​​​​​​​Scala dei Turchi (Stair of the Turks) Is No Longer Closed (2026)

Scala dei Turchi (Stair of the Turks) is a breathtaking white cliff in the south of Sicily. In the past, tourists have flocked to Scala dei Turchi to explore and wander along the chalky white cliff without restriction. Unfortunately, access to the famous Scala dei Turchi was closed between 2020 and early 2025.

In good news for tourists, Scala dei Turchi is no longer closed! Finally, it reopened in the summer of 2025, but with more restrictions than before 2020. At the moment, to visit, you’ll need to purchase a ticket, and the number of visitors per hour is limited.

Thankfully, even without a ticket, it’s still possible to visit the area and admire the Stair of the Turks. In this guide, we’ll tell you about the best ways to experience the Stair of the Turks, even if you end up at the site without a ticket!

If you’re looking for similar epic white cliffs nearby without any access restrictions, visit Capo Bianco

Scala dei Turchi (Stair of the Turks)

Scala dei Turchi is an outstanding natural attraction near the historic town of Agrigento on Sicily’s southern coast. The glistening chalky cliff supposedly got its name from invading Arab pirates, who would use the cliffs to hide or gain access to the land.

Being featured in Andrea Camilleri’s series of novels and TV series called Commissario Montalbano, the natural site became even more popular in the 1990s and 2000s. In 2007, the Stair of the Turks became a candidate for UNESCO World Heritage site status.

FYI – Scala dei Turchi (Stair of the Turks) is also known as the Turkish Steps.

Where Is Scala dei Turchi?

The Stair of the Turks is located on the coast of Realmonte, near Porto Empedocle in the province of Agrigento in southern Sicily. To help get your bearings, check out an interactive Scala dei Turchi map on Google Maps.

Things to Know Before Visiting Scala dei Turchi

Before Scala dei Turchi was closed, there wasn’t too much to know before a visit. You’d simply park nearby, find one of the many entrances and then follow the respective path down to the cliffs. Basically, you were free to wander on the cliffs and even swim in the ocean at the base of the cliffs.

So why did access to the Stair of the Turks close in 2020? Let’s explore the closure of the Stair of the Turks in a little more detail below.

Access to Scala dei Turchi Was Closed

Following vandalism and degradation of Scala dei Turchi, access to the cliffs was closed in 2020. To prevent people from accessing the cliffs, fences and gates were put up and the site was guarded. So, if your dream was to wander along the Stair of the Turks, you’d have to break the rules to fulfil that dream!

Despite this annoyance, Beck and I were pleased to see the natural site being protected, maintained and conserved. After much foot traffic over the years, it was perhaps time to give the Stair of Turks some breathing space. After all, something needed to be done about erosion caused by visitors and vandalism by pea-brains.

Scala dei Turchi Re-Opened in 2025

Thankfully, since summer 2025, it’s once again possible to tick the Stairs of the Turks off that bucket list. After considerable closure, the site reopened in the summer of 2025, but with extensive crowd control to help conserve it.

Scala dei Turchi Tickets

These days, to visit the site, you’ll need to buy a ticket (€5 for a tourist ‘Blue Pass’ at the time of writing). Tickets can be purchased online on the official website. You can visit between 10am and 7pm. A ticket for your designated time slot gives you access for 1 hour, except if you visit at 7pm, when it’s only 30 minutes.

There are only 35 tickets available for each time slot. Because of this, we highly recommend booking in advance to avoid disappointment.

Bear in mind, Scala dei Turchi is only open during the summer months (roughly June to September). Outside visiting hours, the site is still guarded to prevent trespassers.

How to Visit Scala dei Turchi Without A Ticket

Thankfully, it’s still possible to visit Scala dei Turchi and appreciate the mesmerising landform from afar, even without tickets.

The Stair of the Turks remains a captivating white cliff that’s worth seeing, even if you can’t walk on it. Below, we’ll discuss the best ways to enjoy this natural attraction without directly accessing the cliffs through ticketed entry.

See Scala dei Turchi From Majata Beach

From Majata Beach, you’ll enjoy superb views of the Stair of the Turks. Located just south of the white cliffs, you’re free to wander along this beautiful beach to enjoy views of the white cliff.

Previously, you could access the base of the Stair of the Turks from Majata Beach. But, these days, you’ll find a fence, which is sometimes guarded. Thankfully, you’ll still enjoy awesome views of the white cliff from the beach.

Depending on the tide, you may be able to access some of the rock platforms along the shoreline. From there, you’ll enjoy some of the best views of the white cliff.

Checkout Viewpoints of Scala dei Turchi

From the roadside, there are a couple of great viewpoints of the Stair of the Turks. From Belvedere – Scala dei Turchi – F.A.I., you’ll enjoy a stellar view of the western face of the beaming white cliff.

Even though this lookout is farther away than some other lookouts, it still provides some of the best views. That’s because there are fewer obstructions blocking your view. Indeed, you’ll enjoy a fairly uninterrupted snapshot of the white cliff from this lookout.

You’ll find a similarly named lookout here, which is actually located closer to the white cliff. But, from this lookout, your views of the Stair of the Turks are mostly impeded by the surrounding coastline. Sure, you’ll still enjoy fantastic views of the coastline. But, if your mission is just to get a phenomenal view of the white cliff, then head to the first lookout we mentioned above.

Scala dei Turchi Boat and Sunset Tours

If you want to see and appreciate Scala dei Turchi from the water, then a boat tour is a great idea.

Back in the day, one of the most popular things to do at Scala dei Turchi was to visit for sunset. Certainly, you can still enjoy an awesome sunset at Scala dei Turchi! Simply head to Majata Beach and you can watch one of the most marvellous sunsets you’ll ever see.

Otherwise, if you’re looking for the most luxurious sunset experience at Scala dei Turchi, then consider a boat tour. GetYourGuide offers this amazing Private Boat Tour.

Go to ​​​​​​​Lido Scala dei Turchi

Located on Majata Beach, Lido Scala dei Turchi is a lovely beach bar and restaurant. After exploring the white cliff from Majata Beach, you could easily stop in for a bit to eat or just a drink. It’s also possible to catch a lovely sunset here, too!

Go to Lounge Beach Scala dei Turchi

Also located on Majata Beach, Lounge Beach Scala dei Turchi is another option for eating or drinking. Located near the Stair of the Turks, you’ll have excellent views of the white cliff and the surrounding coastline.

How to Get to Scala dei Turchi in Sicily

The simplest and most straightforward way to get to the Stair of the Turks is to drive there yourself. Beck and I picked up our car hire from Catania International Airport.

At the time of visiting, for an automatic car, we only paid around €7 ($7USD) per day! Of course, with all car hire companies in Sicily, and Italy, make sure you’re fully aware of the rules and conditions of the car hire.

To find out more about renting a car with Discover Cars, read our Discover Cars review and Discover Cars Insurance review.

Scala dei Turchi Parking

It’s possible to find free street-side parking here if you arrive early during the peak season, or, if you visit in the off-season. Personally, Beck and I visited in March. We arrived around midday and still found plenty of free street-side parking.

Otherwise, there are plenty of private parking areas near the Stair of the Turks and Majata Beach. You’ll pay anywhere between €5–10 depending on your length of stay.

Public Transport

As far as we’re aware, there isn’t any public transport running to the Stair of the Turks. But, there is a shuttle service that runs during the peak season in summer. Although, even during peak season, there are limited services.

The bus runs from Agrigento to Scala dei Turchi via Porto Empedocle. From what we’ve heard, the bus doesn’t directly drop you at Scala dei Turchi or Majata Beach. You’ll be dropped about a 40-minute walk away from the Stair of the Turks. So, by far the better option is driving there yourself.

Where to Stay Nearby

Many people visiting the Stair of the Turks will visit from Agrigento. You’ll find a decent range of hotels in Agrigento. But, if you want to stay closer to the action, there are some fantastic accommodation options that are just a stone’s throw away from the Stair of the Turks.

Let’s look at the best accommodation options near the famous white cliff.

FAQs

Below, you’ll find the most frequently asked questions about Scala dei Turchi in Sicily.

Is Scala dei Turchi Open?

Access to Scala dei Turchi was closed between 2020 and early 2025, but reopened in summer 2025.

Can You Climb ​​​​​​​Scala dei Turchi?

The only way to visit the Stair of the Turks is with a ticket. That way, you can climb the attraction, but only in certain areas as parts are fenced off for conservation purposes.

Can You Swim in Scala dei Turchi?

Not really. Previously, people would access the cliff and swim at the base of it when there were no restrictions. But, access is much more restricted now, so it isn’t possible to swim at the site as part of your visit. Of course, you can swim at Majata Beach and enjoy the views of the cliffs from afar.

How Was ​​​​​​​Scala dei Turchi Formed?

A little about Scala dei Turchi history! The cliff is composed of marl (white marble), clay and silt. As a result of erosion and sedimentary deposition, the levels, or layered steps, formed naturally over time.

Bonus Tips

• Visit for sunset, even if you’re not doing a Scala dei Turchi sunset tour: this is a popular time of day to visit. Watching the sunset, behind Scala dei Turchi, is an unforgettable experience to have during a trip to Sicily. And, indeed, you don’t need to be doing a specific sunset tour. Simply, rock up at Majata Beach and enjoy the show!
• Explore Agrigento: most people visiting the Stair of the Turks will also visit the nearby Valley of the Temples. Certainly, don’t miss a visit to one of the most outstanding Italian archaeological sites.
• Visit Capo Bianco instead: if you want to visit lesser-known yet equally impressive coastal white sandstone cliffs nearby, without any visiting restrictions, go to Capo Bianco instead!