We fell for Castellammare del Golfo the way you fall for most of Sicily — slowly, then all at once. This little fishing town on the northwest coast doesn't try too hard, and that's exactly its charm: pastel houses stacked above a harbor full of bobbing boats, a castle keeping watch over turquoise water, and the kind of unhurried pace that makes you forget what day it is. We spent our time here eating exactly where the locals eat, wandering streets with no real plan, and letting the town show us what mattered instead of chasing a checklist.
What follows isn't a list of everything Castellammare has to offer — it's the handful of places and moments that stayed with us long after we left, the ones we hope you'll add to your own list. Consider this our love letter to a town that reminded us why we travel slow in the first place.
What to do
đźš— Raggio di Sole Tour, Scopello & Riserva Dello Zingaro, Lionel Richie Catamarano
đźš— Cala Experience, boat rental and excursions
đźš— Colori del Sole, shopping in city centre Castellammare del Golfo and found in other locations; art, home decor and fashion made in Sicily
đźš— Parking in Palermo: MoloSantaLucia Parcheggi; located near the marina in secure and covered building. www.molosantaluciaparcheggi.com; reserve in advance
đźš— Parking in Castellammare: Posteggio Petrolo; near city centre; covered and secured; up to 20 euros per day
đźš— Ceramics: La Ceramica Siciliana; Erice
đźš— Ceramics: Diba, Castellammare
đźš— Arte Del Ricamo di Enza Barone; city centre of Castellammare del Golfo; linens
đźš— Full Market Longo; groceries
đźš— Mercato della Frutta e Verdura; daily market, fruits and vegetables
đźš— City Hall in Castellammare del Golfo (Corso Bernardo Mattarella); tourism office across from city hall
đźš— Farmacia del Centro; pharmacy
đźš— Diba clothing store; city centre
đźš— Pasta making class with Rita; Cesarine (booking)
đźš— Travel to Erice; drive the winding road to take a tram from Trapani
đźš—Travel to Cefalu
Dining and cocktails
đźš— Trattoria La Maidda; city centre of Castellammare; outdoor dining (pistachio pasta)
đźš— Ristoranta La Tonnara; near the sea wall
đźš— Osteria, Cucina e Cantina Siciliana; city centre
đźš— Pizzeria Mon Amour (our favorite, 8 euro pizza, amazing)
đźš— Hotel Sopra Le Mura; across from hotel, aperitivo cocktails (espresso martini)
đźš— Gelateria Vernai (pistachio gelato)
đźš— Gelateria Ventimiglia (gelato); city centre
🚗 Cucinia D’autore; city centre, Sicilian street food (usually the only open eatery during the afternoon)
