Most people stop along the way to lay out their towels. There is a steep but easy to navigate natural ramp that leads up to a wide ledge. You probably want to be wearing shoes while you climb the rocks as well. However, you should be mindful of the sun because there is no shade to be found. Due to the color of the rock and the sea breeze, it stays relatively cool. The Scala dei Turchi is a popular place for sunbathing because it is completely free to set up here for the day. The combination of white rock and turquoise water is mesmerizing. The stone, which has been weathered away by wind and surf into naturally occurring layers and shelves, is made to look even starker by the impossible blueness of the sea. The Sicilian sun turns the limestone and marl into a blindingly white landmark. However, the name is secondary because the “stairs” themselves are absolutely beautiful. (If you don’t know about the history of Arab influence in Sicily, I highly recommend the book Sicily: A short history from the Ancient Greeks to Casa Nostra by John Julius Norwich). The name comes from an old rumor that the rock formation provided a natural harbor for invading Arab forces centuries ago. The Scala dei Turchi would mean something along the lines of the Turkish staircase in English. After an early morning visit to the Valley of the Temples, we drove towards Realmonte and Porto Empedocle to see the Sicilian seaside attraction for ourselves. The chance to visit the Scala dei Turchi finally came when we were in Agrigento. However, the white, undulating Scala dei Turchi has been at the top of my must-visit list ever since I first saw a picture of the rocky beach formation several years ago. Even after more than a decade of living in Rome, I feel like I am barely beginning to scratch the surface of things to see. Italy is so full of natural wonders that it is hard to know where to begin.
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