8 Unforgettable Places to Visit in Northwest Sicily

Discover the best things to do in northwest Sicily, including Erice, Tonnara di Scopello, Trapani, Segesta, the Zingaro Nature Reserve, and San Vito Lo Capo. Plan on spending 3 to 4 days here to thoroughly explore this underrated part of Sicily.

Northwest Sicily has more of an off-the-beaten-path feel to it than other places in Sicily. For visitors to Sicily, Palermo, Taormina, Mount Etna, Catania, and Val di Noto are much bigger draws, leaving northwest Sicily feeling much less touristy.

But that doesn’t mean there isn’t plenty to discover in this part of Sicily. With picturesque hilltop towns, rugged coastlines, stunning beaches, and charming coastal villages, northwest Sicily is a great place to spend a few days.

On our road trip through Sicily, we spent our last three days in the northwest part of the island. From Sicily, we were heading to Bologna, a place I was really excited to visit, and part of me just wanted to skip these final three days and get to Bologna sooner.

Well, I’m so glad we did not change our plans. These final three days, staying in Castellammare del Golfo, visiting Erice and Monreale, and hiking in Zingaro Nature Reserve, were some of our favorite experiences in Sicily.

There truly is something here for everyone in this part of Sicily, as you will see in this guide. We will uncover the best things to do in northwest Sicily and what you need to know to plan your time here.

Table of Contents

Places to Visit in Northwest Sicily

The places listed in this guide are located in Sicily, within the Province of Trapani. This small corner of Sicily features a variety of sites, including coastal and hilltop towns, a nature reserve, an ancient Greek archaeological site, and islands just off the coast, making for a great day trip.

1. Castellammare del Golfo

Castellammare del Golfo, which means ‘sea fortress on the gulf,’ is a small, lovely seaside town that sits on the northern coast of Sicily.

This was our home base for visiting northwest Sicily and we loved this town. From here, it is easy to drive to everything else listed in this guide, and if you have plans to visit Palermo or the Palermo International Airport next on your itinerary, you also don’t have far to go.

This small town has just a few things to see and do, so a visit here can be rather quick.

Things to Do in Castellammare del Golfo

Go for a Stroll through the Marina. This picturesque spot is filled with small boats, a few yachts, and quite a few fishing vessels. It is also lined with some of Castellammare del Golfo’s best restaurants, including one of our favorites, Rosmarina.

Castello Arabo Normanno. This castle, which sits beside the marina, was built by the Arabs in the 10^th century. You can simply admire it from the outside or go inside, to visit several small museums. Learn more here.

Go to the Beach. There are several beaches in and around Castellammare del Golfo. Cala Petrolo is located next to the heart of the town. Spiaggia Plaja is located east of town and is a much wider stretch of sand, home to several beach clubs.

Belvedere Castellammare del Golfo. This viewpoint is located in the hills above Castellammare del Golfo. To get here from town, it’s either a hefty uphill walk or a very short drive. Here is the view.

Where to Stay

We stayed at Costamante Suites & Spa and loved it. This small, boutique property has suites with kitchenettes, some with 1 to 2 bedrooms, and some with balconies and sea views. From this property, we were within walking distance of a lot of great restaurants.

B&B Nencioli is a mid-range bed and breakfast that gets exceptional reviews and Sopra Le Mura is a small, mid-range hotel with rooms that overlook the harbor.

Where to Eat

Rosmarina is a highly rated restaurant located in the marina. It came recommended to us by one of our readers and it was a fantastic recommendation. Their seasonal menu is always changing and they offer both an a la carte menu and a tasting menu. Rosmarina is open for lunch and dinner. See the menu on their website.

Ristorante Petrolo is a small restaurant located near Piazza Petrolo. It’s nothing fancy but the food is amazing and the service is very fast and friendly. The waitress made us feel like we were right at home. We dined here twice, and I was a big fan of the mussel soup and Tim dined on their seafood pasta dishes. They are also open for lunch and dinner. See the menu here.

H 80 Fame and Canale Vecchio Pizzeria also get great reviews.

IMPORTANT: There is a ZTL zone in Castellammare del Golfo. If you will be staying here from late spring through early fall, there will be driving restrictions through a portion of the city. When making your hotel reservation, your hotel can give you instructions on driving and where to park. Our visit was in November and the ZTL was no longer active, which made parking and driving a lot easier. Learn more about ZTL zones in our Renting a Car in Europe guide.

2. Tonnara di Scopello

Tonnara di Scopello is a tiny coastal village, tucked away between Castellammare del Golfo and Zingaro Nature Preserve. It was a tuna fishing village but more recently has been converted into a place to go swimming.

This beautiful spot is now a very popular place to visit, and it was even a filming spot for Ocean’s Twelve. There is a museum about the area’s tuna fishing history and several small apartments that overlook the sea.

During the summer months, expect big crowds here. Get here right at opening time if you plan to get a spot on the beach. Check hours and prices on the official website or check hours on Google Maps.

PRO TRAVEL TIP: Tonnara di Scopello is great to combine with Zinagaro Nature Reserve, as they are located very close to one another. This combo would give you a lovely day outdoors, hiking and relaxing on some of the most picturesque beaches in Sicily.

3. Zingaro Nature Reserve

Stretching along the rugged coastline, just north of Tonnara di Scopello, is one of Sicily’s best hiking destinations. A one-way 7 km hiking trail runs along the rugged coast with numerous short detours to tiny beaches and small swimming coves.

A visit here can be very short (hiking just a portion of the trail), or you can linger here all day, hiking out-and-back along the entire trail (14 km/8.7 miles) and visiting a few beaches.

There are two entrances into the nature reserve, one in the north (Ingresso Nord) and one in the south (Ingresso Sud), with lots of room for parking. The reserve is open from 8 am to 4 pm and there is a fee to enter, paid at the entrance booth. Get updated hours and pricing on the official website, and see a map of the reserve.

WHAT WE DID: We hiked half of the Zingaro Nature Reserve, starting from the south entrance. We arrived right at opening time and were one of the first on the trail. The combination of our early start and being here in November kept crowds very low on the trail and we saw just a handful of people. In peak season, this can be a very crowded place. Given the day’s chilly temperatures, we did not visit any beaches, but this really is a beautiful spot.

If you like the idea of hiking and spending some time on a less crowded beach, this is a great place to spend a day in Sicily.

For those who prefer to cruise along the coast, rather than hike it, this yacht cruise starts at San Vito Lo Capo, makes stops at several beaches and coves in Zingaro Nature Reserve, plus Tonnara di Scopello and Castellammare del Golfo.

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4. San Vito Lo Capo

Spiaggia San Vito Lo Capo is one of the prettiest beaches in Sicily. It is located at the tip of a peninsula, not far from the north entrance to the Zingaro Nature Reserve. This beach, with its stunning mountainous backdrop, is a great spot to spend an afternoon (or all day). There are numerous beach clubs here, as well as cafes and restaurants.

San Vito Lo Capo | shutterstock.com

5. Erice

This hilltop town is not to be missed. Perched atop Mount Erice, just driving here feels like an adventure.

Getting Here: From sea level, a winding, switch backing road slowly but steadily makes its way up the mountain. As you climb higher, the views of the rocky coastline and tiny towns below are amazing. In the distance you can see the rolling hills of Zingaro Nature Reserve and the rocky mountain at San Capo lo Vito. It is a gorgeous drive and very safe, with a small stone wall or guardrail along the length of it.

The view from the drive

The town is just as picturesque, with cobblestoned walkways to explore, small boutique shops to visit, and more views over northwest Sicily.

Cableway to Erice: If you want to skip the windy drive, or if you won’t have a rental car, you can also get to Erice by cableway. There is a gondola that runs from Trapani to Erice. The bottom station is listed as Funivia Trapani-Erice on Google Maps and the upper station is listed as Funivia Erice-Trapani on Google Maps. Get hours and pricing here.

Parking in Erice: We parked in a small lot outside of Porta Trapani (here on Google Maps). If that one is full, then route yourself from there to Piazza S. Giovanni, which is another parking lot. It might seem odd to be parking in a piazza, but it is divided up into marked parking spaces. If you can’t find parking at the piazza then try Porta Carmine, which has parking spaces on the outside of the gate. You might also find parallel parking along the outer perimeter road that connects these three parking lots. All parking is paid parking (blue spaces). Look for a payment machine or use the Easy Park app to pay (the machines will show if you can use the app instead).

Piazza S. Giovanni parking

Things to Do in Erice

Torre di Re Federico (Campanile Duomo di Erice). Climb 108 steps to the top of this tower for views over Erice, Trapani, and the salt flats.

The view of Trapani, the salt flats, and the Egadi Islands from Torre di Re Federico

Another view from the tower

Real Chiesa Madrice Insigne Collegiata. The ceiling of this church is gorgeous and well worth a quick visit. It is located right next to Torre di Re Federico.

PRO TRAVEL TIP: You can purchase individual entrance tickets at each site or purchase a combo ticket that allows entry into most of the main sites. The combo ticket is sold at all sites included in the ticket.

Explore the Streets of Erice. Strolling through town, along its hilly cobblestoned streets, is one of the best things to do in Erice. These lead to small piazzas, homes, small churches, and quiet corners of town.

Viewpoints near Giardino del Balio. There are several viewpoints near Balio Garden that offer panoramic views over northwest Sicily.

The view of Balio Castle and Torretta Pepoli from the gardens

Giardino del Balio. This small garden has trees and plenty of benches if you want to sit and take a break.

Torretta Pepoli. This tower sits next to Balio Garden. It was built as a place for Count Pepoli to meditate and meet with other important people. Hours vary by season. Learn more on the official website.

Balio Castle. This castle has a dramatic setting, perched on the cliff next to Balio Garden. Hours vary by season, which you can see here.

How Much Time Do You Need in Erice?

It takes about half a day to visit Erice, which gives you enough time to stroll its streets, visit a few sites of interest, and sit down to lunch or dinner.

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Best things to do in northwest Sicily, Italy: Erice, Trapani, Egadi Islands, Zingaro Nature Reserve, San Vito Lo Capo beach, salt flats, Greek ruins, and more.

6. Trapani

Trapani, the capital city of the Province of Trapani, is the largest city in the region. It is located on the west coast and serves as a fishing port and ferry hub. From here, ferries travel to the Egadi Islands, Sardinia, France, and North Africa.

This city lacks the charm and the beauty of other cities in Sicily, but it makes a good home base for exploring this part of Sicily. That also makes it much less touristy, so if you prefer seeing a more local way of life, Trapani could be worth the visit.

Things to Do in Trapani

Visit Centro Storico. This is the old town of Trapani. See the town hall building, step inside the Cathedral of San Lorenzo, and go for a stroll along Corso Vittorio Emanuele and Via Garibaldi.

Mercato del Pesce. Best in the morning, this local fish market sells the fresh catch of the day, pulled from the sea earlier this morning.

Go to the Beach. There are several beaches in and around Trapani, if you prefer a lazy day in the sun.

Torre de Ligny. This tower sits on the western end of Trapani, a great place to watch the sunset.

Visit the Salt Flats. The Natural Reserve of Saline di Trapani and Paceco is an area of salt flats. Managed by the WWF, these salt flats both produce salt that is milled plus an abundance of flora and fauna. Since its founding in 1995, migratory birds have returned to the area, including the pink flamingo. A popular thing to do from Trapani is to take a tour of these salt flats.

Where to Stay in Trapani

Sunrise Beach Apartment Trapani is located in the old town, next to the beach, and gets exceptional reviews. Terrazze Villanova features a lovely rooftop terrace and also gets rave reviews.

Villa le Torri B&B is a very highly rated mid-range property in a beautiful, historic property. It is located outside of the old town, which makes it a bit inconvenient for visiting sites within Trapani, but that makes it a lot easier to get out of town and day trip to Erice, Zingaro Nature Reserve, and other nearby places.

For a more upscale stay, Palazzo Guajana is a luxurious property in the old town and Le Cupole Suites & Apartments gets near perfect reviews.

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7. Egadi Islands

The Egadi Islands (aka the Aegadian Islands) is a small archipelago that sits off the west coast of Sicily. Favignana is the largest, Marettimo sits the farthest from Sicily, Levanzo features a small port town, and Formica and Maraone are two minor islands.

There are many cruises and day trips to these islands from Trapani, with most cruises visiting Favignana and Levanzo.

Levanzo | shutterstock.com

This day cruise from Trapani is our top pick, as it gets excellent reviews and visits the highlights of Favignana and Levanzo. Travel on a speed boat in a small group (the cruise is limited to 12 participants) on this 8-hour cruise.

If you prefer to travel by sailboat, this small group cruise (also limited to 12 participants) visits Favignana and Levanzo, with stops for swimming and snorkeling.

For a trip out to the Marettimo Islands, this boat tour includes Marettimo and its sea caves.

Egadi Islands Day Trips

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8. Segesta Archaeological Park

Segesta is one of the smaller archaeological parks in Sicily, but it is home to the Temple of Segesta (one of the best-preserved Doric temples on the island) and the Greek Theater.

This park is located near Castellammare del Golfo (20 km, 25-minute drive).

It takes 1 to 2 hours to visit Segesta Archaeological Park. Seeing the Temple of Segesta is the highlight, but the Greek Theater, with its mountaintop setting, is also well worth the time, as you get a beautiful panoramic view over this part of Sicily.

We cover how to visit Segesta in our guide to Selinunte and Segesta Archaeological Parks.

Selinunte & Segesta

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Bonus! The Spectacular Monreale Cathedral

Monreale is a small town located in the hills above Palermo. It makes a great day trip from Palermo, but I am including it here, because we visited Monreale from Castellammare del Golfo.

The drive to get here from Castellammare del Golfo is beautiful. This scenic drive through the mountains of northwest Sicily was absolutely breathtaking. We were captivated by the charming hillside towns and the stunning coastline stretching into the distance.

Once here, visit the Monreale Cathedral, one of Sicily’s most awe-inspiring cathedrals. The cathedral is a magnificent blend of Norman, Byzantine, and Arabic styles. Intricate golden mosaics depicting biblical scenes cover the walls, archways, and the apse of the cathedral. These mosaics span 6,340 square meters, making it the largest mosaic decoration in Italy.

You can also climb up onto the terraces of the cathedral for panoramic views of Palermo, visit the Benedictine Cloister, and go for a stroll through the small, compact city center.

It takes about half a day to visit Monreale and it just may be one of the highlights of your trip.

Monreale

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How Much Time Do You Need in Sicily?

To see everything we listed above, you will need about four days in northwestern Sicily. This gives you enough time for a boat tour out to the Egadi Islands, time to hike through Zingaro Nature Reserve (although the boat cruise along the coast looks good too), plus visit Erice, Trapani, Castellammare del Golfo, and Monreale.

We spent three days in northwest Sicily. Unfortunately, we did not have time to day trip out to the Egadi Islands, but it is something we would like to do on a return visit to Sicily.

Where is the Best Place to Stay in Northwestern Sicily?

Castellammare del Golfo is a small, seaside town with access to the beach and a handful of fantastic restaurants. This is where we stayed and we loved it. See our hotel recommendations earlier in this guide, under Castellammare del Golfo.

Trapani is a bigger city, so with that comes a lot more hotel and restaurant options, plus it is a better home base for those who will not have a rental car. If you plan to day trip to the Egadi Islands, this is a great location to stay. It may not be as charming as Castellammare del Golfo, but it is more practical.

Castellammare del Golfo

Is Northwestern Sicily worth it?

Northwestern Sicily, with its rugged coastlines, hilltop villages, charming coastal towns, archaeological sites, and array of beaches, is definitely worth a few days on a trip to Sicily. This part of Sicily has a more laid-back, less touristy vibe than other parts of the island and with its wide range of places to visit, there’s something here for everyone.

If you have any questions about the best things to do in northwest Sicily or how to plan a trip here, let us know in the comment section below.

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