Sicily's Most Surreal Beach Features A Giant White Cliff That Formed Into Natural Stairs

The island of Sicily has long been one of Europe's top tourism destinations. Part of the tourism mecca of Italy but with its own distinct history and culture, Sicily is certainly one of the most unique places in southern Europe. Sicily's sunny Mediterranean climate gives it the perfect weather for amazing vacations, while its long and interesting history adds a layer of significant cultural depth to any trip. Plus, according to travel experts like Rick Steves, Sicily has some of the best food in Italy!

But even with thousands of years of history and a booming travel industry, Sicily still has some secrets left to share. Nestled among the island's active volcanoes and ancient ruins is one of the most breathtaking beachside attractions in Europe (and maybe the world as a whole). The picturesque Scala dei Turchi, or "Turkish Steps," is a magnificent stretch of Sicily's southern coastline marked by brilliant white cliffs descending into the blue waters of the Mediterranean. For travelers looking to enjoy the Mediterranean while also experiencing one of Europe's most unique and surreal natural landscapes, the Scala dei Turchi beach is a can't-miss stop on any Sicilian vacation. 

Any beach in Sicily is going to be a great spot to enjoy the Mediterranean weather, but the Scala dei Turchi beach stands out for its magnificent color patterns and intricate geological formations. The first thing visitors will probably notice is the beach's shimmering, crystal-white cliffs, made all the brighter by the warm Mediterranean sun beaming down. The cliffs of the Scala dei Turchi get their unique white color from a type of sedimentary rock called marl. 

Marl is a relatively soft clay-like rock, and the Scala dei Turchi's location along the coastline has led to millennia of wind and water erosion acting against the stark white rocks of the cliffs. This complex interplay of natural forces resulted in the area's distinctive "staircase" shape. Rather than a steep drop down to the sea, the cliffs of Scala de Turchi descend at a diagonal angle, with individual step-like layers carved by erosion over time. Thanks to its striking color contrast between white and blue, surreal staircase-like formations, and perfect Mediterranean climate, the Scala dei Turchi is undoubtedly one of the best beaches in the world.

The area's notable name comes from its equally interesting history. In the 1500s, Mediterranean pirates took advantage of the beach's unique staircase-like cliffs and used it as a secret base to raid coastal villages. These pirates were not technically Turkish (they were likely a group of Arab Muslims known as Saracens), but at the time the term "Turk" was used to refer to anyone vaguely Middle Eastern. As a result, the name "Stair of the Turks" took hold and remains to this day. 

Scala dei Turchi is located along southern Sicily's coastline in the municipality of Realmonte, near the city of Agrigento. Even without such a stunning beach, this region of Sicily is an amazing destination on its own. A short distance from the Scala dei Tuchi beach is Sicily's amazing Valle dei Templi, or "Valley of the Temples," perhaps the best preserve of ancient Greek ruins on Sicily. With amazing photogenic views, superb recreational activities, and convenient access to historical sites, Scala dei Turchi is a terrific alternative to Italy's many avoidable tourist traps. 

There are a few caveats for visiting the Scala dei Turchi today. The same natural and geological forces that carved the cliffs into their distinct shape also make them particularly fragile and prone to damage from careless humans. In years past, visitors could wander across the entire beach unrestricted. But excessive tourism (and one incident where vandals defaced part of the cliffs with red powder) raised concerns about potential long-term damage to this Sicilian icon. Thankfully, subsequent preservation initiatives limit visitor access to a few scenic viewpoints above the cliffs and designated swimming areas on the beach below. 

But fear not, even with these restrictions you'll still have ample opportunities for swimming, sunbathing, and photography, all with excellent views of the beach's prominent white "staircase" cliffs. You can even walk down the cliff along designated stairs or a sloped path, and the beach below does have a changing room if you want to take a dip in the warm waters of the Mediterranean. There are even proposals to have the Scala dei Turchi designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site, so a visit today may become an even more valuable memory in the future!