The beaches of Sicily. north coast

Its main attraction is, of course, the white sand beach, which regularly gets into various ratings. But the Mediterranean atmosphere of San Vito, its white houses, the many cultural monuments scattered around, the richness of the local nature and the climate, which remains mild even in winter, make this place ideal for those who want to relax by the sea and at the same time learn more about the beauties of this land.

The first settlement arose here around the 13th century. as an outpost located south of the city of Erice. The current town was formed in the 18th century. around the ancient fortress, converted into the temple of St. Vitus (San Vito), after which he received his name. The church, however, even now looks more like a defensive structure: powerful fortifications were required to protect the pilgrims who asked for shelter there.

What to see

Streets and squares

San Vito Lo Capo © Antonio Vaccarini / Flickr.com

The heart of San Vito is the beautiful Piazza Santuario in the northern part of the town. Via Savoia runs through it from south to north with many shops, cafes and restaurants. This is where locals of all ages meet, and during the long summer nights the square hosts concerts, performances and performances by street musicians.

Another special place is the tiny Via Venza, which faces the south side of the main square. It hosts one of the most famous book-themed summer events in the area - a fair called "Books, writers and bougainvilleas" ("Libri autori e buganvillee").

The most popular place during the day is, of course, a long beach with golden sand, giving way to a promenade on the embankment in the evening.

The people of San Vito adore flowers and enjoy decorating their homes with roses, daisies, violets, hibiscus and fragrant jasmine, turning a walk through the local streets into a journey through the intoxicating aromas of the island.

The houses here are low-rise and white-painted, the oldest of them retaining the wide bright doors they once made to let a cart inside. The large stone courtyard houses (these are known locally as "ballos") have been carefully restored and are now for rent, while the simpler houses have given way to modern and cozy Mediterranean-style tourist accommodation.

Of the sights, you should also pay attention to the Palazzo La Porta, where the municipality has recently been located. The building was built in the 19th century, and ancient majolica floors have been preserved in some rooms, while the atrium is paved with local cobblestones, in accordance with the canons of architecture of that time. On the other side of the palazzo there is a wonderful garden where exhibitions and other cultural events take place in the summer.

Sea and beach

San Vito Lo Capo © Eddy Galeotti / Shutterstock.com

People come to San Vito primarily for the sea and the beach, which even much more famous tropical resorts can envy. Golden sand stretches here for almost three kilometers; already at the entrance to the city, when the houses are not yet visible, you notice an azure-blue stripe on the horizon. A few more kilometers - and you are already on the fabulous beach of San Vito. The seabed here gently descends as you move away from the coast, there are almost no currents, so this beach is ideal even for those who are not very good swimmers, as well as for the smallest.

San Vito Lo Capo / Shutterstock.com

It has everything you need for those who want to relax and spend the whole day on the beach: a shower, rent of sun loungers and beach umbrellas, a large selection of restaurants and cafes along the promenade. In the evening, the beach is beautifully lit, and the city center is only two steps away, so even at night you can enjoy walks along the surf line.

From anywhere in the city, the beach can be easily reached on foot, but in the summer there is also a shuttle that connects it with more distant points.

For those who like to discover new places, we can advise the beach in the Bay of Santa Margherita (Baia Santa Margherita) 10 minutes drive from San Vito in the direction of the town of Castelluzzo.

Baia di Santa Margherita

Santa Margherita Bay / Flickr.com

Before reaching San Vito lo Capo, passing Castelluzzo, you can admire one of the most unspoilt stretches of coastline in western Sicily, which stretches from Monte Cofano to Macari. Here is the magnificent harbor of Santa Margherita with beautiful waters and a magical Mediterranean landscape all around.

This is a great alternative to the main beach of San Vito, especially on days when the wind blows from the northeast; those who love to explore the natural beauties of Italy are simply obliged to look here.

The beach has a small bar, umbrellas and sunbeds can be rented.

A train runs from the parking lot to the shore, allowing you to visit several tiny sandy and pebbly coves between Santa Margherita and the Riserva Naturale di Monte Cofano nature reserve, which is located nearby. This is an unforgettable adventure for adults and children.

The beach of Santa Margherita impresses with the transparency of the water and the purity of nature; this is a true heaven on earth and the sunsets here are simply magnificent.

Tonnara del Secco

Tonnara del Secco / Flickr.com

Three kilometers from the center of San Vito lo Capo is one of the symbols of these places: Tonnara del Secco. This is a must for anyone who wants to get acquainted with the history of the northwestern coast of Sicily. "Tonnara" are traditional nets for catching tuna, which were thrown here a few meters from the shore; flocks of large tuna passed through the Gulf of Castellammare in the spring, and this fishery was of great importance to the locals. The houses of local fishermen were surrounded by more elegant buildings for aristocrats.

Since 1969, no fish have been caught here, but the place still has its own special aura, and the fishermen who still visit here are happy to talk about how the traditional fishing (mattanza) went. Next to the buildings of the fish warehouses, you can still see what remains of the ancient fish processing devices that were created in the 4th century BC. BC.

All the fish (and this, of course, was not only tuna) that were caught here were processed here. The pools were lined with crushed clay shards, and the dirty water was drained into the sea through a special channel.

Kitchen

Many traditions have left their mark in Sicilian cuisine - Arabic, Greek, Spanish, French. There are many restaurants and trattorias in San Vito Lo Capo, but we also advise you to pay attention to street food, which is represented by a wide variety of dishes that are in no way inferior to the work of the most famous chefs.

fish couscous

Fish couscous / Shutterstock.com

Couscous is a symbol of San Vito cuisine; it has long been cooked here with fresh fish from local waters. The dish originated in North Africa and is one of many examples of how other cultures have influenced Sicilian cuisine. The traditional recipe of Trapani and its surroundings, however, has its own difference: if in the Arab countries couscous is served with lamb or vegetables, here it is almost always accompanied by fish, and this is a completely different story.

Swordfish rolls

Swordfish rolls / Shutterstock.com

Thin slices of swordfish fillets are stuffed with a mixture of breadcrumbs, garlic, parsley and grated pecorino sheep's cheese, salted, rolled into small rolls and put on skewers, after which they are grilled or baked.

Eggplants in batter

Eggplants in batter / giallozafferano.it

Three large purple eggplants are cut lengthwise, sprinkled with salt, put the pieces on top of each other in a colander, press the lid on top and leave for an hour. It is then rolled in an egg beaten with salt and pepper, and in breadcrumbs, and then fried in hot olive oil.

Suppli potato balls

Suppli potato balls / giallozafferano.it

Mash a kilogram of boiled potatoes into a homogeneous mass and add a little chopped garlic, parsley, salt and pepper to the puree. Shape it into small oval croquettes and fry them in hot olive oil. In eastern Sicily, "supplies" are rolled in beaten egg white and breadcrumbs before frying.

Trapanese pesto

Trapanese pesto / ocado.com

Crush the garlic cloves, basil and peeled almonds in a mortar with salt and pepper. Having received the cream, add the pulp of the tomato and olive oil there. Continue to crush this mass until it turns into a homogeneous substance. The resulting sauce is added directly to the pasta with fresh basil leaves, aged sheep's pecorino or parmesan cheese.

Stuffed sardines a beccafico

A beccafico sardines / gingerforbreakfast.it

Take the pitted sardines, dry them gently with a towel and spread them on a ceramic bowl, pouring a glass of vinegar. Leave them to marinate for 2 hours, then drain off the vinegar. Transfer to a plate, cut and sprinkle with cheese mixed with two cloves of minced garlic and a spoonful of minced parsley, salt and pepper. Pick them up one by one, close the slit and roll them in a beaten egg with salt and pepper, then in breadcrumbs, then fry them in abundant hot olive oil until they turn golden on both sides. Serve hot and crispy or cold with lemon wedges.

"Warm-Cold" (Caldo-Freddo)

"Warm-Cold" (Caldo-Freddo) / gtfoodandtravel.com

"Warm-Cold" is a traditional San Vito dessert; it consists of ice cream of your choice, pan di spagna soaked in liquor, another layer of ice cream, cream, melted hot chocolate and peanut crumbs.

How to get there

By plane

The main airports from which you can get to San Vito Lo Capo are Palermo (aeroporto Falcone-Borsellino - Punta Raisi) and Trapani (aeroporto Vincenzo Florio - Birgi). Buses run regularly from both airports, providing easy access to any of the surrounding cities.

By car

From Palermo: take the motorway towards Mazara del Vallo/Trapani, exit at "Castellammare del Golfo", continue on the Strada Statale 187 towards Trapani. Continue for about 20 km and turn towards "San Vito Lo Capo".

From Trapani: take the Lungo Mare Dante Alighieri with the sea on the left and then take the Strada Statale 187. After passing through several towns, exit the road in the direction of "San Vito Lo Capo".

By train

San Vito lo Capo has no direct trains from the state railways, the closest stations are in Trapani and Castellammare del Golfo. You can find the full train schedule at Trenitalia.com

On the ship

The closest port to San Vito lo Capo is Palermo; You can get here in many different ways, you can learn more about them on the sites

The city was built in the XIII century as an outpost. The real village began to form in the 18th century, around the ancient sanctuary of the great martyr Sav Vito, the patron saint of the city. Initially, it was a fortress of the Saracens, who changed the way of the city and gave it the name of the saint. However, the city kept the appearance of a fortress in order to protect the pilgrims who asked for hospitality from him. Arab roots are reflected in the architecture of the city, which is expressed in the simple construction of houses with blue shutters, ceramic decorations. At the entrance to the town there is a small chapel of Santa Crescenza, in Arabic elegant style, which was designed to protect the sanctuary and people from pirate raids.

Otherwise, the city does not stand out with anything remarkable in terms of architectural structures. The exceptions are the Maritime Museum, located in the center, near the sanctuary, located on the main street, next to the Savoia cafe, near which all entertainment events take place. The museum presents objects that testify to ancient fishing activities. This is also confirmed by Tonnara del Secco(tonnara), which was in operation until the '900s, where Mediterranean tuna was harvested and processed. Now there are ruins. You can get there by bike, the walk will take about 5 minutes, there are signs at the exit from San Vito. Worthy of attention and local lighthouse(il faro), which can be reached on foot or by bicycle, following the direction of the port. Some local streets are distinguished by their magnificence.

But nature gives a lot of magnificent places worthy of visiting. From here you can take a walk to the nature reserves (in the summer they depart from the port), and Scopello (Scopello), in the lagoon of which you can admire the fish without any equipment, visit the grottoes (Grotta dei cavalli / horse grotto), as well as climb and leave your greetings on the top of the mountain. It should be noted that with San Vito Lo Capo more people go for beach and entertainment holidays.

The main artery of the city is via Savoia. In the summer season, nightlife is in full swing here, and if you are planning a quiet relaxing holiday, it is better to settle away from the center. The music is loud enough to be heard in the neighboring streets. There are plenty of hotels, villas, in the town. And since this is a very touristy place, the prices here are somewhat inflated. Accommodation must be booked in advance during high season. Accommodation options can be viewed.

The main shops, bars, restaurants, tourist offices, pharmacies are concentrated on Savoia Street, as well as on the streets adjacent to it. The medical center is located a little further, there are signs with a red cross to it. There, in which case, they will provide first aid, even without medical insurance. A fair takes place twice a week (at the end of Piersanti Mattarella Street): on Tuesdays, food is usually brought - fresh vegetables, fruits, local cheeses in small quantities, fish; and on Fridays, in addition to food, you can buy simple clothes, ceramics and other trinkets. There are bike rentals near the beach. With a long lease term, you can win well in price.

San Vito Lo Capo is a very popular resort not only among the Italians themselves, but also among the Germans, the British, the French, a lot of Russians and immigrants from the CIS countries. The city lives with an eternal summer holiday. Waking up from hibernation in April, and until October, life is in full swing here. The peak comes in August, when on the beach, despite its length (3 km), there is nowhere for an apple to fall.

In September, there is a couscous festival, and in October, a holiday, something like farewell to summer, where a huge fire is made. After that, there are fewer and fewer tourists, and the city is literally dying. Many bars and hotels are closed and their owners go on trips. Only old people remain in the city, and the attendants of those points that function all year round. But this has its advantages, the beaches are deserted and there are no very intrusive emigrant merchants, and the sea is still warm, and with good weather, which lingers here until November, you can swim.

In addition, for lovers of active sports, there is simply expanse in any season. You can go trekking, rock climbing, horseback riding in ABC del Cavallo. The equestrian school is located at the beginning of the town. Various outdoor holidays and competitions are often arranged. Information can be viewed.

As for local cuisine, here, however, as in any town located on the coast, fish dishes prevail. Among the must-try things to try in San Vito Lo Capo is Caldo-Freddo, an ice cream (you choose) with rum-soaked biscuits, whipped cream and topped with hot chocolate. Truly amazing taste. Be sure to try the local cannoli, but not the ones sold in bars, but in the pasticheria. There are several of them, but the most delicious cannoli is made at Capriccio, located on Pier Santi Mattarella, 106.

San Vito lo Capo is a resort town in the northwest of the island of Sicily in Italy, whose beaches are recognized as the best in Europe. Photo-reviews about holidays in San Vito lo Capo and Zingaro Reserve.

I had high hopes for San Vito lo Capo. This beach is considered one of the best in Sicily and almost the best beach in Europe. It is not surprising that all the inhabitants of the island and other vacationers strive to get there.

At the entrance to San Vito lo Capo, for a moment it seemed to me that I was in Mexico. The same streets lined with even houses in a semi-Mexican style.

The structure of the city is typical: the main street Via Savoi with bars, shops, souvenir shops and a church. Secondary streets depart from it. In the evening, music plays in the establishments, performances are arranged.

There are free parking lots in the city, but there are a lot of cars, so you will have to search long and hard. We parked in a paid parking near the beach ( 1€ at one o'clock).

San Vito lo Capo beach, Sicily

The city beach is also somewhat reminiscent of the Mexican Caribbean beaches: white sand, turquoise water. The only and main difference is the huge number of people.

The length of the coastline in San Vito is 3 km, there are cafes near the sea, there is a toilet, you can rent sunbeds and umbrellas ( 10€ in a day).

We were in Sicily in June - this month is considered the low season. It is difficult to imagine what kind of pandemonium is happening on the beaches of the island in July-August.

San Vito lo Capo is popular with Italians for families with children, there are also enough young people. I have never seen so many peanuts in any coastal city in Italy as there. It is understandable. Gentle descent into the water, shallow depth, sand - everything is conducive to family recreation.

Hotels and apartments in San Vito lo Capo

It is better to book accommodation in advance, especially if the travel dates fall during the high season. Average prices for hotels and apartments fluctuate in the area 40-100€ per night. To book accommodation in Sicily, we used the following sites:

• Apartments in San Vito lo Capo from owners (from 29€ per day)

• Hotels in San Vito lo Capo (265 hotels from 40€ per night)

Excursions in Sicily

Lo Jingaro National Park

To the southeast of San Vito there is the Zingaro National Park, ital. Riserva Naturale dello Zingaro (entrance 5 € ). You can buy an excursion or go along the mountain serpentines, having previously rented a car. The park has special wooden paths along the sea. You can take a walk, and then swim in one of the coves.

From San Vito to the Zingaro Nature Reserve can be reached by rented scooter ( 35€ ), rented car (from 50€ ) or by bus englishautoservizi.it

Monte Cofano Nature Reserve

The road to San Vito lo Capo from Castellammare is beautiful. The views are wonderful: fields, rocks, villages, cacti. On the road leading along the coast from Trapani to San Vito, you pass the Monte Cofano nature reserve. There are several lookouts along the way. You can stop, take a photo, or you can drive up to the sea and swim on one of the wild beaches of the north-west of Sicily.

My reviews and impressions

Reading reviews of San Vito lo Capo on numerous forums, I understand that I don’t understand something. I have seen too many beaches in my life, I have become too spoiled, because San Vito is really cool, and all the good things that are written about him are true!

Turquoise, white, with rocks - everything, as in the best pictures of the Bounty Islands. Well, just think, a piece of poop was swimming near the shore. There are children there - this must be understood and accepted.

You know, I sincerely would like to be the kind of dude who wanted to spit on other people's poop. This one would definitely go into the water, swim back and forth all day and sneeze at the squeals of people, the fact that someone stepped on his phone, at the squeaking children. But I'm not that kind of dude.

While traveling in Italy by car, I was in a state of search for peace and quiet, so the beaches of Sicily did not roll in any way. Even San Vito lo Capo left indifferent.

Initially, it was planned to travel around the island, walk through national parks and volcanoes, but all I needed was a clear sea and at least 3 square meters of free sand, where I could lay out a towel and silently read a book.

That is why we reduced our stay in Sicily from 15 days to 4 nights and happily returned to the mainland in where a semblance of a personal paradise had been found before.

Beach of San Vito lo Capo, (Sicily, Italy) - location, description, opening hours, entertainment and infrastructure. Useful tips and practical information from the "Subtleties of Tourism".

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San Vito Lo Capo is a paradise beach from the Bounty advertisement, which you don’t even expect to meet on the territory of old Europe, everything here is too azure-white-emerald, like in the Caribbean or in Southeast Asia. And yet, this luxurious sandy coast is located precisely in the Old World, or to be more precise, in romantic Sicily, just an hour's drive from Palermo.

The beach of San Vito lo Capo is located in a picturesque bay, on one side the coast is crowned by a high brutal rock, giving the local “sweet” panorama a little hardness. The beach is very wide and long, its length is almost 3 km, it can easily accommodate a battalion of vacationers. In addition, San Vito is well equipped: there is a bar, a restaurant, rental of umbrellas and sun loungers, a toilet, and, of course, the opportunity to practice all kinds of water sports.

San Vito lo Capo

Everything you need for a great holiday, by the way, can be purchased in the town itself, although it is small, it is quite “independent”. On the main street of Via Savoia there are a lot of cafes and bars, a cozy church, a large shop and a scattering of souvenir shops. Near the beach there is a bicycle rental point, climbing a little further into the city, you can also rent a car. By the way, not a bad idea, given that in the vicinity of San Vito Lo Capo there is an amazing Riserva Naturale dello Zingaro reserve with its beaches. Detailed information about it can be found at the tourist information points on Via Savoia, where you can book a tour if you wish (about 10 EUR).

As a rule, a trip to the reserve (entrance 5 EUR “from the nose”) takes half a day: you will have to spend no more than half an hour one way on the way, give time for a walk in the park and, of course, for swimming. The beaches here are just a masterpiece of nature, there is no point in describing them, this must be seen. The only caveat: stock up on water, there are no shops or kiosks on the territory of the reserve.

It is best to first take a walk along the paths of the peninsula that follow the rocky coast, and then, having looked after a cozy bay and a comfortable descent, freshen up in the azure waters of the Tyrrhenian Sea. The best local beaches are Cala Marinella, Cala Beretta and Punta della Capreria.

Divers, by the way, will also appreciate this reserve: there are reef thickets with flocks of silvery fish of all stripes.

Prices on the page are for September 2018.

Diving in San Vito lo Capo

Coordinates

Address: San Vito Lo Capo.

How to get there: the town of San Vito lo Capo is located about an hour west of Palermo, getting there is not difficult on a rented car. In addition, buses run from Palermo and Trapani, usually once every two hours. The fare is about 8-12 EUR. You can also easily get to San Vito from the airport by public transport; you will have to pay about 11-15 EUR for the bus journey.

"Sicily is a piece of paradise that fell from heaven," said Guy de Maupassant. A slice of this paradise is Sicily's best resort town of San Vito lo Capo.

About San Vito

San Vito Lo Capo (Sicily) is a small town, included in the list of the best Italian resorts.

Climate and weather

Characteristic Mediterranean with rainy warm winters and dry, hot summers, cool springs and warm autumns. In the northern part of the island it is more humid than in the south, so there is more rain.

Attention! Cold winds blow in January, sirocco in March.

Airport

Distance from the airport of Palermo - 95 kilometers.

Infrastructure

She is well developed. The main street of the city is Via Savoi with numerous shops on the first floors. It is always full of life during the warm season. There is a fish market on Via Faro, a large supermarket Mio mercato superstore. In addition to it, there are many other small shops. Distributed transport network.

San Vito has the atmosphere of true Sicily

Attractions

The city has preserved historical sites. The architecture is similar to Spanish and North African.

Lighthouse Il Faro

Its height is 44 meters. The lighthouse illuminates almost the entire coast.

National parks and reserves Lo Zingaro, Monte Cofano

There are nests of peregrine falcons, buzzards, dwarf parks, special paths for walking. Open from 07:00 to 19:00 (in winter - until 16:00). Price for adults - 5 euros *, children under 14 years old - 3 euros, up to 10 years old - free of charge.

Manjapane Cave

With rock art and stone houses of the Manjapane family. Household items from the 19th century have been preserved in these houses.

Manjapane cave in Sicily

Excursions

Near San Vito are the capital of Sicily, Corleone, Cefalu, Trapani. Corleone is the most mafia city in the country. Mount La Rocca is located in Cefalu (in the translation "kefas" - a rock). A famous place in Trapani is Garibaldi Street.

Orange blossoms in spring in Sicily

Buses to these points run frequently. The cost is about 10 euros*.

The nearest bus stations are in the city center, there are none near the airport terminal.

There are special programs with a visit to Erice, Segesta and Trapani. But for such tours it is desirable to have a private car.

Events

On Via Venza, the city festival "Books, writers and bougainvilleas" is held.

The mountain climbing festival in October and the couscous festival in September.

In the spring - a festival of balls.

Beaches

In San Vito Lo Capo in Sicily, the beach is the main tourist destination.

San Vito lo Capo beach in Trapani, Sicily

main beach

It is located close to the center, well equipped. There are sun loungers, medical assistance, public toilets and showers, safes for storing things.

Prices* for services: toilet - 1 euro, shower - 1-3 euros, sunbed - 7.5 euros during the day.

Baia Santa Margherita

There is a quiet harbor, clean water, a bar.

Tonnara del Secco

Fishing center. Previously, there were fish factories here, waste was poured into the sea. And now a beach resort.

Hotels

The most popular hotels according to Booking are Krimar in a marine style, close to the beach, and Riviera, located next to the shop and the beach.

San Vito lo Capo on the map

This commune is located in the north of the island of Sicily, in the province of Trapani, 70 kilometers from the capital of Sicily. You can reach it in 3 hours.

San Vito Lo Capo is made for relaxation

Tourists should be aware that:

• There is a Sicilian dialect here, which is very different from Italian.
• It's hot in Sicily, so people who can't stand the heat or those with a heart need to know that the hottest months are July and August.
• In southern Italy, cash is indispensable, because ATMs are rare.
• There are thefts in the city.

San Vito Lo Capo is a place of beaches, oranges and hot sun. Therefore, a holiday in San Vito is unforgettable.

*Prices are current as of August 2018.