Porto Empedocle, Sicily

Porto Empedocle is Sicily's main ferry hub for the Pelagie Islands — Lampedusa, Linosa, and Lampione — so the marina has a working, commercial energy rather than a polished resort feel. This is a real Sicilian port town, historically known as Marina di Girgenti and the sea outlet for Agrigento, sitting just a short drive from the Valley of the Temples, one of the best-preserved ancient Greek sites in the world. Drop anchor here and you've got a launching pad for island-hopping south toward Africa or a reason to head inland and walk among 2,500-year-old Doric columns.