Traditional trattorias and a go-slow harbour give you with a taste of authentic Italy on Castellammare del Golfo holidays.

Scenic setting

Castellammare del Golfo is pitched on Sicily’s northwest tip – if you’re looking at a map, follow the coast east from Palermo and you’ll spot it before your finger touches Trapani. Its name – more or less – translates as ‘Sea Fortress of the Gulf’, and you’ll soon see why once you spot the Medieval battlements that still stand alongside its harbour.

Old-time town

You’d need to skip far back through Sicily’s history book to find the first mention of this place. It was founded way back in the sixth century BC, when one of Sicily’s indigenous communities – known as the Elymians – built a port here for the nearby town of Segesta. It was invaded by Arabs in 827AD, who later built the fortress that sits in the front of the town. After that, in the 16th century, the fortress was rebuilt by the Normans, and that same structure still stands today.

Authentic Italy

If ‘doing as the locals do’ is your kind of holiday, you’re going to love it here. People from around the island – as well as Italians on the mainland – love to spend their holidays here. If you ask us, it’s pretty easy to see why – having a long sandy beach on your doorstep and seafood dishes on tap is a match made in heaven for easygoing getaways.

At a Glance

  • Tuck in to seafood at a restaurant on the harbour
  • Catch a boat ride to the coastal village of Scopello
  • Head out for the day to explore the island’s capital