structure was reinforced and remodeled until it took its current form. The Swabian Tower was used until the 19th century, when the invention of the telegraph made these defense systems obsolete.

The wildlife of the Vendicari Nature Reserve

Vendicari, one of the last coastal wetlands in southeastern Sicily, is a true natural jewel, a paradise for shorebirds and waterfowl that find their first landing spot after the spring migration across the Mediterranean and, consequently, their last refreshment point before the autumn wintering. Birdwatching enthusiasts are spoiled for choice.

Depending on the seasons, rainfall, and temperatures, bird sightings at Vendicari are always significant, but the observable species vary from month to month.

Sightings season by season

The month of December, as well as the spring season, are the most interesting periods. The waters of the marshes welcome large numbers of coots, mute swans, greylag geese, wigeons, teals, and mallards. The species that is particularly significant in terms of numbers is certainly the shelduck, which has become one of the symbols of the reserve and comes to winter at Vendicari every year.

In summer, you can spot grey herons, little egrets, terns, and large flocks of yellow-legged gulls, while at the beginning of autumn, the flamingos arrive, their presence increasing year by year. Breeding species include the little grebe, the little bittern, and the black-winged stilt.

Year-round, mammals present include the fox, hedgehog, porcupine, and wild rabbit.

The return of the Caretta Caretta turtles

After more than 20 years since the last evidence, Caretta Caretta turtles have also returned to nest: an important sign that confirms Vendicari as a protected territory safeguarded from human interference, an essential condition for the reproduction of these protected species.

The beaches of the Vendicari Reserve

The reserve stretches over more than 7 km of coastline that alternates between fine sand and rocky inlets. There are five entrances, each with access to a different beach, reachable only on foot from within the park.

Get more information about the beaches of the Vendicari reserve

Costs and opening hours of the Vendicari Reserve

How much does entry cost

Access to the Vendicari Nature Reserve requires an entry ticket, with different rates (full, reduced, and family) and some categories of visitors entitled to free entry, such as children under 8 and accompanied people with disabilities. Payment is only allowed electronically at the reserve entrances; cash is not accepted.

Since rates may be updated by the management body, we recommend that you always consult the official rates page before your visit for the most recent prices.

Opening hours

The reserve is open every day, except for temporary closures in case of exceptional events, with hours that vary depending on the time of year: ranging from shorter windows in the winter months to extended hours between April and October, when the days are longer.

To organize your visit precisely, especially if you plan on birdwatching at dawn or entering in the late afternoon, check the official hours page, updated seasonally by the management body.

Frequently asked questions for those visiting the Vendicari nature reserve

Experience the nature of Vendicari from Tenuta Olive Alive

After a day among the pristine beaches and trails of the reserve, Tenuta Olive Alive awaits you just 30 minutes away to offer you the rest you deserve. Our rooms combine comfort and an authentic atmosphere, immersed in the Sicilian countryside, the ideal starting point for your excursions to Vendicari and for discovering the rest of the region.