Pachino: the deep south of Sicily
Pachino is the far south-east of Sicily, a land of crystal-clear sea, fishing villages, nature reserves and a cuisine that marries seafaring and farming traditions. The area takes in the iconic hamlets of Marzamemi (one of the most beautiful villages in Italy) and Portopalo di Capo Passero, the southernmost tip of Sicily, geographically further south than Tunis. Propertize handpicks holiday homes, villas and apartments in Pachino and its surroundings, so that every stay is as carefully curated as a luxury hotel, with the freedom of a home.
In the portfolio you will find detached houses with a garden and patio in the Pachino countryside, villas with a pool in the residential areas, beachfront apartments in Marzamemi and Portopalo, and homes overlooking the Marzamemi tonnara and the island of Capo Passero. Ideal options for every traveller: couples seeking a romantic escape in a holiday home with a sea view, families with children, groups who want to dine outdoors beneath the pergola, and travellers who love nature.
Marzamemi: the most beautiful fishing village in Sicily
Marzamemi is a living postcard. The ancient tonnara (tuna-fishery), founded in the Arab era and active until the 1970s, tells of centuries of bluefin tuna fishing. Piazza Regina Margherita, paved and facing the sea, is the village's drawing room: seafood restaurants, wine bars and shops selling local produce. The limestone fishermen's houses, the salt pans behind the village, the church of San Francesco di Paola on the water. In the evening the square comes alive with concerts, summer festivals and open-air cinema under the stars. It is the perfect place for a seafood dinner with a sunset view, and for breakfast the next morning at the historic bar with almond granita and a brioche.
The Vendicari Nature Reserve and the beaches
A few minutes from Pachino you enter the Vendicari Wildlife Oasis, one of the most important nature areas in the Mediterranean: brackish lagoons with pink flamingos, dunes, Mediterranean scrub and ancient tonnare. The reserve's beaches are reached on foot from the car park: Calamosche, repeatedly voted one of the most beautiful beaches in Italy, is a sheltered bay with white sand and shallow water; San Lorenzo, outside the reserve, is a stretch of very pale sand with crystal-clear sea, popular with locals and tourists alike. Capo Passero has its Spanish fort, the islet you can reach on foot when the tide drops, and spectacular sunsets. Carratois, Granelli and Spinazza are the area's other beaches, all of fine white sand.
Flavours of south-east Sicily
Pachino is synonymous with the IGP tomato: the famous cherry tomato grown here has an unmistakable sweetness, perfect for seafood pasta, salads and sauces. The local cuisine combines seafaring and farming traditions: spaghetti al nero di seppia (with cuttlefish ink), pasta with sardines, chargrilled tuna, Mazara red prawns, caponata and aubergine parmigiana. The desserts: Sicilian cassata, cannoli and almond granita with the brioche typical of breakfast. The wines: Moscato di Noto DOC, Nero d'Avola and Cerasuolo di Vittoria DOCG. We point our guests towards the hidden trattorias of Marzamemi, the wineries of Noto and the fish markets of Portopalo.
What to do nearby: Noto, Syracuse, Modica
South-east Sicily is a concentration of UNESCO heritage. Noto (30 km) is the capital of the Sicilian baroque: the cathedral, Palazzo Nicolaci, Corso Vittorio Emanuele at sunset and the historic pastry shops. Syracuse (50 km) with Ortigia, the cathedral, the Greek theatre and the Ear of Dionysius: a full day. Modica (60 km), home of chocolate and the baroque. Ragusa Ibla (70 km) with the lanes of its old town and the Giardino Ibleo park. Scicli, a setting for the Montalbano series. For enthusiasts: the Island of Mozia, the Trapani salt pans and the Cavagrande reserve. For the sea: San Vito Lo Capo and the Scala dei Turchi are far away (western Sicily), but a day trip is feasible.
Getting there and when to go
Comiso airport (CIY) is the closest: 60 km, 1 hour by car. Catania-Fontanarossa airport (CTA) is the main hub of eastern Sicily: 90 km, 1 hour and 15 minutes via the motorway and the SS115. Palermo airport is 3 hours away. Given the distances between the attractions, hiring a car is recommended. The beach season in Pachino is one of the longest in Italy: April to October. June and September are our guests' favourite months for the balance of climate and crowds. August is the most festive month, with festivals, concerts and open-air cinema in the square. Easter and the spring bank holidays are perfect for visiting the baroque towns without the summer heat.
Our homes in Pachino: self check-in and multilingual support
The Propertize homes in Pachino, Marzamemi and Portopalo are all fitted with self check-in via smart lock: arrive whenever you like, even after dinner once you have landed in Catania. Our team is reachable 24/7 via WhatsApp in Italian, English, French, Spanish and German. Every home is fully equipped, with a kitchen, washing machine, hotel-quality linen, fast Wi-Fi and a welcome kit with local produce (Pachino cherry tomatoes, local wine, almonds). By booking direct with us you get the best available rates, with no commission from the external portals.
If you own a home in Pachino, Marzamemi or Portopalo and are looking for professional management of your holiday lettings, we offer a free valuation: the owners who have chosen us have recorded annual revenue increases of between +58% and +119.5% compared with previous management.
