This was the last leg of our trip.  It took me a while to choose a place to stay, we wanted to relax in a nice spot near the beach and after some research I decided for Scopello, perhaps the most suggestive and picturesque place of the comune of Castellammare del Golfo in the Trapani Province.

Scopello is a tiny medieval hamlet, located on top of a cliff overlooking the sea. It has no beach in itself, but the sea is sublime and the views breathtaking.  Scopello can not be reached by car. You have to leave it parked outside the walls, and walk to its main square with a fountain that once served as a watering hole, going under that arch that tells us where the “baglio” begins.  There are four small houses and little else, some souvenir and food stores, taverns where to eat fish couscous and the bakery.

View from Torre Bennistra Hotel in Scopello.

Torre Bennistra hotel and restaurant

SIDE TRIPS

Castellammare del Golfo

Castellammare is a town and fishing port in the province of Trapani, very pleasant to set base and visit the area, it has some very nice beaches, with sand, beach bars with lounge chairs and umbrellas.

STAY

Punta Nord Est, via Leonardo da Vinci 67. A three star hotel, very well located facing the sea, highly recommended. The breakfast included in the price is great and plentiful. Very good value for money

View from the balcony of the hotel room

EAT

Ristorante del Golfo  Seafood restaurant, Via Segesta, 153, Castellammare del Golfo

Salvinius Pizzeria and traditional restaurant. Via Don Leonardo Zangara, 69, Castellammare del Golfo

Erice

Located on top of Monte San Giuliano, Erice is a must visit if in the area.  The medieval town is extremely well-preserved and views of the Gulf of Trapani, Egadi Islands and the tip of San Vito lo Capo are impressive.

Segesta

It was called Segesta, an ancient city, no longer inhabited, founded by the Elymians and situated in the northwestern part of Sicily, in the province of Trapani, built approximately in the V century BC. The temple, which was built in 430 BC out of town, is a magnificent structure perfectly well preserved. I advise you to arrive to the archaeological site early in the morning, to avoid the heat and the tour buses. There is a bus that goes up from the ticket office to the temple and the archaeological site, at the end of the visit you should go back walking to the parking lot, a 30-minute walk, to enjoy the spectacular views.