A lovingly restored, harbour-front fisherman’s cottage with superb sea views and beach access.
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.
"Hiera is an exceptional property." MC, UK, October 2019
Inside: the front door takes one into the living area. Heading straight on is a shower room and then the charming kitchen-diner, whose views take in the old port of Marettimo and the sea. The kitchen door accesses the seafront footpath that runs in front of the property and, from there, the pebbly beach below.
Back in the living area, a bespoke staircase leads to the first floor, which is home to a children’s twin bedroom, a bathroom with tub, and a spacious, double-aspect double bedroom. Those sleeping in this latter room are treated to superb sea views on waking - be warned: getting up to make the morning coffee will take considerable effort!
Outside: when you’re not sleeping, swimming in the sea, walking in the mountains or dining on lobster soup in one of the town’s trattoria, you’ll probably find yourself gravitating towards your wonderful roof-top terrace.
Here, blessed with stunning views of the sea, the mountains, the castle at Punta Troia, and the islands of Favignana and Levanzo on the horizon, you’ll be able to fully relax in the al fresco tub, catch some rays, cool off under the outdoor shower, and dine long into the night under the stars.
Hiera is a great option for those who do not wish to hire a car and a fantastic opportunity to become part of a welcoming and fascinating community.
Please note that this villa does not have a pool.
Please note that you cannot drive inside Marettimo town.
The café-bar behind the house (open from mid-May to mid-September) is a popular spot and a good place for snacks and refreshments, from breakfast to sunset aperitifs and beyond - in the high summer months, especially around the middle of August, it stays open until late.
The number of steps that must be negotiated to get into and around this property might make it unsuitable for people with mobility problems.
The roof terrace is partly overlooked by a couple of other properties.
Depending on the direction of the wind, (distant) traffic noise may occasionally be audible in certain areas of the grounds.
As this villa is located on an island, we recommend extra caution when booking your flights to avoid problems or delays with ferries and hydrofoils. It may be advisable to arrive a day earlier and depart a day later. Please contact us for any information or advice.
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.
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.
Arrival details will be confirmed by The Thinking Traveller after your villa is confirmed.
The Thinking Traveller can organise transfers and car hire and an agent will be in touch with you once your villa is confirmed.
