Vendicari Nature Reserve

The Vendicari Nature Reserve is a coastal wetland about 12 km south of Noto, one of the most important nature areas in Sicily. The reserve consists of a series of shallow lagoons, sandy beaches, and macchia scrubland along a 7 km stretch of coast. In spring and autumn, tens of thousands of migratory birds pass through: flamingos, herons, spoonbills, oystercatchers, and dozens of wader species.

A well-maintained network of footpaths runs through the reserve, with wooden hides over the main lagoon for birdwatching. The beaches are some of the least crowded on the Sicilian coast — the reserve is protected from development, which keeps the tourist infrastructure minimal. Bring binoculars. The reserve is accessible by car from Noto; the main entrance is near the village of Vendicari.

things to do sight
A story
Vendicari was a hunting estate and tuna fishery for centuries; the old tonnara (tuna processing plant) ruins still stand on the coast. In the 19th century the reserve was known as one of the best places in Sicily to shoot migratory birds — a practice that continued until the reserve was protected in 1984. Today it is one of the most important wetland bird habitats in the central Mediterranean, visited by over 200 species during migration.