Discover San Vito Lo Capo and the most beautiful beaches

Last Updated on 16 July 2024

What to see in San Vito Lo Capo

San Vito Lo Capo is very famous for its beaches and the color of the sea , probably the most beautiful coasts of Sicily are found in this area. The town is really small, about 5,000 inhabitants, but very quaint, with many small white houses and ornamental plants of many colors and scents in front of the doors of the houses.

The only real monument of the town is the Sanctuary of San Vito, built around 300 in honor of San Vito, patron saint of the town. Walking in the center is still very pleasant, the whole area is closed to traffic and is full of restaurants and shops.

About 20 minutes from the center is the Capo San Vito lighthouse. It is not possible to visit it, but going towards the coast you will have a beautiful view of the town. A really nice place, little known, where you can enjoy the view and the silence of nature.

Let’s go and discover now the true beauty of San Vito Lo Capo, that is its beaches.

The beaches of San Vito Lo Capo and surroundings

The main beach of San Vito Lo Capo is located right in front of the town, characterized by a long white beach with a crystalline sea. Most of the beach, however, is private and therefore given to the lidos and 2 sun loungers and an umbrella cost around 15 to 20 Euros per day. Clarification: Most of the time the water is really crystalline, but it could become cloudy in case of sudden presence of algae. This phenomenon affects both San Vito Lo Capo and the surrounding beaches.

The beaches of the Zingaro Nature Reserve

In the Riserva dello Zingaro you will find many beautiful coves surrounded by nature and the sea here is truly magnificent, absolutely recommended. To get there you will still have to walk around the reserve, so avoid hot hours and don’t forget to bring water and tennis and beach shoes with you.

The first coves are however located about 10 minutes walk from each entrance, which are 2, one near San Vito Lo Capo and one near Scopello . Near the first you will find the Cala Tonnarella dell’Uzzo , next to the other, near Scopello, the Cala Capreria . Admission: 5 Euros, opening hours: from 7:00 to 19:30. Here you can find the article on the Riserva dello Zingaro , with all the information you need to visit it.

The beaches and coves between San Vito Lo Capo and Monte Cofano

In the stretch of coast between San Vito Lo Capo and Monte Cofano, where the other beautiful panoramic point Belvedere Bue Marino is located, you will find so many beaches and coves. Mostly these are small beaches and coves, many made up of white pebbles, so it is good to use beach shoes. The colors of the sea here are beautiful (algae permitting) and you are totally immersed in nature. Also on this stretch of coast you can reach the ancient tonnara del Cofano dating back to 1400 and the defense tower of 1500.

Boat trips to the Zingaro Nature Reserve

In the port of San Vito Lo Capo you can also book a boat excursion and visit the beautiful Zingaro and Scopello nature reserve, all organized by the company Buena Vida . Departures in the morning at 9:30 or in the afternoon at 15:00. The duration is 4 hours and the price of 30.00 euros per person including aperitif. Prices and times may change .

Top Secret Tip – The Bread Eater Cave

After the beaches chapter, here is a Top Secret tip. A place just 30 minutes from San Vito Lo Capo, something unique and spectacular, the Mangiapane Cave . Think about entering a cave and suddenly find yourself strolling inside a small nineteenth century village still intact . Stables for animals, wood-burning oven, chapels, little houses, all within a perfectly integrated cave.

A truly unique experience, which will also allow you to enter these ancient houses to discover their secrets. Just think that the cave was also a refuge for our Paleolithic ancestors.

The cave was inhabited by a family of farmers and shepherds, the Mangiapane family, until the mid-1900s. Then they decided to donate everything to the volunteers who took care of this fantastic place.

Interactive map – Points of interest in purple

Once in the area click on the square symbol at the top right to locate and orient yourself.

What and where to eat in San Vito Lo Capo – Typical dishes of the town

San Vito Lo Capo is above all famous for the cous cous . For decades, precisely in September, it has in fact hosted the famous Cous Cous Fest, an international festival that celebrates cous cous as a dish of peace, integration and cultural exchange in which artists and chefs from different countries around the world participate. The typical cous cous of San Vito Lo Capo is simple with a fish base, or with the addition of vegetables.

In general, all fish dishes are highly recommended , while if you want to try new and original combinations, try the ravioli with ricotta , served in fish broth with a sprinkling of pecorino cheese.

As the continuous presence of traps along the coast suggests, this is also an area for enjoy the tuna , prepared fresh, sweet and sour or with onion.

Recommended the restaurant La Cambusa where you can eat really well and inexpensively.

The most popular activities for tourists in Sicily

What to see in the surroundings

San Vito Lo Capo is located in the province of Trapani. Here you will find listed the places to visit in Trapani and surroundings .

Typical dishes of the area

Here you can find some tips on what to eat in Trapani and surroundings , of which San Vito Lo Capo is part, here instead you will find the typical Sicilian dishes.