What to See in Western Sicily

Cefalù

Cefalù is not exactly on the western coast of Sicily, but it’s not too far from it, and it would be a shame not to visit. So, I decided to include it in the must-see places of western Sicily.

Cefalù is a beautiful gem set on the Sicilian sea. So beautiful that crossing its gaze, made up of narrow streets, alleys, and glimpses of the sea, causes a sense of embarrassment.

The little hill that distinguishes it seems to have been created by the skilled hands of an artist and its wheel. Instead, it’s another miracle that nature has gifted us in Sicily. And we can do nothing but acknowledge it once again (If you’re near Cefalù, here are my tips)

Sure, climbing the hill is not exactly for the faint of heart, but once you’re up there, you can’t help but admire the nature surrounding you and the peace that reigns supreme.

A tiring climb and a relaxing descent keep our bodies still connected to the little jewel that is Cefalù. But with our minds, we already imagine the next stop: Palermo.

Palermo & Monreale

Palermo needs no introduction, because, honestly, an introduction couldn’t explain Palermo. It would take an immense book to explain such an immense city in every sense.

The massive Cathedral carries with it a sad legend. The brother of the man who built it supposedly committed suicide out of envy. The envy born from seeing such a beautiful construction.

He had built the cathedral of Monreale, which was not as beautiful on the outside. But inside, the Cathedral of Monreale hides, and still hides today, the light. A light that this man, blinded by envy, chose never to see again.

A sad story that has followed these two cathedrals through the centuries.

But Palermo is also the Palatine Chapel in the Norman Palace, whose golden vaulted ceilings leave any traveler in awe. Faced with so much beauty, you can only fall into a hypnotic state, only to return to normal after many long minutes.

Castellammare del Golfo and San Vito lo Capo

Once you’ve seen Palermo and passed through Monreale, you can’t miss a stroll through Castellammare del Golfo, and you should at least spend a day relaxing on the beaches of San Vito lo Capo.

These are places you can’t afford to miss if you find yourself in the area. Whether you have a car or not. In fact, many buses run the Palermo-San Vito lo Capo and Palermo-Castellammare del Golfo routes.

Personally, I used a car to reach these two places. I also recommend doing the same, especially if you plan on returning in one day.

You can also choose to visit only one of these two beautiful seaside locations.

Trapani and Erice

I need to say this: Trapani didn’t particularly impress me, but I really appreciated its calm, warm sea. However, Trapani was my base for reaching Erice, which is truly a little gem.

Unfortunately, sometimes public transport in Sicily doesn’t work as it should. In fact, reaching Erice was difficult for me on a Sunday morning. I waited for a bus in vain. Then I called a taxi that seemed to not exist. Finally, a rental taxi driver took on our case of “frustrated tourists” and, for the “modest” sum of 40 euros, decided to take us to Erice from Trapani. We had no other choice.

In reality, I remember that day as an adventure. My sister and I were pulling our hair out because we weren’t used to waiting an entire morning for transport. But in our misadventure, we met a fellow couple who was in the same situation and saw in our faces the reflection of their own daughters. In the frustration of a morning waiting for a taxi, we felt pampered.

Not all bad things happen to hurt you!

Reaching Erice, then, wasn’t easy, but once we arrived, we lost ourselves among its streets, searching for Sicilian beauties. Those beauties that make you wait and that are hard to find.

Erice is this: a gem set in a land of forgotten altitudes. Here, you can find the freshly baked “cassatelle” from the pastry chef Maria Grammatico, one of those elderly women who never tire of repeating her recipes, kneading kilos of shortcrust pastry for the long lines of tourists who crowd her little shop every day.

And then Erice is also a haven for scientists. Here, amidst landscapes and cliffs overlooking the sea, Majorana sipped coffee and wrote theorems that most people still cannot understand.

Erice carries with it the mystery of Majorana’s disappearance. If you want to understand what happened to this undoubtedly talented scientist, I recommend visiting the “Majorana Foundation” in Erice and getting lost in the discussions of the guide who will take you through the maze of this mystery.

Egadi Islands

Well, as I mentioned, Trapani didn’t impress me, but I’m sure maybe I just wasn’t able to perceive its beauty. A second chance is always deserved, after all.

From Trapani, however, I reached Favignana by boat.

nd here, well, I truly spent three days in love.

I rented a bike (with pedal assistance) and discovered corners, alleyways, and landscapes I never imagined I would see in my lifetime.

The azure waters of “Cala Rossa” and the wild rocks of “Cala Rotonda” are unforgettable.

With every pedal stroke, I wished I could stop and observe every corner of this island frozen in time.

If you pass by Favignana, you will surely find your own private beach where you can stop and sunbathe in solitude.

Here you’ll find more tips on Favignana.

Agrigento

Agrigento is one of those cities that enters your heart without asking for permission. Walking through its streets feels like embracing history and the sea, where every stone tells an ancient story, as if the city itself were whispering secrets into the ears of passersby. The Valley of the Temples, with its majestic Greek ruins, seems to live in a special light, the kind that reflects in the smile of those who arrive here for the first time and fall in love with it hopelessly.

Every corner of Agrigento has something special: whether it’s a hidden square, a trattoria serving plates full of love, or its narrow streets that welcome you like an old friend. The sunset, too, is something you’ll never forget: the sky turns red, and the air feels lighter, as if the city is breathing with you.