Castellammare del Golfo

Nestled between two renowned Sicilian tourist destinations, Capo Rama to the east and San Vito lo Capo to the west, Castellammare del Golfo is an unmissable gem.

Set within a gulf of turquoise waters, the village sits at the foot of a rugged, densely vegetated mountain; the landscape is dominated by a promontory where Arabs built the castle perched dramatically above the sea, which gives the town its name. Two sandy beaches, each on either side of the promontory, complete this enchanting vista.

The overall view is truly evocative, yet many hidden treasures await you as you explore the historic village and surrounding areas. Create your own thematic itinerary: perhaps a walking trail through the town discovering Castellammare’s centuries-old history, or a nature trail from mountain to coast.

You can recover from nature excursions or cultural exploration with a refreshing dip in crystal-clear azure waters, or by savouring excellent Sicilian cuisine with a fine fish dish or flavourful couscous in a charming local trattoria.

With all these attractions, it’s hardly surprising that a small town of 15,000 inhabitants once dedicated to fishing today thrives essentially on tourism.

Castellammare del Golfo Beaches

The primary draw for tourists visiting Castellammare del Golfo are naturally its spectacular beaches: along this stretch of the Trapani coast, sandy shores alternate with rocky, jagged stretches dotted with numerous coves, small beaches and inlets.

What to See in Castellammare del Golfo

A visit to Castellammare del Golfo must begin with the Arab-Norman Castle4 that gives the town its name. The contrast between the intense blue of the sea and this imposing yet simply designed structure is truly striking: the castle’s mass dominates the entire landscape.

Built by Arabs in the 10th century atop the ruins of earlier structures, this defensive fortress rising sheer above the sea was later expanded by the Swabians and Normans. Today the castle’s halls house the museum complex “La Memoria del Mediterraneo” (Memory of the Mediterranean), comprising four permanent exhibitions:

• Water and Mills Museum
• Productive Activities Museum
• Archaeological Museum
• Maritime Activities Museum

Another important building now serving a civic purpose is Palazzo Crociferi5, built in the 17th century as a convent for the Crociferi Fathers at the behest of princess Francesca Balsamo of Roccafiorita. Today it houses the municipal offices and its cloister hosts events and outdoor film festivals.

Walking along via Garibaldi you’ll notice some Norman grain storage pits, discovered in 2013 during excavations for gas pipelines. Used for grain storage, Castellammare del Golfo’s pits likely date to the 14th century; they measure ten metres in diameter at the base and nine metres deep.

Bagli

The structures most characteristic of Castellammare del Golfo’s territory and surroundings are the bagli, fortified residential complexes from the Arab period where landowners and their farmhands lived.

These buildings can still be admired today in areas of agricultural tradition, though unfortunately many have fallen into disrepair or been converted into agritourism facilities.

Among the most interesting near Castellammare del Golfo we highlight Baglio Strafalcello, Baglio Fontana and Baglio Lisciandrini.

Churches

The religious fervour of Castellammare del Golfo’s inhabitants, typical throughout Sicily, has left us with splendid examples of architecture. We point out three churches in Castellammare, each with its own unique character:

• Mother Church6: in the heart of old Castellammare stands the church dedicated to the Virgin Mary of Succour, built in the 18th century to designs by Giuseppe Mariani. The façade is simple and elegant; the interior features harmonious lines.
• Church of Madonna della Scala7: this small place of worship on the waterfront overlooking the port takes its name from the terrain’s gentle slope towards the sea. The miraculous event following which this small church was built is remembered on 8 September each year with a religious celebration and procession.
• Little Church of Santa Maria del Rosario8: a small and simple church not far from the castle. Its plainness was “strategic”: it was designed to protect the sacred building from pirate raids.

Nature

Castellammare’s territory is particularly interesting from a naturalistic standpoint, characterised by a low, open coast to the east and high, jagged coast to the west upon which a series of mountain ridges rise.

One of the highest peaks of the Castellammare del Golfo Mountains is Monte Inici9, where you can observe niviere (characteristic artificial cavities once used for ice storage) and numerous caves carved by the combined action of sulphurous and rainwater.

The area is a true paradise for nature lovers and hiking enthusiasts, thanks to the almost total integrity of the natural environment. The hinterland is equally interesting, with its countryside and vineyards.

Where to Stay in Castellammare del Golfo

Recommended hotels in Castellammare del Golfo

We offer a selection of hotels at Castellammare del Golfo to suit all categories of travellers. The most booked by tourists are the sea-facing hotels, often right on the beach. If you want to play it safe, choose one of the following: they are among the most booked hotels in Castellammare del Golfo, sorted by number of reviews.

Apartments and vacation homes in Castellammare del Golfo

If you prefer space, privacy and the ability to prepare your own meals to a hotel holiday, book a holiday home at Castellammare del Golfo. We recommend a few below, but in this case we advise you to book early because houses and apartments for rent at Castellammare del Golfo are in high demand.

How to Reach Castellammare del Golfo

Castellammare del Golfo is located roughly midway between Palermo Punta Raisi Airport and Trapani Vincenzo Florio Airport. From both airports you can reach the town by driving on the A29 motorway.

If you want to reach Castellammare del Golfo from Palermo by public transport you can take a direct bus that takes around an hour and a half.

You can also arrive by train: the station is 3 km from the town centre to which it’s connected by a shuttle bus.

Castellammare del Golfo Weather