Whether you enjoy hiking, swimming in crystal clear water, incredible Italian cuisine, or soaking up the sun, L’isola di Ustica has something to offer everyone. In this guide, I’ll tell you the best things to do in Ustica so you can enjoy this little island and all of its magic.
Located 52 kilometers (32 miles) north of Palermo on the Sicilian coast in the Tyrrhenian Sea, Ustica is a beautiful island just 5 km (3 mi) in diameter. This ancient volcanic island is rich in culture and marine biodiversity that offers an enchanting getaway for travelers and an underwater paradise for scuba divers and snorkeling enthusiasts.
Read on for your complete guide to Ustica, including things to do, where to stay, and how to get around. I fell in love with the island when I first arrived, and I know you will too.
When to Visit Ustica
The best months to travel to Ustica are May to September, with July and August being the peak season. During the month of August the island is vibrant and full of visitors, especially between the Italian holiday of Ferragosto (August 15th) and the local Usticesian holiday of San Bartolomeo (August 24th).
If you’re looking to meet tons of other travelers and enjoy Ustica’s nightlife, those weeks are the best time to visit. San Bartolomeo is a day full of festivities, beginning with fireworks and a parade early in the morning and finishing well into the next morning.
If you’re looking for a quieter holiday with slightly more mild temperatures and fewer people, consider visiting Ustica outside of the peak season of July and August.
How to Get to Ustica
After flying into Palermo (PMO), you’ll take the Liberty Line ferry (aliscafo) from the Port of Palermo. It’s about 25€ per person one way and it will be a 1.5-hour trip. Ferries leave pretty frequently during the high season and you can buy your tickets (biglietti) directly at the port, so just have a look online when the departures (partenza) are.
The Best Beaches in Ustica
As a volcanic island, Ustica is known for its black rocky beaches and caves with crystal clear blue waters. Most of the easily accessible swimming spots are located on the North side of the Island, and make sure to bring your snorkel to see the incredible underwater world.
I highly suggest wearing water shoes whenever you visit the beaches, as the large rocks can be painful to step on. You’ll need to traverse the volcanic rocks to arrive at your destination and get in and out of the water comfortably and safely.
Don’t make the same mistake I did during my first swim—getting stung by a sea urchin—which is both a painful and annoying experience.
Il Faro
My personal favorite place to swim is right underneath the lighthouse (il Faro), called the Piscina Naturale, or natural swimming pools. This spot offers an inlet from the sea and a quiet haven. I’ve seen abundant sea life while snorkeling here, and it isn’t typically as crowded as the other side of the lighthouse.
Scogli Piatti
Scogli Piatti, or flat rocks, is located just north of Cala Sidoti and as the name suggests is a better place for soaking up the sun (and you will find more places to lay flat).
La Banchina
Near the tower, or torre, is a great spot to find crabs in the tide pools and another one of my favorite swimming spots in Ustica.
Cala Sidoti
Surrounded by Ustica’s Marine Protected Area, Cala Sidoti is an ideal place to soak up the sun. Unlike the other beaches that can be difficult to find a comfortable position to rest, Cala Sidoti offers a flatter entrance to the sea and is great for spending an afternoon relaxing and exploring the rocks while snorkeling.
Faraglioni
Located near the Villaggio Prehistorico, or Prehistoric Village, on the Northernmost point of Ustica is a massive stand-alone rock called the Faraglioni (also the name of a restaurant in town). Scaling the rocks down to the sea here offers spectacular underwater views and a hidden sanctuary from the more crowded beaches.
Water Activities in Ustica
Scuba Diving
As I mentioned before, Ustica is a scuba diver’s paradise. With dozens of incredible diving spots surrounding the island, there are countless opportunities to explore Ustica’s biodiverse marine life.
I completed my Open Water course at Blue Diving Ustica and I can’t recommend them enough. The whole crew is kind, attentive, and extremely knowledgeable. You can even ship your gear to them. Whether you’re an avid diver or looking to do your first battesimo, your experience at Blue Diving is guaranteed to be top-notch.
Snorkeling
If you don’t own snorkeling equipment, you can buy some at any one of the shops in the main square at a reasonable price to take with you when you go to the beaches. Blue Diving also offers boat excursions for snorkelers to enjoy the sea that is inaccessible by foot and you can rent equipment from the shop there.
Rent a Boat
Ustica is home to many different caves, or grotte, and you don’t want to miss the chance to explore them. You can rent a boat directly from the port from any of the rental booths. Getting to see Ustica from the sea is a spectacular experience. Grotta Azzurra, Grotta Verde, and Grotta delle Barche are all located on the South side of the island and are must-visits by boat.
Head to the North side of the island and anchor out at Scoglio del Medico for incredible snorkeling.
Hiking in Ustica
There are a number of trails, or sentieri, to hike in Ustica.
Sentiero del Mezzogiorno
The longest trail in Ustica takes about 2 hours to complete at a comfortable pace. Its difficulty is easy to moderate, and begins at the Tower on top of the hill close to town and ends at the Faro, with many swimming stops and beautiful views along the way. (Indicated by the blue line on the south side of the island on the map above.)
One of the best things to do in Ustica is to start around 3-4 pm from the Tower (don’t forget to bring snacks and plenty of water), stop at the trails that take you to the sea, and finish at the Piscina Naturale to watch the sunset and get an aperitivo at La Rosa Dei Eventi on the other side of the Faro afterwards. *chefs kiss*
Sentiero della Falconiera and Sentiero del Castello
As indicated on the map, these are two of the shorter trails in Ustica, but still worth exploring if you have some extra time for some gorgeous views of the sea and the village below.
Getting Around Ustica
Though it is a small island, you’ll want to arrange transportation to explore the areas outside of the paese, or town, for the duration of your stay (or even just a couple of days for greater freedom of movement).
Rent a Scooter or Electric Bike
If you’re comfortable with driving a scooter, this is the best way to get around the island and enjoy the scenery. Some of the hills can get quite steep, and with a bike that brings challenges. Feeling the wind in your hair as you cruise around a beautiful Italian island is an experience you’ll never forget.
You can rent scooters from the port or just off the main square at Hotel Ariston from around 30€-50€ per day, depending on the week.
Electric bikes are another great way to see the island, and offer a slower-paced and more environmentally-friendly way to enjoy your transportation. You can rent electric bikes from the port at any of the wooden stands.
Take the bus or call Pippo
Ustica, for the small Italian community that it is, has a surprisingly reliable bus and van service that takes you almost everywhere on the island for 2€ – 5€. The orange “buses” (they’re more like vans) depart from the main square and travel both directions, arriving around every 20 minutes all day and into the evenings during the summer. Alternatively, the taxi service (also a white van) can come to pick you up, you just need to call Pippo. Your accommodation can provide this number for you, but I guarantee you’ll see the number as soon as you arrive in the main square.
Where to Stay in Ustica
Hands-down, the best place to stay in Ustica is Clelia Case Vista Mare—a bed and breakfast with breathtaking views of the sea and village below. Guests can enjoy both a private terrace and an enchanting upper terrace where breakfast is served daily by the wonderful owners, Clelia and Cinzia.
Lounge in the hammocks and get swept away by the gorgeous island life (it’s easily one of my favorite places on Earth).
Be sure to book well in advance, as rooms are limited during high season. If you don’t manage to get a room at Case Clelia, Hotel Clelia is a great alternative.
An added perk: Clelia picks you up from and drops you off at the port, so there’s no need to find your way to your accommodation upon arrival and your departure can be stress-free.
Nightlife in Ustica
Ailanto Park is a lively club outside of town that is sure to satisfy your craving for a night out. During the summer they host various themed parties, and it’s a great spot to have an aperitivo and watch the sunset.
Another beautiful place for aperitivo is La Rosa dei Eventi next to the lighthouse. The community of Ustica holds many events during the high season, and you can find details about them at your hotel or around town.
Recap
Ustica is by far one of the most unique places I’ve visited, and it’s an Italian treasure that shouldn’t be overlooked. To get the most out of your trip, I recommend staying at least three days to have time to explore its beauty and all it has to offer.
If you have specific questions about your trip to Ustica or if you feel I’m missing something in this guide, please feel free to contact me or leave a comment below.