General Information/Map

Map of San Vito Lo Capo

San Vito lo Capo is a charming seaside village located on the northwest coast of Sicily, near Trapani. His long and beautiful bay stretches from Cape San Vito and Cape Solanto and it is located about 39 km from Trapani and about 100 km from Palermo. It is a typical lively Mediterranean town with white houses, bougainvillea and jasmine that spread intoxicating scents, white beach and a turquoise sea with thousand shades.

San Vito lo Capo has developed at the end of the eighteenth century with the construction of the first houses near a chapel dedicated to St. Vito Martire. Its history is though much older as evidenced by the finds of the Paleolithic, Mesolithic and Neolithic and the presence – however not found and still wrapped in mystery – of the ancient township of Conturrana.

The chapel dedicated to St. Vito was initially built around the year 300 and was later the subject of many changes and restructuring to become the sanctuary we can see now. According to the legend, Vito was a young nobleman of Mazara del Vallo who, converted to Christianity, had to abandon his hometown to escape the persecution of Diocletian. He escaped with his nurse Crescentia and his tutor Modesto by sea but during a storm they found shelter near the village of Conturrana, that was located in the territory of the actual San Vito lo Capo. Here Vito tried to spread Christianity and performed numerous miracles, but the locals not heard him and drove him from the country. God punished then this unfaithful people destroying the city. The legend says that Crescenza, when she stopped to see the collapse of the village, became a stone and in that point now stands the chapel dedicated to her. The sanctuary and the chapel took the reputation of being miraculous and magical and have attracted many pilgrims in the past centuries.

Besides the center, part of the territory of San Vito Lo Capo are also the fraction of Macari and that of Castelluzzo. The first is known as a charming location on the Gulf, with a view of the Mount Cofano and the cliffs of Cala Mancina, while Castelluzzo is located between Ponte del Biro and the Nature Reserve of Mount Cofano and it is famous for the presence of extended cultivation of olives and for its atmosphere of tranquility and relaxation.

San Vito lo Capo is not just sand and sea: it is located in a strategic position for visiting all the beauties that offers western Sicily and it is therefore a place that meets the needs of all travelers.

Getting there

To reach San Vito lo Capo we recommend you to use the car travelling along the highway A29 Palermo-Mazara and taking the exit “Castellammare del Golfo”. From there you can follow road signs and in about an hour you’ll arrive at your destination.

For those coming from farther away, the nearest airports are Trapani (about 40 km) and Palermo (about 100 km) while the most served port is the port of Palermo. From here we recommend you to rent a car to arrive more easily at San Vito and especially to turn freely and enjoy all the beauties located in its vicinity. Alternatively you can take a taxi or use the services of different bus companies that connect frequently and efficiently Palermo and Trapani to San Vito lo Capo.

You can also take the train that arrives at Castellammare del Golfo and from here use bus services, taxi or rent a car to get to the final destination.

When to go there

San Vito lo Capo is primarily a seaside resort with a Mediterranean climate and so the best time to stay there and to do a “beach life” is from May to October, when air and water temperatures are favorable and rainfall are relatively low.

In the middle months of summer (June, July and August) there are also very high temperatures and the beaches are invaded by many tourists. In the remaining months the climate is mild and pleasant and the country is less affected by mass tourism.

Therefore May and September are the ideal months for those seeking a quiet stay in San Vito and full of relaxation, while for those who want to pass busiest holiday we reccomend June, July and August.

Must see

Beach and sea

The turquoise blue sea, clear and clean and the white beach are undoubtedly the highlight of San Vito lo Capo. The seabed that slopes gently and the water devoid of dangerous currents makes the sea of San Vito also suitable for children or for those who are not great swimmers. The beach is wide and excellent services are made available to tourists without affecting the original beauty of the bay.

For fans, San Vito offers beautiful diving spot and the possibility of fishing in different ways, from “Bolentino” to apnea fishing.

City and monuments

• Center of San Vito lo Capo: it is distributed along Savoia street – a pedestrian street full of shops, bars and restaurants that arrives on the seafront. Along this course, in summer, numerous events are organized to entertain tourists.

• Sanctuary: in Arab-Norman style, it is located in the pedestrian streets of the city and worth visiting.

• Chapel of St. Crescentia: it has a particular form and it was built in the sixteenth century.

• Sea Museum: it is located in Savoia street n. 57 and it retains some important archaeological remains that were found in the rich depths of San Vito. A wreck of an Arab-Norman ship dated around the year 800 was found near the lighthouse.

• Palace La Porta: it is located in Savoia street and it is a beautiful nineteenth century palace that is the seat of the current city hall.

• The lighthouse: it is a symbol of San Vito, it was built in the middle of nineteenth century during the Bourbon Kingdom. Its tower is 40 meters high and at night its light arrives up to 20 nautical miles.

• The Torrazzo: it is a tower that was probably build by Arab and it is located near the port of San Vito.

• Macari and Castelluzzo: these are the two localities that are part of the municipality of San Vito Lo Capo and they worth a visit for their charming location which offer breathtaking views and for their peace of mind.

• Cous Cous Fest: it is an international, gastronomic and cultural festival held every year in September and sees the couscous as the protagonist.

Excursions

• Zingaro reserve: it was established in 1981 and it is an area of approximately 1,700 hectares with a coastline of about 8 km that stretches from San Vito lo Capo to Scopello. The Zingaro is one of the most pristine and beautiful location of all Sicily. Here are several routes to do only on foot, discovering the typical flora and fauna of the Mediterranean, with beautiful coves, sheer cliffs and caves, including the Uzzo cave where were found the remains of prehistoric settlements. As a reserve, it is essential to observe the full respect for the environment, birds and other animals and even plants that live here. A tip: at the inside of the reserve there are equipped areas but there aren’t bars or restaurants and therefore it is essential to bring a packed lunch and, especially in summer, a good supply of water.

• Nature Reserve of Mount Cofano: it was established recently and looks like a huge amount limestone with steep cliffs that plunge into the beautiful turquoise waters of the bay of San Vito. It is possible to hike up to even the top of the mountain, which boasts a wonderful view. You can see the Tower of St John, the Tower of Tuna and admire the many species of birds that inhabit the reserve, including peregrine falcons, buzzards and kestrels. On Mount Cofano there are also quarries where the pearl marble of Sicily is extracted and several caves including the Cave Mangiapane, located at Scurati district, that takes the name of the family who lived here from ‘800 until the end of World War II. In this large cave were built small houses that were then abandoned by the shepherds and are now used by the cultural association “Living Nativity” of Custonaci which each year prepares in this charming place a renowned Living Nativity.

• Tonnara del Secco: at about 3 km from San Vito there is this old tuna trap, whose nets were lowered especially in spring when many fishes swam here for their reproduction. At its side the remains of ancient fish processing plants can be seen. Now the tuna trap is out of use, but remains a very distinctive and fascinating place to visit.

• Castellammare del Golfo: it is a nice town and beach resort. It was once an important commercial and fishing center. Here it’s possible to admire the medieval Aragonese castle – located in Garibaldi street – and the Mother Church. From Scopello to  Castellammare del Golfo the coastal road offers beautiful views.

• Scopello: a small fishing village dominated by the seventeenth rural farm overlooking the main square.

Here we list some of the most beautiful places near San Vito lo Capo that worth a visit:

* Erice
* Segesta
* Trapani
* Palermo
* Egadi
* Mozia

Where to stay

San Vito lo Capo in recent years has become a popular destination and the prices of accomodations are therefore increased. Although it is possible to find solutions for all budgets and you can save a lot of money by booking in advance and during less popular periods.

You’ll find high-level hotels and residences with private beaches but also simple but nice pensions, rooms for rent, farmhouses and even campings.

Accomodation search

Restaurants/Typical cuisine

At San Vito lo Capo you’ll find the flavors, the colors and the dishes of Sicilian tradition including of course the “Arancine di riso” – that are rice balls – “Caponata” of eggplant, the Sicilian “Cannoli” – pastries filled with ricotta cream, bits of chocolate and candied – and the Sicilian “Cassata” – a sweet made of a base of sponge cake filled with ricotta cream, covered in icing and marzipan and decorated with candied. You should even taste ice cream, sorbets and granita with brioche that you will find in lots of tastes in the many bars located in the pedestrian zone and along the beach.

The local specialty is the cous cous: of Arab origin, then spread to San Vito during his domination by the Arab people and it is a dish made with semolina balls that are handmade and baked in a special pot and served with a rich and tasty fish soup which is prepared mainly with rockfish, vogues, white bream, grouper and croaker. The cous cous is so joined the culture of San Vito lo Capo which is organized every year in September the Cous Cous Fest – an international event that sees this important plate as the protagonist.

You can also taste typical “Busiate with Pesto from Trapani” – a format similar to Bucatini pasta with tomato sauce, garlic, basil, almonds and pecorino cheese and the “bread Cunzato” that is seasoned with extra virgin olive oil, salt, oregano, anchovies, black olives and red pepper. “Bread and Panelle” is a specialty of Palermo that you will also find at San Vito and it is a great dish you can eat on the beach since it is a simple bun stuffed with seasoned flour and fried chickpeas.

The main element of the typical cuisine of San Vito lo Capo is the fish that we find in many pasta dishes such as pasta with cuttlefish, spaghetti with sea urchins, pasta with lobster, pasta with sardines, “marinara” rice, and obviously in many second dishes.

Restaurants search

Shopping

Strolling along the promenade of the beautiful seaside village, you’ll see many fine stores and shops selling various local products and souvenirs of San Vito and Sicily in general, as Sicilian ceramics, cakes and local delicacies.

Links

For more information see the website of the town of San Vito lo Capo.