 Donkey trekking Visitors are not permitted to bring their cars to the island and in any case, to do so would serve little purpose: Marettimo’s only road skirts less than half of the island’s circumference. Although some permanent residents find it necessary to use scrambler bikes and 4-wheel drives, the principal mode of transport around Marettimo is on foot, bicycle or donkey. For city-dwellers, the resulting silence is astounding.
Paths to the North and South of the little harbour in Marettimo town lead to beaches that are predominantly rocky but sometimes sandy. The amazingly clear enticing waters attract swimmers, snorkellers and scuba-divers but also those passionate about fishing – various fishing experiences are possible here: going out on a boat, diving or fishing from the shore. The abundance of fish means that tasty freshly caught fish is served with other seafood delights in the few but excellent restaurants in the main centre.
 View of Punta Troia castle Tourism has not been embraced by the residents of Marettimo, who speak slowly with strong accents and who value their independence from the rest of the world - storms that disrupt the links to and from the island have promoted self-sufficiency. However, fishermen will often agree to take tourists on trips around the island and circumnavigating the island on a fishing boat is an ideal way to become acquainted with Marettimo and its secret beaches. A trek along its mountain paths is an equally rewarding experience: a well-tiled path takes you from the island’s only village to the slopes of the mountain, leading you past grazing donkeys, through sweet-smelling wild flowers and amongst pine woods. The beautiful wild flowers that are strewn all over the landscape (particularly in Spring) are used to flavour the honey for which the island is renowned and the sweeping views of the town, mountain and sea will take your breath away.
 Marettimo village centre & port
 Donkeys roam the hillsides
Eventually the tiled path comes to an end at the ruins of a Roman fort, at which point a signpost directs you along the more rugged paths towards several of Marettimo’s main sites – an ancient castle at Punta Troia, an abandoned semaphore and the cove of Cala Bianca. The flora and fauna of this island is striking in its variety, and Marettimo is well cared for by the forestry commission. While rambling along the well sign-posted tracks, you may be lucky enough to spot some migratory species of bird including peregrine falcons, kestrels and the rare borelli eagle.
Gazing back down to the rooftops of the smart and well-preserved little fishing village that is the hub of all (human) activity on the island, stop to appreciate that the sound of waves lapping the shore is by far the most audible noise apart from the birdsong. This is truly an island of tranquillity.
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