Keep reading for our complete guide on how to visit Torre Salsa, Sicily’s wildest beach, and the perfect place to escape the crowds.

Updated January 2024

As our tiny rental car bounced left and right on the dusty, pot-holed road towards the sea, two thoughts struck me: one, exactly how good was our car insurance, and two, as iconic the Italian Fiat may be, it was much more suited to city living and impossibly tiny parking spaces - and not off-roading in the south of Sicily.

Yet upon an island where the warmer the temperatures become, the more the beaches fill, it is along these bumpy roads that those seeking more solitude and fewer sun loungers must travel - and there are few beaches in Sicily that offer more solitude than that of the ruggedly beautiful Torre Salsa Nature Reserve.

Created in 1996, and managed by the WWF, the reserve covers more than 760 hectares of land between Agrigento and Sciacca, offering a unique combination of hills, chalk cliffs, sand dunes, fields, and wetlands, all of which provide the perfect natural habitat for numerous species of animals and birds (including tiny caretta caretta turtles)

What attracts most visitors however, is the golden sandy beach that hugs Torre Salsa’s border and the turquoise blue waters that lap its shores - for us, it’s absolutely one of the best beaches in Sicily.

In this short guide to Torre Salsa we will cover everything you need to plan your visit including how to get there, what you need to bring and how to make the most of your time.

Torre Salsa Essentials

/ Halfway between Agrigento and Sciacca
/ Not accessible if it has been raining
/ Golden, sandy beach
/ No facilities or lifeguards

Things To Do in Torre Salsa Nature Reserve

Hang Out at the Beach

There are several beaches in the Torre Salsa nature reserve, as well smaller coves :

Spiaggia Libera. This is the main beach and the one that is most accessible from the car park.
Spiaggia Naturista. This is a nudist beach within the reserve, east of the main beach. To access it, you’ll need to follow the coastline.
Costone bianco. A smaller version of Scala dei Turchi that you can still access (we believe…).

We visited during the summer season and it was still surprisingly quiet; and ideal respite from the busy beaches elsewhere along the coast. The beaches here can however be quite windswept.

As one may expect, there are absolutely no facilities in the reserve, so if you’re planning on spending several hours here it is best to come prepared with food and water. Additionally, there is no shade along the beach, so for stays of more than a couple of hours we’d highly recommend also bringing a parasol for a bit of respite from the sun.

Head on a Hike

Although most people follow the dusty roads towards Torre Salsa for the beach, there are plenty of hiking options for those that fancy a more active few hours.

For an easy walk, simply make your way to the beach, and then continue along the sand or alternatively you can follow a trail from the visitor’s centre. This passes through the Giardino delle Orchide, the Valle del Ginepreo and onward to a number of abandoned quarries with views over the sea before following a path towards the beach.

This hike will take around half a day, so we’d recommend setting off super early in the summer to avoid the worst of the heat, and be sure to bring decent trainers/hiking boots, plenty of water and a bathing suit.

If you’d prefer, it’s also possible to join a free guided tour from the visitor centre to the reserve. The tour takes place every Monday, Wednesday and Friday (although not between 30th June to 15th September when it is too hot), and can be booked on this website.

Snorkel or Scuba Dive

The marine life here is really quite remarkable, and as such it’s an incredible place to snorkel without the need to swim out too far.

We have also heard that this is a popular scuba dive spot but unfortunately we were yet to be certified divers when we visited. If you manage to dive here, please let us know in the comments!

Bird Watching and Animal Spotting

The very particular landscape of Torre Salsa Reserve - and its protected state - means that this area of of South West Sicily is home to a wide variety of flora and fauna.

Twitchers will be delighted to discover that nearly 30 species of birds nest in the area, including several birds of prey (peregrine falcons, buzzards, kestrels, owls and horned owls), the increasingly rare Cannaiola and several of those common to low cliffs that feed on the abundant fish population.

With regards to mammals, the two most interesting are the porcupines - which are unfortunately still being poached by local hunters - and the small caretta caretta turtles which come to lay eggs along the beach.

If you’re travelling with a pair of binoculars and planning a trip here, be certain they make it into your day bag!

How to Get to Torre Salsa

The only issue with visiting a Sicilian beach that is a little off the beaten track, is that accessing it can be a little tricky. In fact, once off the main road, the dusty track that leads to the designated carpark can feel a little like a lesson in off-roading!

It’s for this reason that if there has been any rain, it is highly recommended that access is attempted only by those in a high-clearance 4WD (due to the risk of being ‘bogged down’), and should there have been a great deal of bad weather entry should not be attempted at all due to the high likelihood of localised flooding.

There are four main entrances to the reserve, (Pantanno, Eremita, Cannicella and Omomorto) all accessible from near Montallegro, the closest town; dirt tracks from two of these wind through the reserve down to the WWF parking area. From there it is a short stroll to the beach, which, even in high summer, is sparsely populated.

We recommend taking the Pantano entrance, and have included advice on that below. As far as we are aware, there is no public transport to Torre Salsa, which is why it can only be visited as part of a Sicily road trip.

From Agrigento or Sciacca

From the SS115, take the Montallegro - Torre Salsa exit, then follow signs for Agriturismo Torre Salsa - Riserva Torre Salsa. After about 3.3 km you will reach a sign for Riserva Torre Salsa - turn left here for Ingresso Pantano, and after a further 2.4 km you will reach the WWF parking area (here on Google Maps).

It’s narrow, bumpy, dusty, and not a proper road, so drive with appropriate caution and care.

Plan // Torre Salsa is included as a stop on our east Sicily itinerary - use that post to help plan your own route and next stop.

Parking at Torre Salsa

The WWF run the small parking area at Torre Salsa.

A lovely reader has let us know that all day parking has increased to €6 per car (if this has increased again when you visit, please do let us know in the comments), but this is reduced to €4 if you arrive after 4pm. When you arrive you will be greeted by a chap who provides basic information as well as bags to carry your rubbish out.

The fee must be paid in cash.

Plan // 15 Essential Things To Know Before Driving in Sicily

Responsible Travel to Torre Salsa

As a protected area, it is super important that all who visit treat this unique beach area with the upmost of respect:

There are no bins so you must take all rubbish with you. This includes cigarette butts and biodegradable items such as fruit skins.
As a turtle nesting area, it’s super important that should you come across any eggs you do not disturb them, nor should you approach any turtles
In summertime, the entire area becomes incredibly arid, therefore it is essential that no fires are lit in the reserve
Come prepared with water and shade if visiting for a while