The best experiences in Castellammare del Golfo
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
🚗 Raggio di Sole Tour, Scopello & Riserva Dello Zingaro, Lionel Richie Catamarano
🚗 Cala Experience, boat rental and excursions
🚗 Colori del Sole, shopping in city centre Castellammare del Golfo and found in other locations; art, home decor and fashion made in Sicily
🚗 Parking in Palermo: MoloSantaLucia Parcheggi; located near the marina in secure and covered building. www.molosantaluciaparcheggi.com; reserve in advance
🚗 Parking in Castellammare: Posteggio Petrolo; near city centre; covered and secured; up to 20 euros per day
🚗 Ceramics: La Ceramica Siciliana; Erice
🚗 Ceramics: Diba, Castellammare
🚗 Arte Del Ricamo di Enza Barone; city centre of Castellammare del Golfo; linens
🚗 Full Market Longo; groceries
🚗 Mercato della Frutta e Verdura; daily market, fruits and vegetables
🚗 City Hall in Castellammare del Golfo (Corso Bernardo Mattarella); tourism office across from city hall
🚗 Farmacia del Centro; pharmacy
🚗 Diba clothing store; city centre
🚗 Pasta making class with Rita; Cesarine (booking)
🚗 Travel to Erice; drive the winding road to take a tram from Trapani
🚗Travel to Cefalu
Dining and cocktails
🚗 Trattoria La Maidda; city centre of Castellammare; outdoor dining (pistachio pasta)
🚗 Ristoranta La Tonnara; near the sea wall
🚗 Osteria, Cucina e Cantina Siciliana; city centre
🚗 Pizzeria Mon Amour (our favorite, 8 euro pizza, amazing)
🚗 Hotel Sopra Le Mura; across from hotel, aperitivo cocktails (espresso martini)
🚗 Gelateria Vernai (pistachio gelato)
🚗 Gelateria Ventimiglia (gelato); city centre
🚗 Cucinia D’autore; city centre, Sicilian street food (usually the only open eatery during the afternoon)
