Sicily is a diverse island where ancient history, dramatic landscapes, and rich culture converge. The east coast features lively cities like Catania and Taormina with views of Mount Etna, while the south is known for its Greek ruins in Agrigento. Palermo and the northwest offer vibrant markets, Norman architecture, and easy access to coastal gems like Cefalù and the Egadi Islands.
- Palermo – Sicily’s vibrant capital blends bustling street markets, Arab-Norman architecture, and a lively food scene.
- Cefalù – A picturesque coastal town known for its medieval charm, sandy beaches, and dramatic cliffside views.
- Taormina – Perched on a hillside with views of Mount Etna and the Ionian Sea, it’s famous for its ancient Greek theater and upscale ambiance.
- Catania – A lively baroque city at the foot of Mount Etna, offering a mix of historic sites, nightlife, and access to volcanic adventures.
- Syracuse (Siracusa) – Steeped in history, this southeastern gem boasts ancient Greek ruins and the charming island of Ortigia.
- Agrigento – Home to the Valley of the Temples, one of the most impressive collections of Greek ruins outside of Greece.
- Trapani – A western coastal town known for its salt flats, seafood, and as a gateway to the Egadi Islands and Erice.
- Marsala – Famous for its namesake wine, Marsala offers coastal beauty, wineries, and rich cultural heritage.
- Ragusa & Modica – These baroque hill towns in the southeast are renowned for their stunning architecture and chocolate-making traditions.
- Messina – The northeastern port city is the entry point from mainland Italy, with historical churches and easy access to the Aeolian Islands.
Our home base for the week: Castellammarre del Golfo– A Coastal Town in Western Sicily
Castellammare del Golfo is a charming seaside town on Sicily’s northwest coast, perfectly positioned between Palermo and Trapani. With its picturesque harbor, historic castle, and relaxed atmosphere, it’s an ideal base for exploring the region. The town is small and walkable, offering a mix of local restaurants, beaches, and easy access to natural attractions like the Zingaro Nature Reserve. Visitors appreciate its’ blend of authentic Sicilian life and proximity to top sights like Erice, Segesta, and Scopello.
Villa in Castellammarre del Golfo, Sleeps 12
This contemporary villa offers sleek design, sea-view terraces, and a private saltwater pool overlooking the stunning Gulf of Castellammare del Golfo—one of Sicily’s most scenic coastal destinations. Thoughtfully designed to play with light and shadow, the villa’s soft exterior tones frame the vibrant blues of the pool and the lush green backdrop of Mount Inici. Located just under 2 miles from a sandy beach and the charming village of Castellammare del Golfo, it’s ideally situated for day trips to top attractions like Scopello’s harbor, the pristine coves of the Zingaro Nature Reserve, San Vito Lo Capo, Mondello, the ancient Temple of Segesta, Marsala’s salt flats, and the cultural heart of Palermo—all just a short drive away.
The Villa is divided into two connected apartment-style floors, joined by an external staircase—perfect for families or groups traveling together. Each level features its own fully equipped kitchen, a comfortable living area with access to panoramic outdoor spaces, and three air-conditioned bedrooms with mosquito screens.
A modern outdoor kitchen with a refrigerator and barbecue makes al fresco dining easy and enjoyable.
The penthouse above is privately reserved by the owners, who occasionally stay during peak season, especially in August. They have a separate entrance and parking and will not use the pool or intrude on your privacy during your stay.
Private Pool: Guests enjoy exclusive access to the saltwater pool from early April through the end of October. The pool is made of concrete, measures approximately 33 feet by 18 feet, and ranges in depth from about 4.6 to 7.5 feet.
7 Day Family Itinerary in Castellammare del Golfo
Day 1:
- Arrive in Palermo
- Rental Car through Discover Cars
- Arrive in Castellammare, explore the town, swim at Cala Petrolo
- Check into the villa
Day 2:
- We all slept sooo late!
- Beach time at Spiaggia Playa in Castellamare del Golfo. There are stands to purchase umbrellas and beach toys to sit on your own or you can pay to sit at one of the chairs and umbrellas set up. There are many restaurants along the beach for meals and drinks.
- Private chef Enrico Pantorno and his mother came to our villa and provided a cooking class making fresh pasta, pizza, frittata, meatballs with sweet and sour onions, amazing fried eggplant, bread with local olive oil and smashed cannoli. Highly recommend!!
Day 3:
- Full Day (8 hours) Fishing with Egadi Boating: This activity should be chosen to experience the thrill of catching the king of the seas and one of the strongest fish in the world, the bluefin tuna. At the same time, enjoy a day on a boat, in one of the most infamous places in Sicily, immersed in the quiet and tranquility, surrounded by breathtaking landscapes and crystal clear water. Departure out of Tripani (about 40 min from the villa). We caught a Red Snapper and a TUNA!
- Included on board:
Skipper, fuel, beverages, use of fishing equipment and light lunch.
- Included on board:
Day 4:
- Full Day Private Boat Tour to discover Favignana and Levanzo from Trapani: Discover the enchanting Egadi Islands on a private boat tour from Trapani, ideal for small groups of up to 12. Swim and snorkel in crystal-clear waters at stunning spots like Cala Azzurra and Cala Rossa, or explore hidden caves like Bue Marino. Relax onboard with local wine and refreshments as you soak in the charm of Favignana and Levanzo’s picturesque bays and villages. Highly recommend doing this tour!
- Private boat tour for up to 12 people
- Snorkel at Bue Marino’s stunning caves
- Enjoy complimentary wine and soft drinks
- Relax at Cala Fredda and Cala Minnola
- 2 Hour Lunch in Favignana- you will receive a discount code for 210 Grammi Ristorante Laboratorio – Favignana
Day 5:
- Visit Erice: Perched high above the sea on Mount Erice, this medieval hill town offers breathtaking views of the coast and nearby Trapani. Wandering its cobblestone streets feels like stepping back in time, with ancient churches, stone archways, and charming piazzas at every turn. Visitors can explore the 12th-century Venus Castle, sample local pastries like Genovesi, and browse artisan shops selling ceramics and woven goods. The cool mountain air and romantic atmosphere make Erice a refreshing and unforgettable stop in western Sicily.
- Be prepared for HOT weather in July & August. The walkways surrounding the town were created to be cool… which they definitely are! Walking up the bell tower with a 30 pound baby was also a challenge. You can purchase tickets to enter all the medieval churches and structures along a mapped out route.
- Beach time at Spiaggia Playa in Castellamare del Golfo: This is the main beach, known for its fine sand and crystal-clear water, making it great for swimming and sunbathing. It’s a long stretch of beach with plenty of space for families and is easily accessible, with a shuttle bus service in the summer. There are also beach clubs and restaurants along the beach. We enjoyed dinner at Lido Zanzibar.
Alternate plan: Visit San Vito Lo Capo after Erice to enjoy the beautiful beach.
Day 6:
- Riserva delo Zingaro: Zingaro Nature Reserve is a protected coastal park stretching about 4.3 miles along northwest Sicily’s rugged shoreline, between Scopello and San Vito Lo Capo. It’s known for its scenic hiking trails, dramatic cliffs, and a series of small, pebbled coves with crystal-clear water perfect for swimming and snorkeling. With no roads inside the reserve, visitors should wear sturdy shoes and bring water, but the peaceful, untouched beauty makes it well worth the effort.
- Parking was 10 Euros (we had to use an alternate parking area since the main one was full) and the entry fee is 5 Euros per person or 3 Euros under the age of 11 (which includes parking in the main area)
- Sneakers are required although I did not have any and nobody stopped me at the entrance. I will say if you swim at all and then use sandals they DO get very slippery on the uneven trails.
- Due to the hot weather and carrying a hot 2 year old the entire way we only made it to the first beach, Cala Capreria. The walk from the south entrance to Cala Capreria is about 25 minutes.
- Half Day Snorkeling out of Castellammare del Golfo: The skipper, guided by the daily wind, will decide the most suitable route in order to ensure guests the most favorable and captivating conditions. Stops will be scheduled at Cala Bianca, Faraglioni di Scopello, Cala dell’Uzzo, Cala del Leone within the Zingao Reserve. During the stops you can also visit the Vucciria Caves, the fabulous Cave of Lovers near Cala dell’Uzzo. At each stop you will be given the opportunity to swim and use snorkeling equipment. We explored a secret cave that we have no pictures of!
- All boats and dinghies used for excursions are equipped with awnings that cover 3/4 (three quarters) of the vehicle to protect from the sun.
- Characteristic of the Tour is that it is carried out with 10m boats or dinghies with a maximum of 12 people on board.
- An ice cream and beverage boat stops by your boat as well!
Day 7:
- 4×4 Tour of the thermal baths, Sengesta Temple and olive fields. This was a great excursion after all of our water days. A chance to see the countryside and learn about the local families way of life.
- Explore and hear about the history of the countryside, orchids and vineyards
- Discover the natural hot springs known for their skin-beneficial properties during a 45 minute bathing stop
- Taste seasonal fruit such as the mulberry (yum!)
- Temple of Segesta from a vantage point
- Delicious light lunch of “Bread Cunzato”, with tomato, cheese and olive oil
We spent the last half day enjoying our villa and eating dinner in Castellamare del Golfo.
