With vibrant bazaar-like markets and creamy pistachio gelato, white sandy beaches and turquoise sea, lush green mountains and rocky coastal hikes, ancient temples and crumbling churches, Western Sicily is an absolute treat.
Vibrant and ancient towns, welcoming locals and mouthwatering food and wine. Here you can pass from ancient Greek temples which overlook the sea to endless rolling hills covered in fertile vineyards.
On the same day, you can swim in the bluest waters, wander the highest hilltop towns, explore the wildest landscape, and taste the sweetest pastries. Sicily’s western coast has attracted invaders for millennia.
Its richly stocked fishing grounds, hilltop vineyards and coastal saltpans were coveted by the Phoenicians, Greeks, Romans and Normans, all of whom influenced the region’s landscape and culture.
Even the English left their mark, with 18th-century entrepreneurs lured here and made rich by one of the world’s most famous sweet wines, marsala.
Castellammare del Golfo must first be viewed from above.
The town is arranged around the Arab-Norman castle. Looking at the building, we discover the many changes that have taken place over the centuries following the dominations that have alternated on the island. Each has contributed to modifying the castle of Castellammare del Golfo to make it what it is today: a history book of undiminished and timeless charm. The historic little fishing port has a very picturesque location, below steep mountain slopes, with a handsome curved harbor at the foot of a small headland topped with a castle. Castellammare is just touristy enough that visitors don’t feel out of place, but it isn’t overcrowded with hotels and it has an authentic Sicilian ‘feel’.
Towering over the west of Sicily at 751m above sea level and often covered in its own
personal cloud, Erice is a wonderfully preserved mediaeval town with the most breathtaking views and a palpable sense of history. Splendor and charm, traditions and stories of the past, beauty and wonder: you breathe all this in as you walk through the streets of Erice, one of the most beautiful villages in Italy.
Trapani, with its sickle-like shape, benefits from an enviable geographic position: between two seas, at the foot of Monte Erice, facing the marvelous Aegadian Islands and the famous salt pans. As you walk through its historic center, the various cultural layers which the many ruling powers over the centuries have left evidence of in its architecture, art and monuments are immediately obvious.
Favignana is not a party island, that’s for sure, and you won’t find neon-lit nightclubs and booming basslines but what you will find is peace,
and a true chilled out vibe. Put simply, Favignana is one of those destinations that allows you to breathe fresh Mediterranean air, and breathe out all your worries. In what used to be one of the largest tuna fisheries in the Mediterranean, a museum has been opened in the harbor bay to retrace the history of tuna fishing. The best views are from the Castello di Santa Caterina, a centuries old castle long since abandoned. From there, most simply enjoy the vista out over the Egadi Islands, Trapani and as far as Marsala.
Monte Cofano is a monolithic and impressive rock in the western part of Sicily. Situated in the Monte Cofano Reserve, between Trapani and Erice to the west
and Capo San Vito and the mountain range of Parco Naturale dello Zingaro to the east, Monte Cofano rises 659 m above the sea level. Monte Cofano is possibly the most beautiful hike in Sicily! This gorgeous mix of mountain and coastal route is fabulous on a sunny day, the views across the Baia Santa Margherita and the Riserva Naturale Orientata Monte Cofano are spectacular. This hike is so versatile, you can traverse Monte Cofano, climb to the summit or both.
In the saltpans of Marsala, you will find evidence of the oldest Phoenician settlement in the Mediterranean. In front of the saltpans, there is the
museum-island of Mozia. It is well worth exploring and will remain among the best memories of your journey in western Sicily. To visit the Stagnone Islands, you have to leave from the historic Imbarcadero di Mozia. The site covers an island, the Isola di San Pantaleo, situated in a striking location in a kind of shallow lagoon lined with the salt flats and windmills that are a characteristic of this coastline and another of its visitable attractions. The island’s terrain is flat and rural, and excavated stretches alternate with woodland, vineyard and field.
Marsala is internationally known for the sweet wine that bears its name. This beautiful city on Sicily’s western coast has a charm and history that will draw you in! Ancient churches, archaeological ruins, Punic shipwrecks and underwater roads, a lagoon with pink colored water and fields of Mediterranean Sea Salt. This little gem of a town is best summarized by the words found on its own website: “a Mediterranean city divided between sea and land…finding its natural synthesis in wine.” A visit to Marsala is perfectly spent as slowly as possible. Marsala is a city best enjoyed by pressing the pause button and immersing yourself in the history, the food, the wine, and the salty sea air.
Monreale is a pleasant town and as you wander around you often get great views over Palermo, coast with its olive groves
and almond trees. One of the best views is towards Palermo from the north-east of the town, with extensive views across the countryside as well as a picturesque view of the houses in Monreale. The cathedral in Monreale is best known for its very impressive byzantine mosaics, dating from the 8th century, although the cathedral has several other interesting characteristics as well as a beautiful cloister. It is now listed as a UNESCO heritage site (together with the Arab-Norman churches in Palermo and the cathedral in Cefalu).
Levanzo, a shining gem in the azure Mediterranean Sea, is the smallest of the Egadi Islands and a peaceful retreat away from the
hustle and bustle of modern life. With its breathtaking views and rich history, this small island offers a unique experience for those seeking serenity, unspoiled natural beauty and a dip into the past. The island, forbidden to cars, is covered with hills and bordered by steep rocky coasts where many prehistoric caves are hidden, in particular the Grotta del Genovese. Unique in Italy, rivalling Altamira and Lascaux, this cave unites Paleolithic incisions and Upper Neolithic paintings, left here 12.000 years ago.
Morning visit of the temple “factory”. The archaeological area of the Cave di Cusa, located 13 km from Selinunte, is the place from which limestone columns were carved to build its temples.
The site retains all the charm of the past. Walking among the columns, still sketched or lying, waiting to be placed, is an exciting journey back in time.
In ancient times, rich and populous, today Selinunte is included in the largest archaeological park in Europe that covers 270 hectares, with the acropolis, the necropolis and the three hills. It’s one of Sicily’s great Greek archaeological sites. Situated by the sea in the south-western corner of Sicily, the isolated ruins here have stood abandoned for most of their history. The lack of later development allows modern visitors to imagine the ancient town of Selinus as it would have been two and a half thousand years ago. The archaeological park at Selinunte is huge, incorporating Greek temples, ancient town walls, the ruins of residential and commercial buildings, countryside paths and zones not yet excavated.
Where sea and nature meet — and in Sicily this happens a lot — the result is always extraordinary. Add a sunset you’ll never forget, the scent of Mediterranean scrub,
crystal-clear water with colors ranging from emerald green to shades of cobalt blue, then you know that you’re somewhere really special. The Riserva dello Zingaro is one of Sicily’s most admired natural locations. There are nearly no human works, with the exception of a few rural buildings. Zingaro is a version of paradise; rugged grey and black cliffs and crags, and endless views of the turquoise water coves which form the faint outline of Sicily’s beginnings. It makes the soul happy. The Zingaro is a great place to combine hiking with a few beach breaks during the day. Throughout your hike, you will be able to take smaller trails leading to magnificent coves with translucent water. No doubt you will take a dip a few times during the day.
High up in a mountainous area towards the west of Sicily is the beautiful and simply magical Segesta archaeological complex. When we arrive at Segesta,
the first thing we notice is the temple on the plain between the two peaks of the mountain where the ancient city stood. The Doric temple, magnificent for its layout and position, ennobles the place where it stands. The Theatre is located on the northern slopes of the Monte Barbaro. Fairly well-preserved, it has a cavea of about 63 m in diameter, partly cut into the rock itself and partly built and supported by a wall of limestone blocks. The outstanding views from the theatre are a perfect good bye to Western Sicily.
Diving deep into the beating heart of our city—the four ancient
markets that will transport you straight into the past. Picture this: Ballarò, Capo, Vucciria, and Borgo Vecchio—these outdoor markets are like time machines that whisk you away to a Sicilian era untouched by Wi-Fi and swarming tourist hordes. Step foot into these markets, and you’ll feel the weight of history pressing down on you. The ancient buildings that surround you have seen it all – love stories, battles, invasions, and more. It’s like walking through a living museum of Sicilian life, where tradition reigns supreme. These markets are the heartbeat of the city. They’ve stood the test of time, and today, they stand as a testament to our unwavering Sicilian spirit.
Sicilian capital and crossroads of cultures and traditions, Palermo will cause you to fall
in love with its exhilarating colors, fragrances and flavors, it is a city teeming with churches, monuments and priceless works of art, animated by noisy working-class neighborhoods adjoining sumptuous aristocratic buildings. Icing on the cake is the pleasant climate in all seasons, a breathtaking ocean view and a compelling culinary tradition. It is a buzzing Mediterranean center with 1 million inhabitants, full of culture, art galleries, museums, historic markets and plenty of excellent bars, cafés and restaurants. In a world where so many places have become tourist-friendly to a fault, visiting Palermo is still somewhat of an adventure.
