How to Spend a Day in Castellammare del Golfo, Sicily

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When planning my trip to Sicily, I thought I knew all the main places I should visit. But the town of Castellammare del Golfo should have been on that list and it wasn’t. Lucky for me, I was able to squeeze in a day there at the tail end of my trip. Allowing a day in Castellammare del Golfo turned out to be perfect as it let me see this modest town on the north coast between Trapani and Palermo.

Could I have spent longer here? Certainly. Castellammare isn’t a huge town, nor is it loaded with attractions. But in terms of atmosphere and small town vibes, this seaside spot has it in spades. Few places I visited in Sicily could match its relaxed feel as it seems like a great place to unwind. So, I do think you should take the time to visit Castellammare del Golfo while in Sicily as it’s worth it, even for only one day.

Castellammare del Golfo

Castellammare is situated right up at the western end of Sicily’s north coast, sandwiched between Trapani and Palermo. These two big destinations easily overshadow the town and its 15,000 residents. Somehow though, it has a huge selection of tourist accommodation, making it a surprisingly common place to stay in Sicily.

This was quite a shock to me as I’d heard remarkably little about Castellammare before hand. I was mostly going off a couple of photos and a convenient location. Plus, other tourists were few and far between while I was there, so maybe it’s a very seasonal place. 

One of the interesting things about my one day in Castellammare was how different it was to other Italian destinations. No churches, no big squares and no Roman ruins. Sure, I walked around the streets and staircases of the town centre for a while like usual, but even that felt different. After weeks in Sicily, Castellammare del Golfo was a refreshing change of pace, which is maybe why it stuck out so much to me.  

The Marina Waterfront

There’s no doubt that the main attraction in Castellammare del Golfo is the old harbour area. The marina, full of fishing boats and yachts, is the heart and soul of the town. It’s a focal point of Castellammare, as if the entire town is sliding down the hillside to the waterfront area.

Reaching the waterfront is quite easy – just head down hill. The centre of Castellammare is full of long sloping streets and discreet staircases, all of which seem to lead you to this one place. Once at the waterfront, it’s best to do the walk along the harbour, flanked by boats on one side and seafood restaurants on the other. With so many fishing boats docked nearby, it doesn’t take a genius to work out whether the food’s fresh or not.

Arab Norman Castle

This is the landmark that earns Castellammare del Golfo its name. It’s translation is “Sea Fortress on the Gulf” and is referring to this castle that watches over the local harbour. Named the Arab Norman Castle, the fortress was first built by the region’s Arab occupiers and later expanded by the Norman invaders.

Walking along the marina, there’s no chance you miss the imposing fortifications of the castle by the end of the peninsula. But to actually visit the castle properly, you need to head up into the backstreets and enter at a higher level. Inside it lies a small museum related to the town’s history and local archaeological finds.

Not much is translated into English and much of the focus is on other places in the region like the Temple of Segesta. But hey, it’s free to visit and there are window views of the harbour.

Cala Petròlo Beach

I really didn’t see as many beaches in Sicily as I expected, at least until reaching Castellammare. Other than Taormina and Trapani, my chosen destinations had been very light on beaches. Castellammare, on the other hand, is in a part of Sicily known for its sandy shores. Along this section of the north coast you have San Vito Lo Capo and Mondello, typically considered two of Sicily’s best beaches.

But back to Castellammare, its most accessible beach is Cala Petròlo just east of the historical centre. Backed by a giant stone wall, it seems decent enough. The far more popular Castellammare del Golfo beach is Spiaggia Playa over by the  train station. This is where you’ll find a proper a beachfront backed by restaurants and bars.

With my one day in town, I only saw the Playa Beach from a distance and on the bus, but it sure seems well loved. So, spending time at the beach seems like one good reason to extend a stay here. 

Mountains and Monte Inici

The part of Castellammare that most intrigued me while I was there had nothing to do with coast. Rather it was the looming mountainous backdrop of the town that constantly drew me in. There’s meant to be hiking trails throughout the mountains, eventually leading to the summit of Monte Inici, the highest peak. It’s the idea of hiking in this area that has me most excited to return.

And even if you don’t feel like doing a big climb, there’s the Belvedere Castellammare del Golfo. This viewpoint over the town looks fantastic and not all that far to go. If only I’d had the time, because the panoramic views from there look wonderful.

Travel Tips for Visiting Castellammare del Golfo

Hopefully, your interest in visiting Castellammare del Golfo is strong enough now that you want more info on travelling there. Your best to get there with public transport is coming from either Palermo or Trapani. There are around four Palermo Castellammare del Golfo trains each day, with the trip taking roughly 2.5 hours. Same goes for trains to and from Trapani oddly enough.

The only hassle is that the train station is 3 kilometres from the centre of town. Other than calling a taxi or walking, your only option is the very few buses that go from Balestrate to Piazza Repubblica in town, via the train station. Not ideal but possibly necessary.

As previously mentioned, places to stay in Castellammare del Golfo are in strong supply. While most accommodation here is apartments, I really liked my stay at B&B Da Peppa. It has stylishly designed rooms with a great balcony and terrace. Best of all, with this B&B Castellammare del Golfo is right on your doorstep with the marina just a minute away.

Had you heard of Castellammare before? Would you want to spend a day in Castellammare del Golfo if you could while in Sicily? Please share your thoughts in the comments below.

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