From Palermo to San Vito Lo Capo by boat

Sicily is the real pearl of the Mediterranean Sea as well as one of the most renowned Italian holiday destinations. 

This is a land of traditions, natural beauties, history, and exquisite food, framed by an aura of mystery that charms everyone who visits it. Sailing aficionados know that this magical place is the perfect destination for an amazing sailing experience, but if you have never ventured into the Sicilian sea, the trait of coast that goes from Palermo to San Vito Lo Capo on the northwest side of the island is definitely worth a first visit. 

Check out our exclusive 7-day itinerary in one of the most fascinating parts of Sicily, between a cannolo with ricotta and a tasty arancina!  

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From Palermo to San Vito Lo Capo by boat: 7-day itinerary

Day 1 - Palermo

Day 2 - Terrasini

Day 3 - Castellammare del Golfo

Day 4 - Scopello 

Day 5 - San Vito Lo Capo 

Day 6 - Mondello 

Day 7 - Palermo

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Day 1 - Palermo 

We start our itinerary in the beautiful Palermo, the capital city and the center of the Sicilian culture. The city boasts a spectacular historical center, full of important heritage sites on every corner: moor at the Marina and gets ready to be enchanted by the beauty of this place.

Not to be missed:

• The Normann Palace, a symbol of the Norman heritage of the city 

• The Palatine Chapel, a beautiful building where Latin, Arab, and Byzantine cultures coexist 

• Ballarò Market, if you want to immerse in the real Sicilian culture and try some of the freshest food you will ever eat! 

• The Cathedral, once a mosque and then converted into a church in 1185, is now the main symbol of Palermo

• Bellini Square, where you can visit two buildings of Arab-Norman heritage, the Church of Martorana and the Church of San Cataldo

After an enchanting but exhausting walk through the streets of Palermo, we suggest enjoying a tasty dinner with fresh fish in a local Trattoria before heading back to the boat.

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Day 2 - Terrasini

You can reach Terrasini by boat in about 4 hours from Palermo. Along the way, you can admire the beautiful and wild nature that characterizes this trait of the coast. If you leave in the morning, you will be able to arrive at Calarossa around midday, and enjoy a fresh lunch onboard before heading to our first stop: Grotta delle Colombe, which is also reachable from the land by walking down a steep staircase that overlooks the sea. 

After visiting the grotto, you can reach San Cataldo beach and swim in the turquoise waters to cool down and relax. Terrasini is a location famous for its white sand beaches and clear waters, therefore we suggest taking some time to enjoy the various coves scattered along the coast. Moor at Terrasini’s Port to have a walk in the picturesque town and sleep for the night. 

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Day 3 - Castellammare del Golfo

The beautiful bay of Castellammare del Golfo is our fourth stop in this exclusive itinerary. This little Sicilian town hides many historical buildings that remind us of the Norman and Arab past of this land, such as the Arab-Norman Castle, or the classical and picturesque Mother Church. This trait of the coast is rich in coves and bays where you can spend a few hours of absolute relaxation surrounded by breathtaking landscapes, so we suggest taking advantage of this day to recharge your batteries.

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Day 4 - Scopello 

After a quick boat ride of about an hour, you can reach Scopello, the absolute highlight of our itinerary. Here is where the Zingaro Nature Reserve begins, hence the amazing landscapes and breathtaking scenarios that can be seen everywhere: this is the main protected area in the whole of Sicily, and boasts a variety of unique coves and beaches. If you wish to stretch your legs, there are plenty of trails that connect each cove and from which you can admire spectacular views, but if you decide to remain on the boat, we recommend paying a visit to the famous sea stacks in front of the Tonnara (tuna fishery) and swim in the crystal clear waters. 

Before reaching San Vito Lo Capo, don’t miss the enchanting Torre Dell’Uzzo cove, a tiny half-moon beach of white sand surrounded by a turquoise sea which is also an important site of Nature Reserve.    

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Day 5 - San Vito Lo Capo 

San Vito Lo Capo is one of the main tourist attractions in Sicily. This beautiful town is connected to the sea by a long white sand beach and turquoise waters that make it look like a tropical paradise. The town is located in the Zingaro Nature Reserve and the protected area is rich in stunning places to visit. After passing the Lo Capo Lighthouse, you can reach the western side of the reserve and visit the numerous coves scattered along the Macari Gulf: don’t miss the beaches of Isulidda, Santa Margherita, and Macari.

You can head back to San Vito Lo Capo to moor at the port and visit the historical center. 

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Day 6 - Mondello 

Before sailing back to Palermo we stop midway at our final destination, the charming Mondello, renowned for the namesake and paradisiac beach that stretches along its bay. On the way to Mondello, you can visit the Isola delle Femmine (island of the women) and coast the Natural Reserve of Capo Gallo to admire the unspoiled nature. Don’t miss the beautiful light games in the Grotta dell’Olio (Oil Cave), only reachable by boat!

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Day 7 - Palermo

We head back to our starting point by sailing along the coasts between Mondello and Palermo and making a stop in Addaura, a beautiful fishermen’s town with a port that can be easily visited in a few hours. This trait of coast offers many coves with turquoise waters to visit, so one last jump in the sea is mandatory! 

Palermo is just an hour away from Mondello, therefore you can arrange your day according to the arrival time scheduled with your charter company. 

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If you loved the exclusive locations of our 7-day itinerary in northwest Sicily, don’t forget to check our boat availability in Cefalù and Palermo on Sailogy’s website.