The fisherman's cottage
4 Guests
2 Bedrooms
2 Bathrooms
Authentic in spirit, but reassuringly contemporary in terms of comfort, Hiera offers guests the perfect base from which to explore one of Italy’s most fascinating but least visited islands: a pebble’s throw from the beach, a gentle meander to a series of excellent trattorie, and a short stroll from the start of the walking paths that circumnavigate and scale Marettimo’s mountainous interior. If you’re in need of a rest after all that exploring, you can relax in Hiera’s al fresco roof-top tub, looking out to sea and counting your blessings.
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Our team has visited each of our villas, so they can share the finer details and help explore flexible date options
Keyholder highlights
- Superb sea views
- Rooftop terrace and al fresco tub
- Easy stroll to shops, restaurants and a beach
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The Area
A former fisherman's cottage, Hiera is located on the old harbour of unspoilt Marettimo, the westernmost of the three Egadi Islands.
A 70-minute hydrofoil crossing from Trapani, Marettimo is a real island hideaway, a quiet, sleepy place most of the year round. In the summer months, expat islanders return to see their families, a few tourists arrive and the island's only village thrums with a very gentle buzz.
Sitting in a prime village location above the old harbour, Hiera is perfectly placed for exploring Marettimo’s many attractions. A pebble beach and the sea is on your doorstep, the village's shops, cafés and excellent trattorie are a lazy stroll away. A stay at Hiera offers a fantastic opportunity to become part of a welcoming and fascinating community - find out more about the islanders' curious relationship with Alaska, salmon-fishing and Monterey, California.
Marettimo packs a surprising amount of history and archaeological interest for such a small, relatively remote place. The remains of a Roman military outpost, built after the First Punic War, sit next to a Norman-era church looking out over the sea, while a dramatic castle of Arab origins dominates the northeastern tip of the island (a promontory called Punta Troia).
Well-marked walking paths lead out from the village, crisscrossing the island, offering unending views of heart-quickening beauty. Perhaps the best of these is to be seen from the top of Pizzo Falcone, the island's highest peak at about 500m above sea level.
Marettimo's coastline is one of dramatic charm. Numerous grottoes puncture the precipitous dolomitic cliffs as they plunge into the sea, and a day or two exploring these on a boat is a fabulous experience. Sea lovers will also delight in the swimming, snorkelling and scuba diving opportunities Marettimo has to offer. Its waters are transparent and extremely clean, thanks to its being part of the Egadi Islands Marine Reserve (one of the largest in Europe).
Should you wish to explore further afield, a day trip to the other Egadi Islands is great fun. Favignana is a buzzing island with wonderful beaches and bays. It was once home to thriving tuna fisheries and the main town has some impressive architecture. Levanzo, meanwhile, is quieter and less frequented, though its 20,000-year-old cave paintings in the Grotta del Genovese do attract some visitors.
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