Riserva di Vendicari
Riserva di Vendicari
4.5
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4.5
2,222 reviews
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559
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112
S_Hvass
Bramming, Denmark721 contributions
May 2023
This is an absolute must see when in Sicily. The nature here is quite spectacular and so is the wild life. Also the paths are very well laid out and makes sure that you se all the sights on the route. Especially taking a rest at the sanctuary at one end of the path overlooking the sea in total peace and quiet is a lovely experience. As scandinavians is was also a big thing to see flamingos in the wild. We have never been in an area like this, and as a hiker and nature lover this was an absolute favorite experience on our trip to Sicily. There is a small admission fee and parking fee here, but it is worth the spend. Only regret is that we didn't visite one of the small restaurants there, because they looked very cozy.
Written June 2, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Danny A
Lyme Regis, England, United Kingdom9 contributions
Sep 2022 • Couples
What a stunning place - the birds, especially flamingos, were astounding.
The cafe was an unexpected treat.
Fortunately, we’d read previous reviews, warning about the car park scam.
He tried to get us, too. You hear a bang on your car as you drive out and he drives after you, saying you hit his car. We drove off!
Very grateful for the warning.
The cafe was an unexpected treat.
Fortunately, we’d read previous reviews, warning about the car park scam.
He tried to get us, too. You hear a bang on your car as you drive out and he drives after you, saying you hit his car. We drove off!
Very grateful for the warning.
Written September 20, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Jean T
10 contributions
May 2017 • Couples
Very nice bird reserve and beach down narrow road with adequate parking in pield at end. 2 cafes provide food and drink. However there's a guy scamming tourists by pretending you've broken his door mirror on the narrow access road and asking for money. Suggest you say 'Let's go to the Polizia Stradale - Traffic Police - in Rosolini to settle this'. Pity this can spoil an otherwise lovely spot
Written May 30, 2017
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Jonandcon
London, UK2 contributions
Oct 2018 • Couples
We had a lovely morning spotting flamingos, most of which were in the south lake.
In the afternoon we went to cava Grande del fume cassibile which is a gorge with a fantastic view but closed off for walking down due to safety reasons. As we left we had to squeeze past a car on the access road and there was a thud as we passed it even though we were nowhere near. Having read the post from 21 July we kept driving even though the car owner nearly rammed us while hooting his horn and flashing for about half a mile. Then we passed a stationery car and he gave up the chase instantly. My theory is that he hit the roof of our car with his hand while we were passing and that the other car was his accomplice who didn't pull out in time to block us.BEWARE
In the afternoon we went to cava Grande del fume cassibile which is a gorge with a fantastic view but closed off for walking down due to safety reasons. As we left we had to squeeze past a car on the access road and there was a thud as we passed it even though we were nowhere near. Having read the post from 21 July we kept driving even though the car owner nearly rammed us while hooting his horn and flashing for about half a mile. Then we passed a stationery car and he gave up the chase instantly. My theory is that he hit the roof of our car with his hand while we were passing and that the other car was his accomplice who didn't pull out in time to block us.BEWARE
Written October 12, 2018
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Bru_t
Greater London, UK1 contribution
Jun 2018 • Couples
I was subject to this scam too, on 6/6/18. Fairly plausible at first actually. I had not heard of this scam before. Scammer was asking for 80euro to end the matter, after first asking for ID and insurance details. He was not aggressive with me. I was genuinely checking over the damage to his wing mirror and looking at the black marks on the back of my wing mirror and side of my car and initially thinking that I indeed must've hit his car. My partner's suspicions were alerted as she was sure I had not passed closed enough to the parked cars to hit them. She rubbed the black "plastic scrape marks" and sniffed it - it was crayon. We immediately changed our tune with the guy and told him we were calling the police. He tried it on some more but drove off within a couple of minutes saying he was going to get the police! I think possibly he had a female accomplice who had been stood on the opposite side of the lane to the parked cars, forcing me to drive closer to the guy's parked park (which, along with the loud clunk, made it plausible that I had hit his mirror). I can imagine people falling for this, so please be aware, and say you are calling the police. I presume he must have marked our hire car whilst we were away walking and we didn't notice it when getting back in. Still have no idea how he made such a convincing clunk, which really did sound like something hit our car (but I could not see any damage anywhere).
We had had a very pleasant late afternoon stroll there though!
We had had a very pleasant late afternoon stroll there though!
Written July 21, 2018
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Linda H
Gothenburg, Sweden2 contributions
Dec 2019 • Couples
We we’re scammed today visiting Vendicari. A man with a car was waiting by the road close to the park, and while we passed him we heard a loud noise. We didn’t think more about it but the man started waving and gesticulating so we stopped the car a bit down the road. The man claimed we had hit his wing mirror, which sounded completely insane since we had had a lot of space on the road. But then he showed us a long black mark on our rental car and in the moment of shock he made us believe that we had actually hit him. He asked for 150 euros and not to call the police, but thank God we only had 45 euros left in our wallets. He took the money quite happily and drove off yelling something we couldn’t understand. Afterwards it dawned on us that it was black crayon on the car and all a big scam. Be aware visiting Vendicari! A quick googling later we found that others had experienced the exact same thing here. Watch out and threaten to call the police immediately if you are stopped. And happy bird watching!
Written December 26, 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Steve_of_N21
London, UK3,273 contributions
Jun 2015 • Couples
Vendicari is a mixture of lagoons , sand dunes, rocky coastlines, and sandy beaches which due to its salinity is the permanent home to a flock of resident flamingos and a temporary home to tons of different type of migrating birds.
There are three entrances to the park, all off the main Noto-Pachino road. Like most visitors we took the middle entrance, sign posted Torre di Vendicari, which leads to the pay (3.5Euro for all day) car park, although there is a free car park before this associated with a cafe
This entrance is also the one for the bird hides on the lakes, the discused tonnara (tuna fishery) and the old fishermen’s houses which are now set up as a rather good visitors centre.
As others have said there is a good sandy beach here as well but for our visit the tide was in and it was quite covered with seaweed. So on the advice of the warden in the visitors centre we walked 4KM along the coast to the north (took about 50 minutes) to the excellent secluded bay beach of Calamosche.
This was pretty busy for a Thursday afternoon outside of Italian holidays with locals in the know , so not sure I would chance this one in the high season.
As other have said there are no facilities , umbrellas or beds available in the nature reserve, so if you do intend to visit make sure you bring an umbrella for the beach, plenty of water and food and the binoculars for the flamingos
There are three entrances to the park, all off the main Noto-Pachino road. Like most visitors we took the middle entrance, sign posted Torre di Vendicari, which leads to the pay (3.5Euro for all day) car park, although there is a free car park before this associated with a cafe
This entrance is also the one for the bird hides on the lakes, the discused tonnara (tuna fishery) and the old fishermen’s houses which are now set up as a rather good visitors centre.
As others have said there is a good sandy beach here as well but for our visit the tide was in and it was quite covered with seaweed. So on the advice of the warden in the visitors centre we walked 4KM along the coast to the north (took about 50 minutes) to the excellent secluded bay beach of Calamosche.
This was pretty busy for a Thursday afternoon outside of Italian holidays with locals in the know , so not sure I would chance this one in the high season.
As other have said there are no facilities , umbrellas or beds available in the nature reserve, so if you do intend to visit make sure you bring an umbrella for the beach, plenty of water and food and the binoculars for the flamingos
Written June 21, 2015
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Jan B
Prague, Czech Republic91 contributions
Jul 2013 • Couples
Please note that there are four entrances (according to maps) and they are quite far from each other, so plan accordingly.
We entered through the "main entrance" (Ingresso principale) - there is one nice long beach with a shallow warm sea nearby, you can also walk to the ruins of "tonnara" (tuna processing factory) nearby and watch birds at a few spots.
If you want to come because of the flamingoes, be aware there are almost no birds in July - we saw only a few common ones from distance. Spring or autumn might be better times to visit.
The beach is very nice however - there is only one in wakling distance (well, depends on your walking skills). It is a narrow long strip of sand next to a nice shallow shelf with very warm water and only small waves. There were very few people there when we visited (weekday afternoon) and we enjoyed having a long part of the beach for ourselves.
The beach is quite clean, but there are some deposited "kiwis" at the edges (seems like balls of plant matter tangled by the sea). The sea was very calm and warm, but it might have some floating sea weed or plant matter in it depending on the wind. We did not mind this, but someone might find it gross.
We parked our car at the parking lot there (it cost 3.50 EUR in July 2013). There is a small "bar" that sells some food and drinks, two showers to wash the salt from your skin when you leave and that's it. From the parking lot, you have to walk about 5-10 minutes to get to the bird lakes and beach. You will pass a small entrance booth, but you don't have to pay anything, they just greet you and may ask for your nationality for statistic purposes.
We entered through the "main entrance" (Ingresso principale) - there is one nice long beach with a shallow warm sea nearby, you can also walk to the ruins of "tonnara" (tuna processing factory) nearby and watch birds at a few spots.
If you want to come because of the flamingoes, be aware there are almost no birds in July - we saw only a few common ones from distance. Spring or autumn might be better times to visit.
The beach is very nice however - there is only one in wakling distance (well, depends on your walking skills). It is a narrow long strip of sand next to a nice shallow shelf with very warm water and only small waves. There were very few people there when we visited (weekday afternoon) and we enjoyed having a long part of the beach for ourselves.
The beach is quite clean, but there are some deposited "kiwis" at the edges (seems like balls of plant matter tangled by the sea). The sea was very calm and warm, but it might have some floating sea weed or plant matter in it depending on the wind. We did not mind this, but someone might find it gross.
We parked our car at the parking lot there (it cost 3.50 EUR in July 2013). There is a small "bar" that sells some food and drinks, two showers to wash the salt from your skin when you leave and that's it. From the parking lot, you have to walk about 5-10 minutes to get to the bird lakes and beach. You will pass a small entrance booth, but you don't have to pay anything, they just greet you and may ask for your nationality for statistic purposes.
Written August 7, 2013
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
unipegaso
milano34 contributions
Jun 2011 • Couples
The Vendicari reserve is unique in its variety of different environments in this humid coastal area with rocks, sea, sand, dunes, fresh and sea water and ruins of what has been left by man (the Swabian tower, the tuna station, the salt factory, the Byzantine church).
The varied vegetation (myrtle, lentisk, thyme, wild garlic, pimpernel, juniper, bamboo, reeds, etc.) and the fact of being a stopping point for migratory birds (herons, black storks,gulls,pelicans,flamingos), make Vendicari a place of incredible beauty.
The varied vegetation (myrtle, lentisk, thyme, wild garlic, pimpernel, juniper, bamboo, reeds, etc.) and the fact of being a stopping point for migratory birds (herons, black storks,gulls,pelicans,flamingos), make Vendicari a place of incredible beauty.
Written March 26, 2012
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
ukjms
Bilbao, Spain29 contributions
May 2014 • Couples
A wonderful place to spend a few hours - a beautiful beach and nature park with flamingos in the lake.
NB. Parking is on-site at EUR 3.50. It's only a short walk to the beach, but there are longer trails if you want to do them. The old tuna factory is atmospheric.
NB. Parking is on-site at EUR 3.50. It's only a short walk to the beach, but there are longer trails if you want to do them. The old tuna factory is atmospheric.
Written May 16, 2014
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
vorrei sapere se le 17:30 è l’orario per l’ultima entrata e poi si può stare fino a sera, oppure alle 17:30 bisogna essere già fuori?? (spero di essermi spiegata )
Written August 22, 2024
Non saprei dirle, non ricordo orario di chiusura
Written August 22, 2024
Does anyone know the cost of a taxi from Syracuse to vendicari ? Is there a bus in may ? Many thanks
Written March 19, 2023
Hi,
Is it allowed to swim everywhere around the coast or only on the beaches.
As the beaches might be a bit to crowded we are looking for a more quiet place to swim.
Thank you!
Ciao,
È consentito nuotare ovunque intorno alla costa o solo sulle spiagge.
Poiché le spiagge potrebbero essere un po' troppo affollate, stiamo cercando un posto più tranquillo per nuotare.
Grazie!
Written May 31, 2021
L'ingresso alla Riserva è a pagamento? E' necessario prenotare?
Written July 14, 2020
Si, l'ingresso alla Riserva dei Vendicari costa 3.5 Euro a persona.
Inoltre, se sei con la tua famiglia, potresti risparmiare qualcosa sui costi facendo il biglietto ridotto.
Il biglietto è giornaliero: infatti puoi accedere dalle varie entrate (sempre nella stessa gioranta) alla Riserva.
Written July 8, 2024
What type of shoes do you recommend for walking in this area? thanks!
Written September 26, 2019
Hi there hiker, sensible shoes preferably water-proofed, or light hiker walkers
Written September 27, 2019
cosa fare e quando per vedere i fenicotteri rosa?
Written September 25, 2019
per i fenicotteri rosa devi entrare dall entrata principale
pe i periodi devi vedere sul sito
Written November 21, 2019
Buongiorno, il parcheggio è funzionante?, è a pagamento?
Written September 7, 2019
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