Free walking tours in San Vito lo Capo and what to see

Must-sees

San Vito lo Capo is a fishing village on the north-western tip of Sicily, at the foot of Monte Monaco. Its big draw is the beach of pale sand and turquoise water curving along the centre. In the village the sanctuary of San Vito stands out, a church that looks like a fortress, along with the lighthouse on the cape at the end of the seafront. The streets, with low white houses, fill with terraces in summer, and the village is known for its fish couscous.

To the south begins the Zingaro Nature Reserve, with a coastal path between coves that cannot be reached by car. In the opposite direction, the Monte Cofano Reserve surrounds another mountain by the sea, with trails and watchtowers. Along the coast there are old tuna fisheries and coastal towers, reminders of the area's fishing history.

Free tours and guided visits

There are no regular free tours in San Vito lo Capo. What is on offer are boat trips along the coast to Castellammare del Golfo, with stops to swim in coves of the Zingaro and in front of the Scopello sea stacks. You can also do the trip to the reserve and the sea stacks by land.

How long to spend

A couple of hours are enough for the village, but most people come for several days at the beach. With three days you can alternate the village beach with a day in the Zingaro, on foot or by boat, and another at Monte Cofano or Scopello. If you have a car, Erice and Trapani are less than an hour away.

Where to stay

The most convenient option is to stay in the centre, near the beach, where there are hotels, apartments and guesthouses, and do everything on foot. In summer the village fills up and it is worth booking well in advance. The hamlets of Macari and Castelluzzo, a few kilometres away, are quieter and have rural houses and apartments, although you need a car.