Castellammare del Golfo

Castellammare del Golfo rises at the foot of Mount Inici and gives the name to the homonymous gulf, stretching from capo Rama (on the east) as far as capo San Vito (on the west). Castellammare began as Emporium Segestanorum (the port of the near Segesta). The word empòrion in the ancient Mediterranean denoted a harbour used for the unloading, storing and selling of goods, and until the Arabs’ arrival its history identifies with that of Segesta. The naming “castrum ad mare de gulfo” dates back to the early years of the second millennium, when Castellammare became an important fortress, first of the Normans and later of the Swabians.

When to go

As Castellammare is a sea and tourist resort, the ideal season for having a holiday there is summer. However, thanks to its mild climate, in March you can already profit a vacation under the hot sun of Sicily. Until October you will certainly enjoy beautiful and warm days.

Tourist information

• Ufficio Turistico

  phone: +39 0924 592 555, +39 0924 30 217
  address: Piazza Castello

• Associazione Turistica Pro Loco

  phone: +39 0924 35175, +39 388 1173534
  address: corso Bernardo Mattarella, 31

By train

Regular train from Trapani and Palermo, the station is about 3 km from the centre.

By car

• A29 Motorway Palermo-Mazara del Vallo:exit Castellammare del Golfo
• National Road (S.S.) 187 km. 42.00

By ship

• Grandi Navi Veloci

  phone: +39 010 2094591

• Linea Tirrenia

  phone: +39 0923 545433

• Linea Grimaldi

  phone: +39 0923 542470

• Linea Ustica Lines

  phone: +39 0923 873813

• Siremar

  phone: +39 0923 24968

• Traghetti delle Isole

  phone: +39 0923 22467
  address: via Ammiraglio Staiti, 23

• Ustica Lines

  phone: +39 0923 873813

• Stazione marittima

  phone: +39 091 3213
  address: Palermo

By bus

Regular bus from Palermo, 5 per day excluding Sunday which is not so frequent and Trapani, 2 per day. Russo also has buses leaving for Scopello 5 times a day.

• AST

  phone: +39 0923 21021
  address: via Virgilio, 20 Trapani

• Autoservizi Lumia

  phone: +39 0922 20414

• Autoservizi Salemi

  phone: +39 0923 981120
  address: Via Salemi,97 Marsala

• Autoservizi Russo S.r.l.

  phone: +39 0924 31364
  address: Corso Garibaldi, 210 - Castellammare del Golfo
  Palermo-Castellammare-Scopello.

• Segesta autolinee

  phone: +39 0923 2006, +39 091 304106
  address: Via Libertà, 171 - Palermo
  Palermo-Trapani.

• Segesta autolinee

  phone: +39 0923 2006, +39 091 304106, +39 091 342055
  address: Via Libertà, 171 Palermo

• Tarantola bus

  phone: +39 0924 31020
  address: Via Marina Petrolo, 16 Castellammare del Golfo

By plane

• Airport Palermo Punta Raisi “Falcone e Borsellino” about 50 Km far from it. Phone +39 091 591414,+39 091 591400
• Aereoporto Trapani Birgi “Vincenzo Florio” about 60 Km far from it. Phone +39 0923 841130, +39 0923 842502

Look for flights to Palermo or Trapani(Birgi). You can find low cost flights, e.g. Ryanair, then you can rent a car to get Castellammare del Golfo.

You can reach Castellammare through the National Road (S.S.) 187 both from Palermo and Trapani. If you come from Palermo (going through Alcamo Marina and the railway station of Castellammare) you soon enter the town and meet Largo Petrolo with its wonderful view on the Gulf. From here you can go to the centre (on the left) or to the port and the Castle (turning right). If you decide to go to the town centre, it is very easy by going on foot: the Civic Gardens, the Town Hall, the Theatre and Arena delle Rose are at about 500 m. If you come from Trapani, through the same road, after the junctions for San Vito and Scopello you can enter the town trough via Crispi or via Segesta. The main lines of march are three: corso Garibaldi, (which you can enter from via Crispi or via Segesta) will lead you to the town centre. Via Marconi will lead you outside the town, towards the beaches of Playa and Alcamo Marina, and finally via Petrazzi and via Roma, which starting from the port or the gardens (through via Roma), will lead you to the National Road 187 for all destinations and the A29 Motorway.

by taxi

• Bugia Bianca Transfer Service

  phone: +39 389 1956244, +39 339 2732914 (transfer), +39 320 3069171, +39 331 7735171 (taxi)
  address: Contrada Bocca della Carruba, 51
  They carry out a fast and comfortable transfer service and shuttle service for Palermo and Trapani airports from Castellammare, Scopello, San Vito lo Capo and other places, with qualified drivers. They also rent cars, motor scooters and vans. You can also make guided excursions by boat or rubber boat, or by minibus towards the near main resorts.

• Non solo transfer

  phone: +39 0924 30630, +39 340 9465347, +39 333 8429777
  address: Via Duchessa, 33
  Transfer taxi, mini tours, shuttle service for Palermo airport, Trapani and Palermo's ports. Group and individual excursions. Car rental with the driver.

• Savasta Natale

  phone: +39 320 3069171, +39 331 773 5171
  address: Contrada Bocca della Carrubba, 157/c

By car

• Amigo car e bike sharing

  phone: +39 011 2399351, +39 091 7303010, +39 091 350367
  address: Via Giuseppe Verdi and piazza della Repubblica
  Car-sharing with one-way or standard bookings. With access to ZTL areas and no limits to antipollution measure, free parking in blue areas, authorized to transit in the lanes reserved to public transport.

• Asaro Enrico

  phone: +39 339 7039639, +39 3271566851
  address: via Flavio Gioia, 2
  Cars and scooters rentals.

• Autonoleggio del Golfo

  phone: +39 0924 35008, +39 329 6662996, +39 328 4110973
  address: Via San Paolo Della Croce, 33

• Auto Vesco

  phone: +39 0924 531871, +39 338 2208282
  address: via L. da Vinci, 92

• Blu Nautica By GP Service sas

  phone: +39 0924 31227, +39 366 5389478
  address: contrada Cerri

• Campanella s.r.l.

  phone: +39 0924 34977, +39 366 4448900,+39 3663644295
  address: via Martoglio, 1

• Sicilyrentacar

  phone: +39 0924 31388, +39 9987581, +39 393 4360211
  address: corso Garibaldi, 125

• Scopeltour

  phone: +39 0924 31222, +39 335 6469178
  address: via Marconi, 126

• Trinacria Service

  phone: +39 328 9547111, +39 333 9630042
  address: corso Garibaldi, 8
  Tourist services agency.

• Museo del mare (the Sea Museum)

  phone: +39 335 6536077, +39 335 8085613
  address: via P. Mascagni
  Located in a poor house of fishermen, there are images, fishing utensils used by fishermen and in the tonnara present in the gulf.

• Museo Chiesa Madre (the Mother Church's Museum)

  phone: +39 339 7443703, +39 333 6527837

• Museum Centre, polo museale

  phone: +39 0924 30217
  address: inside the Arab-Norman Castle
  You will find an important museum centre divided into the following sections: archaeology (with Roman anchors and amphoras); seafaring activities (tools for sailing and for tuna fishing). In the eastern wing of the castle you can visit the Ethnic-Antropological Museum “Annalisa Buccellato” which exibits not only the old furnishings used inside houses, but also the techniques and the tools used in the wheat and milk production.

• Grotta di Santa MargheritaOn an overhanging face at 15 metres above sea level. There are several pictures dating back to the 13th, 14th and 15th centuries: a Madonna with Child, a female saint surrounded by angels and, on the opposite side, a Crucifixion with other figures.

• Grotta della FicarellaIt is an underwater cave in the Reserve lo Zingaro. The entrance is at the depth of 14 metres.

• Grotta dell'Eremita o grotta del cavalloLocated on Mount Inici, it stretches for about 5 km and has a difference in level of 310 m.

• Abisso dei CocciIt stretches for 2,000 m and a difference in level of 420 m.

• Castello a mare

  address: In the harbour
  Probably built by Arabs in the 10th century, it was enlarged by the Normans and later fortified by the Swabians by adding defensive walls and towers. In 1316, during the war between Anjous and Aragoneses it was destroyed by Frederick III of Sicily and later rebuilt. Today it is a public property; inside there is a large museum.

• Torri saraceneIn the territory of Castellammare del Golfo (at Scopello) there are some ancient Saracen watch-towers, in the bay of Guidaloca, Torre Bennistra, Torre della tonnara of Scopello and Torre of Scopello.

• Accademia di Danza

  phone: +39 0924 33410
  address: via Segesta, 172

• Arena delle Rose

  phone: +39 0924 592111
  address: Corso Bernardo Mattarella
  Outdoor cinema and theatre.

• Civic Multimedial Library

  phone: +39 0924 30707, +39 0924 592501
  address: Piazza Matteotti

• C.A.I.

  phone: +39 349 7860318, +39 328 623201, +39 338 9350338
  address: Viale Umberto I

• Centro Nautico Eolo

  phone: +39 0924 30041
  address: contrada Cerri

• Centro Sub Atlantis

  phone: +39 339 4074073, +39 3341417741
  address: contrada Cerri, 4

• Circolo del tennis

  phone: +39 334 2226322
  address: contrada Bocca della Carrubba, 48

• Club Nautico s.r.l.

  phone: +39 0924 32511, +39 360 768031
  address: contrada Cerri
  Boat mooring.

• La Fenice

  address: via San Leonardo, Alcamo
  Ice-skating, amusement park, swimming-pool.

• Nautic Club Poseidon

  phone: +39 092431362, +39 338 2501110, +39 339 7842943
  address: via Roma,86, summer seat at Pontile Eolo

• Navarra Excursions

  phone: +39 339 3144968
  address: via Medici, 27

• Pontoonride

  phone: +39 334 8096317
  address: viale dei Pini, 4,

• Teatro Apollo-A.Rocco Guadagno

  phone: +39 0924 35175, +39 339 424 2200
  address: Corso Bernardo Mattarella,15
  Cinema and theatre.

• Terme Gorga

  address: Contrada Gorga Calatafimi Segesta
  Swimming pool, aerosol therapy.Its sulphuric thermal waters are used to treat respiratory,rheumatic and skin diseases.

• Terme Segestane

  phone: +39 0924 530057
  address: Contrada Ponte Bagni, Castellammare del Golfo
  swimming pool, mud baths, aerosol therapy.

• Lido Peter Pan

  phone: +39 338 7533733
  address: Spiaggia Plaia

• Lido Petrolo

  phone: +39 333 4459610
  address: Largo Petrolo

• Lido Pirata

  phone: +39 333 6611007, +39 338 3731778
  address: Lungo Mare Spiaggia Plaia

• Lido Sunrise

  phone: +39 328 2780710
  address: Spiaggia Plaia

• Lido Zanzibar

  phone: +39 338 7560345
  address: Spiaggia Plaia

Events and festivals

• Feast of Saint Rita

  address: Via Segesta
  A historical parade about the life of Saint Rita and the noble class of Castellammare. Shows, procession, fireworks.

• Nostra Principalissima Patrona

  phone: +39 0924 30217
  The event being recalled happened on July 13, 1718, when Castellammare was in the middle of the war between Philip V of Spain and Amedeo of Savoia for the possession of Sicily. A Spanish ship, chased by 5 English ones, sheltered below the castle, which defended it. The English fleet attacked by setting fire to the town: the people, imploring the Patroness (the Virgin Mary), escaped. But suddenly the Madonna, in a white dress, is said to have appeared with a host of angels from Monte delle Scale. This apparition reportedly caused the English to flee in fear. The show represents these events with lights, sounds, pyrotechnic effects and starts at sunset. The recalling ends with a concert and fireworks.

• Maria Santissima del Soccorso

  address: Chiesa Madre
  Among the main events for the feast of the patroness (besides the cultural ones) there are a "procession to the sea", an "earth procession" and fireworks.

• CICI Film Festival

• Banca di Credito Cooperativo

  phone: +39 0924 31166
  address: corso Garibaldi, 126

• Credito Siciliano Spa

  phone: +39 0924 531821
  address: via F. Crispi, 128

• Intesa San Paolo Spa

  phone: +39 0924 531152
  address: corso B. Mattarella, 2

• Unicredit

  phone: +39 0924 046105
  address: Corso Garibaldi, 145

• Dolciaria Panificio Dolcezze del Golfo

  phone: +39 0924 47811584
  address: Via San Paolo della Croce, 1
  Bread, biscuits, pizzas, salted cakes, sfincione.

• That'Sicilia

  phone: +39 0924 30010
  address: Corso Garibaldi 119
  They sell a selection of good Sicilian food and wine and rare local handmade pieces such as: engraved corals, interwoven carpets, artistic ceramics, and jewels made with coral and lavic stone. The shop also proposes Daniela Neri’s creations — salt corals, jewels and ornaments realized with Trapani salt and coloured resins — and ceramics made by Toti Taormina, an artist of the school De Simone, who is able to create harmonious works with unique colours.

• Nautica del Golfo

  phone: +39 0924 34188
  address: via Medici,4

• Nautica il Grillo s.r.l.

  phone: +39 0924 31201
  address: via Giacomo Medici,53
  Fishing articles.

• Punto Sub

  phone: +39 331 7191796,+39 339 8332193
  address: Via Leonardo da Vinci,98
  Underwater fishing articles, camping tents.

Budget

• Luxor Ristorante Pizzeria

  phone: +39 0924 31988
  address: Via don Luigi Zangara,85
  Mediterranean and european cuisine, pizza, fish, gluten-free food, soups.

• Sapori di Sicilia

  phone: +39 0924 30790
  address: Viale Umberto I, 33/A
  Typical Sicilian cuisine: arancinos, calzoni, pizza, sfincione, very good couscous and nice "cassatelle".

• Salvinius

  phone: +39 0924 30185
  address: Via Don L.Zangara, 69
  With a view on the sea (located in the harbour): the cuisine is very good. They serve pizzas and several specialties of fish: seafood busiate (fresh pasta), cous cous, risotto with langoustines, fried calamari and prawns. The meat menu is also good, with porcini mushrooms or the grilled vegetables. Outdoor tables and accessibility for disabled people.

Medium range

• Antiche Scale

  phone: +39 0924 200146
  address: Via Don L. Sturzo
  A very good cuisine, above all for fish. The restaurant is in the heart of the town centre.

• Belvedere

  phone: +39 0924 35808
  address: contrada Belvedere
  Restaurant, banquet hall.

• Cacio & Cavalli

  phone: +39 0924 34055
  address: Contrada Gagliardetta
  Cacio & Cavalli is a good place for the people wishing a holiday inside nature. The characteristic environment allows you to spend a day full of relax. You can taste different typical products.

• Egesta Mare

  phone: +39 0924 30409, +39 333 6832208, +39 393 9482183
  address: Via Fiume, 10
  Restaurant and boarding house. The food at the restaurant is very tasty.

• La Cambusa

  phone: +39 0924 30155
  address: Via Don Luigi Zangara, 67
  This restaurant is in the middle of the harbour. They serve a fish menu and have a fresh fish stand.

• La Timpa

  phone: +39 0924 31316
  address: Via Arciprete Militelli, 26
  Restaurant-pizzeria. Traditional cuisine, pizza cooked in a wood oven (Neapolitan style), fish.

• Ristorante Al Burgo

  phone: +39 0924 531882, +39 331 7841649
  address: Via Malta, 19
  This restaurant is in the town centre, along a characteristic staircase and with an enchanting landscape. Among their offerings there are traditional dishes and fresh fish.

• Ristorante Silos

  phone: +39 320 682 0506
  address: via V.Pisani
  Restaurant, pizzeria, wine bar.

• Ristorante El Patio

  phone: +39 0924 35110, +39 393 984 2183, +39 333 683 2208, +39 366 779 7383
  address: Via don Luigi Zangara, 53
  The restaurant is in an old warehouse which has been restored in a modern style. They serve dishes of the Mediterranean cuisine. There are outdoor tables.

Pubs and Clubs

• Caffè Letterario

  phone: +39 0924 39090, +39 335 45898
  address: via Malta, 46
  Restaurant and pub.

• Cantina Aurelia

  phone: +39 0924 33461, +39 329 1086565
  address: corso B. Mattarella, 7
  Risto-pub.

• Carpe Diem

  address: Largo Petrolo

• Cucècè

  phone: +39 338 9489522
  address: Corso Garibaldi, 40
  Cafè, wine-bar, wine shop.

• Exodus

  phone: +39 0924 32824
  address: Via Galileo Galilei, 12

• Fashion Pub Cafe

  phone: +39 338 2238767

• Il Contesto

  phone: +39 366 2728683, +39 333 4756229
  address: piazza Petrolo,5

• Il Malandrino

  phone: +39 335 5278237
  address: corso B. Mattarella, 32

• Marakay

  address: contrada Bocca della Carrubba

• Moma

  phone: +39 331 8359503
  address: via Marconi, 172

• Picolit

  phone: +39 335 54 09 575, +39 3397725566
  address: Via Discesa Marina, 57
  Alke house, wine bar, pub and live music. Picolit is also a sandwich bar and fried-food shop. Apart beers you can taste drinks, cocktails and chupitos.

• Vintage

  phone: +39 329 3342515
  address: corso Garibaldi, 370
  Restaurant and pub.

• Vogue bar

  phone: +39 333 1424838
  address: via Don L. Zangara, 61
  A fashionable location in the harbour, good for your breakfast, apertifs or dinner in the evening. Very good ice-creams. In the evening live music for you!

• White Cafè

  phone: +39 334 7941179
  address: corso Garibaldi, 43

Budget

• Casale del Golfo

  phone: +39 327 7979 410
  address: Contrada Mulinello
  It is a country resort in a 19th-century country house, restored and having all the modern comforts: private bath with shower, phon (on request), desk, guardrobe, Tv, conditioned air, free entrance to the swimming pool and solarium equipped, children's playground. Pets are admitted. Breakfast included, free Wi-fi in the hall and free car park. Eventual tours on horseback.

• Hotel Punta Nord-Est

  phone: +39 0924 30511,+39 334 5994448
  address: Viale Leonardo Da Vinci, 67
  In the middle of the wonderful Gulf of Castellammare, the hotel is near the beach and the entrance to Castellammare. You can use its large open-air swimming pool, with deckchairs and beach umbrellas. Services include: free Wi-fi, conditioned air, TV, safe-deposit box, bath-room (with hydromassage or shower), hair-drier, minibar, phone, cradle on request.There is also a meeting hall for 180 people with audio-visual aids.

• Locanda Scirocco

  phone: +39 0924 30010, +39 0924 1961516
  address: Corso Garibaldi, 117
  It is in the centre of Castellammare del Golfo, at about 500 metres from the beach and the castle. The rooms are very cosy and with modern comforts and services: a private bathroom with a shower and hair-drier, conditioned air, telephone, free Wifi, tv and minibar. At breakfast you can choose typical products (salted or sweet).

Mid-range

• Cerri Hotel

  phone: +39 0924 34999
  address: Via Mascagni, 4
  The hotel is elegant with large rooms; the furnishings are pretty and modern. You can admire the castle and the harbour which are near it. There is a lounge, a bar and a spacious restaurant and a big mediterranean garden.

• Hotel Al Madarig

  phone: +39 092433533, +39 3347644603
  address: Piazza Petrolo, 7
  The hotel is in the centre of Castellammare, near the Mother Church and the Castle; it is a typical construction with two floors in piazza Petrolo. The rooms are large and cosy; services include: bar and reading room, free Internet point and Wi Fi, meeting hall, breakfast room, touristic information and road maps.

• Hotel Cala Marina

  phone: +39 0924 531841, +39 0924 531551
  address: Via Don L. Zangara, 1
  The hotel is in the town centre, in the old harbour. The rooms have free Wi-fi, TV, conditioned air, telephone, bathroom with a shower, minibar. From its terrace or from the entrance-hall you can admire the Castle and the harbour.

• Hotel Cetarium

  phone: +39 0924 533401
  address: Via Don L. Zangara, 45
  At the entrance of the harbour and near the Castle, this fine and comfortable hotel is located near an old tonnara. There are two modern restaurants (inside and outside) with a panoramic view. Services include:baby parking and guided tours.

• Hotel La Piazzetta

  phone: +39 0924 35559
  address: Piazza Europa 8
  In an old restored building, this hotel has got a bar, private car-park, car, scooter and boat hiring, there is also a beach equipped with deckchairs and beach umbrellas at about 200 mdistance. On request guided tours to Segesta, Mozia, Scopello, Erice, San Vito and the Reserve lo Zingaro. Animals not allowed.

• Le Palme B&B

  phone: +39 3479188872
  address: Contrada Castellaccio, 4
  You can admire the landscape from the bay of Guidaloca,Tonnara of Scopello, lo Zingaro as far as San Vito. It is at about 7 km from the Reserve lo Zingaro, at 4 from Castellammare del Golfo,and 20 from Segesta;

• Quattrocanti Case Vacanze sas

  phone: +39 0924 32254, +39 338 1770999, +39 333 3897067
  address: Corso Garibaldi, 76
  The flats, with a view on the town in an old building, are large and bright. The furnishings are new and well-finished. Free Wifi, conditioned air, iron, private bath or shower, fridge, micro-wave oven and stove. The building is situated in the town centre, at the famous “4 canti” and has large outdoor terraces where you can relax and admire the magnificent landscape of the gulf of Castellammare.

• Carabinieris' post

  phone: +39 0924 30975, +39 0924 31010
  address: Via N.Buccellato, 3

• Carabinieris' post

  phone: +39 0924 38100, +39 0924 38108
  address: Via Laudani G., Balata di Baida

• First Aid

  phone: +39 0924 599250,+39 0924 599233
  address: Via Crispi, 116 Alcamo

• Emergengy medical Service

  phone: +39 0924 33222
  address: Via Duchessa

• Summer emergency medical Service

  phone: +39 0924 541145
  address: Scopello

• Summer emergency medical Service

  phone: +39 0924 38115
  address: via Pascoli, 32 Balata di Baida

• The Reserve Surveillance Team

  phone: +39 0924 35093
  address: via Segesta, 197

• Veterinarian doctor Berardi Biagio

  phone: +39 0924 35027, +39 333 4728740
  address: via Verdi, 25

• Fire Brigade

  phone: +39 0924 21222
  address: via Francesco Parrino, Alcamo

• Traffic Police

  phone: +39 0924 31221
  address: via Segesta, 221

Breakdown service

• A.C.I.

• Sclafani Damiano

  phone: +39 0924 30614,+39 0924 34951, +39 333 2985155

Post offices

• Post Office

  phone: +39 0924 532011
  address: Via Verdi, 42
  Central post office

• Post Office

  phone: +39 0924 31478
  address: Via Francesco Crispi, 256
  agency

• Poste e Telecomunicazioni

  phone: +39 0924 38097
  address: Via Laudani, 40 - Balata di Baida

Internet

• Arinternet point

  phone: +39 0924 33873
  address: via Crispi, 69

• Bet Center

  phone: +39 0924 32651
  address: via Verdi, 28

• Centro Servizi Informatici

  phone: +39 0924 35351
  address: via Segesta

• Golfo Poker Internet Point

  phone: +39 388 9343715
  address: via Saragat, 6

• Internet Point

  phone: +39 0924 531023
  address: via Roma

• Internet Point

  address: via Marconi, 51

• Montecarlo 2

  phone: +39 0924 30083, +39 327 1688231
  address: via Segesta, 109

• Screen Saver

  phone: +39 0924 531067
  address: via Crispi

• The Faraglioni of Scopello
• Natural Reserve of Zingaro
• Segesta
• Erice
• Alcamo Marina
• Calatafimi Segesta