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Latest update: 14 June 2025
This blog is meant to temper your expectations of Scala dei Turchi a bit. Because you’ve probably also seen those beautiful photos of people climbing on gorgeous white rocks. Starting in 2025, you need a ticket to visit Scala dei Turchi – and those tickets are in demand! Let me tell you more about it.
Scala dei Turchi: popular stop on the southern coast
Scala dei Turchi means ‘stairs of the Turks’. Arab pirates used to take shelter here from bad weather, but it seems they could also attack the Sicilians via this route. Through intensive use and the force of nature, the white limestone has gradually taken on the shape of stairs over the years.
The Scala dei Turchi cliffs are about a 20-minute drive from the temples of Agrigento. When I’m traveling from Caltagirone to Sciacca, I take a little detour to see the white mass by the sea in real life. I’m obviously not the only one. On the road along the beach, there’s an endlessly long line of parked cars.
How do you get to Scala dei Turchi?
You can easily go to Scala dei Turchi on your own, as long as you have a rental car. Many people park along the road. I did that, too, but I actually don’t think that’s really what you’re supposed to do. I only discover later that there are also parking lots at Scala dei Turchi, like this one and this one, for example. These are paid parking, though.
If you’re not driving yourself, you can book a tour that goes to both the stairs and the temples of Agrigento.
Climbing Scala dei Turchi?
There’s not much to see of the cliffs from above, so you need to take the stairs down to the beach to get a better look at Scala dei Turchi. You can find the stairs here. Once you’re on Praia Escala dos Turcos beach, you’ll see Scala dei Turchi on your right. Can’t really miss it.
For the past few years, you were not allowed to climb Scala dei Turchi anymore: the cliffs were getting too damaged by all the curious visitors. So you could only admire the white rock formation from a distance, from the beach, or with your drone. But good news! Starting in 2025, it will be possible to purchase a ticket to visit Scala dei Turchi and walk the Turkish stairs again.
Tickets for Scala dei Turchi
A ticket costs €5 ($5.50), and you can buy it online here. You choose a time slot, and then you have an hour to visit Scala dei Turchi. Only 35 people are allowed in each hour, so please order your tickets in advance.
Slight disappointment
During my visit in 2024, I’m unfortunately not allowed to climb the cliffs. And um. Well. It’s a pretty windy day; the sea is rough, and the sand colors it brownish. And the beach just doesn’t look that pretty with washed-up seaweed. Along the narrow coastal strip, vendors selling beach towels have set up shop, and the limestone of the cliffs is much less white than I had imagined. When the right light hits it, it should be blindingly white. I unfortunately don’t experience that.
Beach of Scala dei Turchi
There is a strip of beach right next to Scala dei Turchi, where you will also find a few simple beach bars offering a bite to eat or a drink. Fine for a quick stop, but I would still look for another beach for a real beach day.
It’s unclear to me whether you can still view Scala dei Turchi for free from the beach now that they have opened up ticket sales. I think you probably can, but I’m not sure. Have you been there recently? Let me know in the comments!
Google Maps location Scala dei Turchi
More Sicily travel inspiration
Useful links for your Sicily trip
- Accommodation. Always handy is Booking.com. Rather stay in a hostel? Try HostelWorld.
- Activities. Book the best tours and activities at GetYourGuide, Klook and Viator. Book “free” walking tours at Freetour or GuruWalk , and for bike tours, Baja Bikes.
- Attractions and museums. For 5% off museums and attractions, use discount code KIMOPREIS22 at Tiqets.
- Car rental. Compare prices and insurance coverage at DiscoverCars and Rentalcars.com.
- Flights. Compare all your options! Definitely Skyscanner, and Kiwi.
- Guide books. I love the practical guides by Lonely Planet, for sale at Bol.com and Amazon.
- Package deals. Rather go on a catered trip? Start your search at Expedia or CheapOair.
- SIM card. Beware of unexpectedly high phone and internet costs. Buy a local SIM card when you arrive, or arrange one online via Airalo.
- Yoga retreat. Or join a yoga retreat in Sicily.
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