Castellammare del Golfo is a truly charming Sicilian seaside town steeped in history with gorgeous views. This location serves as the perfect base for discovering the North West region of Sicily, offering a genuinely authentic experience. This is because it’s not just a tourist spot; many Sicilians call this place home, adding to its local charm.There is plenty of accommodation from cute little apartments with roof terraces to luxury hotels.
Where We Stayed In Castellammare Del Golfo
Castello a Mare – Townhouse
We stayed in this stunning town house which is built on top of the original castle from the Norman era. Castello a Mare not only boasts an amazing location, but also breathtaking views from each of its 3 balconies and also the covered roof terrace.
As I entered the property, I realised that the pictures did not do it justice. Stepping through the old wooden door, from the cobbled courtyard, my eyes were immediately drawn to the view through the huge glass door opposite. The sun was reflecting off the azure sea and you could see the whole bay with blue grey mountains in the background. Truly beautiful!
When I could drag my eyes away, I started to notice how the downstairs had been renovated to retain the charm of this old building. The original stone walls are exposed in places complemented with traditional and modern art work.
The kitchen is very well equipped with high quality appliances and the mixture of old and new is perfectly balanced. From the kitchen, you can step directly out onto a balcony with a small bistro table and chairs. This was my favourite place in the whole town house, while staying there I got up early and watched the sunrise while drinking a cup of coffee. The light was just amazing first thing in the morning and its so quiet and peaceful with just the waves lapping at the shore below.
The next two floors have very simple yet stylish bedrooms. The first floor has a double and a twin, which again has stunning views over the bay. There is also a toilet on this floor as the main bathroom is on the ground floor. Then on the second floor there is another twin bedroom with ensuite bathroom (my 12 year old loved this as it was like a mini apartment for her) and a terrace with a dining table, to enjoy lazy lunches looking out to sea or pasta accompanied by a glass of wine in the evening.
We ate in the town house quite a few times during our stay, as we decided the view couldn’t be beaten. We stocked up with delicious antipasto and the local busiata pasta from the nearby deli and enjoyed relaxed family meals.
When we booked the location was this property’s main selling point and it definitely didn’t disappoint. You could walk a few hundred yards and be on the tiny beach which sits below the balcony or you could stroll round to the harbour. The harbour provided a plethora of entertainment options for us. If you rise early, you can witness fishermen selling their freshly caught fish, with cats delighting in the leftover scraps. As evening falls, the area becomes vibrant with a variety of restaurants and bars, each offering delicious fresh food accompanied by gorgeous views.
Other Places To Stay In And Nearby Castellammare Del Golfo
When we visit anywhere we always like to check out the other accommodation options nearby, particularly when we fall in love with a place as much as we did when we visited Castellammare Del Golfo.
Best Town Centre Location
Hotel Cala Marina
We spotted this cute little hotel on one of our many strolls around the harbour and noticed that it had a terrace which had amazing views of the marina. When we travel as a family we prefer self catering accommodation, but Hotel Cala Marina would be perfect if it was just the two of us so as always we did a bit of research and found that it was very highly rated.
It has a range of different rooms you can book including those with patios, balconies and sea views. The interior is decorated with frescos and has a very traditional homely feel to it but the real selling point to this hotel is the location.
Breakfast is included in the price and you have the option of either taking it in their dinning hall which has views of the sea and the castle or on the terrace right next to the sea, which would always be my preference. I love eating al fresco whenever I can.
All the reviews praise the location and also say that the staff are extremely friendly and helpful which made their stay very comfortable and enjoyable.
Best Beachside Location
Hotel La Battigia
We stumbled upon this hotel when we decided to explore the beaches around the bay towards Trapetto. After establishing that Trapetto was pretty much closed, as it was out of season, we headed back towards Castellammare Del Golfo and found ourselves at Alcamo Marina, where we parked and wandered along the beach. We saw Hotel La Battigia and decided to stop for a drink due to its amazing location right on the beach.
It has a terrace which has views out across the Gulf of Castellammare, where we enjoyed a refreshing drink. Next to this are sunloungers arranged round a lovely pool (again with sea views). In the summer they have sunloungers and parasols on the beach which are free to hotel guests.
Inside the hotel is very modern with clean lines and decorated in a palette of blue and white which reflects its beachfront position. It is the only hotel on the beach in Alcamo Marina and it would be wonderful to simply step out of your door onto the golden sand everyday.
There are a selection of rooms to suit everybody’s needs from suites to standard doubles and you can opt for one with a sea view. If we were visiting in the summer we would definitely consider this hotel as our girls are such beach lovers. I can just imagine them running out and diving into the sea every morning.
Best View
Hotel Belvedere Resort
Perched above Castellammare del Golfo with simply breathtaking views across the gulf, the Hotel Belvedere is modern and stylish with extremely friendly and helpful staff according to all the reviews.
We found this hotel when we stopped to take photos of the amazing view on our way to visit nearby Scopello. When we stopped, we realised that it was actually the entrance to this luxury hotel that we had seen lit up on the hillside every evening.
Not only does it have the option of booking rooms with this stunning view, there is also an infinity pool which looks out over the cute town of Castellammare del Golfo and the bay beyond. What a perfect place to relax after exploring the North West of this beautiful island.
It is less than 10 minutes drive to the centre of Castellammare and in the other direction you have Lo Zingaro Nature Reserve and many beautiful hidden coves. After reading many reviews, they all comment on the cleanliness of the hotel, the modern decor and beautifully appointed bathrooms not to mention how friendly the staff are.
Laura loves travelling across the UK and abroad. She has two children and a husband who are often her travel companions. Beach holidays, cosy cottages, treehouse adventures and brunching are just a few of her favourite ways to spend her travel time.