Things to see in northwestern Sicily

The stretch of the northwestern Sicilian coast, the one that goes from Palermo to Marsala, is full of enchanting places and destinations, known to attract thousands of tourists every year.

The Sicilian capital obviously deserves a visit, with its unique colors and flavors. There are many things to see in Palermo, such as the Palazzina Cinese, the Politeama Theatre, the well-known Piazza dei 4 Canti and the near Piazza Pretoria. There are also marvelous buildings and castles: Palazzo Reale, the Cappella Palatina, Palazzo Mirto and Castello Zisa are some of them, not to mention all the churches and streets to explore.

The town of Monreale is located in the province of Palermo, at the top of a mountain. In addition to the stunning view, it also has a wonderful Cathedral, complete with treasure, chapels and cloister. This building is one of the masterpieces of Sicilian art and it houses the tomb of Frederick II.

Further down the road you get to Mondello, a seaside resort known for its crystal clear water and beautiful villas in the Art Nouveau style.

Moving along the coast, you will find Castellammare del Golfo, Scopello and the Zingaro Nature Reserve, one right after the other. These are wild, pristine places and the sea is wonderful.

Going further you get to the popular resort of San Vito lo Capo, with its white sand and turquoise and transparent sea. Moreover, this town has been for years the location of one of the most interesting and multicultural food festivals in Italy, the Cous Cous Fest.

Moving along the coast, you will arrive to the ancient village of Erice. It is a unique and quiet little town, still maintaining a charming, medieval atmosphere. Erice is a maze of streets and alleys that goes up and down, so it is highly recommended to wear comfortable shoes. The village is full of souvenir shops and you can buy a great variety of local products, especially pastries.

From Erice to Trapani the journey is short and the latter deserves to be seen as well. A mandatory stop is the one to the Salt Museum, and it’s even better to go there at sunset: the sunlight reflecting on the Saline gives the most breathtaking spectacle.

Another highly recommended stop is to the Island of Mozia, on the road to Marsala. It’s a little, natural paradise, completely surrounded by silence.

Finally, there is the Island of Favignana, in the Egadi archipelago. The island almost seems suspended in space and time, having preserved an archaic atmosphere on the inside and the one of a typical fishing village along the coast.