Castellammare del Golfo and Beyond

Our Sicilian adventure began with a scenic drive into Castellammare del Golfo, where we were meeting friends—one of whom grew up locally and was eager to show us “the real” Sicily. With a local guide in our group, the trip already felt promising.

Where We Stayed: Alcamo Marina

Instead of staying right in Castellammare, we checked into La Battigia in nearby Alcamo Marina—a little farther down the coast, not walkable to town, but definitely one of the nicer places to base yourself.

A tip for future travellers:
There are two La Battigia hotels. If you prefer a quieter, more luxurious stay, choose the La Battigia Resort, set one street back from the beachfront location. The rooms were beautiful, complete with balconies, modern amenities, and a small pool. Days were peaceful; after 5 p.m. it became more family-friendly, with plenty of kids enjoying the water.

The hotel restaurant was lovely—we had dinner there one evening—and the shuttle service runs regularly to their private beach. The beach itself was a pleasant surprise: spacious, not overly cramped like many Italian beaches, and home to a great little restaurant for lunch.

Exploring Castellammare del Golfo

The next day was perfect for exploring. We wandered along the castle walls, with the sea on one side and the town on the other. The skies were blue, the breeze gentle, and the streets charming as we meandered through the seaside promenade and narrow lanes.

For sunset, we found a spot at the end of the pier—cold drinks, sea views, a cove beneath us, and mellow music playing. It was the ideal pre-dinner location. Later we stumbled upon Salvinus and managed to get a table just in time. It filled up quickly, and the people-watching was excellent.

A Comical Detour to Sambuca

The next day we drove to Sambuca, a place we missed on our last trip. Getting there involved some hilarious navigation through tiny medieval streets, but once at the top, we were rewarded with a small, quirky village. It had an almost Mexican feel—sun-washed walls, creative street art, and a sleepy, charming atmosphere.

Scopello: The Instagram Capital

When we met up with friends again, our first stop was the famously photogenic Scopello – Spiaggia dei Faraglioni. It’s not a sandy beach but an old fishing port with platforms and ladders leading into crystal-clear turquoise water. There’s a small café, and you’ll need to arrive early—there’s a queue to get in, and then a little scramble for the best spots.

We got front row deckchairs (no loungers here). The vibe is very much “see and be seen”—our friends fit right in; we felt slightly older than the target crowd! Snorkelling was excellent, and yes, there was even a queue for the Instagram photo. We skipped that part.

Up the hill is the tiny village of Scopello, picture-perfect with boutiques and great restaurants. Definitely book ahead; we loved it so much we went twice.

Marsala Salt Pans at Sunset

Another unforgettable outing was to the Marsala salt bay – Salina Genna. Book a sunset table and linger over music, food, wine, and a surreal landscape of glowing salt pools. It’s incredibly photogenic—so much so that we saw several brides and grooms posing for their photoshoots.

Why Castellammare Makes a Perfect Base

Castellammare del Golfo is an ideal base for exploring western Sicily. With a hire car, you can easily venture west, east, and south, discovering beaches, villages, vineyards, and historic towns.

At night, simply wander the town: charming shops, buzzing restaurants, lively bars, and local parks full of atmosphere. Too many great spots to list—but if you want the most delicious dessert of your life, go to Tale Che Pizza and order that dessert. You’ll know it when you see it.

A Boat Trip and a Floating Ice-Cream Van

We wrapped up our trip with a half-day boat ride around the smaller islands. It was great fun, especially when a floating ice-cream van appeared—yes, a boat that sells gelato right on the water. Only in Sicily.

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If you try even one of these places, you’ll fall for Sicily’s charm just as we did.