The excursion to Eraclea Minoa and the Scala dei Turchi is a short and interesting tour around the western coast of the province of Agrigento, to discover a historical and natural atmosphere made up of preserved beaches and archaeological remains.

Our day begins by bus at 8:30 or 14:30 with departure from your hotel in Sciacca or from the Gulliver agency.

Archaeological park
The first stop is the archaeological park set in the promontory of “Capo Bianco” at the foot of the mouth of the Platani river.

This double name of his can be traced back to the myth of an ancient Sicily, of the demigod Heracles and of King Minos.

There are large defensive lines, with towers and gateways to the city, remains of inhabited areas and a theatre: the latter is protected by a cover to prevent erosion by atmospheric agents and is still used today as a venue for performances that have the cliffs of Capo Bianco and the splendid underlying beaches as a backdrop. The material discovered during the erosion is kept in the Antiquarium at the entrance to the site.

The beach of Eraclea Minoa
It stretches for about 6 kilometres in an amazing environment: the fine white sand is bathed by a sea of extreme beauty, clean, fresh and luxuriant with marine fauna. Behind it, a thick pine forest accompanies the coast for its entire surface.

Scale of the Turks
The second stop is the Scala dei Turchi, a magnificent dazzling white jewel that stands out among the clear blue of the sea. Describing the view is not transmissible in full: you have to live immersing yourself with all five senses in the magic of this incredible white marble cliff.

It is a fascinating place where centuries of rain and wind have carved out a large natural staircase whose white colour is made more dazzling by the sunlight.

The Scala dei Turchi is not only nature, but it is a place recalled by local legend: it is said that the Saracen corsairs, for the Sicilians “the Turks”, after having moored the ships in the calm, clear waters protected by the cliffs, climbed up these natural “stairs” reaching the top and thus invading the surrounding villages, including Realmonte.