Castellammare del Golfo is wonderfully positioned in a bay approx. 65 km west of
Palermo. Earlier it was an important centre for tuna fishing but today it is known for its beautiful location.
The population numbers 15,000 and everything you could possibly need is available here: restaurants, pizzerias, all kinds of shopping, plenty of life and activities.
The town is not great for sights. It has many interesting streets but is more suited for those wanting to stay somewhere with atmosphere close to good beaches. The beaches at
Scopello or
San Vito Lo Capo are excellent, and the local sandy beach is more than acceptable too.
From the top of the mountain peak immediately west of Castellammare del Golfo en route to
Scopello you get a splendid view of the whole gulf and the town.
From Castellammare del Golfo a train takes you eastwards to and from
Palermo and westwards to and from Trapani. Interesting destinations like Segesta and
Erice are not far away, and trips inland to Alcamo or villages like Calatafimi and Salemi (with the ruins of the Byzantine basilica) are also easy to make.
