One of my favourite excursions is to go to Pantalica. It is an easy excursion because I prefer to enter from the valley side of the river Anapo.
The rocky necropolis of Pantalica is one of the most impressive Unesco's world heritage sites in Sicily.
It's a prehistoric archaeological site, belonging to the late bronze age (13th - 8th century B.C.) and it contains a huge rocky cemetery consisting of thousand of graves digged in the walls of the Anapo canyon.
Pantalica is worthy a visit also for it's wild natural panoramas. The whole area is inside the Anapo valley nature reserve, a paradise for trekking and hiking with a lot of different pathways. Pantalica is the plateau over the canyons formed by the creeks Anapo, Bottigliera and Calcinara. This small rivers have digged impressive rocky walls: a great panorama but also a good defended position for the ancient populations of Sicily.
The way to Pantalica is interesting and very panoramical but pay attention to the many curves and take care that you have to drive about 1 hour and more from Syracuse.
Pantalica is an Unesco site but sadly there's not a great organization for visitors. You can find postcards or to drink or eat in Ferla or Sortino or in the Agriturismo restaurants near Pantalica.
. The best season to visit Pantalica is spring due to the mild temperatures and to the incredible colors of the Sicilian countryside. In summer it is very hot and there are very few shadow spots so we suggest to visit the area only soon in the morning or before sunset.
Below some shoots during my last excursion
Along the path there are some tunnels to accross. Please remember to have a torch.
