Addumare stands in a wonderful position to explore the area.
Whether you wish to go for half or full day, we suggest you some must-see places.
Listed below, some trips
you shouldn't miss
if you stay at least one week.
We'll give you information about the trip
and for those who'll come,
we'll be glad to suggest some other excursions by bike or on foot.
The “riserva naturale dello Zingaro” is a protected national park created on May the 6th 1981, in the wake of a massive demonstration against the building of the new road between Scopello and San Vito. The park consists of 1700 acres, 7 km of coasts in the province of Trapani. It is the only green area out of the rocky northen landscape. Three itineraries can be suggested. The first one is the most attended by people all along the coast, the second one is more difficult and includes Mount Speziale (913m), the third leads from the top straight to the sea.
The park is a protected area because of its peculiar Mediterranea sea biodiversity such as cork, chestnut, pine, poplar and willow trees. The Mediterranean dwarf palm is very diffused and still used to make brooms, baskets, mattress and also cactus and agaves. Walking through this wonderful park, you'll likely meet different species of birds, mammals, boars, rabbits, porcupines and other rodents.
San Vito Lo Capo
It is a small village by the sea with a famous sandy beach 3.5 km long. Every year in September, it hosts the Cous Cous Festival which increases its its popularity. If you don't like large crowds, choose the low season.
Trapani
Trapani, once called Drepanon, probably draws its name from its sicle shape coastline. The city has a small and wonderful centre where you'll admire the famous Church of Purgatory with the 20 statues taking part to the Eastern Celebrations (on the Holy Friday). In the moderne part of city, some monuments definetely worth a visit: the Santuario dell’Annunziata with its magnificient Cappella della Madonna, an outstanding variety of coloured marbles, the Gagini's marble portal and the venerated Madonna di Trapani; the Peopoli Museum is housed in the former Carmelite convent, a massive building dating back to th 14th/17th century, don't miss the beautiful cloister from where you can see the adjacent belltower and sumptuous staircase. The museum contains a superb collection of local finds coming from the area, ranging from archeology to decorative arts in particular the magnificient coral jewellery.
Erice
Erice is an Elymian city of mythical origins. Nowadays, it is a medieval walled town perched on top of an isolated limestone spur, 751 m above the sea. Grey stone houses,stone-paved streets, beautiful courtyards: all this gives the city a special charm. Definitely, stop at Pasticceria Grammatico and taste its almond pastry cooked by signora Maria who learnt the secret of the old recipe from the cloistered nuns of the San Carlo convent.
Mozia
It is a small and charming island, that once was the most important Phoenician walled town in western Sicily. It has a beautiful position in the natural park of the Stagnone, and it is an open-air museum showing the remains of the Phoenician glorious population. You will definitely feel as part of a painting made up of ancient windmills, salt water and “mountains of salt” covered up with old tiles. The museum and the archeological finds will bring you back to the VIII century B.C.
A small ferry regularly brings visitors to the island, crossing the lagoon (Riserva dello Stagnone). Before embarking, do not miss the outstanding panorama of the windmills.
Marsala
The town of Marsala is famous all over the world for the Marsala wine and Garibaldi's arrival in Sicily. The town has a nice old city centre and a picturesque market where you can buy the best local products such as tuna and bottarga (made with tuna eggs).
Mazara del Vallo
The town still preserves an Arab atmosphere especially in its plan. Very famous is its port with the most important fishing boats in Italy.Very interesting the museum of the Satiro Danzante ( a precious Greek statue rescued by a boat, symbol of the Mediterranean beauty). The town appears much more as a Kasbah than as an Italian town where the small white buildings, one over the other one, reflect the blinding sunlight. Stop at the old cloister convent, San Michele Arcangelo, since 1600 the nuns prepare small almond balls filled with pumpkin (called “muccunetti”) . Convent pastry has probably medieval origins, it reaches its best in the 16th century during the Spanish domination. This convent is one of the four in Sicily still using the wheel (to let pastry into and out), the nuns wrap every single almond ball with the traditional tissue paper and make the wheel turn.
Selinunte
The archeological park is the largest of Europe in terms of majesty and size of its ruins. A walk around the huge temple G will give you an idea of the holy building's magnificience. Selinunte symbolizes much more the human strength than the glory of gods: this glorious ancient town was one of the richest of the Mediterranean for about two centuries. It is a unique archeological site with its ruins (2.650 years ago), odours, sounds, Mediterranean colours and vegetation. Be careful, Selinunte can be very hot in summer, it is better to choose fresh hours. Marinella di Selinunte is a good stop for fish restaurants. Torretta, Tre Fontane, Porto Palo have beautiful beaches.
Scala dei Turchi
Scala dei turchi is a rocky cliff overlooking the sea, with the shape of a natural staircase of pure white colour. It is one of the most evocative places in Sicily with its strong chromatic contrasts : the blue sea and the blinding white of the rock. It is located between two beaches of fine sand where you can spend a full day of sun and swimming.
Agrigento
As the Greek poet Pindaro said Agrigento “is the most beautiful city of human beings”. Listed among one of the World Heritage sites, the Valley of Temples has a special charme: centuries-old olive trees, a blue sky together with ancient Greek temples. Walking from above: the temple of Juno standing in a dominant position; the solemn and harmonious temple of Concordia is the best example of Doric art in Sicily and it is very well preserved; the columns of the temple of Hercules;the ruins of the huge temple of Zeus with unique Sicilian example of telamon (a statue representing a giant placed between two columns)
