The ancient Greek toponym of the island was Hierà Nésos (Ἱερά νῆσος), meaning "sacred island". The current name most likely derives from Marìtima, the Latin name of the island.

Some scholars suggest that the origin of the name is to be found in the abundant presence of wild thyme. However, this is not the only type of herb that grows spontaneously on the island, whose very particular climate has contributed to the development of an extraordinary flora; therefore the origin of the name is given by the fabulous sea and the thyme of Marettimo.

Marettimo has always represented an important port of call for all the peoples who crossed the Mediterranean to trade or conquer, and its history is a succession of invasions.

The island has the approximate shape of a quadrilateral, a shape that was also perceived and established by the ancient peoples who lived there.

Marettimo is the most mountainous of the Egadi, its highest peak, Monte Falcone, exceeds 687 metres above sea level.

Towards the west the mountain is steeper, different from the one to the east where the picturesque village with its 600 inhabitants, mostly very skilled and honest fishermen, overlooks.

In addition to the well-known Pizzo Falcone, the island boasts other peaks such as Pizzo Campana 600 m.; Pizzo Scaturro 550 m.; Mount Lissandro (where the remains of the building that many years ago was called the semaphore are found) 551 m.; Pizzo dello Spalmatore with its very high wall and finally Mount Castiglio.

The magnificent peaks, from every side, offer us the spectacle of marvellous views which in exceptional weather extend as far as Pantelleria, Marsala, the Egadi group and Mount Cofano (TP).

Since ancient times there have been numerous caves, those existing on the western side were a refuge for the monk seal, now disappeared from Sicilian waters about forty years ago. In Marettimo it returned in 2013 in fact by taking a few steps off the hydrofoil you can admire a small sculpture where two romantic monk seals are the protagonists to remember the return of these wonderful creatures in the waters of Marettimo.