Mothia is a Phoenician settlement on the tiny island of San Pantaleo, just off the coast of Sicly between Marsala and Trapani. It’s signposted from Marsala as “Mozia” and easy to find, if you stick to the road along the coast. The boat ride (currently 5 EUR return) takes about 10 minutes. There is an extra fee to step foot on the island (9 EUR).

The traces of the settlement can be found along the shore. It takes about 40 minutes to walk around the island. Not really much is left. The once mighty walls and everything else is reduced to a few stones. Most remarkable is the Cothon with an artificial pool. Further, there is a small but interesting museum with artefacts found on the island.

Exploring the island was fun, despite the 40 degrees Celsius, but rather for the island itself and not the archaeological remains. I’m not sure if this site will make the list. Not much is left and what’s left is not very impressive. There is a reasonable chance though, because Phoenician sites are not overrepresented so far.