Ustica It is volcanic in its stones and crystalline in its waters. I would recommend seeing: Markets (for fish and the "Roman" for weight); also, in the aspect of security (keys placed in the door); the Art Spaces, in many facades of the houses, there are artistic paintings (The beautiful girl, perhaps her "girl" ...; in another, a mother, with her children, waiting for the return of the fisher father ...), the theme of cleaning , by how their waste is transported. Its crystal clear waters, with an abundance of fish and coral. In the next photo, the Lighthouse.
You arrive in Ustica in a "hydrofoil" (see how to get there), and people from the island offer you to walk around the island, in their vehicle, to show you its corners, accommodation, place to eat ... But above all, it catches your attention two things: Being an island in a submerged volcanic chain (in the paving of the ground, in the constructions of the houses, on the slopes of the mountains) and the second thing, which catches your attention, is the number of divers that there are, from anywhere in the world.
Other monumental spaces
It is to get to the island, to Cala Santa María and if you continue, without losing sight of the sea, to the right, looking at the map attached below, you will arrive at the Lighthouse (photo on the previous page), but if you go up to At the highest part, you find the Torre de Santa María and contemplate the splendid view, which you see below.
Religious spaces
In the center of the town, passing the area for the itinerant sale of fish and other products, the Parish Church appears, as the photo appears.
In the next photo, the altar of the Church. (Very simple, very sailor ...)
Artistic spaces (on the street):
As it appears in the photograph, perhaps telling stories, wishes.
If you want to see more photos of murals, don't miss this gallery.
Places of sale.
In the Plaza, selling seafood, "heavy" with the old "Roman", which appears in the next photo
On the street, next to a little house, which in its day was probably a fishermen's house, the people who passed by were offered the merchandise that appears in the following photograph
Own harvest, without intermediaries and probably without cold storage rooms.
Natural landscapes
The whole island is pure nature, without pollution, even without noise, just his own life. Tourists relaxing and scuba divers, coming and going, making themselves seen. It is a delight to bathe in its blue waters. In the extraordinary depths of the marine reserve, it is easy to find beautiful corals. And as for the terrestrial fauna, with a little luck, it is possible to observe the Peregrine Falcon. In 1,986 officially, it became the first marine reserve in all of Italy. In 1,997 it was declared a Directed Natural Reserve. They say that the Atlantic current coming from the Strait of Gibraltar, makes it maintain its incredible blue colors. For this reason, as we already said, it is a visit by divers from all over the world. In the next photograph, view of the island, on the opposite side to which the hydrofoil (hydrofoil) arrived from Palermo.
How to get there and how to get around
In the previous photo, the airboat (hydrofoil) in which I came and that took me back to Palermo, the day after I arrived. Specifically the Titian of the Siremar line, (Offices on Roma 386, 90,139 Palermo). The trip is short and pleasant to cover the 60 km that separate the Island of Palermo. Departure from Palermo at 8,15am to arrive at 9,30am (every day) and return, at 15,00pm to arrive at 16,15pm (also every day). The Cía. Siremar, from Palermo makes other trips also to the Aeolian Islands, the Aegades Islands, the Pelagian Islands, etc. There are a series of routes, on foot, to be able to see, inch by inch, the Island, only 9 square kilometers in area, with trails to enjoy nature, with routes to contemplate archaeological remains and boat routes. The Island is divided into three zones (A, B and C; see the map that appears in Tours ...) In Zone A, for any activity, be it fishing, diving and even swimming, an official permit is required.
There is a bus, which departs from the center of the town, with a circular route, with a frequency of approximately 30 minutes and that runs throughout the island. Also, as if receiving you, when you got off the boat, a nice gentleman with his old Fiat 500 offered to take you so that you could take the best photos of the whole island. Other people offered you their private vehicles so that you could see the Island. And another possibility is to rent a cheerful red moped at Albergo Aristón (Which I will talk about later in the Accommodation section ...). But, honestly, “kick” the Island on foot, it's worth it and you will enjoy ...
Accommodation
If the Island of Ustica is 9 square kilometers in size, little more than 1,000 inhabitants, therefore, the "relationship" of hotels is not necessarily very extensive and the establishments are not far away. If in Trapani you asked and they recommended the Hotel Vittoria, “because there you would rest and the value for money was good”, if in Palermo, due to its comfort and location, you could rest at the Artemisia, here in Ustica we can mention:
Hotel Chelia, located in the heart of the historic center, very close to the main square…. It is pleasant and they were kind enough to give me information and brochures about the island.
Hotel Giulia, very close to the previous one and 500 meters from the Port, with a restaurant “L´Angolo delle specialittà de Giulia”, with the typical cuisine of the island, fresh fish and couscous.
And finally, the Ariston, in which I would stay ... Located in the center of the town, 30 mts. from the main square, with restaurant service and good views of Cala S. María. Rent mopeds (as we already said), boats and diving equipment. It was a pleasant atmosphere.
It is possible to look for an “affittacamera” (more or less large rooms, with or without views, on a rental basis). Anywhere, more or less crowded, you ask. It is also an experience to live with the locals (this is a constant for all of Sicily, the same is true for Trapani, as for Palermo). One place to get probably the best information about it: The Central Bar.
Another hotel is the Diana, a little further from the town center, near a cove and with views of the Ustica countryside.
And finally, other hotels, the Patrice and the Ustica.
Tour
Posters of the Marine Reserve Information Center
I was attended by the Chief of the Natural Reserve Surveillance Service. Very kindly. Working with the motivation of conserving endemic plant species in the area, such as Limonio de Boccone, which is a protected species and to which they pay a lot of attention. On the walls of the office, drawings of birds, with the legend: “Vola in reserva”. Located in the center of the town, on the main road, it advises and guides you, on any subject you need about the geology, vegetation, and fauna of the island and the possibilities and warnings to take into account depending on the area of the island where you are, for the activity you want, boat rides or scuba diving. The opening hours to the public are as follows: From 8:00 a.m. to 13:00 p.m., Monday to Friday and Saturday and Sunday from 8:00 a.m. to 14:00 p.m. More information at: tgpc@provincia.palermo.it
In the following photograph: El Limonio de Boccone
And I wanted to add two photographs, dedicated to divers who enjoy its waters, either for fun or research.
In Cala de Santa María, near the Port.
In the photo below, divers returning from a dive. (Looking at the background, the Torre de Santa María).
Tours and opinion
What we already said and what we insist on: Comfortable shoes, your backpack with what you need and travel the island on foot. A map of the island is attached. The ship arrives, as we have already said, at Cala S María. To the right and a little up, is the Lighthouse (of which there are photos) and to the left, the Torres de S. María, with beautiful views. If we observe, we see the separation of areas: A, in which without official permission, it is not even allowed to bathe, C, the next to the Port.
Island Map
Go to the complete guide to Sicily.
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