San Vito lo Capo in western Sicily is a beach resort tourist destination with some of the best sandy beaches and clear water. The San Vito beach has been named the most beautiful in Italy.
If you’re planning a visit to San Vito lo Capo, this article will help you with the best tips and advice on what to do if you are visiting the area for the first time. There are plenty of restaurants to get local cuisine and tasty wine, and stores where you can shop from local artisan. Plus, historical sites to learn more about the history and culture of San Vito and his origin. But the best thing about San Vito are the crystal clear water and the sandy beaches.
How to get to San Vito Lo Capo
Before we get down to what to do in San Vito Lo Capo we need to get there first. The closed airports are Trapani Vincenzo Florio-Birgi or Falcone Borsellino in Palermo. From Trapani Vincenzo Florio-Birgi the cheapest way is by bus AST 10 buses daily and the travelling time is around 1 and 30 minutes. Or alternatively a taxi prices are from €70. From Palermo Falcone Borsellino airport you can get a the bus by Autoservizi Russo, the buses run 2-3 times per day, or a taxi and the rate starts from €100.
In this article, we’ll give us the best tips on what to do in San Vito lo Capo.
Where to Stay in San Vito Lo Capo
Booking.comThe best beaches in San Vito lo Capo
One of the most common activities to do when you visit San Vito lo Capo is to head to the beach. The best beaches that you don’t want to miss are the following:
San Vito: a beautiful long strip of white sand in the shape of a half moon
Makari: the smallest sandy beach with emerald crystal water just amazing
Santa Margherita: free sandy beach, reachable on foot or by “Ercolino” local free electric train. The service departs every 10 minutes. This free train service serves all the beaches around San Vito lo Capo.
The Zingaro Reserve an amazing natural beaty one of the most admired in Sicily. The majestic trail (7 km) from Scopello to San Vito Lo Capo will be one in a life time experience that you don’t want to miss.
Other beaches that you don’t want to miss if you have enough time to explore the area are, Chianca, Agliareddi and Punta Bucerno:
All the beaches offer snorkelling, stand-up paddle boarding, water taxiing, among other water activities, plus you can enjoy the local seafood specialties, in the different restaurants or lidos.
Whether you’re in the mood to tan on white sandy beaches or go snorkelling to view the world under the clean water, the San Vito beach is a great attraction to spend a day relaxing at one of the best beach in Italy.
The San Vito Beach, at the foot of Monte Monaco, stretches nearly 1.8 miles (3 km) was voted one of the best beaches in Italy, earning multiple Blue Flag awards for its beauty and sanitation by the Foundation for Environmental Education (FEE).
Bue Marino Cove
There’s no shortage of beautiful sights in San Vito lo Capo. Just a short distance away from the town of San Vito is another must-visit landmark. Well, there are actually multiple sites to see in the same area.
First is The Bue Marino Cove, named The Most Beautiful in Italy 2015 by the Legambiente – Italian Environmental Association, is sure to take your breath away.
You’re sure to be in awe of the sunsets that set the sky ablaze with fire, and the weather stays mild year-round.
There are no shops or restaurants, so you need to bring your provisions. Why not pack a meal and have a nice dinner at sunset instead of dining at a restaurant.
Just make sure you bring a blanket, beach towels, or chairs to sit on, as the beach is sharp cobbled stone instead of soft sand. Some people may face challenges trying to walk over the rocky outcrop to reach the bay.
To get the most out of your vacation, leave your hotel in San Vito early enough that you can stop by Isuildda, a beach located next to Bue Marino Cove.
The beach dell’ Isulidda (small island) is the perfect setting to get in some snorkelling and cave diving. There’s plenty to see in this underwater paradise.
From the beach, you have a great view of the cliffs of Cala Mancina, a popular destination for rock climbing enthusiasts. These cliffs have multiple caves, breathtaking colors, and an ancient watchtower, the Tower dell’ Isulidda.
Monte Cofano
Monte Cofano is a scenic mountain along the coast of San Vito Lo Capo. If you’re looking for somewhere to hit some hiking trails and find some off the map swimming spots, plan a trip to this beautiful hike, which is 2162 feet (659 meters) above sea level.
You will need a car to get up to the Summit Route, which is where you start your hike. The start of the walk is pretty straightforward, but it becomes more difficult as you reach the slope. You enjoy UIAA grade I hiking before things get dicey.
There is also a coastal trail that loops around Monte Cofano. Taking this path lets you get down to sea level, where you can view an abandoned tuna fish factory – Tonnara.
Other exciting landmarks you’ll see during your hike is the Crocifisso – a little chapel, and an old Spanish watchtower, the Torre di San Giovanni di Cofano.
San Vito Sanctuary
If hiking a mountain isn’t your style, you can take a more leisurely stroll by touring the San Vito Sanctuary and learn of San Vito Lo Capo’s rich history.
The Sanctuary is in the heart of the beautiful city square. This ancient Christian worship building dates back to the fifth century.
Inside the Sanctuary, you can tour a museum that documents the history and the worship of Saint Vito with sacred items.
The Sanctuary and Fortress have unique architectural designs that harmonize in appearance along the watchtower, balconies, loopholes, and the rose window.
Inside the Sanctuary, the giant marble altar dominates the room. You can also take in the sight of the massive marble sculpture of the Saint child, designed by Gagini and dating back to the 1500s.
The Faro
Another intriguing landmark to view while in San Vito lo Capo is the Faro. This lighthouse was built in 1854 and still stands as a beacon of land for those out at sea.
Travellers of the sea rely on the Faro’s bright light to guide them safely through the waters, with a beam that spans out 20 nautical miles. There’s also a red light to warn of the rocky conditions of the shoal to the North.
To this day, the 40 meters (131 feet) tall lighthouse serves a crucial purpose for all of Sicily and has saved countless ships travelling through the area.
CousCous Festival
In the month of September since 1998 the Festival of the CousCous takes place in San Vito lo Capo. Chefs from 8 different countries (France, Italy, Tunisia, Senegal, Israele, Palestine, Ivory Coast and Morocco) compete to get awarded the best CousCous dish of this international gastronomic competition.
San Vito Lo Capo Beaches
Here are some of the best beaches you can visit in San Vito Lo Capo:
- San Vito Lo Capo Beach – This is the main beach of the town and is known for its clear blue waters and fine white sand. It is a long beach with plenty of space for visitors to sunbathe, swim, and play beach games.
- Cala dell’Uzzo – This beach is located to the west of San Vito Lo Capo and is surrounded by cliffs and greenery. The beach has crystal clear water and a mix of sand and rocks, making it a great spot for snorkeling.
- Tonnara di San Vito – This beach is located on the eastern side of the town and is a popular spot for windsurfing and kitesurfing. The beach has clear blue water and is surrounded by a rocky coastline.
- Bue Marino – This beach is located a short drive from San Vito Lo Capo and is a secluded spot with clear blue water and white sand. It is surrounded by rugged cliffs and has a peaceful atmosphere.
- Riserva dello Zingaro – This is a nature reserve located to the west of San Vito Lo Capo and is home to several beaches with crystal clear water and stunning views. The reserve has hiking trails that allow visitors to explore the surrounding cliffs and forests.
In Closing
If you want to see some of Italy’s best beaches, you should book a trip to the town of San Vito lo Capo, in western Sicily. To avoid large crowds, schedule your trip outside of the hot summer months of July and August. The balmy weather makes this city a great place to visit any time of year.
